What makes an expensive speaker expensive

Very nice -coli.

There are lots of great ideas and truths on this thread.  Yes to the poster asking me about all of us hearing differently.  I think it was Markel, who said of course. That's just a given in anything audio.  That's why so many of us like different brands.  Fremmer and many others love Wilson. They get them as a very very special cost, but wouldn't own them if they didn't like them.  I know many designers of cables amps etc... as well as reviewers who own and use Vandersteen's (mostly the 5 CT's) for their own personal use let alone reviews or for their products.  Honestly, I have heard Wilson and Vandersteen more than any other brands and it makes sense as they have been around forever and are at the opposite ends of the spectrum.  

I can tell you that in any component you have business costs built in.  That's just common sense and a must.  There are many reason's some will buy speakers in the six figure market.  Many have been posted already.  I personally feel that most of these speakers have left me wanting more and or scratching my head asking HOW and WHY.  Tidal is one of the few I've heard in this range that sound awesome, but then I hear the Vandersteen 7's the next week and realize that I'm getting even more musically involving sound and a bit tighter bass for half the cost.  Again, even if you like another speaker, I'd say that you can get better sound than most of the 100k + speakers for much less if you really search and listen.  JMHO

My guess research and development.

I've had a pair of Legacy Signature III's that I've had for years. The perform WAY beyond their price point. I paid $2100 for the pair used. They originally sold for $5000 in the oak finish like I have.  They are amazing ... but the trick is, they have to be driven by a quality tube amp to sound their best. 

Here's some reviews of the Sig III's, including mine:

http://www.audioreview.com/cat/speakers/floorstanding-speakers/legacy-audio/signature-iii/prd_119993...

Here's some pictures of the Sig III's front and rear:

http://search.aol.com/aol/image?q=legacy+signature+iii+floor+standing+speakers&v_t=webmail-searc...

One of my favorite speaker line is Venture. I've met the design engineer and builder many times ... and a true gentleman he is. His factory is located in Belgium, but he was born and grew up on China's mainland.  The design and parts used are the very best on the planet. The finish on all of the Venture speakers is superb. Nothing is left to chance or built with anything but quality in the parts and in the construction of the Venture speakers.  To my mind, the Venture speakers are worth every penny of what they retail for. They are an amazing speaker in every respect.  Here's a link to the Venture speakers:

http://search.aol.com/aol/image?q=venture+speakers&v_t=webmail-searchbox

It seems like speakers are expensive to pay for research and development.  Back in the 1970's, good speakers were developed, and then sold for years.  The big Klipsch speakers can still be bought.  I would like to see the speaker manufacturers pick a design, then focus on bringing costs down, rather than pass improvements down the line.  Speakers are overpriced.  The top of the line speaker in the 1970's sold for $2000.  That would be no more than $15,000 today.  I'm listening to a set of 40 yr old stacked original advents.  They compete well with the speakers in the stores, basically because they get the important things right.  I would have to spend $30,000+ dollars to get any real improvement, basically because of the Advents great tonal qualities and resolution.  Yes, most speakers can do something better than the Advents, but the Advents do everything well.  Someone needs to build a great all around speaker and run with it.