Cons of buying a demo piece speaker

[Safar]

Folks,

Any thoughts about the cons of buying a speaker pair of choice which is a demo piece.

Pros is of course reduced damage to wallet

 

[Staxxx]

I have always preferred well-looked after demo pieces as they are broken in and sound much better from the go. I have yet to have a bad experience with any as yet. However I have not bought from dealers in India and most of the pieces were high-end and therefore the substantial discount was worth it. Always ask about repairs and how heavily they have been used (i.e. at shows etc.). In my opinion, very little downside.

 

[malvai]

No downside what-so-ever.... however, one needs to be careful in India. As not all dealers and sellers are transparent on their dealing. Do make sure:

1. That the pair is not repaired, and if it has been repaired, it has gotten original replacement parts/drivers from the manufacturer.
2. Do take a bill and full warranty.

Just my 2 bits!

 

[corElement]

Unless the shop abused the speaker, demo pieces are high value for money. As long as physical examination reveals no damage and audition reveals no sonic deformities.

 

[vj_box]

It really depends yes! My recent experience was picking up a open box Polk audio TL 150 which I find extreme VFM! I picked them up after testing them out at the Best Buy store in SF. They use to retail for $299+ and I got hold of a deal for $125 for all 5 speakers.

They were a demo item and were used sparingly as the store manager updated. They were repacked with care and kept as a open box item. I test them all before buying and picked them up! They look brand new and sound great too!

So yes, ensure you do the testing and take a plunge!

Cheers!

 

[Nikhil]

Pros is of course reduced damage to wallet

Not the only pro actually as others have mentioned.

One con I can think of is when a demo speaker is up for sale they are usually after the product has been retired so you have an "old" product on your hands that may not have a resale value or parts available.

Abuse aside always go for a demo piece IMO.

 

[Safar]

Not the only pro actually as others have mentioned.

One con I can think of is when a demo speaker is up for sale they are usually after the product has been retired so you have an "old" product on your hands that may not have a resale value or parts available.

Abuse aside always go for a demo piece IMO.

Case seems to be good, very reputed dealer, stopped selling one regarded brand due to supply issues. But the model is still in market and the same is imported 4 months back. The pair is already opened up and in good condition, and will come with bill and one year dealer warranty as opposed to 3 year warranty they. Orally offers for the brand

 

[srinisundar]

Not the only pro actually as others have mentioned.

One con I can think of is when a demo speaker is up for sale they are usually after the product has been retired so you have an "old" product on your hands that may not have a resale value or parts available.

Abuse aside always go for a demo piece IMO.

I love this.. and + 1 to you.

 

[doors666]

Speakers being passive radiators

What???????

 

[corElement]

What???????

I googled from your reaction and saw passive radiator applies to an alternative to bass reflex ports, so edited it out. I meant direct radiator and since they're passive I just used passive radiator, but I also didn't consider active speakers in the equation, so another reason I edited it out. Thanks.

 

[apk]

As long as the speakers do not look abused and you get full warranty, you should be good. You get free burn-in to boot!

BTW, what is the discount % on the MRP that you are getting on the demo piece?

Best,
APK

 

[soulforged]

speakers are a safer bet unlike the other components which are more prone to damage from neglect or abuse. Like others mention, a visual inspection can tell you most of what you need to check if the speakers are in decent shape.

• Cracks or dings on the enclosure would tell you if the speaker had fallen sometime or something had fallen on it.
• Discoloration/fading would tell you if the speakers were kept in the storefront and might have been exposed to direct sunlight
• Inspection of the feet/bottom can tell you if they were kept in a damp place (warehouse) or dragged around
• You may wanna laugh at this but if the speaker's ported, try and sniff the inside. The smell can tell if the speaker was visited by roaches/rats or if they were kept in the dirty part of the warehouse
• Put your hand inside the port (as far as it goes) to check for dampness
• Looseness around the baffle can tell you if the driver was fiddled with at any time
• Dings/Dents/Crease on the tweeter dust-cap
• Looseness or scratches or slight displacement around the speaker terminals can tell you if they were ever opened, most likely for repairs

Speaker technology has not changed much over the decades so I would really not worry about getting some old/outdated model. Of course, I am not counting active, planar, ESL and other speakers of similar ilk.

And lastly, listen to the speakers and buy them if you like the sound. From that I mean that how they sound would tell you how they were kept. I also mean that don't buy them just coz you got a great deal on them.

All the best!

 

[Safar]

As long as the speakers do not look abused and you get full warranty, you should be good. You get free burn-in to boot!

BTW, what is the discount % on the MRP that you are getting on the demo piece?

Best,
APK

20%, not more.

 

[hemantwaghe]

20%, not more.

Seems very less Esp MRP is generally kept high for discounts
can we know Moel Brand shop etc?

 

[thebanik]

20%, not more.

Recently bought a demo piece myself. Discount was only around 25% from the best offer. But the condition was good and came with full warranty. Though honestly I bought the set JUST because I thought I got a good deal, :lol:

 

[apk]

20%, not more.

Hmmm......in my opinion, the discount on a demo piece should be a bit more. I have heard of 30-40% in some cases. For how long has the speaker been used as a demo unit?

 

[Safar]

Hmmm......in my opinion, the discount on a demo piece should be a bit more. I have heard of 30-40% in some cases. For how long has the speaker been used as a demo unit?

When the brand was sold at ProFx , discount was not more than 5% on MRP. 4 months Old pair. Max 20% is what they are ready to do away with.

 

[Nikhil]

When the brand was sold at ProFx , discount was not more than 5% on MRP. 4 months Old pair. Max 20% is what they are ready to do away with.

Depending on whom you are buying from, you can get a better discount.
If you can share the model and make we can give you a better opinion.

 

[Safar]

Depending on whom you are buying from, you can get a better discount.
If you can share the model and make we can give you a better opinion.

Focal 816, 2012 July