Powered speakers show audiophiles are confused

@thespeakerdude I’m with you. 
 

If you want to significantly change the sound of a system, transducers- speakers and phono cartridges - are the way to do it.

An open question:  Is this above statement about change something audiophiles agree with?

@thespeakerdude When we speak at low levels our voices don't sound the same as when we speak louder as does a saxophone that plays softly doesn't sound like one playing loudly. When someone has automatic loudness DSP they are fooling themselves in more ways than one. As you said speakers and amps don't perform the same, the Fletcher Munsen curve is not the same, and the physics of the acoustic waveform are not the same in real life. I think part of audiophiles confusion is of course #1 marketing to rich people based on arrogance, but a close #2 is living in 2 worlds of music. If an audiophile wants to recreate an analog orchestra there are much different considerations than recreating a modern music group with computer based information. 

My Spiro Steinway grand that plays by its self is the perfect example of high end audio it sounds nearly perfect. There is so much difference between high end audio systems and the real thing it's not even worth talking about. When we see live music it's usually run through a PA and take it from me there are huge compromises when it comes to fidelity in every PA system and operator. I believe the answer to this problem is to understand the differences in our goals.

@lonemountain 

I think audiophiles want to change systems for the better in an incremental approach. Certainly you can change speakers but how do you improve the sound without changing the speakers? Source components, cables, amplification, vibration control, etc.

Re: the marketing question, are expensive products for a bunch of arrogant suckers with cash to dispose of? I think the companies that have been around a while have stayed around because of customer satisfaction. The new companies going against them may rely on grossly overstating their products, but how can they stay in business for very long? 

I think the issue is wasting money on mismatched components and rooms, not the dealers and manufacturers.

@lonemountain ,

Was directed at me? I am not sure I understand the question.

An open question:  Is this above statement about change something audiophiles agree with?

I expect little I say is something that audiophiles agree with 😁  Fortunately, I just have to make speakers that are transparent, not claim to be. There is, as noted so much lost in the translation from live music that it seems like an obtuse goal, but for what my customers mainly do, real transparency, which effectively is low distortion and controlled dispersion, is a real goal.