How do you tell if used speakers are good?

[dakayus]

I'm going to be picking up a pair of used bookshelf speakers

RB-5's and I was wondering how can I tell if they're blown out or

what not. Do dented woofers make a difference? What should I test

for and etc. I want the speakers, I just don'tknow what to be

leery about. Thanks

[Coytee]

Can't you simply plug them up & listen??

Perhaps put ears close to tweets to see if they're singing?

[Groomlakearea51]

You are going to pick them up? First test.... take a CD or cassette over and see if they are hooked up and you can listen to them before giving him the money... Dented woofer dust cones? Probably little effect. Price can depend some on the appearance though. "Haggle" him down if you think they are in poor cosmetic shape. "FMV" fair market value; Don't know at all; I'm sure that a number of folks on the forum can probably give you a very good idea on a fair price for a used pair of RB-5's.

[mas]

I understand your desire, and I wish I had some elegant magic test! I could certainly put it to good use!

I know lots of tests for various aspects of a speaker or it components, but aside from actually listening or running a simple frequency sweep of the speaker, I don't know of a simple elegant test that doesn't involve listening to them.

If you can't test them on site prior to taking possession of them, the best solution I can suggest in your case is to write up a clear statement of conditions stating a time period of evaluation whereby you can verify the speakers' performance and return them for refund should they not measure up. Short of testing them on premise or drawing up a simple but valid contract where both sign and date the contract (preferably with a truly neutral witness or 2 witnesses, one from 'each side' - or at least one from your side! ;-), I don't know of another enforceble method... After all, if it is not enforceble for a cost less than that of the items in question, it is effectively worthless.

I will be interested to see if anyone else has a better solution!

Of course, the best solution I have found is to use www.escrow.com! []

[dakayus]

ahh thanks for the info guys, sorry I mean RB-75 I just read what I
wrote lol. I probably should do that a little more often. I
haven't seen a picture of them yet, and I have seen pictures of dented
woofers and such on ebay and I wondered how big of a difference it
would make. I was just wondering if the sound quality slowly
fades with time or is it pretty much always good as long as the woofer
doesn't need to be refoamed and the tweeter isn't blown out. I
will get to test them.... hmm i guess now the
question is what songs should I listen to.

Since
I'm going to be moving around a bit in the next few years I decided to
do away with my RF-3's. Sad to see them go but upgrading is
always nice.

[Gilbert]

Can't you simply plug them up & listen??

Perhaps put ears close to tweets to see if they're singing?

OH COME ON! That is just way too easy. You'll need to have some tools, take your multimeter, your stereo system, and your lazyboy recliner. For astectics, you might also want to bring along a tool belt with some pliers, wrenches a hammer and some sockets (preferably 3/8" dirve).

Then, you hook up the speakers to the music source, kick back in the Lazyboy (with your tool belt on of course), and listen intently to the sound. If you don't like it, take out the hammer and it's over.

[Coytee]

I once saw some 6x9 coaxial speaker tested...

The dude wired it up, plugged it in (to the wall)... there was this gawdawful "BZZZZZZZZZZT", then bang, a puff of smoke and silence.

I think the speaker failed the test.

[jacksonbart]

I usually smell them, then rap on the side with my knuckle. When you rap on it, you want the speaker to sound firm and a little hollow inside, then you know its ripe.

[wuzzzer]

They say 'Klipsch' on them! [H]

As others have said, a simple listening test is sufficient. Put your ear by each driver to make sure they are outputting sound.

[funkyhambone]

personally, i walk around and kick them.

[dakayus]

LOL gee i like the kicking one the best, but anyways I went out and got

them yesterday and they sounded great! It was in absolute pristine

condition so the $650 was well worth it. Man they sound WAY

better than my rf-3's and makes me glad I got rid of them ahhh....

Now for my receiver to go lol

[getech]

Make sure that their are no thumb or finger holes in the woofers. Also if the cabinet is missing a side or for that matter top or bottom...they generally is not good.

[Mike Lindsey]

Make sure that their are no thumb or finger holes in the woofers.

I also like to check for toe holes...