The new dynamic in speaker pricing

@blisshifi Some good points. However, historically there have been a number of ultra priced speakers that have come to the market that have really failed to not only catch the consumers attention, but have also failed in their ability to sound better than the far lower priced competition. This leaves the few that dipped into their wallet with a costly boat anchor that is now difficult to move on. As the speaker pricing factors increase, now many over $350K, not only does the value for money equation surface, but also the ’expectation’ level of the consumer. Admitedly  one could argue that at this price level, the consumer is not really that concerned about the above...and as such these points are irrelevant. Interestingly, the few folks that i know that would be able to dip into this price pool are in fact exactly the opposite...they are extremely value conscious! YMMV.

@daveyf I agree with you as well. Just because something should be a statement piece doesn't make it incredible for everyone, or anyone! In that case, it's a failed experiment by the designer/manufacturer, and they will learn the hard way, though they may be able to write off their losses, and maybe that's part of the game as well.

Some people, and I say some, who purchased spkrs costing those figures are people interested in show and not music. God Bless people who buy them for the love of music. Not me. I have other interests that cost money. No dunderhead here.

The pricing in all luxury goods tracks disposable incomes. The disparity between the middle class and the top even 5% of buyers continues to grow. It is no wonder that magazines want a cut from the top instead of the middle.

As an audiophile who has to work for a living I feel being a builder is a great way to learn to enjoy your hobby more and keep your costs firmly on the ground.

@j-wall  I've heard several Von Schweikert speakers from the VR-35 to the Ultra 11.  The Ultra 9 and 11 sounded better than any audio system I've ever heard (and I've probably heard about 1000 at shows mostly and maybe 50 in homes).  Sure, they also were accompanied by nearly $1 million in equipment/cabling in huge rooms.   However, buying slightly used speakers is bargain shopping for great sound.  I don't think I could afford even the best speaker for my room, the Ultra 7 at $180,000 or even the Ultra 55 at $100,000.  But I intend to purchase the VR9SE II from 2015 for under $50,000.  

My friend has YG Acoustic Sonja 2.3s, $115,000 speakers.   They sound better than my Legacy Focus which sell for around $2500-$3000.   However, the difference between his and my speaker isn't worth the difference to me.   I lack his 3D open sound and great ambience retrieval.  Otherwise, I'm quite satisfied with my musical (as opposed to ultra-resolving) sound.   

There is another reason (besides my matched excellent equipment/cabling) that my inexpensive speakers sound great.   I spent $150,000 constructing a custom built listening room which I have previously described on forums.   I don't have peaks or valleys and have built-in the wall bass traps.   

Unless I have a doubling in income, I just am too conservative to spend MAP on a new pair of speakers.   I would rather purchase "last year's" model for 25% to 35% of MAP.  And I love music, as a amateur recording engineer, performer and listener (over 2 hours daily).