New vs Used

[NickN]

Hello I am new to the forum and pretty new to the home theater thing. I recently got the LMC-1 and the LPA-1. I am now in the market for new speakers. I was wanting to know the pros and cons of buying new and used.

I am looking at the NHT 2.5i used, which I have not heard, but I have heard the super ones. I just listened to the B&W 600 series which are new. There is about a 500 dollar price difference between the two. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. These are not what I am limiting myself to, its just where I have started, and I dont know how long it will be until the NHTs are sold.

Thanks
Nick

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum, Nick!

A pro of buying used is lower price, and sometimes there's a pro of being able to buy something that you want that is no longer available for new.

Some pros of buying new include a warranty, the product hasn't had part of it's useful life used up by someone else, and (possibly) dealer support.

Other people here will fill in with a lot more ideas, I'm sure.

I have two pairs of NHT 1.5s. I almost bought the 2.5s, but opted to go the bookshelf/sub route as opposed to towers. I happen to really like the 2.5s and think they are a good design. Those speakers are probably close to 10 years old now, though. If you don't mind me asking, how much is the person asking for them?

Adam

 

[NickN]

Adam he is asking 550 shipped for the speakers. Thanks for your input.

 

[Adam]

I did a quick check on Google, and that seems to be the going price for those at the moment from looking at about three or four listings on Craigs list. So, you might be able to get another pair even if the ones that you're currently thinking about get sold before you make your choice. It's a tough decision to buy speakers that you've never heard. I'm assuming that you can't return them to the guy, but perhaps you could. I wish you good luck in your decision.

 

[Seth=L]

Given a few factors I would likely go with the 2.5i because they are a very sturdy design and are among the highest detail producer in their price range (could be a bit exausting listening to harsh material). They are difficult loads, but your amplifier should have no trouble with them what-so-ever.

 

[Soundman]

Personally, I like buying my things new. I just feel better about my purchase knowing I've been the only owner. However, "used" can have it's advantages. I know somone who bought a pair of speakers way out of his price range, but b/c it was significantly reduced in price (b/c it was used), he was able to get some speakers that sound much better then the ones he would have been able to afford. I would just make sure that whoever you buy from took good care of the speakers. Good speakers can last a long time, so even a used pair can give you many years of enjoyment.

 

[darien87]

I bought my Boston VR 2's as demo models from a local Magnolia, so that makes them used. No problems with them. I also recently bought an Acurus amp used that is about 10 years old. That one was a little scary for me, but its worked out great too.

As previously noted, speakers can last for years, so I wouldn't feel too nervous about it, if they were taken care of. If it's a great deal, I'd say go for it.

 

[jonnythan]

I spent several hours listening to the 2.5's at an A/V shop in New Orleans back in, I think, '98.

I haven't listened to many high-end speakers, but they were bar none the best speakers I have ever heard.

I had a handful of CDs. Don't remember what kind of CD player or preamp they had, but the amp was a Sunfire.

The sound was *amazing*. I'd love to own a pair for music.

 

[highfihoney]

The pro's of buying new.

You get the warm fuzzy feeling that your the first person to use them.

You get a warrenty,BFD,warrenty's are just like extended service plans,sales hype.

So what if you blow a $40 tweeter,the savings from buying used will cover a dozen tweeters.


The con's of buying new.

You get bent directly over without so much as a reach around,only about 30% of the actual cost of a new speaker system goes into manufacturing,the remaining 70% is all profit for the manufacturer & the dealer/salesman.

The pro's of buying used.

You save a fat wad of cash.

Using $1,000 USD as an example,take that $1,000 & see what kind of new speaker system you can get from a store/botique or hifi shop,now take the same $1,000 & go to Audiogon.com,look at used speaker systems in the $1,000 range,you'll end up with a speaker system that cost atleast $3,000 when new,the best part is that most audiophiles treat their speakers better than their wives & they are mint.

The con's of buying used.

You dont get a warrenty,again BFD.

You dont get all warm & fuzzy feeling about being the first person to own them.

Never buy any speakers or gear brand new unless you buy bottom of the line crap that has a history of cheap build quality or a reputation of being unreliable.

BTW,the speakers in my main system cost over $10,000 when new,i picked them up in person after an extended demo for $2,500 & they are near mint,if i was to resell them they would sell for around $5,000.

Dont be afraid of buying used,find gear local to you,dont get in a big fat rush to buy the first thing you like,people selling used audiophile gear are usually selling to fund a bigger more expensive purchase,this means either they desperately need the cash from the sale to move on another item or they just want rid of the old stuff,either way buying used gear is a buyers market meant to be exploited.

 

[Adam]

The con's of buying new.

You get bent directly over without so much as a reach around

Made me smile. Fits in pretty well with my work day so far, too...

 

[NickN]

Cool, thanks for all the input guys. Sounds like I am going to getting the 2.5s. I am much more reassured now that buying used is okay.

Nick

 

[Seth=L]

Cool, thanks for all the input guys. Sounds like I am going to getting the 2.5s. I am much more reassured now that buying used is okay.

Nick

Heh, I always buy used or refurbished. There is a good chance that a refurbished item, like a receiver, will outlast a new model because they get bench tested once when they where made and again when they are refurb'd.

 

[Adam]

Cool, thanks for all the input guys. Sounds like I am going to getting the 2.5s. I am much more reassured now that buying used is okay.

Nick

Good for you! If you think of it, please let us know how you like them once you have a chance to try them out. I really thought that they sounded great.

 

[NickN]

Good for you! If you think of it, please let us know how you like them once you have a chance to try them out. I really thought that they sounded great.

Will do, they should be here late this week or early next!

 

[mazersteven]

There are also a lot of great deals out on new speakers that would make purchasing used not an option.

 

[NickN]

I got the speakers in today and all that I have to say is wow. They sound amazing, much better then I had even hoped. Thanks again for all of the good info. I also got the SuperZeros for my rear channels and I think they are going to work out pretty good too.

 

[Seth=L]

I got the speakers in today and all that I have to say is wow. They sound amazing, much better then I had even hoped. Thanks again for all of the good info. I also got the SuperZeros for my rear channels and I think they are going to work out pretty good too.

I hope you really enjoy those speakers, they are power hungry suckers.