Law Of Diminishing Returns?


I'm curious about what you enthusiasts think of the product or price that eclipses your definition of "value".  

As an example I have a rich buddy that just spent 100K upgrading his (former) Pass 600s / Bryston / B&W Signature 800s / JL Fathom 8 speaker  system. I have a discerning ear and cannot hear the difference between the old system and his new S5M Perlistons (4) , Anthem AVN90, ,ATI amp AT6005 (4) and four subs.

This got me to thinking- 80% more money for maybe 20% more sound quality? 

Where is the sweet spot for the discerning ear and the affluent but not Billionaire (think Doctor/Lawyer/Indian Chief) budget?  Can you get 80% HiFi sound for 20K or do you need to spend 100K to get that HiFi sound?

-Asking for a friend :)

128x128Ag insider logo xs@2xyesiam_a_pirate

There is a guy on here that likes tweaks and said he spent maybe 500 bucks on entire system and it sounds great, at least to him. I don't remember his handle....anyhow, it goes to show it is all relative...

The law of diminishing returns is absolutely real. But for many audiophiles there is a kind of reverse curve. We become more and mor perceptive of seemingly small changes. And if that's true of you then the small changes become more and more significant and if you know they are there you miss them. So in a way small changes become more and more important and therefore valuable dollar wise.

Whenever I see the use of the phrase, the law of diminishing returns, it's usually in a review and meant to assuage the reader that he need not buy the item under review as it's really not much  better than what he already has or is willing to spend.

Apparently, it doesn't work.

All the best,
Nonoise

+1  newbee and the support provided by jjss49.. 

It is a moving point, based on discretionary income.