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Diminishing Returns

I know the point of diminishing returns is different for everyone, probably dependent on their inclme, how much importance they place on the stereo, and to exactly what sound they will be happy with.

In these times (not pandemic but rather trickle down tech) where I feel like you are able to get more for your money, what price point do you feel you need to be at to achieve audio nirvana?

I was researching the absolute least expensive speakers and found that the Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2, the Wharfedale Diamond 225, Triangle Borea BR03 are a few that get excellent reviews and can be had for around $500 or less and it got me thinking...

At $1000 the Whatfedale Evo 4.2 looks very compelling (I loved the Evo 4.4 at RMAF last year)...

At $2000 there seems to be some seriously stiff completion...

Just a fun discussion regarding what you think are outstanding deals sound wise, what the speakers are and how much they cost.  No “well such is $10,000 and it competes with $100,000 speakers”.  I’m talking for the average person who isn’t making $100,000 a year.  I’m talking $5,000 or less, less is better, much better.  I understand that for some, $5,000 speakers are like $500 speakers to others, no need to point out the obvious.

What I do want to know is speakers that you feel punch waaay above their price point and at what price (the lower The better) you feel like diminishing returns comes into play.  Also, lets try not to make this a Tekton DI conversation because it looks like they are the answer to this question at $3500; lets get some others in here that we may not know about.

If this thread sounds dumb to you, sorry, and just move on please!

Another one in question for me would be the SB Acoustics Satori Ara kit...
b_limo
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
DIY is the way to go if you want the most for your money. There are a huge number of excellent drivers out there. I would do a 2 way open baffle  (plate) speaker and cross to a sub woofer at 125 hz. Use a 6" mid range woofer and a dome tweeter. Cross at 12 db/oct with 6db down point at around 2500 Hz you can find schematics for cross overs on line or design it yourself. The equations are simple. The trick is finding drivers that will cover those ranges with about the same sensitivity. You will pobably have to pad one of the drivers a little. I would use a potentiometer. adjust it till the response is flat, check the resistance and replace it with a high quality resistor. 
I made such a system for a friend of mine who has muscular dystrophy. He is a music teacher and almost totally paralyzed. He has a van he drives with joy sticks!
I used Corian and MDF for the plates and Focal drivers. They do not sell individual drivers any more. The subs were 12" Dayton Titanic 3's in Corian enclosures. We used a TACT preamp and amp for the plates and a QSC amp on the sub woofers. The Tact provided the cross over. The plates hang from the ceiling with the subs below. I still get compliments on that system.  The goal was to give him the best possible system for as little as possible and we beat the $8000 limit. 
beetlemania
841 posts
 
I think you would be hard pressed to get any other speaker the quality of the 2CE’s Sig I’s for that little
Vandersteen model 2 is, IMO, an all-time best value in high end audio. Get the most recent iteration you can afford (it is frequently upgraded). I owned the 2Ce Sig II first iteration. This was upgraded once or twice without a new name designation (one of these added the "tri-woven" midrange driver) but there is now a 2Ce Sig III.
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
13,164 posts
 
Trickledown and smart frugal but better sounding innovation is alive at Vandersteen since 1977
the latest model II is even better, quarter million sold :-) how fun

iF we are limiting this to speakers we have actually heard at some length then I would certainly vote for the 225 and excellent speaker, I prefer the various LS3 variants to the LS-50, the KEF101, Linn KAN are both Fantastic values used. IF you want to rock in a small cabinet then LINN Sarah 3 is amazing. Finally surprised @bdp24  missed promotion of the Eminent Tech planers- a fantastic value if you have the room !!!
a hidden gem that gets you the Vandersteen Carbon teeeter in a coaxial package is the Vandersteen VLR Signature for $3,500 add sound anchor stands and a sub 3 and you have a world beater...
fun time, lots of great speakers :-)
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,097 posts
 

Very true about the ET LFT-8b, @tomic601. But for whatever reason, no matter how many times they are mentioned, people just like the OP continue to ignore them. I give up! ;-)

Plus, as he was mentioning $500 loudspeakers, I didn’t want to suggest a $2499/pr model. Another planar to consider, assuming you have at least 3’ minimum (5’ better) to sacrifice behind them, is the $650/pr (plus shipping) Magnepan LRS, with one to four subs.

I would take either of the above before a lot of far more expensive speakers, but I’m a planar enthusiasts. Not everyone is. Planars are like Country music or Opera: you either love ’em, or you don't.

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,637 posts
 
“DIY is the way to go if you want the most for your money“

@mijostyn,

I disagree with this notion. Fortunately there are plenty of in-expensive and crazy good (performance) options across the board nowadays.

Unless you want to satisfy the spirit of ‘inventor’ within you, I see no reason to build speakers that plays such a critical role in how your system going to voiced.

At the end of the day, DIY speakers with all the troubles of finding drivers, crossover parts, cabinetry and hours spent in testing ....well they are going to appear and perform like someone built them in their garage. That’s just my two cents (no offense).

The title of OP’s thread...diminishing returns, try and re-sell DIY stuff (speakers or cables) you will be lucky if you can recoup the cost of the parts.
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