Kenwood LS-1000 - pricing the rare

[Natertots]

Looking to get an idea of what my Kenwood LS-1000’s may be worth. I would list them in a conservative 7/10 condition with all drivers working and foam intact.

I picked these up a few years ago and used them until I purchased my KEF LS50’s last year. There are some things about the Kenwood's I like better than the KEF’s but overall, I much prefer the LS50’s. As such, the Kenwood’s have not seen any use and I figure it is about time to move them on to someone who would enjoy them.

There is not a lot of info out about these. They were produced circa 1981 and were likely purchased on a military base before making their way back to the states. The previous owner said his brother, who owned an audio store, gave them to him as a graduation present in the early 80’s.

I have searched and found the following listings:
Audio Asylum (2014): marked sold at $450
US Audio Mart - Canada (2016): marked sold at $250
E-bay (current): listed for $380+$155 shipping
E-bay (sold): none

These prices indicate a wide range and the sold listings are several years old so I am not sure how to interpret them.

For reference, I live in the Portland, Oregon area. Any insight into the value would is appreciated.

 

[SoCal Sam]

Not sure why you posted, you have already answered your own question.

 

[Shrugg]

Finally, Someone else on this site that owns these speakers! I quite like my own pair myself, they're in similar condition to yours. Pricing is all over the map with these speakers, but when I was researching mine, I think I found one or two sold listings on Ebay for about $200 plus shipping. Good luck finding a buyer though, these speakers are so rare, that hardly anyone has heard of them, which makes it much less likely to sell. They are also rare enough that there is no concrete "value" that these speakers have, so it ultimately depends on the buyer and how you sell the speakers. Personally, I would start at $200 and be ready to go lower from there.

 

[PPstereo]

Finally, Someone else on this site that owns these speakers! I quite like my own pair myself, they're in similar condition to yours. Pricing is all over the map with these speakers, but when I was researching mine, I think I found one or two sold listings on Ebay for about $200 plus shipping. Good luck finding a buyer though, these speakers are so rare, that hardly anyone has heard of them, which makes it much less likely to sell. They are also rare enough that there is no concrete "value" that these speakers have, so it ultimately depends on the buyer and how you sell the speakers. Personally, I would start at $200 and be ready to go lower from there.

Perfectly put.

 

[Natertots]

Not sure why you posted, you have already answered your own question.

Hi Sam, unlike some people, I am not posting here hoping someone else will do the basic search for me. I am wringing here to access the accumulated knowledge of AK members that is not available by googling. There is a wealth of experiences and knowledge here that is not archived in existing threads. That is what I am after.

 

[nolasally]

Another example of rare not equaling high value! Id price them on ebay @ 350.00obo with a realistic shipping cost of maybe 80.00 vs 155.00. Id also list them on CL for 250.00. GLWS

 

[Natertots]

Finally, Someone else on this site that owns these speakers! I quite like my own pair myself, they're in similar condition to yours. Pricing is all over the map with these speakers, but when I was researching mine, I think I found one or two sold listings on Ebay for about $200 plus shipping. Good luck finding a buyer though, these speakers are so rare, that hardly anyone has heard of them, which makes it much less likely to sell. They are also rare enough that there is no concrete "value" that these speakers have, so it ultimately depends on the buyer and how you sell the speakers. Personally, I would start at $200 and be ready to go lower from there.

Thanks for your insight, it sounds like your experience is similar to mine. Prior to posting here, I was thinking of listing them for around $250 so your suggesting is in a similar range. I am not in a hurry to sell them and in a perfect world I would keep them but it’s time to start the processes of moving them along.

 

[SoCal Sam]

Hi Sam, unlike some people, I am not posting here hoping someone else will do the basic search for me. I am wringing here to access the accumulated knowledge of AK members that is not available by googling. There is a wealth of experiences and knowledge here that is not archived in existing threads. That is what I am after.

The issue is that posts like yours come close to an offer for sale. There is a place in AK for that but not in this sub forum.

 

[Natertots]

The issue is that posts like yours come close to an offer for sale. There is a place in AK for that but not in this sub forum.

I had not thought about it that way and I can see where you are coming from.

My general approach when starting a thread is to present as much detail as possible about the topic. This helps to demonstrate that I am not being lazy and I have put in some effort prior to posting here, and (I hope) provides enough context and supporting information that others do not have to put in as much effort to craft a response. The downside can be that my posts end up in the too long/didn’t read category or, as in this case, may come off as asking/discussing one thing when the goal of the post is something different.

Considering your most recent post, I can see your point, especially given that I included my geographic area. I almost did not include it, not because I wanted to avoid the impression that I was looking for a sale but because I did not know how useful the information would be. However, my “there is no such thing as too much information” sentiment got the better of me. I know that value can vary significantly depending on where one lives. Although I would not expect people in the SW to understand the NE, you never know when someone recently moved, has sold a lot of gear, or may live in the local area and have insight. Therefore, I decided to include it.

Now that I have rambled on, I will conclude by saying I appreciate your insight and I will try to be more careful if I ask a question in this forum again.

P.S. I would take out the geographical information but I can not edit the post anymore. If a Mod wants to take that out, that would be cool.

 

[Natertots]

Another example of rare not equaling high value!

Absolutely true. However, their rarity has definitely influenced my reluctance to sell them.

After reading your shipping value suggestion (which I appreciated), I was curious what it would cost to mail these across country. I did some investigating and costs came back higher than I expected. That is to say, $80 doesn’t get them very far.

 

[SoCal Sam]

I had not thought about it that way and I can see where you are coming from.

My general approach when starting a thread is to present as much detail as possible about the topic. This helps to demonstrate that I am not being lazy and I have put in some effort prior to posting here, and (I hope) provides enough context and supporting information that others do not have to put in as much effort to craft a response. The downside can be that my posts end up in the too long/didn’t read category or, as in this case, may come off as asking/discussing one thing when the goal of the post is something different.

Considering your most recent post, I can see your point, especially given that I included my geographic area. I almost did not include it, not because I wanted to avoid the impression that I was looking for a sale but because I did not know how useful the information would be. However, my “there is no such thing as too much information” sentiment got the better of me. I know that value can vary significantly depending on where one lives. Although I would not expect people in the SW to understand the NE, you never know when someone recently moved, has sold a lot of gear, or may live in the local area and have insight. Therefore, I decided to include it.

Now that I have rambled on, I will conclude by saying I appreciate your insight and I will try to be more careful if I ask a question in this forum again.

P.S. I would take out the geographical information but I can not edit the post anymore. If a Mod wants to take that out, that would be cool.

From time to time, we get first post request for valuation which is clearly hit and run. While some enable this behavior by providing an answer, I will not. You have a post count so you are a legit member. All is good.

 

[nolasally]

Get a fedex acct. It costs nothing and rates are much cheaper than USPS or UPS. Those speakers are small enough to ship in one box. Double walled cardboard however. Then line box with rigid foamboard and use foamboard to separate the two in the box. I bet I could ship them coast to coast for <80.00 but the cost of foamboard and box will run you approx 20.00 as well.

 

[Natertots]

Get a fedex acct. It costs nothing and rates are much cheaper than USPS or UPS. Those speakers are small enough to ship in one box. Double walled cardboard however. Then line box with rigid foamboard and use foamboard to separate the two in the box. I bet I could ship them coast to coast for <80.00 but the cost of foamboard and box will run you approx 20.00 as well.

Awesome, thanks for the advice.I will definitely check that out if I decide to try to sell them in a non-local market.

 

[Natertots]

Finally, Someone else on this site that owns these speakers! I quite like my own pair myself, they're in similar condition to yours. Pricing is all over the map with these speakers, but when I was researching mine, I think I found one or two sold listings on Ebay for about $200 plus shipping. Good luck finding a buyer though, these speakers are so rare, that hardly anyone has heard of them, which makes it much less likely to sell. They are also rare enough that there is no concrete "value" that these speakers have, so it ultimately depends on the buyer and how you sell the speakers. Personally, I would start at $200 and be ready to go lower from there.

Shrugg, where did you come across your pair?

 

[Shrugg]

Shrugg, where did you come across your pair?

I got mine at a goodwill for $40, no idea of its history before that.

 

[Natertots]

I got mine at a goodwill for $40, no idea of its history before that.

I am glad they landed in your hands and not someone who was just going to toss them in their garage system.

 

[IdiotWind]

Looking to get an idea of what my Kenwood LS-1000’s may be worth. I would list them in a conservative 7/10 condition with all drivers working and foam intact.

I picked these up a few years ago and used them until I purchased my KEF LS50’s last year. There are some things about the Kenwood's I like better than the KEF’s but overall, I much prefer the LS50’s. As such, the Kenwood’s have not seen any use and I figure it is about time to move them on to someone who would enjoy them.

There is not a lot of info out about these. They were produced circa 1981 and were likely purchased on a military base before making their way back to the states. The previous owner said his brother, who owned an audio store, gave them to him as a graduation present in the early 80’s.

I have searched and found the following listings:
Audio Asylum (2014): marked sold at $450
US Audio Mart - Canada (2016): marked sold at $250
E-bay (current): listed for $380+$155 shipping
E-bay (sold): none

These prices indicate a wide range and the sold listings are several years old so I am not sure how to interpret them.

For reference, I live in the Portland, Oregon area. Any insight into the value would is appreciated.

I’m super late to this thread but I also picked up a pair of these this summer. My right channel seems to have a blown tweeter so I’ve been digging for a replacement but to no avail so far .

 

[Natertots]

I’m super late to this thread but I also picked up a pair of these this summer. My right channel seems to have a blown tweeter so I’ve been digging for a replacement but to no avail so far .

Sad to hear that. FWIW, I imagine they used the same tweeter in the larger units so you may try those keywords. You might have some luck if you can Google translate your way through some Japanese sites.

Good luck!

 

[Natertots]

For posterity, a pair sold on the Bay at the end of October for $380 + shipping. After a few months of advertisement, I recently sold my pair for $250 locally.

 

[Loalaweiter]

Finally, Someone else on this site that owns these speakers! I quite like my own pair myself, they're in similar condition to yours. Pricing is all over the map with these speakers, but when I was researching mine, I think I found one or two sold listings on Ebay for about $200 plus shipping. Good luck finding a buyer though, these speakers are so rare, that hardly anyone has heard of them, which makes it much less likely to sell. They are also rare enough that there is no concrete "value" that these speakers have, so it ultimately depends on the buyer and how you sell the speakers. Personally, I would start at $200 and be ready to go lower from there.

Tuning in: I do have a pair of those since about 7 years.
Got them as a gift with one that had one original tweeter replaced by a cheap commercial horn thing. Sounded awful but based on failing to sell them onward at reasonable price for reasons described as above, I decided to keep them and waited stubbornly about 2 years until finally an original tweeter showed up for sale.

I am very glad I now have a working pair and I find them very good speakers.

Opinion:
the two way version of the LS-1000 sound very honest and reveal quality issues of the source making them potentially unliked by quick testers that don't give them a chance in main, wel setup systems.
Garbage in is garbage out with these LS-1000 two way versions: don't expect a forgiving "coloured vintage warmth filter" like with previous Kenwood loudspeakers: all LS-1000 connected components need to be top, then they will reward your confidence with clarity and tight bass..
I wouldn't be surprised if these models are the ones to prefer of the more complex offerings in this series, but that's just a guess.
My copies are playing nicely with a fully restored and upgraded Pioneer SX-1000 TDF so they are reasonably sensitive as well.