Let me start with a cautionary tale. Someone buys a smoke machine off eBay to save a few pounds. It fails. They bring it to a supplier, who asks the only question that matters: where did this come from? Nobody knows its history, so neither the supplier nor the manufacturer can easily help, and the money is simply gone.
That is the real risk with used AV equipment, and it is not the gear itself, it is what happens when something goes wrong. So here is the honest guide to new versus used, from a company that buys, sells, and uses both.
What PSL does for its own kit
For our own stock, we always buy new. There are two reasons: we want to stay current with the technology, and we want to offer clients the best possible hire stock.
That is a business decision rather than a rule for everyone. But it tells you something. When the equipment has to perform, night after night, on jobs where failure is not an option, new is what we choose.
When second-hand genuinely makes sense
For a client, the honest answer is that it depends on your budget and what you are trying to achieve. Second-hand can be a smart way to get more for your money, and we are not at all snobbish about it. We sell used equipment ourselves.
The key is where you buy it. Buying used from a proper supplier means you have someone to call when something goes wrong. Buying it from an anonymous online listing means you are on your own. That single difference is what separates a sensible saving from a gamble.
Why buying used from a company like PSL is different
When we sell a second-hand or ex-demo item, it comes from our own hire stock, and it is something we actually believe in. That changes everything about the after-sales side.
If a fault develops, we can often swap your unit out quickly with hire stock or something comparable, so you are not left stranded mid-job arguing about provenance. We also offer a limited warranty, six or twelve months, on second-hand items sold outside the manufacturer’s warranty period. You are buying the support as much as the box.
That is the bit an online marketplace cannot give you. The gear might be identical. The safety net is not.
When new is the right call
If the budget allows, new is often worth it, particularly for installed systems that need to last for years.
Most audio equipment we sell new carries a two to five year manufacturer’s warranty, which is real peace of mind on a system you are going to rely on day in, day out. On the brand side, our main speaker line is FBT, which sits below the flagship prices of brands like L-Acoustics or D&B but is a genuine step up from budget gear. For wireless, we use JTS systems fitted with Sennheiser capsules, so you get Sennheiser audio quality on a reliable platform. We spec carefully, because what goes into the kit matters more than what is printed on the label.
This is the same thinking that runs through how we design and install systems: build something that lasts, and support it properly afterwards.
Frequently asked questions
Should I buy new or used AV equipment?
It depends on budget and goals. New gives you the latest technology and full warranty. Second-hand can make good sense, as long as you buy from a supplier who can support you afterwards.
What is the risk of buying used AV gear on eBay?
There is no after-sales route. If it breaks, with unknown provenance neither the supplier nor the manufacturer can easily help, and the money is often simply lost.
Does PSL sell second-hand equipment?
Yes. We move on ex-demo and used items from our own stock, with a limited warranty of six or twelve months on items sold outside the manufacturer’s warranty period.
What warranty comes with new AV equipment?
Most audio equipment we sell carries a two to five year manufacturer’s warranty.
Buying AV equipment in North Wales?
We sell AV equipment, new and ex-demo, that we use and trust ourselves, with proper after-sales support behind it.
Get in touch and we will help you decide what is right for your budget.
Darren Hughes is Director of Pivotal Sound & Lighting, an AV sales, installation, and event production company based in Llay, Wrexham, North Wales. PSL sells and installs audio and lighting from brands including FBT, JTS, Sennheiser, and Allen & Heath across the UK.