Thrift Store Speaker Encounter: Studio Monitor / Bookshelf Speakers

One of the best types of stereo speakers to find at your local thrift store is the studio monitor or bookshelf speaker.  These are the kinds of speakers that people often start out with when they build a small stereo system or a surround sound system.  After a few months or a few years, they decide to upgrade to bigger and bolder speakers.  As a result, the bookshelf speakers become available at a very low cost.

Polk Audio Monitor Series Speakers

For example, these highly regarded Polk Audio Monitor Series speakers were less than $20 per pair at my local Goodwill. 

$18.91 for two studio monitor series speakers - Wow!

If you look real close at the back of these speakers, they say that they are designed and manufactured right here in the U.S.A.  In this day and age, that's a YUGE plus!

New stereo monitor speakers from JBL run quite a bit more.  But, they are professional equipment!

Big Ass Fisher DS-151 Speakers from the Thrift Store

Big ass speakers are one fun thing about shopping for home audio gear at the thrift store.   You can find some really big speakers that are wildly impractical by today's standards.  

Fisher DS-151 Speakers

For example, last week I saw these Fisher DS-151 speakers at Goodwill.  The cabinets were quite large.  Notice the TV and mini-stereo speakers in the picture above.  The speakers appeared to be in good shape.  However, they weren't as powerful as their size might indicate.  They are three way 50 watt speakers with 8 ohms of impedance.

Some Fisher speakers are reputed to sound really good--especially with classical music.  But, since these are really old speakers, I'll bet they will need to be restored.  For example, they may need to be refoamed.  But, they both looked pretty good.  SOmeone will find a treasure!

Fisher DS-151 Speakers Uncovered

Goodwill Stereo Finds Go Fast: A Quick Dance with a Marantz

On Tuesday last week, I visited a brand new Goodwill on my lunch hour.  They had hust celebrated their grand opening.  The stereo section was chock full of interesting finds.

The coolest was a Marantz SR7000 AV Surround Receiver for $89.  I took a quick look at it.  If someone was willing to take a gamble, they might have found themselves a great deal.  The Marantz SR7000 is a 5.1-channel system putting out 100 watts per channel.  If you are the person who took a chance and bought the Marantz, here is the user manual for a Marantz SR7000.    For my low budget, I think $40 is about the most I will pay for a receiver.  In fact, I'd rather pay $30 or less.  I've just had too much bad luck with partially functioning gear.

Marantz SR7000 AV Surround Receiver

The Goodwill also had a cute pair of Advent bookshelf speakers for $25. However, I didn't have any extra cash.  (There is a reason that this is the "Dirt Cheap Audio Blog.")  I think if I was going to go for some bookshelf speakers I might try these instead:

When I popped back in on Thursday, the little Advent speakers were gone and someone was really looking closely at the Marantz receiver.  When it comes to Goodwill finds, if you snooze you lose.