NewSealed
Factory sealed, never opened, warranty unstarted.
A sealed unit is not graded by opening it. Once it is opened for any reason it stops being sealed, and it becomes a 10.
The standard
The condition scale.
Eleven grades, each judged on five things, and what those five are depends on what the thing is. A unit grades at its worst axis, never its average. We assign the grade on the bench, on arrival.
Here is the whole standard, in public, so that Very Good means the same thing on every listing. Cite it, argue with it, use it on your own listings.
Cite this as
Sonic Temple Audio. Condition scale, version 2.0. Adopted 8 September 2026, extended 22 September 2026. sonictempleaudio.com/pages/condition-scale
Scale: Audiogon 1 to 10, adopted wholeDescriptors: ours, per category
The eleven grades
The top grades are judged axis by axis. Low down the question stops being wear and starts being function, so those grades are judged whole.
NewSealedFactory sealed, never opened, warranty unstarted.
10MintOpened, possibly auditioned, and indistinguishable from new under inspection.
9ExcellentUsed and looked after.
8Very GoodHonest use, everything functionally sound.
7GoodVisible wear from regular use.
6FairWear affects appearance, not function.
5AverageWorks correctly, sounds right, looks hard used.
4MediocreFunctional, with one thing compromised.
3PoorWorks intermittently, or with a known fault.
2Very PoorDoes not work correctly.
1ShotParts donor.
What we look at
The eleven grades above mean the same thing whatever the object is. What changes is which five things we look at, and how far down the scale we are willing to list.
Headphones
Pads · Headband · Gimbals, yokes · Cups · CableHeadphones, in-ears and the pads and cables that go with them.
We do not list a headphone below 7. Below it the pads always need replacing, and on a discontinued model the parts are not always there to replace them with.
10Mint
Opened, possibly auditioned, and indistinguishable from new under inspection.
PadsUnmarked. No compression, no shine, no oil transfer at the contact point
HeadbandPadding uncreased. No stretch, no sag in the strap
Gimbals, yokesFactory detent. No lateral play, no creak under hand pressure
CupsUnmarked, including the yoke underside and the cup edge, where handling marks start first
CableNo memory bends. Jacket unmarked, strain reliefs straight, connectors clean
9Excellent
Used and looked after.
PadsSupple and intact. Light compression from wear. No splitting, no oil staining
HeadbandLight contact wear. No cracking, no flaking
Gimbals, yokesFirm. No audible or tactile play
CupsOne or two marks visible only at an angle
CableStraight, clean jacket, no memory kinks
8Very Good
Honest use, everything functionally sound.
PadsCompressed. May show shine or minor oil transfer. No splits
HeadbandPadding creased or lightly compressed. Stitching intact
Gimbals, yokesSlight play that does not creak in use
CupsLight scuffs visible in normal light
CableMemory bends. No jacket damage
7Good
Visible wear from regular use.
PadsFlattened, shiny, early crazing or a small seam split. Replacement recommended and priced into the listing
HeadbandPadding compressed or scuffed. May carry a sound repair
Gimbals, yokesPlay audible when handled
CupsMultiple scuffs. A small chip or finish loss at an edge
CableMemory kinks, scuffed jacket. Strain reliefs intact
6Fair
Wear affects appearance, not function.
PadsSplit or crumbling. Must be replaced before listing
HeadbandPadding split, flaking, or taped
Gimbals, yokesLoose enough to creak in use
CupsFinish loss, dents in metal, cracked or repaired plastic that holds
CableDamaged, or of unknown provenance
5Average
Works correctly, sounds right, looks hard used.
PadsDead. Replacement assumed rather than optional
HeadbandNeeds replacing
Gimbals, yokesLoose
CupsScarred
CableDamaged, or of unknown provenance
4Mediocre
Functional, with one thing compromised.
A repaired headband, a re-termination of unknown quality, or a driver replaced at some point in its life. Sold only with the specific defect named, never as generic wear.
3Poor
Works intermittently, or with a known fault.
Channel imbalance, driver rattle, an intermittent cable socket. Worth parts plus a working driver pair.
2Very Poor
Does not work correctly.
A dead driver, a snapped headband, structural failure. Parts only.
1Shot
Parts donor.
Not sold as a headphone, and not described as one.
Instruments
Frets and board · Finish · Neck and truss rod · Hardware and electronics · Case, when one shipsGuitars, basses and anything else with a neck and strings on it.
We list an instrument down to 4. A guitar at 5 is a guitar somebody played hard, and it still plays.
10Mint
Opened, possibly auditioned, and indistinguishable from new under inspection.
Frets and boardFull fret height, no divots, board unmarked
FinishNo marks under raking light. No checking and no buckle rash
Neck and truss rodStraight, with adjustment left in both directions
Hardware and electronicsPlating unmarked. Every control quiet and consistent through its travel
Case, when one shipsUndamaged. Latches and hinges work
9Excellent
Used and looked after.
Frets and boardFull height, with polish marks in the first position at most
FinishOne or two marks visible only at an angle
Neck and truss rodStraight. The rod turns freely and has room either way
Hardware and electronicsBright plating. Controls clean and silent
Case, when one shipsLight handling wear. Closes and latches properly
8Very Good
Honest use, everything functionally sound.
Frets and boardLight flattening under the wound strings. Nothing buzzes
FinishLight scuffs and swirls in normal light. No breaks through to bare wood
Neck and truss rodStraight under tension, with adjustment left
Hardware and electronicsPlating dulled or lightly pitted. A control may want cleaning
Case, when one shipsHonest wear. Latches work
7Good
Visible wear from regular use.
Frets and boardFlattening across the first position. Plays clean, a dress would improve it
FinishDings and scratches you can see across the room. Checking is possible
Neck and truss rodStraight or near it. The rod works and has travel left
Hardware and electronicsVisible corrosion or wear. Everything functions, a pot may be noisy
Case, when one shipsWorn, and structurally sound
6Fair
Wear affects appearance, not function.
Frets and boardDivots in the first position. Buzzes somewhere. A refret is on the horizon
FinishWorn through to wood at the contact points. Checking, buckle rash, or both
Neck and truss rodSets up straight. The rod turns and has limited travel left
Hardware and electronicsPlating gone, or a control that wants work to behave. All of it works
Case, when one shipsDamaged, and still protecting the instrument
5Average
Works correctly, sounds right, looks hard used.
Frets and boardA level or a refret is wanted to play cleanly up the neck
FinishHard used throughout, and possibly refinished. Stated if so
Neck and truss rodSets up playable. Rod travel is limited and the amount is stated
Hardware and electronicsHeavily corroded or worn, and named on the listing. It works
Case, when one shipsDamaged enough that it is no longer protecting much
4Mediocre
Functional, with one thing compromised.
Frets and boardOne thing needs doing before it plays properly, and the listing says what
FinishCosmetically compromised in a way the listing describes
Neck and truss rodA known neck issue, described, that a tech can address
Hardware and electronicsOne component not working, and named
Case, when one shipsBeyond use
Amplifiers
Chassis and power supply · Tubes, when it runs them · Transformers · Speaker · Controls and jacksGuitar and bass amplifiers, valve and solid state. The cabinet is graded on the descriptors at the foot of this page. These five are what is inside it.
We list an amplifier down to 4. What drags an amp down is capacitors, tubes or a recone, and all three are commodity parts at a known bench rate. The bill is named rather than hidden.
10Mint
Opened, possibly auditioned, and indistinguishable from new under inspection.
Chassis and power supplyClean inside. Capacitors within their life, no hum above the amp's own noise floor
Tubes, when it runs themAs new. Quiet, no microphony, full output
TransformersRun cool. No mechanical buzz, leads and lacquer unmarked
SpeakerCone and surround unmarked. No rub at any volume
Controls and jacksEvery control silent through its travel. Jacks grip a plug
9Excellent
Used and looked after.
Chassis and power supplyClean. Capacitors in spec, original or replaced, and which is stated
Tubes, when it runs themPlenty of life left. No rustle, no microphony
TransformersQuiet and warm under load. Leads and terminals sound
SpeakerCone clean, original or reconed. No rub, no buzz
Controls and jacksQuiet. Nothing crackles under hand
8Very Good
Honest use, everything functionally sound.
Chassis and power supplyServiced, or capacitors tested and in spec. Hum at idle is low and steady
Tubes, when it runs themUsable life left. One may ring at high gain
TransformersSound. A light mechanical hum with the amp idle in a quiet room
SpeakerCone sound, dust cap may be pushed. No rub
Controls and jacksA control or two scratchy, and they clean up. Jacks hold
7Good
Visible wear from regular use.
Chassis and power supplyWorks, and the service state is named. Hum audible at idle across the room
Tubes, when it runs themTired. Output is down or one position is due. Priced with a set
TransformersSound, and noisy in the ordinary way. No heat, no smell
SpeakerA repair at the surround you hear only at volume. Cone otherwise intact
Controls and jacksScratchy through the travel, and they clean up. A jack may want retensioning
6Fair
Wear affects appearance, not function.
Chassis and power supplyUnserviced at an age where a recap is overdue. It works, and the recap is priced in
Tubes, when it runs themA full set is due. It makes sound and it is not making its output
TransformersWorking, with a mechanical buzz you hear across the room
SpeakerReconed roughly, or a repaired tear that colours the sound
Controls and jacksA control that will not clean up. All of it passes signal
5Average
Works correctly, sounds right, looks hard used.
Chassis and power supplyCapacitors well past life, or a rough repair that works. Both named
Tubes, when it runs themWorn throughout. Replacement assumed rather than optional
TransformersRunning hot or buzzing hard, and named on the listing. It works
SpeakerTorn and repaired, or a replacement of unknown quality. It plays
Controls and jacksNoisy everywhere, and every one of them works
4Mediocre
Functional, with one thing compromised.
Chassis and power supplyOne fault in the supply, described, that a tech can address
Tubes, when it runs themOne position dead or unstable, and named
TransformersA known fault, described, that needs doing before it is used
SpeakerNot usable as it stands, and the amp is sold on the chassis
Controls and jacksOne control or jack not working, and named
Stated on every listing, whatever the grade
- When the filter capacitors were last replaced, or that nobody knows. On an amp over thirty years old, unknown means budget for it
- What tubes are in it, and whether it has been biased since they went in
- Whether the output and power transformers are the ones it left the factory with
- Whether the speaker is original, reconed or replaced, and with what
- Every modification, whether it reverses, and any holes it left in the chassis
- Whether the mains cord is two prong or three, and whether the ground switch capacitor is still in there. Two prong is how the amp was built rather than damage, and it is still a safety point and not a cosmetic one
- Whether we have powered it up, and on what
Drums and percussion
Shells · Bearing edges · Wrap or finish · Lugs, hoops, rods · Mounts, legs, spursDrums and kits. Heads are a consumable, like strings on a guitar, and are not graded.
We list a kit down to 4. Wrap is the loudest axis in a photograph and the least important in the hand. Bearing edges are the quiet one and they decide whether a drum tunes at all.
10Mint
Opened, possibly auditioned, and indistinguishable from new under inspection.
ShellsRound and true. No extra holes, no separated plies
Bearing edgesCrisp and even. A head seats flat all the way round
Wrap or finishUnmarked under raking light. No fade, no lifted seam
Lugs, hoops, rodsPlating unmarked. Every rod turns by hand
Mounts, legs, spursNo slip under load. Every thread clean
9Excellent
Used and looked after.
ShellsRound and true. Light marks inside from hardware, nothing through a ply
Bearing edgesCrisp. No flat spot you can feel
Wrap or finishOne or two marks visible only at an angle
Lugs, hoops, rodsBright plating. Rods turn freely, hoops flat
Mounts, legs, spursFirm. Holds position under playing
8Very Good
Honest use, everything functionally sound.
ShellsTrue. Honest marks inside and out
Bearing edgesEven, with sealing marks where heads have sat. Tunes clean
Wrap or finishLight scuffs and swirls in normal light. Seams flat
Lugs, hoops, rodsPlating dulled or lightly pitted. Nothing bent, nothing stripped
Mounts, legs, spursSlight play that tightens out. Every thread takes a rod
7Good
Visible wear from regular use.
ShellsTrue, with wear inside and out. Extra holes counted on the listing
Bearing edgesTunes clean. A flat spot or two you can feel, and a recut would improve it
Wrap or finishScratches and fade you can see across the room. A seam may have lifted
Lugs, hoops, rodsPitting and plating loss. A stiff rod or two. Everything holds tension
Mounts, legs, spursWorn and holding. A leg may want a shim to sit still
6Fair
Wear affects appearance, not function.
ShellsA repaired crack or a lifted ply that holds. It still tunes
Bearing edgesUneven. Seats with effort and will not hold a low tuning
Wrap or finishWorn through at the contact points. Fade, checking, lifted seams
Lugs, hoops, rodsPlating gone or heavily pitted. Every lug holds, every rod turns
Mounts, legs, spursLoose enough that the kick creeps. Tightens back up
5Average
Works correctly, sounds right, looks hard used.
ShellsHard used. Repaired damage and extra holes, all of it named
Bearing edgesFlat in places. It tunes badly until they are recut, and that is priced in
Wrap or finishHard used throughout. Gouges, fade, seams coming away
Lugs, hoops, rodsCorroded or mismatched. Every drum still tensions evenly
Mounts, legs, spursBent or worn enough to want watching. It holds the kit up
4Mediocre
Functional, with one thing compromised.
ShellsOne drum damaged in a way that changes how it sounds, and the listing says which
Bearing edgesOne drum will not tune properly. A recut is needed and it is priced in
Wrap or finishFailing on a named drum, described
Lugs, hoops, rodsOne part broken and named. A stripped rod, a split lug, a hoop out of true
Mounts, legs, spursOne mount or leg does not hold, and the listing says which
Stated on every listing, whatever the grade
- What ships, drum by drum, with diameters and depths. A kit is a set of objects and the set is not the grade.
- Whether stands, pedals, cymbals and cases are included. They are described individually and are not covered by the kit's grade.
- The heads on it now, by make, and whether they are playable. Heads are a consumable and are not graded.
- Every hole in every shell the factory did not put there, counted, and what was mounted there.
- Any shell that has been re-wrapped or refinished, and any badge not original to the drum.
- The badge date or serial where a drum carries one.
- Which drum a called-out axis refers to, by size.
What we call it
Previously Experienced
Used gear, and we call it Previously Experienced because that is what it is. The number is still the standard and the number is what the listing leads with. These three bands are a shorthand on top of it, and because each one is just a range of grades, the band and the grade can never disagree.
8 to 10
Lightly Experienced
Owned before, and it does not particularly look it. Nothing is broken through to bare wood and nothing needs doing before you use it.
4 to 7
Heavily Experienced
It has been used properly and it shows. It works, every mark is photographed and named, and a good one of these is often the most interesting thing on the shelf.
1 to 3
Experienced Beyond Repair
Sold for parts or as is, and the listing says so in as many words. Not sold as working, not returnable on a change of mind, and priced like what it is.
The rules that make it a standard
Two rules, and they are the whole difference.
01
A unit grades at its worst axis, not its average.
A 9 with a split pad is not a 9. It is a 7 with the pads called out. Averaging across five axes is how a headphone with dead pads gets listed as Excellent.
Where one axis drags the grade down, it gets named in the listing rather than hidden in the number.
8, Very Good. Pads at 6, priced with a new set.
02
We grade it. The seller estimates it.
The intake form asks a seller for a self-assessment, because it is useful pricing context and it costs them nothing. The grade on the listing is ours, assigned on arrival, on the bench.
If our grade comes in below the seller's estimate, we say so and re-quote before listing.
Originality
Replaced parts are disclosed, not downgraded
A changed set of tuners is not damage, and neither is a fresh set of tubes, a recone or an aftermarket cable. It is a fact about what the instrument is, and it belongs to the price rather than the grade, because on one instrument it is a repair and on the next it is the best thing anybody ever did to it. The hardware axis asks what state the parts are in and whether they work. What was swapped, and any holes left behind, are named in the condition notes and priced accordingly.
Worst axis, with one exception
Absence is not a defect
An axis is scored only when the thing is part of the sale. A case, a speaker in a head-only amp, the stands and pedals with a kit. Plenty of good instruments have been separated from their cases over forty years, and that is a fact about what ships rather than damage to the instrument, so it is stated under what ships and it does not pull the grade down. Every other axis is scored on every unit, and the lowest one sets the number.
Scope
Four sets of axes here, Audiogon everywhere else
Headphones, instruments, amplifiers and drums each get their own axes above, because pad compression and bearing edges are not the same question. An amplifier cabinet, and anything 2-channel we have not written axes for, is graded on Audiogon's published descriptors unchanged: DACs, turntables, cartridges and separates. Adopting their scale means adopting their definitions where they already work. Ours are an addition, not a replacement.
The floor
Headphones stop at 7, everything else at 4
A headphone below 7 always needs pads, and on a discontinued model the parts are not always there to buy. That is a different problem from a guitar at 5, which is a guitar somebody played hard, or an amp at 5, which is an amp with a known bill attached. Each category says its own floor above.
Wear, close up
Pick wear by the bridge, 1976 Martin D-28
A mark on the birdseye maple, Sho-Bud Maverick
Wear on the wrap, Rogers kit
Used and consignedConsign or trade yours