If you’re after premium sound quality on a modest budget, buying used can do the trick. Try our tips for bagging some vintage speakers
You know how it is: you do your research and read plenty of reviews, but the pair of speakers you really want are priced just out of reach. There is a way around that problem and that is to buy second hand. It takes a fair bit more legwork to get exactly what you want compared with buying new, but there is a fair chance they will be more affordable. Therein lies the appeal of second-hand hi-fi.
How affordable? Typically, you should find at least a 30 per cent drop in the price of a product that’s one year old and around 50 per cent on something that’s closer to three years old. After that, the price is determined as much by condition as age.
Of all the various components that make up a hi-fi system, speakers are probably the most sturdy and can give decades’ worth of use provided they haven’t been abused. And if they do go wrong, they are usually relatively easy to repair. All told, secondhand and vintage hi-fi speakers can be a great option provided you avoid a few potential problems.
Do your research
When you buy new it’s a good idea to visit various dealers to compare speakers. This way you can find the perfect pair for you and your system. Things are very different when buying second-hand hi-fi speakers, of course. Unless you have heard a pair of the speakers that you are thinking of buying, you will have to lean heavily on speaker reviews to make a decision. While reviews can certainly help to compile a shortlist, they can’t guarantee that those speakers can work well in your system and to your tastes. There is certainly an element of risk when buying this way.
When looking at second-hand speakers on eBay or your local dealer, it’s easy to get tempted by a low price; but our experience tells us that this rarely results in long-term satisfaction. Instead, we recommend you compile a shortlist of products to consider; those that will fit into your set-up and sound optimal in the position you are going to place them. There’s no point buying those bargain-priced premium floorstanders if you’re going to end up with them stuck in a corner – you will never get the best out of them, and no matter how low the price it will be money wasted.
Check on parts availability
Once you have identified the speakers you want, it makes sense to contact the manufacturer to ensure that spare parts are available in case you ever need them. If the model
