Buying Reburished Speakers?

[nicolairob]

Just wondering what your thoughts are on this. I have a chance to buy a reburbished pair at half price - seller claims that typically what happens is the box and grill gets damaged at factory and then it's fixed and sold as factory seconds. Obviously no warranty, but is it really "too good to be true?" I figured some of you might have had some experiences.
thanks,
Rob

 

[KEW]

I would want more assurances than what you are mentioning.
Usually factory refurbished offers a full warranty (sometimes less, but never "you're stuck with what we give you").
Is this from a reputable agency?
Certainly speakers are an easy candidate for refurb, but they are also a potential candidate for deception; replacing good drivers with poor drivers, if you are dealing with an unscrupulous seller.
A link to the specific deal might be good for better evaluation.

 

[Surroundpro]

Refurbished

there can be some good deals out there, typically my personal opinionis that if your buying right from the manufacturer its usually pretty safe. There is 2 types of items you will come across ... "b" stock which may have blemishes on the packaging, the fit or finish on the equipment or possibly the quality control. Most typical is packaging, which allows you to buy perfectly usable equipment at a discount. The second is refurb, which is typically items returned under warranty , that is re-outfitted with newer parts and sold for a discount. this keeps the manufacturer from completely discarding returned items, and allows some recoop of funds. Be aware that refurb could have been as simple as an item that needed new grilles, or a complete overhaul. Typically it will be more simple things since they will always err on the side of profitability. I hope this helps !

 

[SunnyOctopus]

Just wondering what your thoughts are on this. I have a chance to buy a reburbished pair at half price - seller claims that typically what happens is the box and grill gets damaged at factory and then it's fixed and sold as factory seconds. Obviously no warranty, but is it really "too good to be true?" I figured some of you might have had some experiences.
thanks,
Rob

I got my speakers factory b-stock with a full warranty.

The boxes they arrived in were in terrible condition, but the speakers looked and worked like new.

 

[zumbo]

1) What brand and model are we talking about?

2) Who is the seller?

3) Who reconditioned the product?

4) Is there proof?

Just my initial questions.

 

[jamie2112]

1) What brand and model are we talking about?

2) Who is the seller?

3) Who reconditioned the product?

4) Is there proof?

Just my initial questions.

Answer these and you have a fighting chance.....

 

[markw]

The question is "Refurbished by who?

If it's a factory refurb being sold with a written guarantee by a factory authorized dealer, you can get a good deal. I've bought refurbs and B-stock from authorized dealers and will do it again.

If it's "just some guy" who simply says they were "refurbished", I'd be very skeptical.

 

[nicolairob]

Guys, I think you all confirmed my doubts - the seller is on Ebay - selling Def Tech Mythos ST for $2K a pair - think I'll pass.

 

[zumbo]

You want a good pair of speakers off of ebay, look at these.

http://cgi.ebay.com/MB-Quart-QLS-830-6-5-3-Way-Tower-Speakers-Pair-NIB_W0QQitemZ170399581678QQcmdZViewItemQQptZSpeakers_Subwoofers?hash=item27ac9b45ee

I run them front and rear with a crossover point of 60Hz off of an Adcom 7605 pushing 175W @4ohm. They are perfection.

 

[JerryLove]

I saw a pair of those at a yard sale about a year ago. You don't what to know what they went for

 

[zumbo]

I saw a pair of those at a yard sale about a year ago. You don't what to know what they went for

Good deals can be found at yard sells. There are tv shows devoted to this. I don't have the time or the patience. I do watch ebay.

Speakers designed to be used as mids and tweets are sometimes confused as full-range. This can lead to an uninformed individual using the product in the wrong manner. Thus, the individual may believe they have junk.

 

[nicolairob]

Actually, I just bought of pair of Mythos STS off of audigon for $1550 - 1 year old - broken in and my instincts suggest they've been well taken care of. So, I'm happy now. . .