What makes an expensive speaker expensive

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

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

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.