MSRP, diferentiation and the illusion of value

Hafler = divine

The chaste knight tempted by "nuns" too long isolated from knights. Circe and Ulysses. Marketing above true innovation. But it does keep the lights on and we are a fickle bunch seduced by a past long gone or a future just out of reach. Milk on the stoop versus the bold frontier. 

"...tower of nuns..."
Having gone to a Catholic grade school, I snickered @ that, then remembered the scenes from the original Blues Brothers movie.
Monty Python merely drove the spike deeper...

Look, one’s choice of speakers really comes down to taste, preference, and budget. If the latter is not an issue (or one is willing to part with whatever for the sake of the two formers), then the entire fruit stand is open to peruse..
Sidestepping the ’performance’ vs. ’value’ discussion for a second, one will generally choose that which appeals to them on their personal scale of values. This can apply to not just speakers imho, but to equipment as well.
I could be accused of ’tin ears’ (’midst other things) but I’ve noted greater differences between speakers than the equipment driving them.
Since the bulk of equipment available notes ’specs’ that generally ’measure’ by whatever means to be in the fractions of a %....

I’ll note that again....Fractions of a Percent. Already 2 figures Behind the decimal point.....

We’re now at the ’SS vs. Tubes Division’; ’crisp’ vs. ’warmth’ value split.

One might base their speaker selection on what makes that choice appeal to them....and go forth from that.

Now, let’s ignore for brevity the wire and cable conundrum....and the physics that gets discussed endlessly here and elsewhere. I’ll concede that there exists ’differences’ lurking in there....terribly subtle ones.

You may note them; I rarely have. Of late...of self....negligible.

We’ve now arrived at the performance space...i.e., Yours.
(erik’s fav...just teasing, e....;)....)

I have No Clue as to where you’ve plopped the stuff into.
Most posted pics show your stuff...and the wall behind it.
Rarely anything else...well, maybe the side walls, but....

I’ve been lucky (or doomed) to spend time away from my digs and equipment; span of time can be a week...or a month or 3...

There always seems to be (for me) a Period of Readjustment for my ears and mind to ’recalibrate’ to that which I’ve been absent from.

I suspect....that IF I was to visit Anyone’s else’s space and the equipment within that I’d experience something similar.

Yup, I could be impressed...or not.
It’s a high likelihood that I’m not going to experience or note what you’re so thrilled about.
I will note a difference, But....perhaps, not the ’intended’ one(s).....

The differences are most likely in us....ergo, places like this....

The ’discussion’ continues....;)
You are what you listen to.
Carry on, J

@erik_squires 
Great topic…
Ive spent a lot of money on audio, to learn I didn’t need to spend a lot of money ….   That and I stopped reading stereophile …
Along with over 50 years of experience in trying various combinations of equipment..  I found that buying descent gear allows one to buy and try more gear without losing much value.
As much enjoyment and time I spend in this hobby, it’s a bargain at all the great musical moments it brings alive..  Priceless ! and time isn’t standing still.. 
Enjoy the music ! 

Hi Erik
Surely you know after decades on this forum that all its contributors are entirely objective when evaluating hi-fi kit, are never influenced by any hype from manufacturers or anyone else and would never spend money on over-priced products or snake oil?

Not.