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

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 :)

@donavabdear , this reeks of insecurity. Any car buff knows exactly to the bolt what he is buying. Most of the people who buy expensive sports cars could care less. They are not buying a car, they are buying cloths. Any self respecting sports car buff buys a 911. The same holds true of Luxury Audio. Those buying it have no idea what they are listening to. They are buying jewelry. If they knew what they were listening to they would never spend that kind of money on silliness like chassis that are 2 inches thick. Any HiFi buff worth his or her salt knows exactly what they are doing and has no problem matching amps to speakers. 

If you do not know what you are doing, love music and know what you are listening to, find someone who does know what they are doing, who is not in the position of selling you ANYTHING. Never buy anything from a human that is trying to sell you on anything. Humans are far too dangerous for that. Know what you want first then get the best price you can.