A, B, C: What Used Audio Condition Grades Actually Mean
Most used gear listings say 'excellent condition' and nothing else. Here is the grading system we use, what each grade costs you in practice, and when grade C is the smarter purchase.
Condition grades only help if both sides use the same definitions. Ours are based on cosmetic wear and service history, and crucially they are separate from the test report: a grade C cabinet can be electrically perfect, and a grade A cabinet can still have a tired capacitor.
Grade A: 90% or better
Light rack rash, faint stand marks, maybe a replaced grille. Nothing structural, no touch-up paint, electronics untouched since factory service. Grade A is what you want for customer-facing installations, hotel ballrooms and anywhere the client will photograph the room.
Expect to pay 55-70% of new price for current models.
Grade B: 70-90%
Visible scuffs, small dents in grilles, paint loss on handles and corners, occasional replaced driver with a documented repair. This is the sweet spot for rental companies: the gear already looks used, so nobody worries about the first scratch, and the price is typically 40-55% of new.
Grade C: 50-70%
Heavy cosmetic wear, bent or straightened hardware, one channel with reduced output, or a cabinet that has been re-coned. Grade C is for buyers who can service gear or who need a backup unit at minimum cost. Always ask exactly what was repaired and what was measured afterwards.
What grades never cover
Cosmetics do not tell you whether a capacitor is drying out, whether a fan is on its last bearing, or whether a DSP preset has been altered. That is why every listing we publish carries a separate test line, and why we refuse to sell untested amplifiers.
How to use grades when comparing offers
Compare three numbers together: grade, test report and included accessories. A grade B box with a fresh sweep video and a fly bar is often better value than a grade A box with no history and missing hardware.
If you are outfitting a venue where appearance matters, look at grade A powered speakers. If you are building a rental fleet that will be loaded into trucks every weekend, a grade C touring amplifier with a documented test can be the better business decision.