I started upgrading my 1990 system with replacing my kef R105/3 speakers and I found to get equal quality from new speakers I have to spend 4 to 5 times what they cost and I’m still making some compromise. Electronics seem to actually sound better, but Either I’ve destroyed my ears or all these exotic materials are 95% marketing and 5%sonic improvements. My .02
Sound quality of Newer versus Older speakers
From a sound quality perspective, is there anything that newer speakers are doing better than older speakers. For reference, I have a pair of Monitor Audio Silver 300s which are amazing me with their ability to balance detail retrieval with an ability to avoid harshness (with the right ancillaries). My subjective perception is that this type of balance between resolution and refinement was more difficult to find in speakers from 20-30 years ago.