How do you determine how much to spend on speakers

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.

I have an Integra 50.1 receiver with Focal 836v speaker and last Monday I listened to a Focal 807v bookshelf speaker that had significantly better clarity in the sound compared to my "better" speakers. The difference was the 807v speakers were being driven by a Pathos Inpol2 (I believe). It made me think that for certain music types I might prefer the cost of the bookshelf compared to my floorstanders so that I could put more of the budget towards a better amplifier. Jazz comes to mind.

I would suggest listening to some of the less expensive speakers on really high quality amplifiers and see if at their best they give you the sound you are looking for.