Now this is good stuff Mahgister. Much appreciated that you were willing to stick with it and get down to the dirty details. Yes, I’d also like to call the case closed, but I’d like to close it from my end as well...
First, there was no reason this ever needed to get personal - I really was just trying to stay on topic and thought I did that. Clearly that didn’t come across. Next time I’ll try and be more careful so as to avoid such issues.
Second, you were right: in my haste to respond yesterday I forgot to include that I achieved flat response down to 25hz via 2 subs (I assume the 5hz isn’t that important to you, but if it is please explain why. Not a challenge or accusation - I’d just like to know your source material that produces a noticeable difference with that last 5hz. Assume down 2db at 20hz from 25hz. Can you hear it or feel it? At immense SPL I bet you can, but we never stipulated such a SPL). Placement and many adjustments to frequency response of the subs were very time consuming and most often produced poor results. Getting it just right was not easy and took much longer than I had hoped, largely because adjustments to the dimensions of the adjustable waveguide I created. (20’ x 40’ room with sloping ceiling up to 24 feet and heavy treated curtains that could be moved forward or back and opened or closed).
Third, SPL and room dimensions have tremendous importance wrt this discussion. I believe neither of us have done a good job of pointing this out. If my listening levels are lower than yours for my musical tastes... does my system qualify? I was extremely happy with the results once the work was completed. I think this point needed to be stated up front, and I should have included it in my posts yesterday.
Fourth, I tend to be an insufferably relentless tweaker and am always willing to take chances on used equipment provided it’s shipped correctly and proves to me (after much testing) that everything is as good as new after break in. Everyone reading this forum’s posts has the same option to buy used from extremely reputable sellers and be just as happy as if they purchased new. IMO this is the best way to get into high end - starting with quality lower priced used equipment get the best sound you can out of your listening space via tweaks and treatments and a lot of positional adjustments made after taking a lot of breaks. In my case it was taking these breaks that resulted in most of the time consumed, but I proved to myself it was needed so I kept at it in this fairly inefficient manner until I was happy with my listening space. Once comfortable with my room I then bought and sold equipment at many different price ranges and compared, often with several systems in my possession so I could swap speakers and amps (primarily) in and out and compare. Yes, I realize not many people will or can go to such lengths but some of us will. I believe my experiences prove that anyone can achieve similar results at lower costs if they really want to do so badly enough.
Fifth, after years working on my room and systems I achieved the best results with one of my lowest priced systems. Under $3500 for the electrostatics + subs. Used but outstanding and as good as new. Sure this is a lot of money for many of us but not much for many others. I do consider it a lot of money. Is it a fortune though? Even metaphorically?
Sixth, not many people would call $3500 a fortune. Most people reading these forums will not. How do I know? This is a different question, but let’s just say I do know this. If you want to know how that’s a different thread.
Also, I doubt this would have made much difference to our "discussion" but I believe the colloquialism you are referring to is "a small fortune". You may not think this clarification is important, but this is a common phrase used in these circumstances. After all, a large % of people purchase autos at around the $20k mark and only some of them consider that a fortune. Some would consider it a small fortune. I really doubt many of these same people, if audiophiles, would think that $3500 is even a small fortune. After all, many of us can do without our cars but never without our audio systems.
Finally, and this could have been stated up front but actually I think will be understood by many but not all: this entire topic relates to frequency response. In my opinion the "magic" of the room signature and the many systems producing sound within it was only partly due to the frequency response of the speakers and room. Hopefully this point is well understood. If not there must be hundreds of of posts addressing it within this forum.
-j