I was just offered $1200 for a pair of Bose 901 speakers, not the amp and preamp lol.
What would YOU do?
- Thread starter Cbekarian
- Start date
Update, folks: I think the deal is going down tomorrow. $1200 for the pair. Now I can shop. I have my eye on some Wharfedale W90s (I’ve heard they’re great but they’re UGLY) and the New Large Advents (much prettier). I listen to mainly jazz and soul LPs, so warmth and presence are important to me in a speaker, but I also have a Bluesound Node through which I stream a wide variety of modern music, so agility and good bass are also important. Also eyeing a pair of AR 3As.
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Blowed Fuse
ok ok ok….. It’s just a little pin prick
GLWTS
Hello OP,
This past Spring, I acquired a pair of (circa late 1980's) TOTL (made in England) Mission (two way-4 Ohm) "Argonaut" Speakers. I would SERIOUSLY be seeking out a pair of the Argonaut Speakers for sooooo many reasons: built quality, easy to drive-sensitivity-play lovely at low volume, not overly large and an overall sound/presentation I find lovely. I too listen (mostly) to Classic Jazz and have found the "Argonaut" Speakers a very good match. I prefer the sound of the "Argonauts" using Solid State Amp (although not bad on Tube Amp) as this model Missions seem more "ALIVE!" using Solid State. On the other Hand, I absolutely LOVE the sound of my vintage English EMI 529 DLS Speakers which sound so inviting (non fatiquing-easy to listen to) using my FISHER 400 Tube Receiver. I now finally have what I consider the best of both Worlds, that is to say, systems that are sort of Chocolate or Vanilla. I happen to LOVE both as both type systems sound excellent to my aging Ears. Good luck OP with you sale and finding your next pair of Speakers.
SixCats! aka Tom in Maine
This past Spring, I acquired a pair of (circa late 1980's) TOTL (made in England) Mission (two way-4 Ohm) "Argonaut" Speakers. I would SERIOUSLY be seeking out a pair of the Argonaut Speakers for sooooo many reasons: built quality, easy to drive-sensitivity-play lovely at low volume, not overly large and an overall sound/presentation I find lovely. I too listen (mostly) to Classic Jazz and have found the "Argonaut" Speakers a very good match. I prefer the sound of the "Argonauts" using Solid State Amp (although not bad on Tube Amp) as this model Missions seem more "ALIVE!" using Solid State. On the other Hand, I absolutely LOVE the sound of my vintage English EMI 529 DLS Speakers which sound so inviting (non fatiquing-easy to listen to) using my FISHER 400 Tube Receiver. I now finally have what I consider the best of both Worlds, that is to say, systems that are sort of Chocolate or Vanilla. I happen to LOVE both as both type systems sound excellent to my aging Ears. Good luck OP with you sale and finding your next pair of Speakers.
SixCats! aka Tom in Maine
As was mentioned, I'd also strongly consider one of the ADS models. I loved my L710's which, to me, were only bested by a pair of much larger (and more power hungry) KEF 104/2's.
Here's a little 'light'
reading. https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/a-d-s-line-pecking-order.44406/
Here's a little 'light'
reading. https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/a-d-s-line-pecking-order.44406/
Oh, Yeah..
Saw some Argonauts on Craigs list for 350$ and I thought wow what a deal.
Dynaco A-50's for 350$,
JBL L100 t3's 700$
Bose 802 350$
Lots of better speakers for far less money.
Bose is still very popular?? Don't know why?
"No Highs, No Lows it must be Bose"
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Mystic
We're all born mad
Rhymes with "pose" ?
jayvis
Addicted Member
Selling vintage speakers that you already know that you like the sound of is a conundrum. Especially when you won't entertain spending any more money on their replacements. I'd take time to listen to as many alternatives as possible before parting ways with something that I enjoy. Just because someone tells you that something sounds better to them doesn't mean that they'll sound better to you, especially in your particular system. If I had no way of auditioning other vintage speakers, I'd start looking at and listening to some new modern speakers in my system that I can return if they don't thrill me. There are a growing number of people who've moved to modern speakers in their vintage systems.
whoaru99
Epic Member
Well, be careful of a scam. If it sounds too good to be true, and it does to me, it just might be too good to be true.
Searching is easy and they're selling for quite a bit less around here.
Update, folks: I think the deal is going down tomorrow. $1200 for the pair. Now I can shop. I have my eye on some Wharfedale W90s (I’ve heard they’re great but they’re UGLY) and the New Large Advents (much prettier). I listen to mainly jazz and soul LPs, so warmth and presence are important to me in a speaker, but I also have a Bluesound Node through which I stream a wide variety of modern music, so agility and good bass are also important.
Those argonauts look sweet but seems unlikely that I’d run across any. Rarities! The EMI’s however, I could get.
Well, it’s certainly top dollar, but the guy is coming over later today with cash so it’s hard to see how he’ll scam me unless he brings a gun lol. But, good looking out!
This is what still plagues me, even though the sum being offered is absolutely the most I could ever get for these. Now I have to fret about finding replacements for a speaker that at least satisfied me. I’m entertaining spending every last cent of those $1200 dollars on a replacement, so I’m not really sure what you mean there. But I’m not opposed to modern speakers, that’s just a whole other rabbit hole and I already know a few things about vintage speaker models. I don’t have the energy to start from scratch
jayvis
Addicted Member
But do you know how those speakers will perform and sound in the system you have now? I think if you did, you would have tried to replace your speakers a while ago. Now, you'll be forced to venture into the trial-and-error vintage hole that can become a lot more tedious and frustrating. Best of luck to you.
I bought an Amp from an AK member I didn't know last year. My wife was worried about my coming back! So to make her happy, we met in a police station parking lot.
When we met, he marked each bill with a counterfeit indicator marker. Which indicates if paper is genuine. First time I've heard of that. Those pens aren't hard to find.
Turned out the sale was just fine. And we had a coffee and talked gear.
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whoaru99
Epic Member
I hope you get it.
But, yeah, until he actually shows up with real cash and the deal is closed it ain't a done deal.
I have several pair of speakers including 901 Series V (or is it VI) and a pair of Series II, both with respective EQs (but not tulips) have no desire to sell them but for $1300 I would... but there are pairs selling for much less on Marketplace, et al.
whoaru99
Epic Member
People buy things for all sorts of reasons, not necessarily outright technical performance.
Can you clarify? Which suggestions have you had a bad experience with or disagree with?