well you could go to a store before you order them and listen to so see what they sound like. it's not like it's a pair of m-audio speakers, if someone owns a focal they are orobably pretty serious about audio, and likely took care of them.

the other thing you could do is buy a new pair and used pair on your credit card, and just bring back the new ones after you compare them (you'll have to run the new ones for about a week straight, for the break in period)

maybe you could find a retailer that has a demo pair.

you'll probably be fine going used, as long as your aware of how the return/warranty situation works, you should be fine.

I would buy used; as K mentioned, it would depend on what monitors they are, along with the source of the seller... If you are buying something like a pair of Dynaudios, Focals or other more upper level models, most of the time you can pretty much feel assured that, because these monitors are more of a pro caliber than say $100 M-Audio's, that they were being used by pros and treated accordingly.

If you are buying off of Ebay, I'd consider the buyer's protection option, where if the monitors were damaged or treated poorly, then Ebay would make sure you were refunded your purchase.

Thanks for the opinions guys. Well I guess I'll just have to see what opportunities are available when the time (money) comes. I have a few months to get ready.

I would

crap shoot. I'd buy used from a dealer or trusted colleague, not just anyone off of ebay, but thats just me.

Yes, especially if the manufacturer still supports them and has a network in place for repair if necessary.
I bought my Meyer HD-1 monitors at a studio liquidation auction on that premise and they have been one of the best investments I've made, equipment-wise.

I bought new monitors. I bought used monitors. As indicated, it's a crapshoot.

Polyurethane woofer suspensions, have a nasty habit of rotting out within 10 years. Avoid those.

Can't afford a new pair of Focal's? How about a nice pair of KRK's? That's where Focal's came from. It's like the new bastard child. Just because it's the latest monitor doesn't mean you have to have it. I still find my KRK V6's to still be quite adequate. Those and my JBL 4311/4312's, of which, I have multiple pairs of. More than I need. They're not supported anymore so you need to have spares. They were good enough for Massenburg and Swedein to record and mix many of the great classics on. Though, those Focal's do sound good. I wouldn't turn a pared down. I also wouldn't be in a scramble to get a pair if I had a working pair of something else I was accustomed to working on.

What's the hurry Harry?
Mx. Remy Ann David

thumbs up for used gear.
used monitors, headphones (yuck) , fc processors, keyboards... all good.
its not the "used" tag that should be of concern. its the seller.
make sure they understand how to pack and ship this stuff properly ;) and that they didnt treat the piece badly.
you do that, and you can furnish your studio at 50% off homey

For the most part, if you are buying from another professional, it's very rare that you would end up with something that wasn't in very good condition, as pro's have a tendency to take care of their stuff... and, usually, if you are buying something in the caliber range of Focals, you can feel a littls more secure, because those puppies are expensive, and the higher the price of the gear, the more serious the user, which means that it's probably been kept in very good to mint condition.

But, like anyting else, there are of course, exceptions.

( ...He says as he grinds a lit cigarette out on the woofer of his Monitor One's, while simultaneously pouring coffee - laced with lots of cream and sugar - into the diaphragm of his U89... ) LOL

audiokid, post: 409362, member: 1 wrote: crap shoot. I'd buy used from a dealer or trusted colleague, not just anyone off of ebay, but thats just me.

Yes, especially when just setting up a studio as I learned the hard way (even with your much appreciated help Donny) as with too much new and used equipment (all at once) it took me much longer then it should have to isolate a problem. Trusted sources and one piece at a time for me from now on my friend (y)

I don't like to purchase used items that have a significant mechanical component, like speakers or microphones.

As long as it's obvious that the item has been taken care of, I don't see a problem with it. I sure wouldn't turn down a good deal on an old mic like a Neumann,Telefunken, AKG or RCA as long as it was working.
Buying used is the only way you can get vintage stuff, and just because it's old doesn't necessarily mean it hasn't been looked after well. Truthfully, I'd trust used older mics a lot more than I'd trust the brand new stuff coming out of China.

IMHO of course.

d/

I bought a compressor from a guy not long ago who is considered world class. He out right ripped me off and vanished. Sold me something that was clearly his shit spare.
Its given me a really bad taste on thinking pro's know better. You simply have to know the source.
I've sold about $40,000 in hardly used gear in the last few years, giving people the best deal to be had.

I sold a mod here some new mics that I never even used and when they arrived at his door, 2 of the four mics were defective. Go figure. Luckily, the manufacturer replaced them.

Its all crap shoot.

Monitors and mics, yup, those are two items I would be Leary over.