My husband is a “speaker snob” - while I can hardly tell the difference between an IKEA speaker and his Studio Lab speakers.
I frequent thrift stores - and this is might sound bad - but the ones run by “older” volunteers typically don’t mark up higher end goods (I’ve literally scored brand name clothing that should be $200+ per item for a few bucks.
Anyway. I see speakers all the time. I came across Polk Audio speakers for $20, did some research, it appeared they were a stop brand - but when I brought them home to surprise him, it was basically a “thanks but no thanks”.
I asked him if there’s a certain brand I should be on the lookout for, and he said speakers are a complex world 😑
I’d still love to surprise him with an exciting find - we can’t afford new, high quality speakers, so I’m hoping to score a win! What things should I keep in mind while out and about? Are there certain brands that are a score either way?
Thanks!
I was volunteering at one and I often found good stuff that was donated. Somehow always got marked for $1 and bought by me.
You’re just robbing the donator of their charitable donations - congratulations
All of these suggestions are great. I always say for most audio gear, at least speakers and turntables, the heavier and more solid, the better. If it’s plastic and light, 9999/10000, it’s crap.
That said, shooting a picture over real quick is the best idea honestly. My friends do that all the time as I’m known as the audio guy and I really don’t mind it and if anything kind of enjoy it. Though I’m less fussy than most haha.
Yeah just send a pic if you see something. It can be hard to tell if old gear is good or not
Are you looking for a new husband?
The first test do they have decent quality binding posts where the wire attaches? If they have spring clips, the evaluation is over, they are rejected. Next, they should have some weight to them - should feel really solid. Finally, look them up online (on your phone) see if you can find a Review, or at least the original price.
My Gen 1 Heresy with a Philips head looks like junk, but I’d lose my mind if I found them at a thrift store.
Yeah I have a pair of Ohm L’s that I absolutely love but they look a little sketchy.
i got Forte 2’s for $200 at Salvation Army store, HA!!
Spring clips or RCA inputs maybe telltales to pass, but knurled nuts on screw posts may be a good sign. All the Henry Kloss products from KLH, AR, and Advent used them. IIRC so did Allison Acoustics. Many well liked early Boston Acoustics used spring clips…A40, A60, A70, but we don’t know what her husband would really like.
So, OP, why not ask hubby to name a few things he would really love if you brought them home? Then we have a baseline to compare to.I have a set of Boston Acoustics A100s with a different set of binding posts on each speaker. One is a screw post and one is spring clip. I don’t know which was the original connection but they sound great and are a totally worthwhile speaker.
I sold BA at Tweeter from 1979 into the current century. The A100 was meant to fill the Large Advent spot, a 10” 2 way, with greater accuracy and utilize Roy Allison’s research into room loading. The A100II had an improved tweeter, used 5way binding posts, and really was a great performing speaker and value. Their 3 way A150ll was not that much better.
Yes, A+ wifey material !
You can try putting a damp rag on it to leave overnight to try and pull the crease out a little.
You want to surprise him and he nicely told you to not interfere with a speaker purchase…so surprise him with something else…like tickets to an event.
I would agree. The chance you find good speakers in a thrift store nowadays are really, really slim.
There are lots of old speakers around and nearly all are worth little (e.g. $20) to nothing (e.g. plenty of working speakers in skips). There are a few models and brands that have become collectable for reasons that aren’t always clear but the chances of you coming across one where the previous owner hasn’t looked up the price on ebay, the thrift shop owner hasn’t looked up the price on ebay and no audiophiles have been in the shop before you is pretty slim. But not impossible.
If your husband is happy with really big speakers then there are a few top of the range examples from decades ago about for relatively little money. So long as they don’t need a lot of attention (e.g. surrounds rotted, crossover components drifted out of spec, ferrofluid lost/hard,…) they can be fairly good buys.
Polk makes decent stuff, they also make shit. So you really need to see if you can find the actual model number and search that. usually its on the back.
a real simple beginner trick is to check the cabinet. If it feels heavy and solid, there is a good chance its at least decent. if it is light and plastic, it likely is trash.
some prejudices i live by, i could be wrong sometimes but:
I think a good rule is to eliminate any speaker by a brand that is famous for making electronics - amps, receivers, TVs, etc. So no Sony, no Pioneer, no JVC, no Onkyo, no Yamaha, no Panasonic, no Samsung, no LG, no Vizio, for speakers.
Made in USA is usually a good sign. Made is Denmark (or if any parts inside are made in Denmark) that is a great sign. Made in the UK is good too.
Then also, see if you can look up a review.
$20 is a good deal for some Polks, idk what he’s on about
I got some little Polks in a thrift store for 20 bucks, they’re ok. Got some Mirage bookshelf speakers from the late 80s for 30, had to refoam and they sound awesome. I was pretty sure they would, and also that the Polks would be “ok”.