Speakers and amplifiers show audiophiles are confused.


An audiophile buys a pair of speakers for $50K or $100K then asks what amps make them sound best. That’s about as smart as marrying a girl without knowing her personality. What are the specs that will insure your expensive new speakers and amps will work optimality with each other? There’s got to be an app for that, well no there isn’t because there are too many variables and companies don’t present their specs in a standard ways. Why is it that speaker and amplifier manufactures don’t recommend specific amps for their speakers? Beyond power, impedance, and making your own crossovers how do you choose amplifiers to get all the potential out of your speakers?

128x128donavabdear

spending a zillion dollars means better equipment. Because once the audiophile handed the money over, s/he is attached to the idea that the money equaled sound quality. It's in the contract. In many ways, it's like a painting. The more expansive it is, the more valuable it is to its owner. Perception-wise, that is.

Because once the audiophile handed the money over, s/he is attached to the idea that the money equaled sound quality.

I haven't noticed that on this forum, most members seem to advocate auditioning equipment using 30-60 day return policies. I do agree that people have biases re: equipment (tube vs solid state, etc). I have also noticed a passion among the DIY crowd to upgrade vintage or inexpensive gear. 

right, I was speaking hypothetically, in the 100K speaker world. It’s a theory, like with any luxury item. A Lamborghini is worth x because people agree on it

@grislybutter That's exactly what I'm saying, no one would buy a Lamborghini without knowing how the engine worked in the car, audiophiles buy the engine after they buy the car and cross their fingers how it will drive. I have a very nice sports car an AMG GT C Roadster it is a masterpiece of design. I've spent much more money on my sound system than that car and I'm expected to buy amps that are to be married with the speakers with no corresponding stats that will ensure the speakers and amps work together with the best performance, crazy.

@kota1 I did find a mistake when my electrician installed an extra power circuit for my listening room. I never thought professionals would make a mistake like that so I never thought to double check their work. My Paradigm 9hs have much more bass now, yes the powered low end sections work as they should. The strange thing was that my PS audio power regenerators (2x P20s) use the ground in which they are given and that was the problem so the phase of the power was incorrect with ½ of my amplifiers and there was voltage between the ground and neutral that were plugged into my new power circuit, never assume people know what they are doing I guess is the moral of that story. I'm really excited to listen to 200+ systems at AXPONA in the next few days I'll let you know which ones are the most impressive. 

@donavabdear 

Understand you ,we're in same camp , but if someone is happy spending $ at stupid things and he can afford it - let's do it. At least it boosts the economic and create jobs :)