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Why are vintage speaker prices so high right now?

F

Franconian

New Member
Is it just me or does it seem like prices for vintage speakers have gone way up in the last couple years? I've been on the hunt for an upgrade on floor speakers and I see a lot of local listings on craigslist, facebook marketplace, ebay, etc. for Klipsch Heresy 1s, Yamaha ns 670s, PIONEER CS-63DXs. They're all in the $300-$400 price range, and not like they are in mint condition. When I research these models here I see posts from 2019 where most of these speakers went for, at the very highest, $200. I'm in South Florida so it's not like prices are generally higher here than other places. Has there just been increased demand that's yielding these higher prices? Are these sellers over pricing their speakers? Or am I just looking in the wrong places?
 

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As GC pointed out, S&D.

Then there's other's who flip knowing the market the way it is, and take advantage of it.

Then these those new to this pursuit who have the means, and want in.

Or, for others with extra gear it's just sit and wait.

Q
 
orsen said:
a few hundred used vs a few thousand new
vintage still sounds good to me
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I think this is true. I've been fortunate finding vintage KEFs in particular, but there are other bargains to be had also.

Prices have gone up so it's definitely more difficult to find great deals now, though.
 
Vintage audio products in general have reached preposterous heights. Inflation certainly accounts for some of it. Especially obvious to those of us who have been around long enough to remember what a pair of AR2ax speakers or a Marantz 2270 receiver sold for new. Maybe it's just because they just don't make 'em like they used to, for better or worse.
 
Vintage audio is just hot right now, I think it's related to the vinyl trend. Also, the equipment is getting older and more scarce, it's becoming rare that someone's 1970s setup has still been sitting in the same place since it was new, and is being got rid of for pennies on the dollar.
 
Vintage everything is hot right now. I bought a vintage car 6 years ago for $1600 is not worth 10k. BTW all those speakers you listed except maybe the Pioneers are good ones and priced close to right. Barter a little and get them for $300-$350 and that seems right in line.
 
^^^ they have always sold new crap. There is plenty of great affordable new stuff out there, this is a great time to get into this hobby for little $$$ compared to when I was trying to buy stuff in the 70’s.

:beerchug:
 
Uncle Fester said:
I recently saw a Pioneer sx-1980 on you know where bay for the asking price of over $11,000.00 dollars.

Just ridiculous.
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That’s insane, no matter how great the 1980 sounds (and they do sound great) and despite the big horsepower (270 Watts!). But I guess it’s worth what someone (fool?) is willing to pay.

That said, I don’t think it’s fair to characterize all that is new as better. A recent integrated amp by Marantz purchase sounded pretty poor next to any number of vintage receivers in my possession. I realize this is one case and that this is anecdotal, but for the price point I expected more - a LOT more.
 
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botrytis said:
People will pay it because they think older is better, it really isn't any better. People will also try to make as much money as possible. Also, as time goes a long,

Basic capitalist economics.
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I do think older is better, hence my Altec Vals, KLH Fives and Twenty Threes and silver Kenwood gear. But that's just me being stuck in the 70s musically. I don't fool myself that newer isn't better. It's possible that it's just what I've been used to for 55 years of listening. That old equipment is just pleasing. And fun to work on.
 
Vintage gear is worth whatever someone is willing to pay. I won’t pay those high prices because I’ve already owned lots of vintage receivers and speakers. Been there and done that. I know there’s also lots of 80s equipment that sounds just as good as the silver face era stuff. It might not look as nice but I care more about function than form.
 
purchased my first pair of Heresys 8yrs ago for $400, the second pair 5yrs ago for $400, sold the first pair 3yrs ago for..........$400 lol. I like getting to use gear for free, though I seldom sell anything.

it's been the going price for a long time, but I've noticed $500 to be more the norm recently.

always a good investment, if you don't like them or decide to go a different way in the future there's always a market for them.
 
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