How long should high quality speakers last?


My Zu Omen Def MKii (rev B) are going on 13-14 years old. The speakers sound wonderful. I have no intention of parting with them. The speakers came with the latest ZU tweeter design. How long should I expect the speakers to last without any issues? I do not abuse the speakers and run them with my Luxman 595ase amp. 

aberyclark

After owning Revel Studios (a very highly regarded loudspeaker in the early 2000s) for more than 20 years, I decided it was time to replace them even though they still worked as well, I think, as when they were new. So, why?

Comparing my Studios with several current state of the art speakers (and employing equipment/cables as similar to what I own as possible), it quickly became apparent to me that 20 years of speaker technology developments had wrought some real improvements in sound reproduction. 

Accordingly, I now own Magico A5 and am enjoying vastly improved clarity, soundstaging, and imaging.

 

@asvjerry LOL

My DCM Time Frame 2000s date to around 1987 or so.  I have owned them for seven years and the still sound crazy good to me.  Given the relative rarity of the pair I am reluctant to do much work.  It is also the complexity of the design.  Twin transmission lines for the two woofers.  I have seen the TF1000 crossover so this must be much more.  The back panel comes off but it is (no exaggeration) 20 screws.

I also love vintage radios to talk how long a speaker can last.  A 1948 Farnsworth Caperhart 114N2 came into my possession recently.  These were the finest home entertainment you could buy.  In 1948 this model cost 1750.  It had Jensen's 5"/15" coaxial speaker the JHP-52.  It still sounds great to me all things considered with the  cabinet.

I'M GUESSING THAT oops sorry yelling that my ears will deteriorate faster than any other component I own so yay (?) for getting older.  BTW Youtube Bobs Capehart 41e 3 conversion if you want to witness a mechanical marvel.  20 record changer on the  Capehart that could play A/B, all A than B sides and shut itself off after a preset number of plays.

Interesting. I've never thought that speakers would deteriorate over time. I have a pair of TSM MMs that could be 20 years old ( Bought used). They sound just fine to my old ears, but should I doing some "maintenance"?

I have a pair of Snell Type C bought in the mid '80's and a pair of Large Advent Utilities purchased in the late '70s.  Both have had new surrounds installed years ago, cones are still in good shape.  They still pack a punch.  I use a 400 wpc amp with high dynamic headroom on the Snell's. 

If you're not buying them out of the back of a white van legit brands will last as long as we use them within their designed purpose.