what speakers demand high end electronics

In general, very good speakers require very good source components. If the signal coming to the speakers isn't very clean, then the sound won't be either.

Greg

kbarkamian,
Your reasoning is correct. The weak link in a given system will compromise the performance of the other components within that chain without fail, no matter how high the quality of those components. Regarding the original question, the better the amp, the better the speaker will sound.

I think Alan Shaw's comments are primarily intended to encourage potential Harbeth buyers to write the check when they might be hesitating out of fear that they would also need to make another substantial investment in amplification.

By stating that Harbeth speakers work just fine with inexpensive amps, he removes an obstacle to the potential buyer, thus possibly making another sale.

It's a classic sales technique.

Wilson. High power tubes will cost you about $50K.

Also if your speakers are bad no source equipment will make them sound good. Good sounding speakers will sound good with a large variety of electronics
Alan