After the thrill is gone


I think we all understand there is no “perfect” speaker. Strengths, weaknesses, compromises all driven by the designer’s objectives and decisions. 
 

Whenever we make a new (to us) speaker purchase there is a honeymoon period with the perfect-to-us speaker. But as time wears on, we either become accustomed to the faults and don’t really hear or hear past them, or become amplified and perhaps more annoying or create minor buyers remorse or wanderlust.

I am guessing the latter would be more prevalent when transitioning to a very different design topology, eg cones vs horns vs planars etc.

While I’ve experimented with horns, single drivers, subwoofer augmentation …  I’ve always returned to full range dynamic multi-driver designs. About to do so with planars but on a scale I’ve not done before, and heading toward end game system in retirement.
So I just wonder what your experiences have been once the initial thrill is gone? (Especially if you moved from boxes to planars)

inscrutable

Don't have that experience anymore.

Just change the sound output to keep the brain interested...

Option 1. CD Transport - DAC - Pre Amp - Power Amp - Speakers;

Option 2. CD Transport - DAC - Power Amp - Speakers;

Option 3. MacBook Pro Audirvana - USB Converter - DAC - Pre Amp - Power Amp - Speakers.

Rarely do I need to use Option 3. It's slightly more dynamic, but less musical.

If your electronics and noise control are good you should easily hear the difference in the top end. Smoother and more refined and overall a little more relaxed midrange.

I'm as thrilled with my speakers today as I was the day I bought them in 2015. 

I solved this by not reading forums and dropping out of my audiophile club. I don't read blogs or reviews either.  I glance at the weekly audiogon summary and will sometimes look at a conversation if the title is interesting.  

Seriously, the press part is trying to sell you something and that's based on sewing discontent. The forums are all about, I don't know what actually, but the comparison and upmanship doesn't help. 

I settled on a small power tube and efficient speakers because I like it for the low volumes we listen at augmented with absurdly large subs. I'm 55 and can't hear over 13 khz anyways so highs don't matter.  

Stop reading this stuff and you'll find that you chill out a lot about your system.  Like all social media it's a trap that makes us feel sad and poor.