The new dynamic in speaker pricing

@baylinor 

I do not in any way feel this was directed at me. I do not have a system remotely in this category. I have heard some. I have known dealers that have installed high end systems. Typically, the installer is given limited carte blanche with limited to make the system sound great. 

What I am offended at is folks that put down categories of other audiophiles, whether their budget is small… or in this case large. We should be respectful. Folks with little money or lots all share the same values… the best most enjoyable sounds. 

A top level speaker company needs to advance the art. To do that they constantly refine and build the very best, cost no object speakers. They are critical in showing off what they are capable of. Then they substitute compromises to build speakers that are much less expensive, where they can sell many.

These cost no object speakers come with installation to make sure they sound their very best. I doubt they sell many, but they are priced to be profitable. A set goes to professional reviewers.

About thirty years ago I spent a couple hours with a set of Wilson WAMM… I think about $350K at the time… currently $685K. The experience was revelatory… I understood what Wilson was about and set in my mind what Wilson can do. It doesn’t happen to be the sound I am going for… but it is for many.

I am happy to sample them. I do not think they are over priced… some people have a lot of money… good for them. Most don’t care about audio, a few do.

@baylinor 

”It seems to me the majority of those willing to spend high 6 figures speakers end up spending about one percent of that on their listening room / acoustic treatment.”

Seriously? And you know this how?  And even if true so what? 

So, anyone that buys expensive speakers is ignorant? Stupid? 

@kenjit … “The issue is that, if one idiot buys a million dollar speaker, all the speakers companies will raise their prices and make them unaffordable for the rest of us.”

👍 Good one! 😊

Honestly, we should be really happy there are people out there that will buy top of the line million dollar speakers, cause the trickle down effect on technology will give us better speakers.

@laoman 

My experience in owning speakers of the character I appreciate at $6K, $12K, hearing $22K, and now owning $32K is that the sweet spot is way over $32K. Each step has been a revelation, and s-eake5s in the hundred thousands, although I have not owned them were incredible.

@kokakolia 

The best way to test your hypothesis is to go somewhere that you can listen to 5K (use your currency), 10K, 25K, 50K, 100K, and 500K. That will be sufficient data to support an alternative theory of price performance.