The "search your area for hidden gems" thread.

[Thomas C]

New to me, found in my area... Pair of Paradigm 3se and a Paradigm cc490 center, all very good condition for $140.00...new to this wonderful hobby!! Good deal??? Also found a B&W asw600 in mint condition for $100.00, nice sealed sub for my small townhouse?? Deal?? Thank you for helping a novice!!

 

[Thefyn]

New to me, found in my area... Pair of Paradigm 3se and a Paradigm cc490 center, all very good condition for $140.00...new to this wonderful hobby!! Good deal??? Also found a B&W asw600 in mint condition for $100.00, nice sealed sub for my small townhouse?? Deal?? Thank you for helping a novice!!

Missed your post. I've been at it since I started this post and paradigm are one of my fav's out of the speakers ive picked up. I have one B&W corner speaker and that it really detailed.

Did you get them?

 

[Thefyn]

hey lets take a look at your new speakers, got any pics yet? I wanna see that AR speaker with the grill off (you lift from the middle/sides very carefully)

I'll take some pics tomorrow of what I've purchased since I started this thread.

 

[Thefyn]

If they aren't experienced, they won't know WHAT they want. And the only way to find out is to get into the hobby and try several different options until they find what they like. That's what I mean when I say it's a waste of my time. Sure you can find $1000 speakers for $40. But they need to be the ones knowing that that's a deal and finding it themselves.

Out.

I'm not biting.

"Sure you can find $1000 speakers for $40. But they need to be the ones knowing that that's a deal and finding it themselves."

That has to be a troll job. Pure BACKWARDS logic.

 

[GD70]

How would anyone know what they want if they have no knowledge of speakers, or amps, or TT's. Etc....
That's why the OP asked, for help, a list to start with, so when they do come across something, they have an idea if it's worth the investment and time to restore them if needed. Yes, 1,000 speakers for 40 bux.
Like I said earlier, I didn't know crap, except my very limited knowledge when I started to get seriously back into the hobby. For most of my gear, especially speakers, I thank AKer's for expanding my knowledge!

 

[Bob]

I would approach this from a different viewpoint. rather than focus on brands that may or may not be
available, look for the "richer" areas near you, could be transplant from cooler climes that congregate
in communities like golf courses, or rich areas like the bay area, NYC, etc older/richer areas...

searching through CL will give you an idea of what's available and what the regional brands are
and what the condition and pricing are.

In the bay area there's a huge range of available stuff that includes LPs, CDs, cassettes, so
don't forget the software.

if you're really into this, there are tools for CL, and ebay that searches for specific items you
may want. Obsidian bases for sp10 TTs, Infinity black widows, EMIT tweeters/Watkins woofers,
Dynavector Rubys, etc are yours for the asking.

 

[zunde]

How would anyone know what they want if they have no knowledge of speakers, or amps, or TT's. Etc....
That's why the OP asked, for help, a list to start with, so when they do come across something, they have an idea if it's worth the investment and time to restore them if needed. Yes, 1,000 speakers for 40 bux.

You're not understanding what I am saying. Look at the post directly above mine as an example of what I am talking about. The poster lists several items for sale in the OP's area, and some if not all are probably good deals. If the OP doesn't have any knowledge of those items that are listed, how is he going to know whether they are a good deal FOR HIM??? See what I am saying now? It needs to be up to the individual pursuing an interest in this hobby to get out there and see what the items are that fit his likability. Does that perhaps mean paying too much a few times for items to try them out? Sure, that's how I learned. So now I know that ADS are my favorite speakers of all time, so those are what I am on the lookout for, AND I have a good knowledge determining whether any I stumble upon are a reasonable asking price. That's not "backward logic" at all.

Like I said earlier, I didn't know crap, except my very limited knowledge when I started to get seriously back into the hobby. For most of my gear, especially speakers, I thank AKer's for expanding my knowledge!

Yeah but did you actually ask them to find you deals? I have a feeling the answer to that is a big resounding NO. I didn't, not once. I educated myself by READING UP on some threads, and perusing the internet in general for info, but I didn't ask anybody to go find me miracle deals. Sure I made some mistakes, buying things I shouldn't have paid what I did for them, or buying something that was highly rated that turned out to be crap to me, but I made those decisions ON MY OWN, through the school of hard knocks, and now I know exactly what I like and by extension what deals on those items are out there to be had.

 

[GD70]

You're not understanding what I am saying. Look at the post directly above mine as an example of what I am talking about. The poster lists several items for sale in the OP's area, and some if not all are probably good deals. If the OP doesn't have any knowledge of those items that are listed, how is he going to know whether they are a good deal FOR HIM??? See what I am saying now? It needs to be up to the individual pursuing an interest in this hobby to get out there and see what the items are that fit his likability. Does that perhaps mean paying too much a few times for items to try them out? Sure, that's how I learned. So now I know that ADS are my favorite speakers of all time, so those are what I am on the lookout for, AND I have a good knowledge determining whether any I stumble upon are a reasonable asking price. That's not "backward logic" at all.



Yeah but did you actually ask them to find you deals? I have a feeling the answer to that is a big resounding NO. I didn't, not once. I educated myself by READING UP on some threads, and perusing the internet in general for info, but I didn't ask anybody to go find me miracle deals. Sure I made some mistakes, buying things I shouldn't have paid what I did for them, or buying something that was highly rated that turned out to be crap to me, but I made those decisions ON MY OWN, through the school of hard knocks, and now I know exactly what I like and by extension what deals on those items are out there to be had.

I get your point, no I never asked for someone to look for deals for me. Only asking about various gear I came across I had no knowledge about.

 

[Thefyn]

If the OP doesn't have any knowledge of those items that are listed, how is he going to know whether they are a good deal FOR HIM???

Because some white van speakers have msrp of $1200 and you can tell the newb "don't buy these for $100"? And you can tell the same newb to buy the paradigm 9 speakers for $100 because they are a great deal?

It's not rocket science.

I started to rationalize some of the responses like yours in this thread: Perhaps it's a cultural thing, where certain countries see helping newbs as a negative thing. "Let them learn for themselves" etc.

Then I snapped out of it and remembered there are a lot of whackadoo people online that begrudge helping newbs get deals and like to ruin threads. You're trying to make a very simple thing complicated. I'm sure you think this is all very elitist of you, but you really are just jumping up and down for attention.

You get it right? You know audio is complex and it has to be perfectly tailored to specific rooms, genres, applications and blah blah blah listen to me blah attention look at me frequencies blah standing waves blah people are to dumb to apreciate my years of knowledge blah grandstanding.

I bought a pair of paradigm 9 speakers with a bonus paradigm cc350 center speaker for $120 today.

I'm sure that would be the wrong choice for a student on a budget right? You have some sort of rationale that they are...what exactly?

Why would a pair of paradigm 9's be wrong for someone at $100? I'm sure you have a fashionable answer. No. You are creating a snobbery cloud of bullshit in this thread.

 

[zunde]

Because some white van speakers have msrp of $1200 and you can tell the newb "don't buy these for $100"? And you can tell the same newb to buy the paradigm 9 speakers for $100 because they are a great deal?

It's not rocket science.

I started to rationalize some of the responses like yours in this thread: Perhaps it's a cultural thing, where certain countries see helping newbs as a negative thing. "Let them learn for themselves" etc.

Then I snapped out of it and remembered there are a lot of whackadoo people online that begrudge helping newbs get deals and like to ruin threads. You're trying to make a very simple thing complicated. I'm sure you think this is all very elitist of you, but you really are just jumping up and down for attention.

You get it right? You know audio is complex and it has to be perfectly tailored to specific rooms, genres, applications and blah blah blah listen to me blah attention look at me frequencies blah standing waves blah people are to dumb to apreciate my years of knowledge blah grandstanding.

I bought a pair of paradigm 9 speakers with a bonus paradigm cc350 center speaker for $120 today.

I'm sure that would be the wrong choice for a student on a budget right? You have some sort of rationale that they are...what exactly?

Why would a pair of paradigm 9's be wrong for someone at $100? I'm sure you have a fashionable answer. No. You are creating a snobbery cloud of bullshit in this thread.

Your ignorant entire post proved my point. What if he actually liked the sound of those $100 white van speakers more than the sound of $100 Paradigms? Nobody can tell him that the Paradigms are better for him than the white van speakers because only he would know, through trial and error. Understand now dipshit? If you don't understand my point (which you obviously never did) then that's on you. Not only that but nobody posted in this thread for 3 months, yet you had to bring your know it all holier than thou BS into trying to start something no one wanted to reprise. Stay out of threads that are over your head.

 

[sqlsavior]

I am LOVING your Beatles video, and will watch the SRV one next.

Sorry your thread is getting crapped on. I think it's a fine idea, whether it catches on or not. If I ever get into guitars & stuff, I'll ask you for help.

Meanwhile, apply your search techniques to: Quad ESL, Magneplanar, Acoustat, Martin Logan, KLH Model Nine, Sound Lab, and go listen to the dipole, planar sound. They are all "you are there" speakers, as opposed to the more traditional "they are here" speakers. Other, more conventionally driven "you are there" speakers would be Dahlquist, DCM, Vandersteen, many KEFs, Theil, Harbeth, Spendor, Rogers, Stirling, Chartwell, Graham.

Thanks again for the thread and videos.

 

[soundmotor]

IBTM

 

[Thefyn]

I am LOVING your Beatles video, and will watch the SRV one next.

Sorry your thread is getting crapped on. I think it's a fine idea, whether it catches on or not. If I ever get into guitars & stuff, I'll ask you for help.

Meanwhile, apply your search techniques to: Quad ESL, Magneplanar, Acoustat, Martin Logan, KLH Model Nine, Sound Lab, and go listen to the dipole, planar sound. They are all "you are there" speakers, as opposed to the more traditional "they are here" speakers. Other, more conventionally driven "you are there" speakers would be Dahlquist, DCM, Vandersteen, many KEFs, Theil, Harbeth, Spendor, Rogers, Stirling, Chartwell, Graham.

Thanks again for the thread and videos.

Thanks man. What's funny is this thread has one or two of "those" people. No matter what you do, you will find the worst personalities post more often. Probably sick of being told to shut their holes in real life they just can't help it.

For instance someone can watch my vid where I go through great length finding/buying/installing soldering pickups, speakers, string gauges, mic's, recreating the room and messing with mic placement etc. Researching and recording a 100 tracks until I get it right...

I can do all that and the first thing out of their mouths is "you played it wrong". Like I can recreate technical speed metal on the drop of a hat and do all that research? And you know what? If I play it right...that same % will claim I copied it from the album and I'm miming. Then when I show them the isolated guitar tracks they STILL act like I was an idiot to not include it. And if I do include it..."Your vids are too long, get to the point" etc.

They are out there...just the worst. I tell myself to ignore it but it's a constant daily stream of unhappy people trying to spread their misery to others. Haha.

So thanks! It makes it all worth it when I get enthusiastic feedback. I've just started deleting "you were miming" comments on my latest vid. I've left 3 as I don't want to whitewash my comments section but I don't like spending energy on maggots. Actually maggots have a function...Wasps. Haha.

 

[Thefyn]

Your ignorant entire post proved my point. What if he actually liked the sound of those $100 white van speakers more than the sound of $100 Paradigms? Nobody can tell him that the Paradigms are better for him than the white van speakers because only he would know, through trial and error. Understand now dipshit? If you don't understand my point (which you obviously never did) then that's on you. Not only that but nobody posted in this thread for 3 months, yet you had to bring your know it all holier than thou BS into trying to start something no one wanted to reprise. Stay out of threads that are over your head.

Know it all? Thanks man. Perhaps I was excited that I bought great speakers for $120 and wanted to post it here only to find you smearing your broken life over my positive thread again? I think the more bargains I find, the uglier you get. With each bargain I unearth (proving that this thread is easily doable), you just get more embarrassed.

 

[zunde]

None of your spewings disprove my point, which is you can't tell someone what is a bargain for them, cause that $2000 pair of speakers for $120 amazing deal don't mean much if that newb ends up hating the speakers, unless you're talking about resale which is a whole other topic. You lose.

 

[electronjohn]

Way back on Page 1 GD70 posted a list of brands to watch for, and it covered all the "usual suspects". Personal opinion as to sound is just that...personal. Ergo, if it sounds good to YOU then it IS good. Continue the hunt and what you're REALLY looking for will eventually turn up. If you're a garage saler, then gravitate towards areas of high-end homes. Often those folks are just wishing to get RID of things and will price accordingly. That's how I stumbled upon my Klipsch KG 5.5s...garage sale at a large lake home near me. They just wanted them GONE and I was happy to oblige.

One final thing I'll mention: There's really no such thing as a stupid question here on AK. We were all new to this hobby once, and for a lot of us (myself included) there was no such thing as an audio forum or even the internet when we started out. In my case, paper route $$ back in 1965 got me my first setup...and, being somewhat of a hoarder, I still have the lowly Lafayette "Stereo 10" amp I bought...and it still works!

Oh, and BTW: Consider the $25 charge to become a Subscriber. There may be AKer's local to you who have what you're looking for. Also a GREAT place to buy TTs and other gear...not to mention the thing that brought us all here...the music.