Yesteryears' expensive speakers compared to modern moderately expensive speakers


For the purpose of this discussion, let’s assume that ...
Yesteryears’ -- 10 -15 years old
Expensive speakers -- $25,000+
Moderately expensive speakers -- $8,000 -- 12,000

I often wonder if it’s worth paying 50% of the original retail price for older speakers that were considered state-of-the-art and flagship during their day. So let’s say an expensive Sonus Faber was around $30,000 in 2005. The seller is asking for $10,000 in 2018. Is it worth paying the asking price, or is one better off buying, say an Olympica III, brand new for about $13-14k (maybe less with dealer discounts)?

I feel that due to trickle-down effects and manufacturing advances and efficiencies, the modern speakers are as good, if not better, than speakers that were twice or thrice the price ten to fifteen years ago. Is this a valid assertion? Or do you guys feel that speaker technology really has not advanced to that extent? In other words, is a flagship speaker worth $30k a decade ago still going to outperform a new one at half its price?

The reason I’m asking is that I am going to save some $$$ this year to buy a speaker in the range of $8000-12,000 in about 6 - 7 months. Since it’s a pretty substantial amount (for me), I am planning to do as much research and auditioning in the next few months. So might as well get started now. Given that it is really difficult to audition used speakers -- not that it’s easy to audition new ones, but at least you can if you try, should I just strike used ones (ones that were uber expensive a few years ago but more affordable now) off of my list and just focus on new?

P.S. -- I’m just using Sonus Faber to illustrate my point, otherwise, I’m very open to anything that is in that price range. I am purposely not turning this into a discussion on what I like, room size, music preferences, etc just yet since I want to stay focused on the topic -- yesteryears’ expensive speakers vs not-so-expensive modern ones.

P.S -- I understand that Tekton is going to render all other speakers obsolete in due time, and I respect the opinions of those who agree with the assertions, but please understand that it is not going to be on my list. Period. I will really appreciate if we don’t turn this thread into a Tekton battleground.
128x128arafiq
Many good points have been made already. I agree that both new and old can be a Good choice. One thing modern design can have is better amps and electronics. The Kii Three seems interesting and it is active with built-in in dac and some room correction, if I remember correctly
One speaker system I often wish could be modified would be replacing Wilson Audio's older metal tweeters with the new silk-dome's they use now. How much would you have to re-design the crossover I don't know but the Sasha-One's or a later Watt-Puppy (at an attractive price) would benefit greatly. They keep upgrading endlessly and (I am pretty sure) drivng their former customers crazy.  You can't keep a Wilson speaker for 10 years like some other brands (i.e.- Quads) or you'll miss at least three or more "improvements"- or maybe even a whole new speaker.  I don't mean to be overly critical of one company- research is wonderful- but it's simply a fact of life. In some cases, even your Toyota stays more current than your stereo system. The brand I currently own is now undergoing a huge redesign with big price tags to match.  But I see a guy selling an OLDER pair on Audiogon that is still the envy of all of his audiophile friends (you don't know what you've got 'till it's gone)...
In this hobby you can always spend more, but hearing more is not included in the price tag.
+1 @michaelgreenaudio 

I would also add that what you really should be shopping for is not speakers, but a speaker/amplifier match up.  The synergy between your speakers and amplifier is going to determine the ceiling of your system's performance.



Fascinating! I cut my teeth in the HEA world on a pair of Maggie 3.6R's. This was back in 2003. Are the new Maggies better sounding? Would my ears be able to tell the difference? I don't know.

And what about a design like the LS3/5A? I know Stirling had to redesign things back in 2005 or something like that, but isn't an LS3 from 1980 just as good now as the new Falcon models?
The synergy between your speakers and amplifier is going to determine the ceiling of your system's performance.
don't forget cables. All may be for naught if the cables exacerbate rather than ameliorate flaws in the amp and speakers.

it's a system