Are advances in technology making speakers better?

Good horn loaded speakers were designed & made in the 40’s, 50’s &60’s(Klipsch, Western Electric, Altec),  electrostatics in the 50’s, Good acoustic suspension & ported woofers in the 50’s & 60’s, (AR, KLH, Advent, JBL) AMT tweeters from the early 70’s (ESS), good planars & ribbons in the 70’s & 80’s (Magnapan , Infinity)good dome midrange driver in the late 70’s (ATC), good full range driver in the 70’s ( Ohm) to name just some of the technology that have all stood the test of time. 
 

Cabinet technology, crossover design & component quality, internal wiring & binding post improvements have all added incremental sound improvements but unfortunately at often substantial cost increases beyond simple inflationary reasonability. 

European and American made gear is overpriced versus comparable Chinese gear from a handful of high quality Chinese mfgers like Line Magnetic...Audio-gd and Denafrips....It's not All junk coming out of that country. Can't afford Mac...Pass....etc. There are alternatives that are their SQ equal available for less $$. You're just not getting that LOGO on the gear ( which some people Must pay extra for).....to each his own. Again....look at the American and European "Reviews" of Higher quality chinese gear.......You don't have to be wealthy to get "wealthy sound"....Welcome back Millercarbon. ( I love my Pendragons with that 7 tweeter array)

@mbmi , disagree about the value of products that don't come from China provide.

I think no country has exclusivity on value, your statement is really naive.

Except for my Node2i and DAC, I own 'vintage' gear'. Why? One: I can afford it and Two: I like the way my gear sounds. That said...

I recently went to the Pacific Audio Fest and, as expected, I heard some great sounding products. (And some 'meh', TBH) Now, all of this gear by definition was 'new' with the latest in materials and technology. And yet, I didn't leave feeling the overwhelming need to upgrade everything. Even if I had an unlimited audio budget, I didn't feel the need to tear out all my old gear to get the latest kit. Why?

I'm happy with the sound I have. And that IMHO is the question you should be asking yourself: Are you happy with your current source/DAC/speakers/cables/etc.? If you are not, and you're willing to part with the requisite amount of funds to get something you feel is better then my all means, go shopping. But if you're sitting with a glass of wine and enjoying the music, why get on the upgrade treadmill?

Anyways, I'm not trying to be a killjoy here. I'm merely suggesting that you take a good look/listen where you are first. If you can arrange an audition in your home with your gear for comparison, so much the better.

Happy listening.

kota1...I’m not being naive at all....wrong take. I’m stating MY opinion and that’s what these forums are about...You’ve got your opinion and I’ve got mine. I’m very satisfied with mine... I don’t have all chinese gear...only a few pieces...but oh...the value I get out of those is exceptional...Yes, you have to be careful but you also can’t judge All chinese products as junk...They make some pretty sophisticated electronics at very Reasonable pricing. I know the china bashers are here in force....but for open minded audiophile types...there are some fantastic values. PS. I don’t like Chinese speakers..Mine are Teckton...Klipsch Heritage...JBL...and Nola.