Affordable vs. ultra expensive speakers - what's the difference?

I think this is somewhat like asking the difference between a Volkswagen and a Porsche (name your sports car. It sounds many times better.

I think there is a difference but not sure if 50K difference.

Engineering and materials mostly. 50K may be a lot to the average person but perhaps for some it's not that much. If the expensive loudspeaker is not in your budget, does it really matter?

Consider yourself blessed if you honestly ask yourself that question…

For your next two cars, buy $30k cars instead of $50k cars and you've got an endgame speaker with the savings.

Ok, that's a bit of a dumb comment, but given what people spend on cars, Starbucks, etc. the money spent on things that last a lifetime and used everyday are truly valuable. No one second guesses their purchase of a good kitchen knife, right? Same principle.