The used market...

burdette
burdette Posts: 1,194
edited April 2 in Clubhouse Archives
No, this isn't a "if I put these for sale, how much would you give me" thread. But I am curious - disheartened, I think - about the current state of the used market for 'classic' Polks.

I checked ebay, and there was one pair of Monitor 7Cs that were priced something like $99. Not sure about true physical condition.

Is that the state of things? My fresh and minty, purchased-new Monitor 7Cs, so minty they freshen your breath as you listen, are only worth a hundred bucks??

I thought I'd never reach this point - but I'm getting ready to put these into storage (due to space constraints in both our music and HT setups) and I can now envision myself selling these to someone who'd use and appreciate them. But for $100??? I'm not sure I can do that.... I realize "my stuff" is worth more to me than it is to you, and "your stuff" is worth more to you than it is to me... but a hundred bucks?
Post edited by RyanC_Masimo on
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  • read-alot
    read-alot Posts: 812
    edited August 2006
    POLK
    SPK, MONITOR 7C (PAIR)

    Description: VINYL, 4 OHM, 3-WAY, 10"SUBWOOFER, 6.5"BASS-MID, 1" TWEETER

    Manufacture Years: 1984 - 1990
    Additional Information:
    Retail
    MSRP: $580.00
    USED: $107.00
    Wholesale
    Mint: $62.00
    Average: $36.00
    polkaudio SRS (rdo194 x 8)
    Dodd ELP (separate power supply)
    JC 1 blocks ( strapped )
    Rega Apollo
    MIT (speaker cables) Outlaw (ICs)

    polkaudio SDA2(rdo194x4) (front) polkaudio CRS (rdo194x4)(rear) polkaudio 400i (center)
    B&K 505
    Samsung LCD
    VIP 622
    HSU STF-2
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited August 2006
    sad burdette, isn't it? that's what i paid for my 7B's
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • michael_w
    michael_w Posts: 2,813
    edited August 2006
    I got my 7b's for 100 cdn too... I've almost sold them a couple times just because I don't use them that often but since they're a bit scratched and the grille cloth needs replacing I've just been hanging onto them.
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited August 2006
    How much would a pretty minty pair of 7B's go for these days? I may purchase some local ones and don't really know what I should offer. I think I can get them for $100 and stands for another $25.

    Thanks!
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited August 2006
    Anyone that doesn't jump all over "MINTY" Monitor 7B/Cs for $100 or so, deserves to be sodomized by Russ.:D :eek: :p;)
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited August 2006
    Sodomized, eh???

    I think I may purchase them just so I don't have to be scared of you lurking in the bushes outside my place late at night. $100 for classic, vintage polk sound. . . good deal. $100 for classic, vintage polk sound and not worrying about being sodomized by a fellow polkster. . . phenomenal deal!
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited August 2006
    AndyGwis wrote:
    Sodomized, eh???

    I think I may purchase them just so I don't have to be scared of you lurking in the bushes outside my place late at night. $100 for classic, vintage polk sound. . . good deal. $100 for classic, vintage polk sound and not worrying about being sodomized by a fellow polkster. . . phenomenal deal!


    Read the edit...it'd be Russ and he's in your area to boot.:D
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited August 2006
    My parents are moving up to McKinney, so I'll have to watch out for Russ when I'm up at their place, too.
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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  • Dennis Gardner
    Dennis Gardner Posts: 4,861
    edited August 2006
    Used market............ain't it great? How else could someone of meager means get into good sound.

    I wouldn't wish what the current big box stores have on any beginning audio nut. The preowned market where people have taken care of their stuff is where the value lies. I guess it depends on what end of the transaction you stand.

    Vintage Polks are a sound investment not a sound investment.
    HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable

    2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable
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  • burdette
    burdette Posts: 1,194
    edited August 2006
    Well... it is what it is.

    I don't know if I mentioned it... my Monitor 7Cs do have the very rare ****-enlarging cone material. I didn't want to say so before, but that is one of the reasons I don't listen to them much anymore.. I mean, I do still have to go out in public, and I don't want to cross the line to 'freakishly large'.. have to special order my pants, etc.

    Larger **** AND fresh breath.... maybe I should post these for sale on a woman's site for like $300..... at least ONE of you has to have a birthday coming up...

    Here's a pic of one of the 7s...

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1571&d=1048134191
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited August 2006
    That's not a lot of depreciation over almost twenty years. Keep them. You certainly can't buy anything that will outperform them for $100 (except on the used market of course). The yin and the yang of it.

    The things I treasure, the early AR electronics, the AR-9's, the Amazings, are not worth that much. I wouldn't sell them if they were anyway.
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  • Mazeroth
    Mazeroth Posts: 1,585
    edited August 2006
    ND13 wrote:
    Anyone that doesn't jump all over "MINTY" Monitor 7B/Cs for $100 or so, deserves to be sodomized by Russ.:D :eek: :p;)

    If only I was placed in a predicament like that...if only... :D
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  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited August 2006
    Mazeroth wrote:
    If only I was placed in a predicament like that...if only... :D

    You mean you don't remember what happened to you after all those shots of Knob Creek at Doro's???;)
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
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  • Mazeroth
    Mazeroth Posts: 1,585
    edited August 2006
    ND13 wrote:
    You mean you don't remember what happened to you after all those shots of Knob Creek at Doro's???;)

    Oh, I remember. I have the scars to prove it!
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited August 2006
    You both are invited for a repeat performance in Oct....

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    edited August 2006
    It seems to me that used Audio gear as a whole has declined in the past months...too much else going on this time of year for people to get serious about an indoor pleasure.

    I think with Fall coming on and Winter not far behind,you will see prices going up again...maybe
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,338
    edited August 2006
    Mike Reeter wrote:
    It seems to me that used Audio gear as a whole has declined in the past months...too much else going on this time of year for people to get serious about an indoor pleasure.

    I noticed the same thing. It's a buyer's market right now. Especially on eBay. I've seen stuff that usually goes for $1K sell for $400. It depends what your looking for but the vintage stuff in general prices have really fallen. The prices for reel to reels are ridiculous. Some top r2r that cost well over a grand in the day have sometimes gone for less than $100.
    Carl

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  • Polkersince85
    Polkersince85 Posts: 2,883
    edited August 2006
    I think folks are going to Ipods and HT. Are we doomed?
    >
    >
    >This message has been scanned by the NSA and found to be free of harmful intent.<
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,194
    edited August 2006
    It is sad for the seller and great for the buyer. My Rta-11's normally sell for $150-200. Mine are minty, like new, not a single scratch, snag, fade, ding or broken grill peg w/original boxes and if that's what I could get for them, then I'll put them in a closet if I get new speaks. To me my 11's, considering condition and how I've treated them, are worth $325-350. If I couldn't get that for them it's not worth it to move 'em along. Who knows though, if I ever replaced them they may get out the door for less. Perhaps I'm unrealistic about the $$$, but these babies are like new, I take care of my **** :), and the price should reflect that.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited August 2006
    Know the feeling. I have a pair of mint RTi100's that are in storage. The used market is so poor for these that they will stay in storgage for the time being.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited August 2006
    i think everyone who is within earshot of this thread.. ala every Club Polk member, should at some point own a pair of Monitor 7's. no matter if they are 7A's, B's, or C's. you are missing some fine sound acoustics if you don't.

    While the Mon 7's are not heavy on bass like the 10's or others. they do image quite well. Of all the Polk Audio speakers I have that I demo for family and friends.. they always enjoy and mention that they liked the Monitor 7's better than the others. for what they are.

    They aren't in the same class of course as any SDA's, but they do hold their own place in history. ;)
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited August 2006
    Al is right on. For the price of admission, the 7s are a must stop and see attraction.
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited August 2006
    Used gear, the only way to go. If they sold for $500 new you could probably get them for around $150 used at the same time. I'm finding stuff goes like this:

    $500 New from an audio store
    $300 New from the gray market
    $150 less than a month old but used
    $125 less than 10 years old but used
    $100 after two decades

    Crazy huh?

    Even worse, the really high dollar stuff plumments after a few years. Technology items like receivers or surround systems are typically worth less than the shipping costs. The one thing I've found that really holds its value is an amplifier.

    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited August 2006
    madmax wrote:
    The one thing I've found that really holds its value is an amplifier.madmax

    True, but that real high-end gear seems to hold value. Like anything else, the top notch items still command a good buck.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,814
    edited August 2006
    You guys are just seening the late summer lows in the market.

    Heiney, I remember looking at RTA 11t back in the spring and I couldn't find any for less than $200...$300+ was common for minty ones, just look at the completed auctions at Polksda.com ($376 in December for a minty pair w/boxes). I'm sure if you waited till a better time of year, you could get $300+ for them. You're not being unrealistic.

    The monitor series always seems to fluctuate in value, especially for the larger ones (7s/10s) where shipping charges can add up to a hefty sum. I've seen 7s go for more than $200 if there is a local buyer interested, and I've seen 10s barely sell for $100 if nobody in the area wants them. I've seen Monitor 5 and 5Jr sell for more than the 10s due to easier shipping.

    This time of year, many people are on vacation or just out enjoying the weather. Definetly a buyer's mkt. now, but that will all change by October, I'd bet money on it.

    I think for the most part, the more desireable Polk models hold their value pretty well, as long as you don't try to sell during the Dog Days of Summer (or during any major holiday week(end). Common sense prevails ususally. Put out a good ad with good pics, and you will get full mkt value, most of the time.
    For rig details, see my profile. Nothing here anymore...
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited August 2006
    For fear of sodomy, and with others advice to pull the trigger, I should have some, hopefully, "minty" 7B's by weeks end. Going to Vegas on Friday, so depending on how things go at the tables, these may be back on the Flea Market on Monday morning.

    If you don't see a firesale from me early next week, things went okay :)
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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