How do you determine how much to spend on speakers

You're looking at almost exactly what I have in my system. First you have to understand that there is always something that will sound better than what you have. The goal is to own equipment that makes you happy. I purchased a pair of Focal 836v speakers ($3,000) and Integra 50 receiver ($1,400) and an Integra CD player ($300). I can't have a dedicated 2 channel system so this gave me the best overall sound. Later I added a Martin Logan Dynamo 700 subwoofer to handle the .1 movie duties. I've listened to many of the Focal Chorus series speakers on a system that is intended for the Utopia line so I've heard them on equipment where the speakers were worth less than the tax on the cables used in the system and they sound great there and on affordable equipment. Unless you're the type that is never happy, any system in the 5k range should sound wonderful.

Don't spend a bunch of money on a CD player IF you plan to hook it with a toslink cable and stay digital into a receiver as there isn't any difference. The digital signal is nothing more than ones and zeros. If you're going analogue from the CD player then it makes a difference.

I just purchased my wife's dad a pair of Focal 706v speakers and compared them to Paradigm, B&W, PSB, Martin Logan and a few other speakers in a similar price range and had my opinion of the Focal Chorus series confirmed. They really sound great.

I'd recommend listening to a set of Focal Chorus 816v, 826v and/or 836v, you'll may find something you like.

If you want superb Hi End Audio system set up, go for this:

1- Totem's Limited Edition The One speaker, US$3400.
2- CD Player: RAYSONIC CD168, US$1578.
3- Bada LB-5500 Power Filter Plant,US$115.
4- YAQIN MS-12B Tube phono Pre-Amplifier,US$226.
5- Cayin A-88T integrated/power vacuum tube amplifier, US$1700.
6- Speaker cables, Part Two: Audience-Au 24 2.5 meter, US$800.
7-Interconnect Cables: Audience Au-24 interconnects 1meter, US$502.
8- Cable Elevators: Dark Field,US$105 for 4 field.
9- Power Cable: Anaconda CX Price US$1808 for 3 power cable.
10- Speaker Tuning Feet, US$376 for 2 speaker.

How much money is in my bank account? That's how much money I can spend on speakers!

Just kidding of course. In all seriousness, the REAL way I determine how much money I can spend on speakers is the shade of red my wife's face turns when I mention price. Pale pink means "go," but beat red means "too much."

;)

-Aaron

well, this topic started in '02, so at that time one could have taken out a giant home equity loan and bought one heck of a pair of speakers, but that option is not in play these days, is it?. :)

Beerdraft,

When I initially saw the forum title, I laughed out loud and then I remembered how I started this hobby and it's been fun to look back. Thanks for updating this old question and giving a kick to my memory banks (those just tuning in should read the posts in reverse)

I agree with you that the various components are *almost* equal in importance. Synergy works that way....you would be hard pressed to choose downgrading anything once things are dialed in to a particular sweet spot.

That said, I believe speakers are the place to start and they should dominate a starting budget. Audition them with the very best electronics first to establish how good they can really be. They anchor everything.

After purchasing speakers, my greenbacks tended to go to the front end. My old Thiel 3.6's didn't sound very good with mid-fi gear. I spent a fair amount of money before the electronics were as good as those old workhorses. Just my two cents.