Do my ears deceive me??

I’ve only read about Monitor audio, and from the reviews, think I would love them. But don’t have a close by place to demo them GoldenEar will be on the audition list in the next couple weeks. I need the clarify from my 1st post. The B and W’s I liked the most at Best Buy were the 702 S 3’s. About $7,000 for the pair. They really sounded a lot brighter than the others, and I seem to like that. Not sibilant, but clear. Will need to demo for much longer time to see if they get fatiguing. Although, many consider Focal fatiguing, I listen to my 836 for hours each day and never get tired from them. Stilll waiting to find out the repair bill on my 836’s. Maybe I just have to be content with them for a few more years. I will admit, I’m just kind of bored, and since I’ve owned my gear for so long, maybe I’m looking for that new toy. Maybe I’m expecting things have gotten better, when there is not much difference. I will say, it is kind of amazing how much bass they can get out of small speakers now That seems like the biggest technological advancement I’ve seen. But not necessarily better sound overall 

      I know there are diminishing returns the higher up the food chain we go, but I really want to make sure I don't spend $4,000 to $8,000 for something that's maybe 20% better.   

OP-

I know there are diminishing returns the higher up the food chain we go, but I really want to make sure I don't spend $4,000 to $8,000 for something that's maybe 20% better.

You'll spend that much but only get 10% better. Maybe...

@fenderu2 It looks like you answered your own question. Cherish what you have and don’t get embarked by the hype. 

Embarked?

Yep.  I hear ya Tom on the 10%.  Gonna keep demoing and hopefully find something that blows me away.   I've saved a lot of money the last 3 years, partially thanks to covid, so maybe I just have to accept that a 10 to 20 percent improvement is good enough.  Obviously I keep my stuff for the long haul.   $5,000 to $7,000 over a 10 year span could warrant the purchase.  Plus the right brands and models can hold some or a lot of their value. 

            Years ago, I was semi tempted to move up to Focal Electras, and they were a lot cheaper 3 to 8 years ago than they are now.  WIth covid kind of ending, hopefully supply chains will get back to normal.   Had I bought those electras  back then, I could have broke even, or even maybe made a little money.  So I am not averse to going the used route too.