how much would you say a good set up cost


ok, we all have gear, but now days, what price do you think you have to spend to have a real good system. not over kill, just good equipment, good sound stage. all around mid to mid high. I'm saying at least 30-35 thousand gets you in that level. I was talking the other day with some friends and we never put a price on our gear. you always get this piece now then that later. but have you ever sat down and figured out just what you paid for your system. I was shocked when i did it.
ltleo74
Undertow beat me to it. I'd agree that the room is potentially the most expensive, most often neglected and critical links to getting great sound from any system. Everyone has their threshold of both investment and discrimination of investment/improvement ratio. Comparing to others doesn't really make much sense - there will always be those with both more and less invested and who are happy as clams or frustrated with their lack of synergy. That is reflected already in the range of answers here and on other similar threads. I like Lincoln's answer to a similar question: when asked, "How big should a man's legs be" he responded, "Big enough to reach the ground."
I agree with Musicnoise, once you get past the crap stuff from the box stores and into nicer equipment, you are paying huge sums for that next 1% better sound. Generically, I think about $2000 thoughtfully spent gets you a very good sounding system. Everything after that is just small incremntal improvements. It is fun to mess wit the stuff though.
It all has to do with your state of mind.

I could probably put together a HOME SYSTEM for $6K that I'd be happy with...for at least a few weeks.

After spending decades involved in CAR AUDIO...unsuccessfully, I'm currently satisfied with my factory BMW H/K stereo. Just need to add iPod connectivity.

At WORK and in my HOME OFFICE a $90 Klipsch ProMedia powered sat/sub system hooked up to my computers gets the job done quite well.
If you can't put together a fantastic system for 30k it requires a lot of missteps, not that you couldn't have a mediocre system with that much money into it (you can). But I agree with the general tenor of the thread that with 10K or less you could (expecially buying used)put together a very formidable system, especially if you know what you are doing with matching a speaker and amp. If you have been around the block with this hobby, you can do so easily. Without that experience or the advice of a good dealer or experienced friend, you can chase your tail in this hobby and spend a whole lot more without getting a system that will satisfy for the long term.
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