Paradigm 3se...Purchase or Leave?

[SquarePusher]

Hey guys!

found these speakers posted for 40 locally by me. Although the dents get me a little nervous and don’t know what to look for (first time). Any help is appreciated!

 

[luxmaster]

$40 is a score. Those dents can be pulled out with some tape.

 

[RTally]

I have a pair of Paradigm 3se. I recapped them when I got them because they used electrolytic caps. I used them as garage speakers and they performed fairly well. They are the bottom of the line of the se series. I also have a pair of the 5se and they are keepers.

The 3se has a frequency response of 63 Hz to 20 kHz +/-2 db. They are not thumpers if that is what you are looking for. I paid $80 for my pair two years ago and I thought it was a very worthwhile purchase. The 3se sold for $300 a pair in 1991.

 

[goodolpg]

Better the cloth woofer dust caps are dented than the hard tweeter domes IMO.
So they have that going for them.

 

[JeffMackwood]

For the most part damage to a woofer dust cap is cosmetic, however it could also be a sign of additional damage. Is there any rubbing when you gently move the whole cone in and out? How do they sound? Personally, for a low value speaker like that I'd give it a pass if I couldn't verify that it's not more than just cosmetic. A $1000 speaker that's in otherwise excellent condition? That would be worth buying for $40 and then having the woofers repaired if they needed it.

Jeff