How do you determine how much to spend on speakers

The proper question should be, "Which speaker do you spend anything on?". The very best speakers are as different as night and day. Choose five of your favorite CD's and audition as many speakers as you can. Once you determine wich sound you like best you can began to spend money. Top amps sound quite similar; the big question is solid state or tube. Audition, audition, audition.

Oh well, this thread started exactly 8 years ago !

Dollar value have changed... $5K in today's value would be almost $10K

I think the most difficult part is STICKING to your original budget plan :O)

Yes, I have failed on this, too.

I plan to spend 40% on speaker, 30% on solid amp (with most power I can get), and all the others for 30%.

But my speaker department is demanding more budget.
(Every time I listen to new speakers, budget goes up)

I kept the amps and other components under control,(thanks to AudiogoN) but the speaker budget has gone up 50%..Alas...

Is one has good woodworking skills you can take the DIY speaker approach and save thousands and put the money saves towards the front end equipment.

There is a math formula I use,that has worked well for me.take the amount your wife approves,times 4 and lie like hell!

Check your bank account SPEND HALF on speakers the rest on the rest of system!!