Is it risky to purchase used subwoofers?

[MacCali]

Good morning everyone, I was just curious to know what risks you run when purchasing used subwoofers. I have very little knowledge or experience with speakers, let alone subwoofers.

I see local ad from a gentleman in a fairly high end area of town and he is selling two klipsch subwoofers at an unbelievable price. So it got me thinking could there be something wrong with them or am I just being paranoid lol.

They are klipsch SPL 100s and they are both for 350. One brand new on sale is 379.. I believe the spl line is part of the newer series of subwoofers

 

[NINaudio]

I thought you were looking into SVS subs? SVS is in a whole other class of subs from Klipsch.

Edit: With used subs, you want to make sure you can listen to them and see them. You want to make sure their are no weird noises being made by them, and that everything looks to be in good shape.

 

[lovinthehd]

Older plate amps can be at risk of failure, something I'd consider in the cheaper subs like Klipsch (might search for klipsch sub amp failure or similar). User abuse could also be a risk factor. Is the warranty transferable?

 

[MacCali]

I thought you were looking into SVS subs? SVS is in a whole other class of subs from Klipsch.

Edit: With used subs, you want to make sure you can listen to them and see them. You want to make sure their are no weird noises being made by them, and that everything looks to be in good shape.

True I do want to get SVS, but again you must consider I am on a budget. I have no income and I’m probably going to be in 1500 Black Friday without the subs. So if I can cut corners I am willing. You must consider two SVS 10’s are going to be 700 to 750 for two and honestly I would want the 2000 pro or 3000. So think how much that would cost. Probably upwards of $3000 for my speakers and subs.

Not trying to get into debt and be stressed, I’ve avoided this since March and I got no income

175 per sub is great if it’s legit and a room with my size that could definitely hold me over.

Yes I am trying to confirm that I will be able to test them before purchase, I will see them in person when and if I were to buy them.

 

[MacCali]

Older plate amps can be at risk of failure, something I'd consider in the cheaper subs like Klipsch (might search for klipsch sub amp failure or similar). User abuse could also be a risk factor. Is the warranty transferable?

Honestly I am not sure if it is, and I didn’t ask if he had a receipt. Yea I don’t doubt it, seems kind of fishy. I mean the guy maybe rich, but than I contemplate if he is so rich why would he buy klipsch.

Cause I believe that is their flagship subwoofer line up.

 

[mazersteven]

klipsch subwoofers at an unbelievable price.

I wouldn't take them even if they were free

 

[lovinthehd]

Honestly I am not sure if it is, and I didn’t ask if he had a receipt. Yea I don’t doubt it, seems kind of fishy. I mean the guy maybe rich, but than I contemplate if he is so rich why would he buy klipsch.

Cause I believe that is their flagship subwoofer line up.

Fishy probably not....optimistic maybe Don't know about the sellers social/economic status in any case.....but Klipsch is more a big box brand and they are not a particular specialist for subs (they have had a couple decent ones here and there but just generally are better choices elsewhere).

If budget is limited they could be a decent choice. DIY can do better easily enough....

(ps....getting the original buyer's receipt and claiming as your own....if that's a violation of warranty good luck).

 

[MacCali]

I wouldn't take them even if they were free

Trust me I don’t want klipsch, I see the rs12w or whatever the real basic one for 160. It’s 160 right now. And I am never interested in purchasing that.

I mean can you guide me to two decent subs that will be under 500 for both?

I mean if we are buying crap, might as well get a good price too

 

[NINaudio]

Trust me I don’t want klipsch, I see the rs12w or whatever the real basic one for 160. It’s 160 right now. And I am never interested in purchasing that.

I mean can you guide me to two decent subs that will be under 500 for both?

I mean if we are buying crap, might as well get a good price too

Honestly, I'd take one better sub over those two Klipsch subs any day.

 

[NINaudio]

There was a recent article here about subs for under $500.

https://www.audioholics.com/how-to-shop/500-subwoofer-round-up

From it, I'd go with one of these two:
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=24456

https://rslspeakers.com/products/rsl-speedwoofer-10s/

 

[mazersteven]

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Dayton Audio SUB-1500 15" 150 Watt Powered SubwooferDayton Audio SUB-1500 15" 150 Watt Powered Subwoofer Add thrilling low-frequency effects to your home cinema experienceThe Dayton Audio SUB-1500 15" powered subwoofer system is the perfect addition to any home theater system. This powered sub...

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Dayton Audio SUB-1200 12" 120 Watt Powered SubwooferDayton Audio SUB-1200 12" 120 Watt Powered SubwooferAdd thrilling low-frequency effects to your home cinema experienceThe Dayton Audio SUB-1200 12" powered subwoofer system is the perfect addition to any home theater system. This powered sub...

www.parts-express.com

 

[lovinthehd]

Also keep in mind Klipsch is constantly changing the sub model designations.....hard to compare oftentimes.

 

[Kleinst]

Or maybe just wait with no sub until you save up for a good one. Or offer him something you know you can flip them for easy and make money cause you will want to in a year or so. maybe 225 and be willing to walk away.

I bought two SVS PB 1000s for 500 on Craigslist and still use them in a secondary setup. You might just have to be patient for the right deal used.

There will probably be an infinity reference sale next couple weeks. They mark those down low. Might be a good placeholder sub for sub $200.

 

[lovinthehd]

Trust me I don’t want klipsch, I see the rs12w or whatever the real basic one for 160. It’s 160 right now. And I am never interested in purchasing that.

I mean can you guide me to two decent subs that will be under 500 for both?

I mean if we are buying crap, might as well get a good price too

Keep in mind Klipsch constantly changes sub model designations.....most aren't worth much IMO and from model to model aren't consistent

 

[MacCali]

Keep in mind Klipsch constantly changes sub model designations.....most aren't worth much IMO and from model to model aren't consistent

Definitely something to consider. I have no experience with large subs, so I do not really know what to expect. But my only concern with a really good sub is it’s going to create a lot of vibration which is concerning to me. I think those Dayton’s are actually looking pretty good.

 

[MacCali]

Home

Dayton Audio SUB-1500 15" 150 Watt Powered SubwooferDayton Audio SUB-1500 15" 150 Watt Powered Subwoofer Add thrilling low-frequency effects to your home cinema experienceThe Dayton Audio SUB-1500 15" powered subwoofer system is the perfect addition to any home theater system. This powered sub...

www.parts-express.com

Home

Dayton Audio SUB-1200 12" 120 Watt Powered SubwooferDayton Audio SUB-1200 12" 120 Watt Powered SubwooferAdd thrilling low-frequency effects to your home cinema experienceThe Dayton Audio SUB-1200 12" powered subwoofer system is the perfect addition to any home theater system. This powered sub...

www.parts-express.com

Nice, those look sick. I can buy one at a time and see how crazy the vibration is

 

[MacCali]

Yea so my buddy brought his sub over yesterday, just to see how it all works out. Testing how much noise vibration would be generated.

He got a 10” sub and it’s creating way too much noise and vibration, when it’s hitting really low frequency my door on my room starts to pop too and everything is shaking even on my decoupler. Even with music, which doesn’t drop that low. I watched blade as it has a lot of bassy scene man, it’s too much.

I did put the crossover to 50, and also was adjusting the gain to see what works and basically takes until the gain is all the way down to have a more reasonable performance and bass is basically gone.

So it’s unfortunate, but I am probably going to have to opt out on a sub for now. I really don’t know what to do

 

[lovinthehd]

Yea so my buddy brought his sub over yesterday, just to see how it all works out. Testing how much noise vibration would be generated.

He got a 10” sub and it’s creating way too much noise and vibration, when it’s hitting really low frequency my door on my room starts to pop too and everything is shaking even on my decoupler. Even with music, which doesn’t drop that low. I watched blade as it has a lot of bassy scene man, it’s too much.

I did put the crossover to 50, and also was adjusting the gain to see what works and basically takes until the gain is all the way down to have a more reasonable performance and bass is basically gone.

So it’s unfortunate, but I am probably going to have to opt out on a sub for now. I really don’t know what to do

What did you do to integrate the sub?

 

[MacCali]

What did you do to integrate the sub?

What do you mean by that?

 

[MR.MAGOO]

It's risky to buy used anything! Cars, Boats, Houses, whatever. The original owner might have been a psychopath.