L1290/2 Pricing, New England

[Streamline]

Hi! This is my first post here. I recently picked up an L710 and you probably know what is happening... scanning for other ADS speakers now in the Boston area.

Am I right in thinking the ask is a bit high in the listing below? I based this on L1290 that was recently available at the meetup in Sutton for $425. For $500 I think it should have a grill, and have drivers that are in decent shape -- the tweeters look black to me, which I gather mean the ferrofluid has leaked out? How hard is it to source a new grill? Is Richard So still rebuilding tweeters? Is about $150 what I should budget for both tweeters?

On the other hand, while it's doesn't look to be in collectible condition, the cabinets are pretty decent.

Thanks in advance! AK was a great resource when I was picking up the L710; I will do a proper intro and pics soon, I promise.

https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/ele/d/allston-ads-l-classic-speakers-in-walnut/6871425330.html

 

[Silentnet]

I mean... It's Craigslist, so they probably asked $500 expecting to be offered $400 or less.

God knows I jack up the prices on my (rare) listings for that reason.

 

[Streamline]

Hi thanks for the quick reply. I thought so too but I put an offer in on the one in Berlin, CT that needed a midrange rebuilt (and probably maybe even most of the drivers, including the woofer) and it was rejected as too low without a counter.

The L710 is amazing but once these vintage speakers get into the $700 to $800 range, after restoration costs are factored in, I think there are other choices for non-collectors? Though acoustic suspension designs do seem hard to come by. And I’m definitely not a collector, more of a value buyer that is fond of older gear.

 

[Silentnet]

Look at planars! (Yes, I'm biased)

If you have the space for them nothing can touch them, simple as that.

A nice set will run you $800+ but it's totally worth the price of admission.

 

[Blue Shadow]

The price of these is touching the top end of the 710/810 prices but they are better speakers. Cosmetics are keeping the prices 'reasonable'. That Berlin set are definitely priced to party and enjoy.

Yes, Planars, more coin but nice. But if you want to rock and roll and know it, then planars need some bottom end. (maybe silentnet is talking ML but I'm mentioning Magnepan).

 

[Streamline]

I think I can get them for $400, which would be tempting. I will definitely audition them and inspect them closer, but from the pics, do you think the tweeters are pretty rough? It would be funny if they were actually shot... I've read these ADS can sound pretty ok with non-functioning tweeters. Paper towel tube test for sure.

As for planars they are on my list, but I only have space for the maggie 0.7 long term. I wish I had gotten back into 2-channel sooner (long story, had to downsize and went to headphones), as my current space could have supported larger panels pulled 8 feet from the back wall, which would have been perfect. I would require more bottom end support though. I have the L710 mated with an old REL Storm III that I just happened to be lugging around for 10 years. They sound sweet with the bass filled in! (I'm one of those that find the L710 bright without the additional bottom end support.)

 

[Silentnet]

The price of these is touching the top end of the 710/810 prices but they are better speakers. Cosmetics are keeping the prices 'reasonable'. That Berlin set are definitely priced to party and enjoy.

Yes, Planars, more coin but nice. But if you want to rock and roll and know it, then planars need some bottom end. (maybe silentnet is talking ML but I'm mentioning Magnepan).

The reQuests rock and roll just fine. Granted, they have a 12" sealed sub in the base of each crossed over at 100Hz.

"I don't have space" ... Bah! Mine are in a (weird shaped) 10x13 room and are far and away the best speakers I've owned. Better than Boston Acoustics A400s, better than Acoustic Research AR3As, better than Athena Technology AS-F2s. Not just better but "never bother with dynamic speakers again" better.