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"The Ultra High-End Speaker."

My entire relatively simple high end audio system retails for approx. $70,000, with my speakers alone retailing for approx. $24,000 (Revel Salon 2 speakers).  I've been around high-end audio for over 40 years.  I attend audio shows and visit local and non-local high-end audio shops on a regular basis.  I get to hears a lot of high-end audio speakers and gear all the time.  That said, I honestly believe, along with others who've visited my home and have listened to my system, that my system (speakers) produce that ultra high-end, reference quality sound.  Others would suggest that, when it comes to speakers, that the "Ultra High-End" sound can only be achieved by megabuck speakers costing 50K, 100K, 250k and beyond.  I do not believe that ultra high-end ("Sound Quality") is excusive to those speakers costing a king's ransom.  And, I think my own system is am example of what can be achieved at a lower (not for most people) price point.  I absolutely believe in the law of diminishing returns, especially when it comes to high-end speakers.  What's your definition, idea of, what you consider to be, a "Ultra High-End Speaker, and at what price point does the ultra high-end start?????            

kennymacc
hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,974 posts
 

I'm with @baylinor 

Everything matters is the short answer as always. But to over amplify the importance of one aspect of audiophilia over another is not a fruitful argument imo.

Too often these threads overemphasize the room (by people who can't or won't buy better gear) or the gear (by people who can't or won't pay attention to their room).

It seems painfully obvious that a good room with good gear is good, and a great room with great gear is better. 

All of that is "personal" taste, but really -- good is only good and better is better. And if you can't hear the difference, it's you -- not the room or the gear.

jnovak's avatar
jnovak
423 posts
 

Thee most magical sound I've ever heard coming from any speaker was from a set of Snell Type B's It has yet to be bested. Joe

baylinor's avatar
baylinor
1,424 posts
 

@hilde45 

Looking at your system, I truly respect the attention you strive to give to EVERYTHING.

larryi
4,034 posts
 

At the time I heard it, I too thought the Snell Type B (the big version) was a quite nice sounding speaker--very rich and full bodied and authoritative sounding.  It was a bit overpowering in bass response in the room I heard it in, but, it was quite a nice system.  I do wonder how it would fare after all these years.  I would expect that any reassessment would be more the case of my personal taste evolving rather that the technology being superseded.  

jayctoy's avatar
jayctoy
4,135 posts
 

Mike Lavigne did built a state of the art room.I agree with Him don’t spend big dollars until you really understand how things work in this hobby.I never want to spend money on vynil, until I knew how good it will sound.Mike is also right , dollars alone will not do it.Now a days there are many good speakers under 5k if you know what you are doing, you can easily make them sound like ultra highend.

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