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What makes an expensive speaker expensive

When one plunks down $10,000 $50,000 and more for a speaker you’re paying for awesome sound, perhaps an elegant or outlandish style, some prestige ... but what makes the price what it is?

Are the materials in a $95,000 set of speakers really that expensive? Or are you paying a designer who has determined he can make more by selling a few at a really high price as compared to a lot at a low price?

And at what point do you stop using price as a gauge to the quality? Would you be surprised to see $30,000 speakers "outperform" $150,000 speakers?

Too much time on my hands today I guess.
128x128jimspov
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,542 posts
 

Why do some people have the need to convince everyone that their brand of speakers are the best for everyone?  People have to listen for themselves and decide which speakers they like best.  There are many different brands of speakers that sound great and offer good value, not just one or two.

Why do people have to dis speakers they can't afford?  Yes the law of diminishing returns applies to speakers, but some people have listened to a lot of speakers and decided they like the sound of $100k speakers best and they can afford them.  Why does that bother some people so much? 

I am glad that there are many different speakers to choose from at any price point and see this as a positive not a negative. 

I am also happy that there are people who are willing to pay the big bucks for the absolute best because this is still a free country where you can buy whatever the hell you can afford, and these people fund much of the research that goes into making my $5,000 speakers sound so good.

So, don't let anyone tell you which speakers you should like.  Listen and decide for yourself and allow others to do the same, even if the speakers they like are unaffordable to you. 

erik_squires
15,870 posts
 
@tomcy6

Agreed.

Your emotions cause you to buy speakers, not your oscilloscope. Buy what you like, but always keep an ear out for what else you might like, and different types of emotional engagements.

It’s like baseball. Stats are fun, but it’s the game that keeps you in your seat during the overtime innings. :)

Also, I'm sorry but I'm not convinced the goal should be to spend the most. Anyone can spend $300 to get a great bottle of wine.  I think the best audiophile and music lovers need to be looking for that $20 dollar bottle of wine that is just as good. :) 

Best,


Erik
siddh
345 posts
 
No Offense intended derrickengineer.  I have heard some expensive speakers in optimal rooms with very pricey ancillary electronics and front ends.  They produced some of the closest to live reproductions I have heard.  A Wilson speaker with master tape front-end.  Genesis Ones playing acoustic guitar...very real presentation.  Vandersteen 7's...incredible air, depth of staging, delineation, and musical.  Tidal...don't recall which model, with all Tidal electronics and digital front end...kept me totally absorbed.  Polymer Audio did some spectacular things at Axpona.  The larger YG Acoustics, to my taste and ears, bettered their smaller models. Kaiser Kawero were extremely enjoyable...great throughout the frequency range.  Occasionally, the expensive Magicos performed well. I have never heard the MBL's sound musical and involving..but only heard at shows 
I would very much wish to hear the large Avalons and Evolution Acoustics.

My understanding is each of these speakers have achieved this level of performance by utilizing expensive components; in the drivers and crossovers, plus the density of the cabinet and internal wiring.   To reach the depths of lower bass, extension in the upper frequencies, and the delicious, seductive mid-range,; my experiences are from these high-end, high-priced products.

My issue with your statement, derrickengineer,  is as with all respondents who make blanket generalizations about a product without actual encounters.  Not very practical or objective. 
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,886 posts
 
http://ohmspeaker.com/news/thinking-outside-the-box-listening-outside-the-room-or-the-bouncing-sound...


tmare
44 posts
 
I own $20000 B&W speakers. At audio show, the speakers I felt obviously better than mine were all a lot more than $20000. I think price does matter somehow.

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