A recurring feature curating interesting speakers for sale on Craigslist from around the Pacific Northwest. Links to Craigslist postings might go down at any time if they’re sold or pulled from sale.
1977 Klipsch La Scala
$3,500 · Portland
Someone’s dad’s 1977 pair, reportedly acquired from a musician and possibly once used in a church, with working drivers, birch cabinets and removable cloth grills, set up for demo in the garage. The La Scala is Paul W. Klipsch’s horn-loaded, wall-friendly Heritage classic and one of the most sought-after Klipsch models.
Klipsch Belle Loudspeakers in SUPERB condition Oiled Oak
$4,000 · Bellingham
Original-owner pair in oiled oak, bought new in 1989 and recently put into storage ahead of a remodel; the seller calls them superb. It’s a bit like a scaled down La Scala, but I’m admittedly not sure of the differences. These seem a bit more rare compared with the others.
Rare Merlin Excalibur audiophile speakers
$950 · Hayden, ID (Spokane)
A rare, massive audiophile speaker from Merlin Excalibur’s boutique line, described as very flat with tight bass; the seller is upfront that the driver photo is from the web, not their pair. Priced far below what boutique Merlin designs usually command.
Magnepan 1.7i Audiophile speakers
$1,500 · eagle (Boise)
Magnepan’s 1.7i: a 3-way quasi-ribbon planar panel known for transparency and a big, open soundstage, in black fabric. At this price it’s a way into the planar-magnetic sound without the cost of newer Magnepans.
The Advent/3 Vintage Bookshelf Speakers Look good, function flawlessly
$180 · Bellingham
The Advent/3, a compact bookshelf from the Advent Corporation, the company founded by Henry Kloss. Seller says they look good and function flawlessly; at $180 they’re a handy way into a classic 70s design.
Spendor A4 Speakers
$2,500 · Tacoma (Seattle)
Spendor A4 floorstanders in oak, in excellent condition per the seller. British BBC-lineage voicing, a famously natural midrange and a classic thin-wall cabinet make these a perennial audiophile favorite. They don’t look like much but have a good reputation.
Klipsch quartet speakers
$950 · Longview (Portland)
Klipsch Quartet in oiled walnut, claimed to be in original pristine condition, and the seller is open to offers. Lots of heritage/semi-heritage Klipsch from this era with some small variations; all are generally worthwhile.
Sansui SP-3500 4 Way Speakers
$150 · spokane (Spokane)
Early-1970s Sansui SP-3500 four-way speakers, in good working order with age-appropriate blemishes; the seller has no source to demo them but invites buyers to bring a receiver. A decent project or vintage Japanese-hifi pickup at $150. Lattice grilles look to have some expected minor damage but that would clean right up with a finish pen. The crossover capacitors on this model will probably need replaced, too, but it’s a super easy job.
Sansui SP-X9700 5-way 7-speaker Stereo Loudspeakers
$245 · Bellingham
A pair of Sansui SP-X9700 five-way, seven-driver speakers in good shape per the seller. An over-the-top 1980s Japanese multi-driver design that’s more curiosity than reference, and $245 is cheap for the spectacle. This was past the point where Sansui was “good” to the extent it ever was – even in their prime, they had a reuptation for aesthetics over sound – but it’d be a great bar/basement/party speaker.
Wood Cabinet 1970s Harmon Kardon HK-30 Stereo Speaker Pair
$40 · Kalama (Portland)
Harman Kardon HK-30 speakers from the 1970s in solid wood cabinets; the listing is sparse, but at $40 and in Kalama, WA these are a cheap vintage-cabinet gamble. I don’t think they’re known for being especially interesting, but if nothing else the cabinets might be a good starter for a DIY project.
