Autoformers in finished boxes showed as costing over a grand. A barebones version would be less i suppose. Es speakers can be pricey, so its all relative i suppose.
Mapman, your original comment was
Autoformers cost more than many speakers themselves. That's a factor to consider in the equation that can't be ignored.
If you're talking about some of the smallest hybrid ESLs on the market, especially purchased used, you may have a point, but that is not 'many' compared to prices of ESLs currently manufactured and certainly not the majority no matter how you slice it.
