Why do folks spend more on electronics than on speakers?

In my case, I am upgrading all of my system to an “end state” leaving the speakers for last. Maybe an end state will never actually be achievable but with my Diablo 300 and it’s DAC module that together I adore the sound of, on my relatively modest B&W 803 D2’s, I think I have a chance. Currently upgrading to speaker wires that alone cost more than my speakers (Nordost Valhalla 2). Next I need to add a turntable (probably VPS Prime 21) for which my Diablo has a phono card.

THEN I plan to spring for speakers that match the rest of my system which already exerts a sonic character that I love on a variety of speakers. I could potentially look at B&W 802 D4’s (I auditioned the 802 D3’s with my Diablo originally). But a bit worried that the upper-mid-forward presentation of D3 and later B&W’s might not be for me. Sort of makes the bass feel lacking when it’s not actually the case. I want to like them, so transparent with abundant details with imaging so great it’s spooky. But the Diablo character is so clearly present still which is so good. Maybe I’d be fine with the more obvious mids; it’s not as if I dislike the sound. But expensive mistake if not!

So you have some really cheap speakers?

They must sound great though.

The speakers are certainly not cheap. It is just that my Nagra Tube Dac and Nagra Classic PSU are obscenely expensive.

@havocman  Don't make the  judge til you listen  the exactly setup.

Some people   just think based on  money, and I will tell you good system is based on your experience, and not on money.

The core is the technical level and money is just the expression.

Right now as I told before, speaker technology is far far beyond the one of amplifier. And focal speaker has huge potential.

Even we talk about pre, some one  under 1k can defeat 10k pre.

You gotta go and listen and select what you need. There are so many information around us which could misleading us, that  is sad.

I'm with @mrteeves 

The only good reason for cutting back on speakers cost is in very small rooms where big speakers don't work well and small speakers are necessarily much cheaper.

Don't ignore the cost of room treatments.  These can be just as important as speakers and closely intertwined.  The cost of both should be lumped together as a proportion of system cost and in my view should be 35-40%, except in a very small room.

Front ends are often under budgeted too, except for often large expenditure on a DAC.  DA conversion is the bugbear of digital audio, the problems may never be solved, so for the digital addict perhaps 15-20% of system cost is not excessive in the vain search to turn digital slices into holistic analogue reality.

For vinyl enthusiasts there can be good reason to spend 35-40% of budget on the front end, comprising as it does turntable, arm, cartridge and phono amp.  And perhaps record cleaner.

All in all, this leaves no more than 30% for pre and power amps.  That may be plenty.  It has often been said that transducers are the most difficult components to get right.

And for 'tweeks' and snake oil?  0% please.

Speakers 4k retail , 2k used but basically just open box no warranty.

Integrated 5k retail , black friday 4.2k

Speaker cable 1.4k, 2 meter pair , bought new.

Etherregen plus Chinese clock plus 2 LPS and interconnects 1.4k power supplies and cables 2nd hand.

Subwoofer plus interconnect 1.1k

Power conditioning and DIY power cables 2k

Component isolation , black ravioli bases and pads 3k

Apple tv4k plus interconnects 500

Grounding, coherent RTZ 1 and black ravioli black hole with cabling 1.6k

Tweaks:contact enhancers, fuses, fo.q tape, ect 1.5k

Speaker stands and Gaia footers 600

Speakers are getting down to 10% of my system build. I'm considering a better clock and or better power supply for my switch next.

I stream qobuz and YouTube.

With the right recording qobuz is holographic in my room. Youtube does not run through my switch sounds wonderfully musical with the right recording but not as holigraphic. My amp has lyngdorf room correction.