My ex-GF wants to buy my speakers

[MichaelD]

Yet another interesting thread from yours truly.

My ex-GF and I (yes, the one I dumped in June) still talk. Email a few times a week to say hi...chat on the phone maybe once every couple of weeks. That's it though.

She knows I'm looking to sell my 6-year old Kenwood speakers (five of them...HT set) and one year old Cerwin-Vega subwoofer. She also knows that I really don't want to go thru the hassle of boxing and shipping them all. Not to mention all the potential deadbeats and crooks on EBay.

So, she said "how much do you want for it all?" Keep a few things in mind here:

1. She doesn't have a real stereo or HT, but wants one badly. AFterall, she watched mine for 3.5 years.
2. She has little money...doesn't make all that much. I'm sure she could come up with the money...line of credit, etc...but I'd feel badly
3. This is a really good opportunity for her to get a nice starter set of HT speakers for less than 1/2 what she'd pay new...all she'd need is a HT receiver!
4. I'm not sure what to charge!

The Kenwood set is 6 years old, has a few small scratches from where the vacuum bumped the cabinets, but works perfectly; I take care of my stuff. IIRC, I paid about $475-$500 for all of them, new.

The Cerwin Vega Cerwin-Vega LW-15 sub is about a year old and in perfect working and cosmetic condition. I paid $485 + tax for it.

Assuming no cost for shipping, no tax, etc, what's a fair price?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Disguised as YAGTs or not, price checks are still a no-no on AT.

- M4H

 

[Crazymofo]

No more then 500 and thats only cause the sub is newer... but the kenwoods aren't worth much...

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Disguised as YAGTs or not, price checks are still a no-no on AT.

- M4H

PBBBTTHHHHH!! Hell, that wasn't my intention...move it HD then....damn people always pissing on my little parade.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: Crazymofo
No more then 500 and thats only cause the sub is newer... but the kenwoods aren't worth much...

I agree. The Kenwoods ain't worth much at all. $500 was a figure I had in mind.

 

[Entity]

Originally posted by: Crazymofo
No more then 500 and thats only cause the sub is newer... but the kenwoods aren't worth much...

I'd need more details about the speakers, but I would generally agree with that statement. You won't get much on the used market for the Kenwood's, and the sub goes for $299 on Ebay.

If you're trying to be nice, see what she can afford, and adjust for that. I'd say no more than $450 for the whole setup, though, especially with what you can get out there from new speaker companies.

With that in mind...what are you replacing it all with? I'm really starting to love my setup (Denon 3802 + Dahlquist QX10/20R/60C + Velodyne CT-120). Relatively cheap for the sound it puts out.

Rob

 

[TommyVercetti]

Exchange it for a year full of hot hot you know what.

 

[d33pt]

I'd probably charge $400. But she's your ex and if you're on good terms, just give her a killer deal. She'll need to spend another couple hundred on a decent receiver and she'll be set.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: TommyVercetti
Exchange it for a year full of hot hot you know what.

lol

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: MichaelD

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Disguised as YAGTs or not, price checks are still a no-no on AT.

- M4H

PBBBTTHHHHH!! Hell, that wasn't my intention...move it HD then....damn people always pissing on my little parade.

*zips up*

Sorry, I drank a lot of beer at supper.

- M4H

 

[Wheatmaster]

i would give her a good deal because then you both would be at least on good terms again.

 

[Cyberian]

This deal has the potential to end up like people that build computers for friends.

She'll be on the phone every time a CD skips or a wire comes loose or the cat scratches the speaker cloth.

 

[FacelessNobody]

If there are hard feelings, take a dump in the subwoofer and then sell the set to her .

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: FacelessNobody
If there are hard feelings, take a dump in the subwoofer and then sell the set to her .

Tell her the smell is genuine and a part of the sound

 

[richardycc]

350

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: Entity

Originally posted by: Crazymofo
No more then 500 and thats only cause the sub is newer... but the kenwoods aren't worth much...

I'd need more details about the speakers, but I would generally agree with that statement. You won't get much on the used market for the Kenwood's, and the sub goes for $299 on Ebay.

If you're trying to be nice, see what she can afford, and adjust for that. I'd say no more than $450 for the whole setup, though, especially with what you can get out there from new speaker companies.

With that in mind...what are you replacing it all with? I'm really starting to love my setup (Denon 3802 + Dahlquist QX10/20R/60C + Velodyne CT-120). Relatively cheap for the sound it puts out.

Rob

Hey Rob, how's it going? Yeah, you never get even half of what you spent on any kind of electronics....I guess $450 is more reasonable. What am I replacing it with? Heheheh, that's been the subject of most of my free time for the past two weeks. I've been active on a lot of the Home Theater forums, particularly Hometheaterforum.com. I've gotten a lot of good advice there.

I'm going all-out...or as far "out" as budget will allow. The sub is the cornerstone of any HT setup; a good sub will last your thru quite a few speaker upgrades. The sub is killer, and the speakers are multiple-review-certified best buys in their price range.

Sub - SVS PB2 Plus
Mains - Axiom M22ti
Center - Axiom VP-150
Surrounds - Axiom QS-8

All powered for now by a Kenwood VR-409 HT receiver (5.1 DD/DTS receiver, 100w RMS/channel) until I can save up some more money and get either separate amps or a better receiver.

 

[sillymofo]

Since she doesn't have lots of money, I'd say sell the set for her for $385.00, I wouldn't pay more for it (that and a little somethin somethin )

 

[illusion88]

Originally posted by: cr4zymofo
Since she doesn't have lots of money, I'd say sell the set for her for $385.00, I wouldn't pay more for it (that and a little somethin somethin )

I would make it an odd price. Like $387.62.
Why you may ask?

Why not?

 

[Entity]

Originally posted by: MichaelD

Originally posted by: Entity

Originally posted by: Crazymofo
No more then 500 and thats only cause the sub is newer... but the kenwoods aren't worth much...

I'd need more details about the speakers, but I would generally agree with that statement. You won't get much on the used market for the Kenwood's, and the sub goes for $299 on Ebay.

If you're trying to be nice, see what she can afford, and adjust for that. I'd say no more than $450 for the whole setup, though, especially with what you can get out there from new speaker companies.

With that in mind...what are you replacing it all with? I'm really starting to love my setup (Denon 3802 + Dahlquist QX10/20R/60C + Velodyne CT-120). Relatively cheap for the sound it puts out.

Rob

Hey Rob, how's it going? Yeah, you never get even half of what you spent on any kind of electronics....I guess $450 is more reasonable. What am I replacing it with? Heheheh, that's been the subject of most of my free time for the past two weeks. I've been active on a lot of the Home Theater forums, particularly Hometheaterforum.com. I've gotten a lot of good advice there.

I'm going all-out...or as far "out" as budget will allow. The sub is the cornerstone of any HT setup; a good sub will last your thru quite a few speaker upgrades. The sub is killer, and the speakers are multiple-review-certified best buys in their price range.

Sub - SVS PB2 Plus
Mains - Axiom M22ti
Center - Axiom VP-150
Surrounds - Axiom QS-8

All powered for now by a Kenwood VR-409 HT receiver (5.1 DD/DTS receiver, 100w RMS/channel) until I can save up some more money and get either separate amps or a better receiver.

Damn, that is a nice sub. When I get a dedicated HT room, I'm going with either SVS or HSU.

Your mains, centers, and surrounds are pretty much what I was looking at before I eventually decided on Dahlquist. I was 99% leaning toward Axiom when Marc from the Audioshop (in Ottawa) made a few comments, namely about how they had raised their price in past years; I started reviewing, then reviewing more, then reviewing more, and eventually decided on the Dahlquist QX10/20R/60C lineup. Set me back $1600 for the full 5.1 setup, but it's worth every penny. A comparable line to the M22ti/VP150/QS-8 might be QX6 bookshelves, QX60C center, and QX20R surrounds. If you're not 100% sold on the Axiom's yet and not adverse to buying blind, I'd give Marc and the Audioshop (http://www.audioshop.on.ca) a call and chat with him. He'll call you back on his dime, if you want, and will chat for hours about the merits of the speakers.

Marc did briefly mention to me that in A/B comparisons in his showroom (back when he stocked Axiom's line), Dahlquist usually won out, at the same price range.

You'd be looking at the following costs for that setup:

QX6 -- $400CDN
QX60C -- $350CDN
QX20R -- $500CDN

If you could swing it, I'd really recommend going with QX10's for your front speakers, though. Those towers are amazing, and at $999CDN for factory seconds, are a STEAL. I've done comparisons between my Dahlquist setup and my uncle's Vienna Acoustics setup, and would even go as far to say that I enjoy the sound of mine better.

Total would be setting you back $1250CDN, or around $933 in our dollars.

PM me if you have any questions. I love my Dahlquists and would definitely steer more people toward them in the future. If you lived in Seattle, you could stop by and hear them...but it's a bit of a drive.

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htforum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=154294&highlight=dahlquist <--- my thread from a while ago.

Rob

 

[Siddhartha]

Charge about half of what you paid for them.

 

[cheapgoose]

seriously though, can you trade it for a some favors in a time of need?

j/k, but really, an ex that's on good term, cut her a deal.

 

[MichaelD]

Rob,

Nice post. The links are kewl too. I'll check it out.

Another brand I was/still am considering is Ascend Acoustics. They are relatively new, but their CBM-170 two-ways have won numerous shootouts and have been called "giant killers" on more than one ocassion.

Most everyone on the HT forums says it's a toss-up b/t the Axiom M22s and the Ascend CBM-170s for both music and movies. The 170 has better bass response, giving up midrange smoothness to the M22. Being that I will have the PB2 Plus sub, bass response won't be a problem.

Also, I'm not too crazy about the "industrial black" look of the CBM-170s. I think Ascend makes them that way to ease their "disappearance" into the room as opposed to "displaying" them on stands, etc. Looks are absolutely subjective though. I think the M22s are downright pretty. To each his own, I guess.

I know Dahlquist is an upper-crust brand...pricey. :Q I've never heard them in person, but then again, I've never heard the M22s or CBM-170s either. I'm going strictly by the reviews (I've read hundreds, literally) and personal testimony from the HT forums.

AFA the price on my old speakers goes, I called my ex-GF. We chatted for awhile about this and that. Money is tight for her. She's looking to buy only the five Kenwoods and not the CV sub. I prolly just sell them to her for a song...$200 or so. The sub I'll get rid of somehow.

 

[BigPoppa]

Test out the 33hz rumor on her first, then ask how much she wants to pay. :beer:

 

[Crucial]

Show her the magic 33 and then ask what she's willing to pay for them.

EDIT: Doh! that last post wasn't there when I replied, honest.

 

[Entity]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Rob,

Nice post. The links are kewl too. I'll check it out.

Another brand I was/still am considering is Ascend Acoustics. They are relatively new, but their CBM-170 two-ways have won numerous shootouts and have been called "giant killers" on more than one ocassion.

Most everyone on the HT forums says it's a toss-up b/t the Axiom M22s and the Ascend CBM-170s for both music and movies. The 170 has better bass response, giving up midrange smoothness to the M22. Being that I will have the PB2 Plus sub, bass response won't be a problem.

Also, I'm not too crazy about the "industrial black" look of the CBM-170s. I think Ascend makes them that way to ease their "disappearance" into the room as opposed to "displaying" them on stands, etc. Looks are absolutely subjective though. I think the M22s are downright pretty. To each his own, I guess.

I know Dahlquist is an upper-crust brand...pricey. :Q I've never heard them in person, but then again, I've never heard the M22s or CBM-170s either. I'm going strictly by the reviews (I've read hundreds, literally) and personal testimony from the HT forums.

AFA the price on my old speakers goes, I called my ex-GF. We chatted for awhile about this and that. Money is tight for her. She's looking to buy only the five Kenwoods and not the CV sub. I prolly just sell them to her for a song...$200 or so. The sub I'll get rid of somehow.

What kind of sound are you looking for? If you're looking at the M22ti, I'm sure you're already aware of a few complaints -- though very few -- of them being overly forward/bright. I'm really a fan of smooth, warm sounds, which I've really found the Dahlquists produce nicely. I should note, though, that when I bought the Dahlquists people mentioned that they would probably be as bright as Axiom's; not having heard Axiom, I can't comment, but I know that mine haven't sounded bright at all. While these are very clear, they really excel in their midrange production.

http://www.audioshop.on.ca/system3review1.htm -- for a review on the Dahlquist bookshelf line. I'm not as familiar with those.

Dahlquist is well known for having previously produced a very pricey line of speakers, that were very well regarded. They got out of the speaker business for a while and are now back in, at the same price-point as Axiom, though maybe a few bucks more. In order of preference, I'd probably go with the following: Dahlquist, Axiom, Ascend. It really depends on what sound you really like, though. I can tell you that watching LOTR: TTT on my setup, at 15db below reference level (yeah, LOTR is generally loud though), was unbelievable. My g/f, who laughed when I told her that I was upgrading our old setup for these Dahlquists, turned to me and said "these speakers were a really great purchase." I'd have to tend to agree.

If you're going with Axiom, make sure to contact Amy and get yourself put on the waiting list for the defects. You could save yourself a few hundred there easily. All of the speakers I got from Marc were defects, and I still haven't been able to find the defect.

Here's a pic of the QX10's, which are really the pride and joy of my setup now: http://www.geekfitness.com/dahlquist/qx10.jpg. Like I said, I shelled out $1600 for a full 5.1 setup, which wasn't all that bad. The biggest purchase of the whole setup were the qx10's; were I going with bookshelves, Dahlquist would have been right next to Axiom in overall price.

Man, I'm starting to feel like a Dahlquist pimp.

Rob