I am fortunate own a beautiful pair of maple DBL speakers but have concluded they are just to big to accommodate anymore in the house. They hold a lot of sentimental value to me and I’ve been struggling with the thought of selling them so I have decided for now to put them in storage. They underwent a bit of a Refurb back in 2021, the internal foam was absolutely fine but the bass units were sent back to ATC to be referred as the surrounds were just starting to show signs of discolouration, they were also treated to new foam grills, tweeters and gaskets.
We have an integral garage in the house that’s secure and heated all year round, I purchased a Wi-Fi connected humidity and temperature sensor and some blackout blankets to cover the speakers to stop any UV light from getting anywhere near them. They are sat on 18mm plywood off the ground and the crossovers will be covered with an additional blanket, but have no idea what to do with the grills. I’ve enjoyed spending time filling the spike holes removing the gaskets, cleaning up all the metal work and polishing the veneer. All of which is making it even harder to think that they’re going in storage and will no longer be used or seen.
However my reason for this post is have I forgotten anything ? or is there anything I need to consider as they’re probably going to stay there now for the foreseeable future until I could bring myself to move them on or buy a house with a larger living room.
Is there an optimal range of temperature or humidity to store them at ?
Would the bubble wrap straight on the veneer make the speakers sweat? Or would it be more sensible to have the blanket directly on the speakers?
That seems pretty comprehensive - most important being keeping dry - but it begs the question what are you keeping them for? If to use, why are you not using? If to sell, why are you not selling? If as some form of longterm investment, on what basis do you feel they will increase in value by more than inflation.
If it’s any consolation I have a pair of Briks in my unheated garage/workshop. They’ve been in there since 2014 when I acquired my DBL’s. They came out of retirement a couple of years ago when the DBL’s bass units needed a referb and sounded fine. I have them wrapped in pallet wrap, which seems to offer quite a high degree of protection.
I don’t see them as an investment of any kind, I would imagine they will more likely depreciate in value overtime, I have no clue as to there value but imagine they won’t be to hard to sell.
Had some great times with these speakers and silly as it sounds it’s hard to imagine not having them around. All sounds daft really but there can’t be many around in this condition so once they’re gone they’re gone.
A system is to bring music into the home. It should not be a “security blanket”. If you plan on using them in the near term, then storage makes sense. If not, don’t fret about storage, unless it will take a while to sell them.
Another possibility might be gifting them to a friend or family member who is not as financially blessed and who can make good use of them. I have done that in the past and that can be very rewarding.
My wife is “suggesting” that we convert our double garage into a room … DBLs would go nicely in it, but I’d need a SNAX0 3-6 and another 250 (olives naturally).
Never get rid of DBL’s I have heard so many people regret that. The poor person I bought mine off wanted them back a week after the exchange. 10 years later they are still with me.
It may be useful to check the speakers in storage from time to time. I used to cover these speakers with fabric and found some white spots on the grilles and cabinet when I checked after a year, presumably mould. Now I only cover the top of the speakers.
I think your approach is good. It may be useful to check the condition of the speakers from time to time, say once or twice in a year. You can still clean the speakers if you find any dust or spots. If left too long I am afraid they might become permanent marks.
IMHO, the best course of action is to sell them right now, as I just can’t see the point of storing them, with very little intention of using them again, no matter what sentimental attachment you have with them………so let someone else have the pleasure of using them!
If you are never going to use them in your current house, and there is no realistic prospect of moving within a couple of years, it makes absolutely no sense to keep them. They are a wonderful speaker that could bring great joy to someone. Why have them decaying in your garage, rather than letting someone else get the pleasure that you’ve been fortunate to experience?
Sell them for as much as you can get and either buy something nice, maybe a holiday, or give the proceeds to your favourite charity. That way, somebody else benefits, rather than having the speakers rotting in the garage. I’ve been rather ruthlessly decluttering and it really is most liberating.
Let them go to a good home where they’ll be used and hopefully cherished. It’s a difficult thing to do especially with items of sentimental value but ultimately they’ll likely not see use again and that’s a crying shame.
Let’s say you didn’t have a heated garage; would it be ok to keep electronics out there for the short-term? Let’s say 3-4 months in the winter. I’m trying to declutter as well and may use the garage as a staging area.
Whilst it can be for some, not everyone feels that way! I have recently been having a declutter and clearout. Whilst nothing out except what is actively in use makes rooms look more attractive, I don’t feel any different though I suppose my having to go upstairs more often to get things or put them away again might have minor health benefits in the longer term! As for garage, a job still in progress, I have been trying to be ruthless, keeping only hobby things or things I definitely know I need and will use in the relatively short term (coming year or two) or essential for emergencies. Less stuff will be easier to keep tidy and makes next house move simpler - but it doesn’t make me feel better when, a week after deciding to chuck something I’d kept as a spare a couple of years ago, I found I needed it and had to buy anew!
