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Affordable used speakers I can get?

DallPikachu

DallPikachu

New Member
I was wondering about this but what used speakers are good that are $150 or less? Like on Ebay I can find a lot of speakers but don't really know what are great. I currently own the JBL HLS610 and the JBL 4312m and so far I think the HLS610 is the better of the two but if I can only afford on used speakers that is around $150 is the HLS610 the best I can get? I read that the HLS610 was the best $300 speakers back in 1997 but since many years have passed I don't know if they are still the best sounding $300 if they were new today.


Thank you
 
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I'd look around on craigslist. It's not unusual to find fairly high end in their time, 70's/80's/90's speakers listed for under $100. The downside would be that they may be in need of new surrounds and possibly a crossover rebuild.
 
^this. Thrift stores occasionally yield good stuff as well. I've seen a pair of banged up KLH Twenty Threes in one, although I didn't buy them. I *did* buy the Infinity RS-5bs I found in a different Goodwill... They did need foam and one of the terminals is busted, but they sound good! (and the price was right)
 
Yes, thrift stores, goodwill, flea markets etc. In fact, I had a pair of Paradigm 7se's follow me home from an antique mall this afternoon for next to nothing. Keep an eye open and do your research, you'll find something nice before long.
 
Would be helpful to know a little about your system components, watts per channel, size of room. Where do you want speakers to sit, on stands, shelves or on floor? How much treble do you like. I have had that jblmodel. Nice sound. Brighter than many vintage speakers. What other speakers have you heard that you like? Do you want vintage from 60's, 70's, 80's?
 
Well my number 1 favorite JBL speakers are the JBL S3112 but they are WAY out of my budget even used on Ebay and second is like the S38 or S26. I use to own the S26 and S38 but I sold them and I did regret them bad and now they are sold used at a high price even they are almost 17 years old. I always liked Titanium tweeters but they are pricey on those kinds of speakers even used. I saw the S38 on Ebay for around $320 I don't know why are they that expensive even they were made in 1999. The HLS610 can get for around $120-$150 or so the ones I have already. I don't have much experience on vintage speakers since they are soo expensive like the real full sized JBL 4312 are over $1000 pair. But I have the JBL 4312m which is the mini version and they have a 5 and half inch woofer and has a mid paper cone and 1in Titanium dome tweeter but the speaker doesn't sound bright and it has too much mid range the lows are ok for the size but the mids over power them and the tweeters aren't clear. These are the first speakers I ever own that would be close to vintage ones since my grandpa said he paid $620 pair for them in Japan.
 
I basically have two receivers and two pairs of speakers and I did say what model I had on my other topic about Kent but one is the Onkyo TX-8050 and one is the Sony STR-DH130 both were gotten new locally but the HLS610 was gotten from Ebay referb. The 4312m was new my grandpa for in Japan back around 2002. The Onkyo one and the 4312m are used in my downstairs living room with a Sony SA-W2500 10in sub and the Sony and the HLS610 are in my small bedroom.
 
I had twice the Dayton original model back in 2010 but they sounded not bright and had too much mid range but I didn't use a subwoofer. But maybe adjusting the sound could fix it. But so the review back in 1997 saying that the HLS610 was the best sounding $300 is not true anymore right? But I don't want too bright that hurts my ears. I just like it sound life like as possible.
 
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I purchased my pair of JBL 4312A for $150 at a local garage sale and a pair of L166a for $30 at the local thrift. The woofers had been been replaced with some Rat Shack models, i had to replace,, but otherwise in very nice condition.

Most bang for the buck is local online classifieds. I see a lot of nice modern and vintage speakers for decent prices and you will be able to audition, but I suppose depends on your location.
 
True about looking local on something even craigslist since I got a pair of JBL S38 for $100 and I sold them for $120 but BIG mistake I did this about a year agao and I thought I could find them for around that price but all on Ebay are over $300. I' am soo upset about myself I did this. I sold mine locally and made $20 but I should never done it. I been very upset about myself for over a year. But oh well. I wish I could buy it back if I remember the buyers name that came over to pick them up at my house.
 
But after I sold them I did see other sell the S38 on Craigslist but they sold them for like $250 I can't afford that so I am soo mad about what I did. It comes from my impulse thing. I didn't realize that they were worth that much. Or is it possible people paying too much for something made back in 1999 or 2000?
 
Maybe if I' am lucky someday I will find another S38 soo cheap and keep it this time. But it could of went up in the past year or is it everyone is over paying the S38?

But ether way are my HLS610 any good speakers? Or should I save up and find the S38 and might have to pay $300?
 
Maybe consider buying a quality subwoofer to match with your JBL HLS610s. A good sub can bring out the best in a small woofer speaker.
 
DallPikachu said:
I had twice the Dayton original model back in 2010 but they sounded not bright and had too much mid range but I didn't use a subwoofer. But maybe adjusting the sound could fix it. But so the review back in 1997 saying that the HLS610 was the best sounding $300 is not true anymore right? But I don't want too bright that hurts my ears. I just like it sound life like as possible.
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I take it they weren't Dayton Airs, you're missing out!
 
Are the Dayton Airs that much better than the HLS610 though? just wondering Also maybe the 2016 model of the original Dayton maybe better than before since it's been 6 years. I know Parts Express improve there stuff. If the originals are better now then I would save a lot of money getting newer ones.
 
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