Viewing a second hand speaker, what flaws to look for?

**junior77blue** · 22 January 2005, 14:16 Saturday

I bought a pair of demo 804s and after I bought them I compared the cones to my 1 yr old 705s and even the demo HTM2 that I had purchased. Looking at the rubber surrounds they appear ghostly or aged. Not a shiny deep black that the newer speakers had. To be honest, not sure what effect this has on the sound quality. But if I had to purchase again, I might have had some second thoughts.

Look for any physical scratches, dents on the cabinet. Which may imply the cabinet falling or being knocked around. Look for any scratches, cuts, tears in the speakers themselves.

But most importantly, how do they sound....at low levels and at high levels. Put it through the paces like if you were at home listening to them. I'm guessing after you buy them you must be happy!

Good luck, either speaker choice will be a good one!

**ti33er** · 22 January 2005, 14:38 Saturday

I was told once that Nautilus used averagely should last about 15-20 years before any possible sound degradation (although nobody has tested this because there are none that old?) - the magnets/coils might start to degrade, which might reproduce the music a little 'loose'/'flat' sounding, however the Kevlar is supposed to be indestructible?

I think that you will be fine, at least until you are ready for your next upgrade in a few years time!

PS. The N804's are the way to go (unless you can get Signature 805's at the same price IMO!? ...also the Signature 805's are still a better speaker than the new S805's btw, the Signatures sound more fluid after listening, and lengthy discussions at our dealer this afternoon who has also been comparing them!? - the new 804S's are an entirely different kettle of fish however, this is my next purchase!)

**ti33er** · 22 January 2005, 14:50 Saturday

Oh yes, another thing to check is the tweeters - look through the grill to see if there are any dents!

These grills are quite easy to remove as they are simply magnetised onto the front...a gentle tug at the very front will remove this grill - NOTE: B&W strongly recommend that one never remove them because that tweeter dome is fragile, and the tweeter is adjusted to compensate for the grill = any pointy fingers could easily damage this, be careful you don't damage the tweeters yourself if you decide to remove that grill, as that grill can "snap" backwards with the force of the magnet pulling it back to itself...and if you haven't aligned the cap properly you can DESTROY the tweeter dome! (hope I described that properly?)

**kate** · 22 January 2005, 15:23 Saturday

thanks

thanks junior77blue and ti33er

your advice will be put to good use

**DanR** · 22 January 2005, 17:18 Saturday

Hello Kate,
A well cared for speaker will last a good 25 to 30 years. Smoke free environments help. When looking at the woofers, make sure there is no separation from the rubber surround and cone. Obviously no dents or tears. This applies to the midrange as well. Tweeters are tougher to analyze because most damage done to tweeters are to their voice coils, which you cannot see. Aluminum is very delicate, so watch for any perforations. A small dent on the tweeter is not the end of the world- just listen closely. Your ears will tell you all you need to know after a good visual inspection. Both pair are reasonably priced, so let your ears and not your wallet be the judge. I suspect you will prefer the 804's. The are a better quality speaker.

**ti33er** · 26 January 2005, 14:18 Wednesday

Kate - did you get them, you have been a little quiet!

**kate** · 28 January 2005, 11:01 Friday

dear ti33er

Yes, it has been quiet here.....
This represents the indecisiveness i am in :-)

The sunday speaker viewing.....i didn't go...i had a bad vibes feeling with the seller...
for a couple of reasons..
-female intuition (could be bull shit ofcourse!)
- weijst and i were both looking for N804 at the same time, in the same area...and the dealer (i found out he deals a lot more with different speakers) seemed to play games with us...telling us that the other person had said things that they hadn't.....fortunately i knew weijst from this forum...we have chatted for a long time on the phone..en send emails ....so i know i can trust weijst (or so my female intuition tells me).
-the same N804 have been offered to me now by others for the same price

all in all...i did not feel the need to go to Rotterdam on Sunday

I do still have a few good deals coming along though...

i will keep you informed....
there is nothing wrong with curiosity....(are you sure you're not a cat??)

There are so many decisions to make when you are coming from scratch that it is difficult to choose the best one.

An update on my options: (all second hand)

classe cap-100 amplifier.....seems to get really good reviews on audioreview..but is 100 W enough? (will cost 800 euro)

arcam :
-cd92 or cd73t (they both will cost me the same)?
I have asked which cd player is better on avforums.com, but did not get enough respons yet.
-t61 tuner....i would like some radio
-A85 (450 euro) and P85/2 (470 euro)

All this in combi with the N804

Apart from all this....i wonder if i should spend the money at all...i am still paying back study bills!!!!

**weijst** · 28 January 2005, 14:05 Friday

Originally posted by kate

...fortunately i knew weijst from this forum...we have chatted for a long time on the phone..en send emails ....so i know i can trust weijst (or so my female intuition tells me)...

:T

I already found what I was looking for (allthough the sky is not clear yet...). Now let's find something for you!

Cheers!

**kate** · 01 February 2005, 14:38 Tuesday

:P

I have found what i have been looking for.

And for a great price too!!!

1800 euro's for my N804 which are 2 yrs old

They are cherry and look better than gorgeous.!!!!!
:T

They just have a chip off the back of one of them,but the aesthetics don't worry me too much

As long as they sound good

Viewing a second hand speaker, what flaws to look for?

Viewing a second hand speaker, what flaws to look for?

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