What a fair price looks like
Condition on WishThrift is described by the seller against five grades, and nobody inspects them on your behalf — so the description and the photographs are what you are buying on.
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £350 (~$466) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £298 (~$396) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £228 (~$303) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £158 (~$210) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £88 (~$117) | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
Sterling guide ranges with an approximate US dollar equivalent at £1 ≈ $1.33 (July 2026). Sellers set their own asking price; these are a starting point for judging an offer. All five grades explained.
The checklist before you pay
Neck and truss-rod problems on stringed instruments, and undisclosed repairs — especially a repaired headstock break, which permanently changes what an instrument is worth.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether studio monitors is worth what is being asked:
- Blown or distorting drivers
- Perished foam surrounds on older monitors
- Odd single monitors
- Discontinued models with no driver spares
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Matched pairs from recognised brands
- Drivers with no distortion at volume
- Intact surrounds with no perishing
- Original cables and isolation pads
Common faults and fakes
Counterfeits of premium guitars exist and usually show in the headstock shape, the logo decal and the serial format.
Ask for the serial number and where it was made, whether anything has ever been repaired or replaced, and for a photograph sighting down the neck from the headstock.
WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything, and no marketplace check replaces your own. If a seller will not answer a direct question about condition or origin, that is the answer.
Questions to ask the seller
These are the three that get asked most often about studio monitors, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Confirm both are the same model and revision. Mismatched monitors do not image properly and are worth much less.
Press gently around each cone edge. Perished foam surrounds are the classic ageing fault on monitors.
Check the rear for a power inlet. Passive monitors need a separate amp, which is a real extra cost for the buyer.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Play a full-range test tone through both and compare
- Inspect the driver surrounds for perishing
- Confirm both monitors match exactly
Photographs to ask for
If the listing does not already show these, ask — a seller who has the item will send them in minutes:
- Both monitors together, front, grilles off if removable
- The woofer cone and surround close up
- The rear panel showing inputs and controls
- The tweeter, plus any dent, tear or cabinet damage
Details to confirm before you commit
- Brand, model and whether active or passive
- Woofer size and rated power
- Input types: XLR, TRS, RCA
- Cone and surround condition on both units, and whether cables are included
Live studio monitors listings
Nothing matching is listed at the moment. Browse music & instruments for what is live now, or everything on the site — stock changes daily and new listings are free to post, so it is worth checking back.
When to buy
Steady with an active home-studio market. Recognised models sell within days.
Prices move against that cycle for a buyer: the cheapest time to buy is when sellers are listing most, not when demand peaks.
Paying and collecting safely
WishThrift does not process payments, hold funds or offer buyer protection — you agree the price and the method with the seller directly, which is what keeps the platform free on both sides. Meet somewhere public where you can, inspect before you pay, and keep the conversation on the site so there is a record of what was agreed. Be wary of any seller who wants to move the conversation elsewhere before you have agreed anything.
Selling one instead?
If you already have studio monitors sitting unused, it is free to list and there is no commission — the price you agree is the amount you keep. Read how to sell studio monitors for what to photograph and how to price, or what studio monitors are worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for used studio monitors?
Around £39 to £228 in good condition, more for barely-used examples and less for anything with a described fault. Compare against the seller’s photographs rather than the grade alone.
How do I check studio monitors before buying?
Ask for the serial number and where it was made, whether anything has ever been repaired or replaced, and for a photograph sighting down the neck from the headstock.
Is buying studio monitors second hand safe?
Yes, with the ordinary care any private sale needs. WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or hold funds, so inspect before you pay where you can, meet somewhere public, and keep the conversation on the site. Neck and truss-rod problems on stringed instruments, and undisclosed repairs — especially a repaired headstock break, which permanently changes what an instrument is worth.
See also: all buying guides · studio monitors value guide · selling studio monitors · Music & Instruments · condition grades.