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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
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
22,336 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.

williewonka
3,082 posts
 
When we turned the century, I had a party and ended up shredding the foam surrounds on an aging pair of Magnat Ribbon  5's.

So I refoamed the mid and bass drivers. Like you I thought they sounded pretty good.

Then I had the crossovers re-capped - if you think the foam made them sound good, give the recap a try -sweeeeeeeet

The sound was pretty amazing once the mundorf caps  burn in😊
ejr1953
917 posts
 
I'm enjoying the fruits of the last year and a half of my steady system upgrades, so I'd say "yes", it's been worth it.

This reminds me of the Boston Acoustics A150's I had.  Those foam woofer surrounds didn't seem to last long, had to replace them twice, third time they needed it, I gave them away on Craigslist.

I think I'm probably "done" with my equipment upgrades and am also "done" with conditioning the listening room (10 bass traps installed, my wife calls it my "padded cell").  Time to concentrate more on the music!
mesch
3,519 posts
 
Few Boston acoustics A40s have ever been fed such an “high end’ meal.
I believe they were designed to get the midrange right and probably not overly bright for that room.. 

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