Advent Maestro & Advent 5002 Speakers

[tubemusic]

http://greenville.craigslist.org/ele/4126697772.html

I don't know much about these speakers, so I turn to you folks for help. What are your thoughts? Are these worth the asking price? Thanks

 

[leesonic]

I think $200 is near the higher end for the 5002s, but it's a bit much for the Maestros IMHO. I had a pair I sold for $100 with refoamed woofers and recapped tweeters. Both are very fine sounding speakers, the Maestro has more midrange because its a 3-way design. If you do buy the Maestros, buy a rubber wheel from Eastwood (the people that make paints and stuff for auto body work) and use it in a variable speed drill to remove all that rotten foam from the baffle, after first removing the drivers of course.

Lee.

 

[tubemusic]

I think $200 is near the higher end for the 5002s, but it's a bit much for the Maestros IMHO. I had a pair I sold for $100 with refoamed woofers and recapped tweeters. Both are very fine sounding speakers, the Maestro has more midrange because its a 3-way design. If you do buy the Maestros, buy a rubber wheel from Eastwood (the people that make paints and stuff for auto body work) and use it in a variable speed drill to remove all that rotten foam from the baffle, after first removing the drivers of course.

Lee.

Where is the rotten foam?

 

[ekmanning5]

Can't comment about the Maestros, but I think the Advents are definitely worth it. I've been using a pair in my office system for about 3 years now and have been very pleased.

 

[Jim West PA]

I agree with Leesonic. I'm not familiar with the Maestros. (yet)
But $200 for the 5002's in my opinion is definitely high.
I absolutely love my 5002's, and like Lee said, they do lack mids.

Even tho in the back of my mind i'd feel like i'm spending a bit too much, I would go as high as $300 for both pair for 2 reasons.
1, I LOVE the 5002's,( have some myself), and 2, I need to hear the Maestros so I'd be willing to spend the money.
I'd start at $275 for the 2 pairs myself.

Note: they look to me like they weren't shimmed for the re foam so physically check the cone travel by hand for any voice coil rub.
Plug 'em in and check closely by ear also.

 

[Jim West PA]

Where is the rotten foam?

Maybe not "rotten", but definitely been picked at on the left Maestro, in the pic with the grills off.

 

[leesonic]

The rotten foam is all over the baffle on the Advent Maestros. It just looks gross if you ask me.

You can see my Maestro restoration thread here.

Lee.

 

[Oerets]

Those Maestros are some fine speakers. The pair I redid lost the foam. New owner never seemed to mind.

As to value, not knowing your market. But seem high for CL. More like a Benjamin.


Barney

 

[Mystery]

If it's not refoamed, not worth over $100.
If refoamed, around $150 for 5002 and little less for Maestro.
Maestro may actually sound better than 5002 with 3 drivers instead of 2 on 5002.

 

[blhagstrom]

Hmmm, I am of the mind that a nice set of Maestros are worth more than the 5002. I've had a couple sets of Maestros but not the 5002. I do have OLA and Advent/1.

That body foam on the Maestros looks terrible. Its a damping foam. Removing it is probably a piece of work. Replacing it? I saw a set for sale once that claimed they replaced it, but with what I don't know.

$200 is pretty high, but prices are climbing and it depends on the local market.

I'd say if you need/want a good set of vintage speakers, they are worth a look but nothing to get over excited about at $200.

 

[hammr7]

Hmmm, I am of the mind that a nice set of Maestros are worth more than the 5002. I've had a couple sets of Maestros but not the 5002. I do have OLA and Advent/1.

$200 is pretty high, but prices are climbing and it depends on the local market.

I'd say if you need/want a good set of vintage speakers, they are worth a look but nothing to get over excited about at $200.

I agree that the Maestro's, if functional, are a steal at $100, and are likely worth twice that. Unfortunately Lee, like me, has been victim of the Metro Philadelphia bias, where Advent speakers get little respect.

But prices for Advents are climbing as they get rediscovered, and the Maestro's were among the best speakers ever made by Advent. They are somewhat rare so are a bit behind on the pricing curve.

The Maestro's 3-way configuration was specifically designed to address the mid-range hole that the Advent 2-ways, like the Legacy, encountered with louder sources.