Who's winning?

Depends. The 30k speaker might be bringing in a larger amount of pleasure than the soundbar person, but the audiophile still sees a way to improve it. 

To use the classic example:

"It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied. And if the fool, or the pig, are a different opinion, it is because they only know their own side of the question."
John Stuart Mill, Utilitarianism (1863)

So what do you think, OP? Would you the pig/fool or the human being/Socrates?

In my philosophy, the person who is totally enjoying an experience is 'winning' over somebody who is not. Might not even be 'winning' or 'losing', just 'different'. 

While I don't understand churners the few I've known seem to be happy living in the churn so whom am I to judge.

And for those who understand about the downsides of desire there is more to. it than winning and losing.

i see a Pareto optimal frontier where they both are winners

cue Peter Gabriel

It depends.  Perhaps the person who spent $30K on speakers can replace them with $40K speakers with less inconvenience than the other guy can upgrade his soundbar.  

most people who spend 30K on anything don't do it for "satisfaction"

Depends on how you define "winning".

The 20k atmos guys might have blown the daylights out of the 500 dollar soundbar guys or the 30k speaker (60k, 80k whatever stereo) guys, it appears....Whenever i talk to those guys on the facebook groups, they seem very satisfied, might be the real winners...

p.s. they also seem to have rooms designed from scratch, spent more cash on the same (On the other hand, room construction is like  kryptonite for super audiophiles).

I guess if your question is, is cheaper better, it depends on what you want.

That is; a cheaper cost speaker with limited potential or a better speaker that costs more.

ozzy

I think the winner is the guy who buys the 30k speaker used for 15k.

So ignorance actually is bliss?

@tony1954 I would say, Yes!

Hey I remember (speaking of analog) back in 2012 I was getting into Vinyl heavy and one of my early turntables was a REGA P3 with a Dynavector 10X5 cartridge, this was a very fun time indeed, lots of loud listening sessions was a toe tapping wanna get up and move with the music great time. Then I had to keep upgrading until I arrived at a point where my system is so sensitive now I have to be very discerning on what I place on the platter. My JA Michell Gyro SE turntable with Dynavector 20x2 low output takes all the great qualities of the P3/10X5 combo but elevates the refinement several levels. There are days when I miss that fun sound that wasn't so particular. So I say any system that makes you smile or you get goosebumps or you wanna get up and dance is where it at!! no matter the cost.

I didn't realize it was a competition.

It has less to do with the equipment than it does with the person. Some people are more likely to be content with what they have. Our upbringing or early life may have programmed some of us to appreciate what we have more than others. I never would have believed I would own the system I have back when I was beginning this insane journey. Hard work and patience pays off.

Whatever floats one’s boat is best. 

“Who’s winning?”

The salesman…..

The divorce lawyers...

If all you've heard is the soundbar and it works for you, that's winning. How could any speakers, regardless of price, be winning if the listener isn't happy with them? But, chances are they won't be happy with anything as long as there is something more expensive out there. 

Yes I buy all my speakers used.i go pick them up myself so they don't get damaged.what a wounderful journey.just enjoy the hobby don't worry be happy .I think that's a song.used amps streamers spinners not the bike.enjoy the music and the hobby.

I think the winner is the guy who buys the 30k speaker used for 15k.

This. Depreciation is a bitch.

The argument could effectively be made that the guy with the sound bar is the clear winner.  Score one for the proverbial "happy idiot."  

When I was 10-12 yr old kid, I listened to music broadcast on AM radio. We had a GE radio with short-wave capabilities, but only a single speaker. Whether it was Beatles, ABBA, or Beethoven's 5 symphony, I heard all these in mono AM broadcasting. My neighbors were music lovers too. One family owned a gramophone radio and played records to much of my amusements as well as delight. Another neighbor was crazy about Jim Reeves and I heard and learned lot more about Jim Reeves and other rock stars than myself. Another neighbor went out of his way to listen to Beatles.

I didn't know anything about stereo until I heard a cassette player/recorder boom box with two detachable speakers at another friend's home. His dad played the demo cassette and I still remember the shock and Awe! I had no idea I was listening to music in stereo for the first time! Knew nothing about Hi-Fi either.

Now that I am a grown up and still listen to Beatles, ABBA, Jim Reeves, and yes, have 5 different version of the Beethoven's 5th symphony. I listen to music in an expensive set up and any electronics that I heard as a young boy cannot hold a candle to the current set up. Many options to playback my favorite music including records, CDs, FM/HD radio, and yes cassettes too.

I asked the young boy, "Who do you think enjoyed the music most, you then or me now?" He smiled and replied "We both enjoyed music then and now." Man in the mirror also smiled and whispered, "Can't agree more."

I love music.  I love listening to music and music as a hobby including setting up different systems and listening on the go.  If I’m enjoying something I’m “winning”.  If I’m doing something that’s supposed to be for pleasure like listening to music and I’m not enjoying it I’m “losing”.  I’m a competitive person.  I like winning more than losing.  

Depends; are you in it for the journey or the destination?

To me the Journey is what makes this a hobby. And I am incredibly satisfied with what I have now, but that doesn’t mean I won’t upgrade:)