New or used?
July 31, 2008
I know that GoodSound! only reviews new equipment,
but what do you think about secondhand? I have a chance to buy a pair of used B&W
speakers that look like they're in great shape. They're less than half the price than new.
Is there any risk?
Tom Schaeffer
Without a doubt, you can get a great deal shopping for
secondhand equipment. However, you have to exercise some caution because you don't
necessarily know what you're getting. For example, some people who buy over the Internet
don't get to see the product first. In my opinion, when you're buying sight unseen,
there's always a huge risk. But that doesn't seem to be an issue in your case.
However, there's the potential for problems even when
you can see what you're buying. For instance, usually there's no warranty on used
equipment -- it's often only offered to the original owner. Therefore, if something goes
wrong, you will likely have to pay to get the item fixed. Furthermore, although speakers
might look fine on the outside, it's hard to tell if they have been abused, because that
damage usually occurs inside (voice-coil damage from too much power or from
"clipped" power). One way to know this, though, is to try them at the current
owner's place before you hand over your cash.
In summary, tremendous deals can be had buying
secondhand, but there's always going to be a certain degree of risk. Therefore, you'll
have to decide if the money that you're going to save is worth the risk. As the old saying
goes, "buyer beware."
Energy and Wharfedale pairing
July 25, 2008
Referring to your review
of the Energy RC-Mini and S8.3, do you have any ideas about how well the S8.3 sub
would pair with a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 9.1s in a small stereo setup?
Ken
I've never listened to the Wharfedale Diamond 9.1s, so
it would be impossible for me to say how they might partner with the Energy S8.3
subwoofer. The only advice I can give is to try it out. Perhaps your dealer even has a
floor model you can borrow to bring home and experiment with. I found that once I took
some time to position the S8.3 carefully, it integrated really well with the RC-Minis. I
think it’s worth a try to see if the same is true of partnering the Wharfedales with
the S8.3. Good luck.
|
