Are there other people like me ? Amazed by their low cost system :)

After reading the infamous Stereo Review blind test of 1987(?) and subsequent tests and personal experiences, I stopped focusing on electronics except for their convenience features as long as their measurements check out, so for my main audio system I have a vintage Pioneer integrated amp. I’ve read a lot about speakers and decided I wanted to build my own, but I knew enough to know that I didn’t know enough to design my own. So I selected a design from someone who did know enough. I chose to build BFM Davids with upgraded drivers. They cost $1100 to build. Total system cost, including DAC and laptop was approx $1900.

For my voice-activated office system all I cared about was that the preamp was Alexa-enabled and all types of distortion measured below the level of human hearing and the speakers were unobtrusive. For speakers I built a pair of Linkwitz LXMinis for $800. Total system cost approx $1400.

My guitar studio has JBL 30x speakers that are frequency-matched within 1 decibel. They cost around $300. The direct interface was $200. Laptop $300. One thing I always found funny is that in a huge number of cases the speakers used to engineer recordings are far cheaper than the speakers audiophiles use to play them back.

My living room and HT systems were much more expensive, but they serve a different purpose. However, I still bought them mostly used.

Very interesting experience journey...

How would you qualify the experience in S.Q. compared to all others audio systems you had listened to ?

In particular, have you ever heard system way better than your  your own ? If yes where and what?

The most interesting point for me in your post is this astute observation :

One thing I always found funny is that in a huge number of cases the speakers used to engineer recordings are far cheaper than the speakers audiophiles use to play them back.

Why this is important observation for me and for all people ?

In my opinion this observation confirm the fact that acoustics science in all his aspects matter way more than the specific specs level of the gear, especially if the gear is not too old and with already relatively  very low levels of distortion anyway under the audible  level  ...

I thanks you in advance for your answers to my question for the benefit of all ...

😊

@mahgister 

Sorry for the delay. I don't check in here too often. I've been to the Capitol Audio show and heard some fine systems. But audio shows aren't a good indicator of how it will sound in your room. In person in a home setting, I've heard Thiel 3.?, Klipsch LaScalla, Klipschorns, Revel Salon 2, Magnapan 3.6, Mackie MR8? and a few others. The best overall speakers I've heard were the Revels. Were they $19,000 better than my BFMs, or even $10,000 better than my Paradigm S1 with three Paradigm 110 Seismic subwoofers? Well, obviously that is subjective, but not in my opinion. The best I've heard for acoustic instruments is Magnepan. I actually went with Magnepan for my HT system because unlike most HT enthusiasts who prefer dynamics, I prefer the spatial characteristics of a planar speaker for movies, so I have five Magnepans.

Room treatments make a big difference. I've heard a couple of the speakers above before and after the room was treated and there was a big difference, as there should be if you understand how sound waves work.

Would I buy the Revels if I wasn't so cheap? Maybe. But I tend to feel sick about purchases where I get a 10% advantage for 1000% more money. I'm very happy with all my systems, except for the Linkwitz, which has great mids and decent highs, but needs a subwoofer. However, that would require a new DSP and programming, which isn't a priority right now. The BFMs blow me away because they cover the whole frequency spectrum very well and measure very flat using REW to measure them (with a tiny bit of tweaking from a Kenwood parametric equalizer). And remember, I asked the designer for upgraded drivers for this design, so I have the best they can be given the Thiel/Small parameters. But they are difficult to build and I don't recommend it unless you have woodworking experience and a lot of tools, which I do.

Like many hobbies I've gone through it took a lot of experience and a ton of reading to figure out what's important for reproducing sound. I think I'm as close as I'm going to get with the money I want to spend and the layout of my rooms. And it's probably the second best in-home system I've heard. But, I have started talking to builders to redo my house and if I can get past environmental regulations I may be able to rectify the layout issues and make a perfectly treated room. I also want to add DIRAC to my system. Stayed tuned.

Interestings thoughts that will be useful for many...

I thank you very much...

 I will be glad to read  your future thoughts... 😊

Chasing the HiFi rabbit takes away from the audiophile experience. I’ve cut back on listening to gear that is the latest/greatest or beyond my grasp and it has allowed me to better enjoy what I have.