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There’s something incredibly satisfying about building a home theater setup that feels just right. But I’ve learned that you don’t always need to buy everything brand-new. In fact, if you’re even a little bit savvy (or lucky), you can score some serious secondhand audio-video gems like speakers, receivers, and projectors without compromising on quality.
But not everything is worth the risk when it comes to buying used. Some items, like TVs, soundbars, and headphones, are riskier, and you’re probably better off getting them new. With that being said, let’s get into my list of home theater you should and shouldn’t buy secondhand.
Buy Used: Legacy AV Receivers
If there’s one piece of home theater gear I don’t mind buying used, it’s an older AV receiver, especially models from brands like Denon, Yamaha, Pioneer, Marantz, or Onkyo. These legacy units were often built like tanks, packed with quality amplifiers and robust internals that still sound great today.
You may not get the latest HDMI 2.1 features or smart streaming built-in, but if your focus is pure audio performance—especially for a5.1 or 7.1 setup—they can offer serious value at a fraction of the original price, often for under $150.
When buying, make sure it has the inputs you need (HDMI, optical, etc.) and supports formats like FLAC or SACD if you’re into high-res music playback. You can have great luck snagging a good used unit on sites likeUS Audio Mart, eBay,Audiogon, and local listings on Facebook Marketplace, where you can sometimes test the unit in person. You should also ask if it includes the remote to save yourself from a headache later.
Buy Used: Speakers and Subwoofers
For a home theater setup, it’s safe to buy secondhandpassive speakersandpassive subwoofers. Since they don’t have built-in amplifiers or digital components that can fail over time, there’s not much to “break” if they’ve been treated well.
A good set of passive speakers—especially from brands like Klipsch, Polk Audio, KEF, or Bowers & Wilkins—can sound just as impressive today as when they were new. Good subs from brands like SVS, HSU, Monoprice, or Rythmik are built to take a beating.
Active speakers (with built-in amps) are a bit trickier. They can still be worth buying used, but only if you’re confident the internal electronics haven’t seen abuse. I tend to avoid older powered subwoofers or studio monitors unless I can test them in person and verify there’s no hum, rattle, or power issues. Also, check the condition of the drivers, test for distortion, check if the foam surround is intact, and ensure that the RCA or speaker-level inputs haven’t been damaged.
you may score great deals in the same places I listed for the AV receivers (and even for the rest of this list), but I would steer clear of pawn shops and sketchy resellers who don’t know what they’re selling
Sometimes, sellers will part with speaker wire or stands for free—just ask.
Buy Used: AV Racks, Mounts, Acoustic Panels, and Theater Seating
There’s absolutely no reason to buy these home theater essentials brand-new unless you just enjoy spending more money. They don’t really wear out in the same way electronics do. A sturdy AV rack will still hold your gear just fine a decade later, andacoustic panelseither absorb sound or they don’t—there’s not much in between. Even secondhand theater recliners can be a win if the upholstery is intact and the mechanisms still work smoothly.
You’ll find solid deals on Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, and even local theater or office liquidations. Avoid anything with obvious water damage or missing hardware. One person’s leftover gear might be the finishing touch your setup needs.
Buy Used: High-End Projectors
If you’re eyeing a premium home theater projector—maybe something from Epson’s 4K Pro-UHD line or JVC’s D-ILA series—buying used can offer substantial savings on models that cost $2,000-$5,000 new. These high-end units are built with better cooling systems, superior optics, and longer lifespans than budget alternatives.
However, this category requires the most careful evaluation. Always ask about lamp hours (or laser hours for newer models), whether the lamp is user-replaceable, and if spare lamps are included. Avoid any projector without a clear usage history so you don’t end up with a dim, worn-out unit that needs immediate, expensive maintenance.
Buy Used: Projector Screens and Accessories
Projector screens are another area where buying used can save big. A high-quality fixed-frame orALR (ambient light rejecting)screen that retailed for hundreds can often be found secondhand for a fraction of the cost. As long as the surface is clean and free of warping or tears, it’ll perform just as well as new.
While you’re at it, consider grabbing accessories like universal remotes or laser pointers secondhand. These rarely wear out and are often tossed in as freebies with larger purchases.
Buy New: HDMI Cables and Adapters
HDMI cables and adapters might seem like a great thrift-bin find, but I always buy them new. Used or off-brand HDMI cables can cause all kinds of frustrating issues: signal dropouts, handshake failures, no HDR, or worse, flickering at 4K. And since you often don’t know what version the cable supports (HDMI 1.4 vs 2.0 vs 2.1), especially with unlabeled ones, it’s just a headache waiting to happen.
Adapters are even riskier. Used HDMI-to-VGA or ARC-to-optical adapters often degrade over time or were poorly built in the first place. When you’re setting up a home theater, the last thing you want is to troubleshoot because a $5 thrift-store dongle is acting up.
Monoprice 8K Certified Braided Ultra High-Speed HDMI 2.1 Cable
If you want to add an HDMI 2.1 cable to your arsenal, this 8K Certified model from Monoprice is a terrific pick.
Buy New: Flat-Panel Displays
As tempting as it might be to snag a used TV for cheap, it’s almost always better to buy flat-panel displays new. Unlike speakers or AV racks, TVs are fragile and wear down over time. They can also have hidden issues likeburn-in, failing backlights, or degrading HDMI ports—problems that aren’t always obvious until you’re mid-movie and your screen randomly goes black.
You also miss out on key perks when buying a used TV, such as manufacturer warranties, return policies, and the latest features like betterupscalingandmodern HDR formats. And considering how aggressively TVs go on sale these days (especially around major holidays), you can often get a brand-new midrange model for not much more than a sketchy secondhand deal.
Unless I’m buying something super cheap for a garage or spare room—and even then, it’s a roll of the dice. When your entire home theater revolves around one screen, you don’t want to cut corners.
Buy New: Soundbars
Tyler Hayes / How-To Geek
Soundbars pack a lot of tech into a slim shell—amps, drivers, wireless modules, processing chips—and that’s exactly why I would advise you to avoid buying them used. Unlike passive speakers, soundbars are delicate, and once something inside starts acting up (like a failingHDMI ARC or eARCport or a glitchy subwoofer connection),diagnosing or fixing itcan be more trouble than it’s worth. You’re basically buying an all-in-one system with no easy upgrade path, so I prefer to get mine new with a solid warranty.
Besides, soundbar features move fast. Newer models often come with better Dolby Atmos performance, more reliable wireless sub integration, voice assistants, or streaming services—features that older units may lack entirely.
Buy New: Surge Protectors and Power Conditioners
When it comes to protecting your expensive gear, used surge protectors and power conditioners just aren’t worth the risk. Surge protectors don’t last forever because their internal components degrade with each power spike, even if they look perfectly fine on the outside.
The worst part is that you usually can’t tell how much protection is left. So if you’re buying one secondhand, you’re basically guessing whether it still works. That’s a bet I won’t take with my gear.
Buy New: Headphones
Headphones are deeply personal gear, so you should buy new ones. They sit on your ears, absorb sweat, oils, and who knows what else. Even with replaceable ear pads, you don’t really know how clean or well-maintained a used pair is, especially if it’s been tossed around or stored improperly.
Then there’s the hidden wear and tear. Internal wiring, headband tension, driver fatigue—these things don’t always show up in photos, but they definitely affect long-term comfort and sound quality. And if we’re talking wireless or noise-canceling models, the battery life might already be on its last legs.
Buy New: Streaming Devices
Streaming devices are cheap enough these days that buying used wouldn’t make much sense. For $30–$50, you can grab a brand-new Roku, Fire TV Stick, or Google Chromecast that’s fast, fully supported, and guaranteed to work out of the box. Used units, on the other hand, might come with outdated software, missing remotes, or be locked to old accounts.
Not to mention that, just like soundbars, streaming tech evolves quickly. Newer devices tend to offer better Wi-Fi, snappier interfaces, and support for features like Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and AV1 decoding. So, when you buy new, you’re also getting a clean slate.
If the home theater gear you are buying is analog, mechanical, or solidly built, you may often score it secondhand without sacrificing performance. But when it comes to tech that’s delicate, fast-evolving, or personal, buying new is the smarter move. Know what corners to cut and where to invest, and you’ll build a setup that looks, sounds, and feels far more expensive than it actually was.
