Average Price Spent for Speakers

Larry,

I spend 30%+ on the speaker overall, another 40%+ on amp and pre amp, and remaining on source and cables.

As for look, sex sells. Any speakers that are beautifully finished sell themselves, regardless of the color. One example is B&W 802 Nautilus. But nothing illustrates this statement better than Sonus Faber. They sell tons of walnut finish speakers, tons of stained maple speakers, and even "plain" piano black finish speakers. When the design is beautiful, choice of wood or veneer will only accent the look even more.

For non-audiophile, anything non-obstrusive is good and in-wall is even better. Success story ranges from Bose to Energy Take 5, you should get the hint. It's only the crazy audiophiles who are willing to spend the equivalent of a car on something imposing and create domestic danger for young children at home. I am one of them, but I have my dedicate listening room :) for now.

Before I went audiophile, my speakers were $50. Since, its been $1000, $1700 and $350, not including the buy-then-return models. Within my cost ceiling, I bought the least expensive model that most satisfied me as far as sound quality and a host of practical issues. The largest issue as far as cost was being buying "new". While there was some comic, newbie confusion during the buying processes (not that much has changed there), there were no close second places, no hard decisions. And I must state speaker cost relative to the rest of the gear was totally out the window for me at the time. I mean, I was using an a $100 Cd changer NAD 314 as a pre for a pair of $1700 speakers. I decided upgrade upchain gear later, which has been fun, not balanced at all, but fun.

Non-o-philes tend to spend a predictable amount on speakers as a funtion of their income, topping out with Bose and minisystems for the poor. Find the cheapest and most expensive speakers at Best Buy and a draw bell curve between them and that would be my guess for what non-philes spend...maybe skewed a little to the left ;)

Before you decide on what to spend on speakers, you must concider what will constitute the rest of the system. In addition what type of sound do you prefer, the orchesteral bloom of a full range floorstander, the pinpoint imaging of a good British(or Italian) two way monitor, or that transparency that only an electrostatic can give. You must also be sure that your choice will satisfy your wide range of tastes. I personally cannot be bothered with purchasing a component and when a better one comes out, sell the old one to purchase the new. If at the beginning you spent some time auditioning, going to shows,
or joining local clubs you will make the right choice & live happly with your purchase. I feel the speaker should be roughly equivalent in price to trhe amplifier.

I own speakers from $449 to $5500. I like them all. Walnut and rosewood appeal to me.