Best speakers around $130k?

Wow!

So much wrong headed thinking here.

Sure, a $130,000 speaker may be more of a negative impact on the environment than a $30,000 or $3,000 speaker would be. But seriously, the percentage of $130,000 produced is a fraction of $3,000 speakers, so, in the long, and short run, the less expensive speakers, due to their numbers being produced, have a bigger environmental impact.

This reminds me of the time during the Bush presidency (not ragging on Bush specifically), when gas prices went up to $5.00 a gallon, and people who owned their gas guzzling SUV’s would say things like, "I don’t hear too many people complaining about those gas guzzling Ferraris or Maseratis". Well yeah, how many gas guzzling $40,000 SUV’s are around, as compared to gas guzzling $200,000 supercars?

Then I read things like, "spend $30,000 and use the other $100,000 to buy thing "X".

Sorry to inform those of you using this sort of "advice" and logic, but can you imagine anyone looking to buy a pair of $130,000 speakers, being unable to also buy "thing X", too. I don’t imagine too many people able t afford $130,000 speakers, needing to eat instant ramen for a year in order to afford them.

As far as not getting what you pay for with $130,000 speakers, again, it is a bogus argument. The same can be said for any audio product using the same argument. Just watch any of those GR Research vids where he opens up well respected, much lower cost speakers, and see all the electrolytic caps, iron core inductors, and sand cast resistors that are used. At least with high end speakers, they are using good quality parts,

I have heard quite a few speakers at this range, and all things being equal, they are all worth the price, because they all sound better than speakers at lower price ranges. If one justifies speakers at $130,000 not being worth the price, the same arguments can be used for speakers at any price.

 

Remember, the vast majority of music listeners use $20 ear buds, listening to MP3s, on their smart phones. And they think your moderate few grand you spent on a complete system is ridiculous money to spend.

Every time I read a thread that makes fun of the extreme high end prices, and those willing to spend it, I can’t help but think there is a bit of ’sour grapes’ going on.

I love my Avantgrade Trio XD with the sub231. About €88k each but who is asking

intend to purchase the Von Schweikert VR9SE Mk II which has many drivers, 4 way crossover per transition with 94db 6 ohm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ You actually, really , believe VS's spercs, 94db, 6 ohms on the VR9? Bet any money its not over 90 db sen s and less than 4 ohm load. I dont trust any speaker specs, with the exception of a few Full range manufacturers. Even soem FR labs are fudging the numbers. But as for xover style speakers the numbers mean nothing. My ideal db sens are 93-95, , which just so happen to be the specs on the 2 drivers in my system, 93 and 95. I might go 91/92 in tweeters, and 96 in a FR driver, , but IDEALLY, 93-95 is best for a balanced sound. 90 db tweeters I find too recessed, And a 97 db FR I find too forward in midrange. All VS's can't break above 90db. Based on the drivers employed , which are all low sens drivers, So how is it even remotely possible to attain a above 90 db spec on drivers with all BELOW 90 db rating. aka Seas, Scanspeaks, Accuton, SB Acoustics, All 4 manufacturers below 90 db on drivers

Wrong-my Legacy Focus have been measured at 96.4 db efficiency only 1.6db down from stated 98 db.   My friends VR 35 export is 90 db 8 ohms, minimum of 5 ohms at 25 Hz.  These are accurate and make them easy to drive by most amplifiers.  My 35 watt super Dynaco (voltage regulated, not ultralinear design) drives Focus and Signature IIIs with ease and power despite the reduced impedance to 2.8 and 3.6 ohms, respectively.   93-95 db efficiency not based on design parameters for balanced sound is nonsense.  I've heard fantastic speakers at 87db (Harbeths) and 92 db 4 ohms (VR Ultra 9).  I've heard probably 500 speakers in my life and never considered moderate efficiency or ease of drive (beyond moderate power) to determine sound quality.   So many other parameters.  Although I tend not to like hard to drive speakers (MBL for that and other reasons,  big Wilsons, big B&Ws, Maggies for orchestral/rock music, etc) which require heavy power concerns.

Douche thread X 10!