What Do You Get When You Spend Megabucks?


It's my opinion that you could put together a high quality system for about $7,500 (MSRP). For those willing to spend more, great systems can be put together for $20,000 to $50,000. I don't think anyone could seriously question the overall quality of these latter systems, but they would in no way approach the state of the art. My question is, what's that something extra you get when you're willing to push the limits as to what is possible in home sound reproduction and spend major dollars (say $250,000+) on a single system? Another way of asking my question is, what do $80,000 speakers do that $15,000 speakers don't?

My question is a serious question and I have no ax to grind one way or another. I have significant experience with components that cost in the $3,000 to $15,000 range, but not much with products costing more. I'm very interested in hearing from those people who have made that rather large financial commitment to music reproduction.
128x128onhwy61
Nrchy,

I made no assessment of Lakefrontroads system other than to ask why it is assumed its better than the Meyer X-10 or ATC SCM-150's?

Yeah I do know a great deal about how systems sound because its my job, see you're a hobbyist, it doesn't matter if you know or not, you're suiting yourself. The problem is hobbyists have grown use to the dealer not being very useful to them. Now it seems when a dealer actually knows what he is talking about its become offensive. Especially when it doesn't fit the cliche audiophile argument(CD sound, measuring systems etc.). I'm very direct because i don't type very fast and i don't have time to make a flowery feel good response all the time.

People seem to think this audio stuff is difficult to pin down but I find it quite easy. Is Albert Von Schwiekert going to make a speaker that sounds completely different than the ones that have come before? Of course not, so why if I know what drivers are being used and what Albert shoots for in playback, why wouldn't I know pretty much what Lakefrontroads system will sound like? or what a Krell amplifier with kharma's in a room with light wood paneling will sound like? I've been there before, not your exact system but close enough to know why you would complain about CD quality.

Sorry for knowing my business but 60-70 hours a week its what I do and then its my hobby :).
I haven't had that amp or those speakers for about six months, but the issue is that you don't know the room or the treatments. Componants don't play in a vacuum. unless you know the dimensions and the treatments it is not possible to assess the sound.
Cinematic Systems made some pretty solid comments.

I'll admit that he doesn't beatest roundest bushes much, but now that I have a better perspective where I think he's coming from, I find it refreshing.

-IMO