Diminishing Returns


I know the point of diminishing returns is different for everyone, probably dependent on their inclme, how much importance they place on the stereo, and to exactly what sound they will be happy with.

In these times (not pandemic but rather trickle down tech) where I feel like you are able to get more for your money, what price point do you feel you need to be at to achieve audio nirvana?

I was researching the absolute least expensive speakers and found that the Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2, the Wharfedale Diamond 225, Triangle Borea BR03 are a few that get excellent reviews and can be had for around $500 or less and it got me thinking...

At $1000 the Whatfedale Evo 4.2 looks very compelling (I loved the Evo 4.4 at RMAF last year)...

At $2000 there seems to be some seriously stiff completion...

Just a fun discussion regarding what you think are outstanding deals sound wise, what the speakers are and how much they cost.  No “well such is $10,000 and it competes with $100,000 speakers”.  I’m talking for the average person who isn’t making $100,000 a year.  I’m talking $5,000 or less, less is better, much better.  I understand that for some, $5,000 speakers are like $500 speakers to others, no need to point out the obvious.

What I do want to know is speakers that you feel punch waaay above their price point and at what price (the lower The better) you feel like diminishing returns comes into play.  Also, lets try not to make this a Tekton DI conversation because it looks like they are the answer to this question at $3500; lets get some others in here that we may not know about.

If this thread sounds dumb to you, sorry, and just move on please!

Another one in question for me would be the SB Acoustics Satori Ara kit...
128x128b_limo
@beetlemania

but there is now a 2Ce Sig III.

Yes, brand new from Richard. But as we are talking diminishing returns, and although I’m sure they are great for the money, even I would have a hard time making that purchase when I bought my Sig I’s for $600, or, $2,700 less than the III’s.

They, and their improvements, would have to awfully darn good to cover that gap in cost.

Interestingly, I first bought a pair of the 1C’s (later versions) in great shape used for $325 shipped. I knew I liked the sound so much after a very short time of listening, I found and bought my 2CE Sig I’s literally 2 months later, as I desired ‘more’. I still have the 1C’s, and use them for my rears in HT mode. So, for basically $900 have two pair of pretty darn good speakers.

The newest iterations of both would cost $4,780, PLUS tax and shipping.

I believe I did well, and came in well beneath any ‘diminishing return’ anxiety following my purchase(s).


Fair Enough, just depends on where/how you define “diminishing returns”. To restate my point, the Vandy 2 is a great value and reaching for the newest iteration within your budget will be rewarded even if the returns are diminishing. 
@ b_limo
Never owned a pair of Wharfedales before now.  I do think the Evo 4.3 are excellent for the price and I felt they were the better match for my room size than the 4.4.  If you have the room size go for the 4.4.  Im glad I went with the 4.3 but Im going to add a sub x2 later.

If I didnt like them I could send them back and go with the Focal Arias or see if they finally had the Tannoy Revolution's back in stock and exchange it for them. Cant say that these are better than those, but we like them so much they're here to stay. I know there are speakers that could blow these away but not at this price.


The Evos borrow a lot from Wharfedales Elysian series which were out of my price range.

Cool @b_limo. If you live 150 or more miles from an ET dealer, you can buy the LFT-8b factory-directly with free shipping.

Regarding durability, the Linear Field Transducer (LFT) has been in production for over 30 years, unchanged! That midrange driver (two used in the LFT-8b) is built to a very high standard, far superior imo to those of Magnepan (no offense Maggies owners, of which I am one).

The ribbon tweeter is used only from 10kHz up, no need to worry about burning it up. The limiting element of the speaker is it's 8" sealed woofer (180Hz down), but that can be ameliorated with the use of a sub or four.

As for resale, you rarely see the LFT-8b for sale. It's a keeper! Sort of a modern day Quad ESL (lack of coloration, transparency), but able to play much louder. I'm not alone in considering the LFT-8b the current greatest value in loudspeakers.