Why do folks spend more on electronics than on speakers?

I'm with you OP, spend way too much for your loudspeakers, then add better electronics as you go along. Good loudspeakers and mid-range electronics sound better than top electronics and mediocre loudspeakers. The reason being that loudspeakers have more distortion than electronics. YMMV. 

Generally, one has more electronics--turntable/arm/cart, pre amp, phono stage, and amps (if mono or for subs). Whereas you can only have one set of speakers. Meanwhile, do we also include cables, power cords and power conditioners?

I also go by the philosophy that the source is super critical, then other electronics a which can be more on par with speakers in terms of cost-to-importance. I also believe the more transparent your speakers the more they will show the upstream changes that you make and that’s where you can really tune the sound to your preferences.

However, I also think there's another camp of people who go for the "fun factor" when it comes to speakers. That's where they put their emphasis and, hey, speakers are like a sculpture--it's something everyone sees and remarks about.

In any case, that’s the way it’s shaped up for me. I’d say my speakers are almost the equivalent of my pre-amp and phono stage; no where near my front end source.

But, again, I think it comes down to the number of units you have--and how you want to define "electronics". There is just more "electronics" and it doesn’t usually make sense to spend way more on speakers if they rest of your gear isn’t going to make those speakers really sing.

Im with Ross B on this one.  From my experience, if you have a really dolid front end then many speakers will sound good.  I’ve also found that more $ doesn’t always equate to better sound.  You can get exceptionally good speakers for $2-$5k.  If you buy used, even less $.  I could justify used $1400 speakers and $8k on the rest.  Everything matters.  Dac, source, preamp, amp, cables, room treatments.  Overspend on speakers right out oc ghe gate and good luck following through on the rest.  $10k spread out evenly will smoke $7500 speakers with $2500 left over for the aforementioned

Garbage in, garbage out...

@jpan, I should have clarified. In my original post when I say electronics I meant preamp and power amp or integrated as this is the forum for those things. I should have been more clear. I totally get if one added up source, pre/power, cables, etc it’s not too crazy that they could rival or exceed speakers in cost. Espeically if one is using vinyl as the main media.

I guess what I was thinking is when I see a McIntosh stack driving something like a pair Q Acoustics 3050i or Kef R7s. No disrespect to these speakers.