Is buying a “used” subwoofer a bad idea?

@foggyus91 

No. You call on the phone. I have friends that do this. Within a minute you’re talking audiophile stuff and comparing equipment and trading bands that are great. It’s obvious. Audiophiles love sharing their knowledge and experiences. 
 

You get som grumpy guy that goes to garage sales or fences stolen goods, the jig is up in seconds. Likely you can hear him puffing on a cigarette.

Hope not.  The one I’ve used for the past 4 years is used.  

Buying a good used sub can get you more performance for the dollar.  Obviously it depends on the particular woofer and the usage.  Some handle abuse better than others, and not everyone pounds on them.  I sure don’t. 

Subs can be a very safe buy...

Audiophiles will rarely bottom out drivers and do stupid stuff with subs. You have to be a li'l careful with some younger hometheater dudes who go crazy town with subs though. But, the type of subs they have won't be the type of subs that audiophiles tend to get...not much cross talk there.

Worry more about buying certain amps and so on from audiophiles who leave them on all year long. Audiophiles tend to get stupid in other ways than the home theater dudes.

My issue with a used subwoofer is the built in amplifier. 20 year old passive speakers? Generally ok and condition is easier to verify. 20 year old subwoofer amp? Could die at any moment. 

My Velodyne SPL 1000 is now 26 years old and still pumping bass (in a small package). 

Buying a used sub would depend on many factors. I think buying a used REL or similar is probably a safer bet than an old Big Box purchased sub from a lesser brand.