A Guide to Buying Used Stereo and Audio Equipment Online

When it comes to building your audio system, purchasing used equipment can offer a cost-effective way to obtain high-quality gear. We'll explore the benefits of buying used audio equipment, provide insights into where to find it online, discuss important considerations during the buying process, and offer tips for online purchasing safety. Why Purchase Used Audio Equipment? Buying used audio equipment presents several advantages, including affordability, access to discontinued models, and value retention. Where to Look for Used Stereo and Audio for Sale Ebay Ebay offers lots of variety and you get their backup if things aren't quite right.

Amazon Used audio equipment comes in two forms on Amazon, their own warehouse and returns as well as consumers selling stereo and home theater equipment on the site. There are also others like Audiogone For used high-end home audio equipment, Audiogon provides a marketplace for people to buy, sell, trade, or discuss high-end audio. Audiogon is a community for hifi enthusiasts and audiophiles. 

Craigslist
Every part of the country has a local Craigslist with all types of home audio equipment. While offering a convienent source of local used home theater and home audio. As always use extra caution when purchasing one-one sales. Besides meeting strangers, Craigslist does not guarantee any purchase. 

Facebook Marketplace
Like Craigslist, you get local sellers that you can meet and pick up the home audio equipment, possibly saving money on shipping. They also have sellers who will offer shipping. Please check Marketplace T&C for any other benefits they may offer buyers and sellers.

What to Consider When Buying Used Audio Equipment:

Before making a purchase, it's essential to keep the following factors in mind: the condition of the equipment, the seller's reputation, authenticity, and return policy.

Online Purchasing Safety:

To ensure a secure transaction, follow these safety tips: verify seller credentials, use secure payment methods, discuss shipping and insurance, and trust your instincts.

Buying used high-end and other used stereo and home theater equipment online can be an excellent way to enhance your audio setup without breaking the bank. By exploring reputable platforms that specialize in used stereo equipment, considering key factors, and prioritizing online safety, you can navigate the used market confidently and find the perfect gear to elevate your audio experience.

Always use caution when purchasing items online and meeting for a pick. Consider meeting in a public place during daylight hours. Note: URLs provided in this article are subject to change. Please ensure they are accurate and active before use. The Speaker Guys offers this for informational purposes only. Any purchase you make is always at your own risk and responsibility.

How MDF Speakers are Made

MDF, or medium density fiberboard is used in most mid-level speakers and in many high end ones as well. Speaker companies use it because it is easy to work with, inexpensive and is extremely rigid. The rigidity and density is important so that the speaker cabinet does not color the sound as it bounces around inside the cabinet.

Do MDF speakers look worse than real wood?
In short, no. A high quality speaker company will make them look very nice. Since MDF is made from wood fibers glued under heat and pressure, it offers a extremely dense material that is, unlike wood, dimensionally stable. This gives you a very uniform material to make speaker cabinets from. Unfortunately in its native state, MDF is pretty ugly. To address this, manufacturers attach either a wood veneer (real wood) or vinyl woodgrain (not real wood : ^) outer covering on the MDF before making the speaker cabinet.

How are they Made?

1. Vinyl woodgrain or wood veneer are glued to the MDF. This is a permanent process, but of course the quality and thickness of the vinyl or veneer come into play. The thicker the veneer or vinyl, the more sturdy it will be over time.
2. A Groove Cutter cuts a V groove into the MDF right down to the vinyl or veneer.
3. The MDF is then "folded' to create the cabinet.

In better speakers a brace is usually added for extra support and to add rigidity.

Good as Wood or Better
Overall MDF speakers look and sound every bit as good as a speaker cabinet made of wood alone, probably better. In most cases they will look better, no knots or other imperfections, and sound better due to higher density and conformity of the material.

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Audio Guide for the Holidays

The newest issue of Forbes has An Audio Guide for the Holidays or how to get better sound from your stereo system, MP3 (iPod) and computer.

The story is aimed at those who have doubts that they are getting the best sound from their computer or living room stereo and are willing to spend some money to improve their music listening enjoyment. The article gives the requisite advice on how the speaker is the most important part of your audio system and of finding a audio store, specifically a speaker store near you. They advice you bring your favorite CD's with you which is a great idea. Then they get a bit strange by asking you to "Ask yourself, 'Am I being emotionally involved in the music? Or being bored by it?' " Huh? How about this. While auditioning speakers ask yourself this. Does it sound natural? Do the voices sound like I expect them too? Does the bass sound satisfactory? And oh yeah, can I afford them.

Earphones
Their advice on earphones is much better. "And don't be afraid of using regularly sized earphones with your iPod; you'll never be cast in an Apple commercial, but you'll get great sound."

They also tackle the big question
Can you hear the difference between compressed and uncompressed? It's a tricky question. Almost surely not if you only listen to pop music on an iPod with its regular earbuds. Even with a well-equipped home system, it may be tough. David Bryant, the programmer responsible for the WavPack lossless system, says he is usually unable to discern the difference between a 320 kilobit MP3 and a lossless file, despite the considerable audiophile gear in his house.


Overall this article is a great read and recommended.