"I'm a believer"

@waytoomuchstuff I agree with what you're saying but I think there are actual qualitative steps in manufacturing quality across many sectors including audio components and speakers, but the ceiling price point where diminishing return sets in, in my experience, is probably the upper-end of the mid-range components available these days. After that, you're entering the luxury end where people (IMO) are paying to display the item more so than having the expectation of a huge jump in performance.

For example, my vintage Craftsman tools are of better quality than the new Lowe's Craftsman tools purchased for about the same price (adjusted for inflation) but only because I think they are. My Wera sockets and torque wrenches are better quality than the comparable Park Tools and the price point shows it but only because I know what to look for quality wise. If I hand a hex wrench made by Wera or Husky to my wife so she can tighten a 5mm bolt on some cabinet she wouldn't care to know which one was "better" as either one gets the job done.

I know when I spend my money on certain things I focus on getting the best quality for my $ knowing I have a ceiling to that quality for the $.

@mahgister Oh I agree on the acoustics of the space probably being one of the most important factors in getting the acoustical characteristics you're hoping for out of the components and speakers you have. I know that if I went out and spent $5K or $10K on speakers for my set-up, it wouldn't be a wise investment. My listening room is an open-plan living room/kitchen with high ceilings and off-center listening positions. I can't acoustically treat the room. As it it, my wife complains about the stand-mounted bookshelves I have now.

We're planning out our forever house and my man cave will be a listening room/library with a drawing/writing desk and 2 comfortable lounge chairs. That room will be acoustically treated and dialed in and I will probably plan on spending $3K at the most for a final set of speakers. My current set of speakers is fine for the space they're in since I primarily use headphones for critical listening and the bookshelves are used for background listening coupled w/ wireless speakers in other parts of the house. 

I know that if I went out and spent $5K or $10K on speakers for my set-up, it wouldn’t be a wise investment. My listening room is an open-plan living room/kitchen with high ceilings and off-center listening positions. I can’t acoustically treat the room. As it it, my wife complains about the stand-mounted bookshelves I have now.

+1. Very wise! My experience is throwing money at gear to battle an acoustically challenged room is a losing proposition. The room is what it is for the most part and calls more than ever for making smart choices. Often less setup just right turns out to be more.

+1 mapman

+1 bipod72

😊

@bipod72

I can’t disagree with your points. But, I think the key question is: "Did the customer get their money’s worth?" We have to recognize the intangibles in this equation: "owning the best of the best" or at the very least not having your "audiophile" friends look down on you because you don’t own "real hifi gear" -- the stuff the industry gurus say is pretty spectacular, Having a nice "trophy" sitting in the room is ample justification for some. Its not the "wrong" answer for those with the means to do so.

As I dealer, part of our Mission Statement was "Help people reward themselves for being successful." Some days it was a $12.95 wiring harness for a car stereo system. Other days it was a $1M fully automated home with high end home theater. From my perspective, it was unethical to deny someone the opportunity to audition better gear. Something a step (or two) above the price point they were interested in. No pressure. Just expanding their experiences with what high(er) performance audio can do.

For some, a $100k upgrade represents less than 1/10 of 1% of their net worth. A good call. As long as, in their minds, they're getting their money’s worth.

By the way, I own some old cars and a couple of older homes. I do most of the maintenance myself. I get the tool thing.