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Is new better than old?

I have been looking at upgrading my speakers. I have a budget of around $1,200. There is a plethora of speakers on A’gon and C’list in that range. I did a search of Full Speakers priced between $900 and $1,300 and got a list of over 100 really nice (or not) speakers.

My question is, are the newer speakers in this price range better than the older speakers in this range? Are the newer models with the latest and greatest technology, research and design likely to sound better that a speaker that is 6 or 8 to 12 years old, but when new was twice the price (or more)?

A good example is the 13 year old Vandersteen 3A’s vs two year old Paradigm Studio 60 v4’s. Both of these are around $1,000.

Another example is the Von Schweikert Gen: II at $1,099 vs new ERA D14 at $1,100 (seller says these are half price).

I may not be comparing apples to apples above, but I think you get my point. Is a speaker that cost $4,000 but is 10 – 12 years old better than a two year old speaker that maybe sold for $2,000 when new?

Thanks
ben77059
mapman's avatar
mapman
15,679 posts
 
Ben,

That's a good plan!

Some companies provide upgrades to older models.

OHM Acoustics http://www.ohmspeakers.com, for example, has been around over 30 years and provides modern driver upgrades for virtually every speaker they have ever made. Some of these are conventional box designs and some use the Walsh CLS driver technology.

They also offer new drivers in old refurbished cabinets straight from the factory on occasion if you ask, which is a great way to get the latest driver technology at a discount.

Or you can buy old OHMs on ebay for cheap and then have them upgraded afterwards if needed.

Just tossing some ideas out there regarding what is possible.
hifisoundguy
630 posts
 
Some professional musicians will only use vintage speakers in their personal stereo systems.
tvad
9,467 posts
 
08-03-10: Hifisoundguy
Some professional musicians will only use vintage speakers in their personal stereo systems.
Like whom?
pgawan2b
122 posts
 
I think it depends on your goals and intent.

I'm discovering that old is just fine and a bargain too. I picked up a pair of Boston Acoustics A-40s to use in my office. When I re-foamed the drivers, I noticed the drivers were dated 1984. The re-foaming was a success (first attempt for me) and afterwards I thought the speakers sounded quite good. Then I added a subwoofer. I had to use the speaker level inputs and crossover on the subwoofer since I'm also using an old NAD 3125 integrated. Wow! The sound quality is good enough that I'm beginning to think I could live with the A-40s/subwoofer for a while. Not in the office but in my house!

I know that conventional wisdom directs us to purchase speakers first and then seek the other components to match the speakers. But now I'm wondering....suppose I upgraded my amp and added a bass management/room correction device to the mix. How much better would the sound get? Would my newer $800 pair of speakers sound better than my $60 A-40s? Sure, but how much better?

FWIW, nearly all of my equipment was purchased during close-out sales. If you're patient you can find new gear at close to used gear prices.
hifisoundguy
630 posts
 
Tvad, I've been enjoying my entry level stereo system SO much more now after putting these maestro ac outlets in my system that don't go on these forums that much anymore. Rocker Eric Clapton uses vintage speakers in his own home stereo system.
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