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Is it all worth it?

So this week I re-foamed a pair of Boston Acoustics a40 series ii speakers I bought 30 years ago for not very much at all by audiophile standards. Put them in my 12x12 sunroom running of my main system which has very good source and amplification and these things are blowing me away. You could find a pair online or at your local thrift shop for around $50. Why bother spending the big bucks?   Really makes one think.
128x128mapman
asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,704 posts
 
Mapman, I can relate to your impressions...  Due to age, 'changing fortunes', and the price of 'high end' components becoming stratospheric and subtle to the point of near mania, I walked away from it for a time.  I'd look at impressive and/or elegant displays of other's collections with the regard that I hold for other societal 'bling'....exotic cars, exotic  'trophy wives', esoteric golf clubs made of unobtainium (I don't play, BTB), and other 'high maintenance' objects of desire.  And Yes, It Is All About The Music.  What we listen to, what makes your neurons fire, the memories and thoughts and emotions that stir.  Loud, soft, fast, slow, the drive of the kick drum, the nuance of a piano well stirred....

How we 'get there' or have done so isn't as important as the arrival. 

I have a polyglot of equipment that does what it do well enough for Me. *S*  Others may sniff, but I don't need nor desire an attachment to mere devices, other than my DIY project.  I look at it the way some relate to their garden....something to grow and make bloom for my personal satisfaction.  They're not perfect.  They may never be 'perfect', but I've found more involvement in the pursuit of 'growing' them then I've ever had previously in the 'audio hobby' realm....

Which, truthfully, does go to show ya' that we all have our of levels of 'mania'. *L*  I've been doing the improbable for so long with so little that now I'm trying to do the impossible with nothing.  And that has it's own reward.  Flawed as they are, I can stop you in your tracks.
When I can get a jaw to drop, stop talking, and make someone Really Listen...
I'll know I've accomplished my goal, vague as it may seem..

To each, his or her own...  Be happy.  Enjoy where you are.  It's all very transitory anyway, so get into the transit of it all. ;)
pops
2,275 posts
 
+1 avsjerry - well said!  

Congrats Mapman on rediscovering a jewel!  It happens and I believe in it.

mapman's avatar
mapman OP
22,335 posts
 

I'm wondering how many others have found using good quality speakers from the past in good working order with their current system yields results on par if not necessarily equivalent with newer speakers but for so much less.

I suspect many here have systems that are are miles ahead of what they may have had years ago and that is something many older speakers can benefit from.

I also have my original OHM Ls I bought in 1978 that I refurbed myself and still have running.  Those too sound far and beyond what they ever did in the past.   If I really put more attention into the fine tuning, I'd say these speakers that tareted the clasic Advent sound but in a smaller package sold for $400 a pair in 1978 and is OHMs all time best seller could compete with modern designs like Harbeth of comparable dimensions that must cost thousands of dollars.   You can get those fully and professionally refurbed via OHM still.   I am still using original high end drivers and crossover in mine but did a major upgrade to the bass driver using a high quality Morell 8" woofer that cost as much as the whole speaker originally.

uncledemp
779 posts
 
Again, I'm a lightweight here. Several years ago I was just trading to trade, and more passionate about the process of trading/buying than music.

Once, I offered to sell some equipment to my buddy, Wayne. He asked 'What are you trying accomplish by switching? What are you hoping to gain? 

I didn't have the best answer, and we both laughed a little. 

Mapman, I know your love for Ohms- they are special speakers. 

Best-

gary









mapman's avatar
mapman OP
22,335 posts
 

Years ago when first getting interested in hifi, I heard certain ssytems from time to time that let me know for sure there were things in the music to hear that I was not hearing because my players were not that good.  

Then for several years after some improvements  I was satisfied, but not pre-occupied with having "it-all".   So I got by for many years that way.

Then about 2008 or so, I realized my old Maggies could no longer cut it for me in the different room I needed them in, and decided to fix it an not stop until completely satisfied I am doing things "right" and not feeling shorted in any way.

So after many gradual upgrades and thousands of dollars later, that is where I have been for most of the last few years.   Don't regret any of it.  Now I just wonder how much must I really invest down the road to stay satisfied.  Like most things, the answer is still it depends but I become better educated about what does and does not work all the time along the journey.

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