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What makes an expensive speaker expensive

When one plunks down $10,000 $50,000 and more for a speaker you’re paying for awesome sound, perhaps an elegant or outlandish style, some prestige ... but what makes the price what it is?

Are the materials in a $95,000 set of speakers really that expensive? Or are you paying a designer who has determined he can make more by selling a few at a really high price as compared to a lot at a low price?

And at what point do you stop using price as a gauge to the quality? Would you be surprised to see $30,000 speakers "outperform" $150,000 speakers?

Too much time on my hands today I guess.
128x128jimspov
derrickengineer
36 posts
 
I totally agree with you on the audio show set ups. The best scenario would be in your home listening to any high cost speaker. Audio shows are a great way for the masses to hear, (although crappy room set up as you stated) and see the high end products. Synergy ( equipment and room ) is the key to getting the most out of your speakers and system. I think the point is the sound perceived per dollar spent on speakers. As you stated the sound of the speaker in your example did not sound any better than the sound of the half priced speaker. We all have systems based on our means and wants. Should I inherit $50 million dollars, you bet Id be auditioning the high performance speakers out there, still that $200k speaker may not sound any better than a $100k speaker, my new found wealthy Ego allows me to try it thus fueling the demand for manufacturers to create such things of beauty. Cheers my friend.
erik_squires
16,057 posts
 
About listening at shows.... one tip that I go by now is I go through the hallways first. If the music sounds good outside, then and only then do I bother to go in.

It sounds really weird, but this was a tip I had learned before, and was confirmed by an acoustician from ASC at one show.  If a room is well treated, it's going to sound good inside and out.  You can tell outside the room how well a room is going to sound. 

Of course, if you are on the "never acoustical treatment" camp this tip won't work for you and you don't care about what I was listening to in the first place, but for those on the other team, I suggest nest time you go to a show, pay attention and see what you think.

One thing I also realized is that there are a lot of audiophiles who are perfectly happy to listen past the rooms, while I'm usually not.  There are usually only a handful of rooms I can even tolerate to be in.  So, depending on your listening style this tip may help you. 

Best,


Erik
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,588 posts
 

Why do some people have the need to convince everyone that their brand of speakers are the best for everyone?  People have to listen for themselves and decide which speakers they like best.  There are many different brands of speakers that sound great and offer good value, not just one or two.

Why do people have to dis speakers they can't afford?  Yes the law of diminishing returns applies to speakers, but some people have listened to a lot of speakers and decided they like the sound of $100k speakers best and they can afford them.  Why does that bother some people so much? 

I am glad that there are many different speakers to choose from at any price point and see this as a positive not a negative. 

I am also happy that there are people who are willing to pay the big bucks for the absolute best because this is still a free country where you can buy whatever the hell you can afford, and these people fund much of the research that goes into making my $5,000 speakers sound so good.

So, don't let anyone tell you which speakers you should like.  Listen and decide for yourself and allow others to do the same, even if the speakers they like are unaffordable to you. 

erik_squires
16,057 posts
 
@tomcy6

Agreed.

Your emotions cause you to buy speakers, not your oscilloscope. Buy what you like, but always keep an ear out for what else you might like, and different types of emotional engagements.

It’s like baseball. Stats are fun, but it’s the game that keeps you in your seat during the overtime innings. :)

Also, I'm sorry but I'm not convinced the goal should be to spend the most. Anyone can spend $300 to get a great bottle of wine.  I think the best audiophile and music lovers need to be looking for that $20 dollar bottle of wine that is just as good. :) 

Best,


Erik
siddh
345 posts
 
No Offense intended derrickengineer.  I have heard some expensive speakers in optimal rooms with very pricey ancillary electronics and front ends.  They produced some of the closest to live reproductions I have heard.  A Wilson speaker with master tape front-end.  Genesis Ones playing acoustic guitar...very real presentation.  Vandersteen 7's...incredible air, depth of staging, delineation, and musical.  Tidal...don't recall which model, with all Tidal electronics and digital front end...kept me totally absorbed.  Polymer Audio did some spectacular things at Axpona.  The larger YG Acoustics, to my taste and ears, bettered their smaller models. Kaiser Kawero were extremely enjoyable...great throughout the frequency range.  Occasionally, the expensive Magicos performed well. I have never heard the MBL's sound musical and involving..but only heard at shows 
I would very much wish to hear the large Avalons and Evolution Acoustics.

My understanding is each of these speakers have achieved this level of performance by utilizing expensive components; in the drivers and crossovers, plus the density of the cabinet and internal wiring.   To reach the depths of lower bass, extension in the upper frequencies, and the delicious, seductive mid-range,; my experiences are from these high-end, high-priced products.

My issue with your statement, derrickengineer,  is as with all respondents who make blanket generalizations about a product without actual encounters.  Not very practical or objective. 
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