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cost of speakers in relation to the rest of the system

I don't intend this to be a "How much should I spend for speakers" question.  Seems a number of folks generally recommend a third to two-thirds.  My question is, generally for discussion, whether folks found happiness and "success" in spending significantly less than that.  Or--by price, are you happy with speakers that might be considered by some folks outclassed by your other equipment and don't think the speakers are the "weak link?"

As a "favorite" professor might have said too often, "Discuss."

I would think there would be a number of Maggie MMG/1.7 folks, Tekton DI folks, probably some Omega folks, some vintage speaker folks.... others?
stfoth
shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,333 posts
 
+1 Almarg

If you want realistic sound levels then the speakers should be easily more than 50 - 80% of your investment.

Speakers are one of the few items where diminishing returns does NOT come into play until you hit astronomical prices...this is because realistic dynamics with low distortion at high SPL (needed for a true "you are there" experience) requires very large heavy cabinets with large woofers and very high quality transducers...all this is extremely expensive and there is absolutely no way around this except maybe a pair of good headphones....

Diminishing returns for speakers probably starts around $50,000 whereas for other components it can be between $2000 to $5000

Of course if realistic SPL reproduction  (loud & true full range) is not required then YMMV as modest speakers with small 8 or 6 inch woofers can often do quite well at low SPL 


jl35
2,244 posts
 
My amp, preamp, CD player, analog set up, all have a fairly close MSRP. Speakers msrp somewhat more than double of each. But for my Salk Songtowers in bedroom, other items list for quite more. Though Salk is sold direct. And like Al mentioned I do not need deep bass or loud volume in that system.
kosst_amojan
2,095 posts
 
I'm a real value oriented kind of guy with my Focals and Pass amp. 
Focal 936's and Pass F5 clone, that is. 
I bought the speakers new and I love them. I built the amp. I built the speaker cables. And I restored the old Marantz feeding the Pass. It's an ongoing project. I don't have the money to blow on silliness just to see how it sounds. I have to evaluate what I've got, figure out what's going to improve it, and figure out how to make it or get it at a reasonable price. 
The amp cost just under $1000 to build and I built it like a beast. It's definitely worth of the speakers. The cables we're under $75. I need to figure out what to do with the Marantz now. Listening this well could cost a lot more money than I've spent. 
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
Maggies are known for their price/performance so that will affect the ratio...

I only paid $4,000 for my 3.7i's (retail is $6,400) and am pretty happy with them.   My ARC pre-amp was used, and so was my DAC.  CD Player was new; can't recall if the Sunfire amp was new or used...

but yes, it's like buying wine - part of the fun is in getting a great value
john_g
38 posts
 
My system, w/prices as best I recall, is as follows:

 5,000  VTL ST-85 integrated amp
 7,500  Vandersteen Treo CT speakers
 3,100  Rogue Audio Ares phono preamp w/Magnum upgrade
 3,000  Rega RP-3 w/RP-1000 tonearm, other tweaks
 1,800  Rega Apheta 2 cart
 2,000  exaSound e12 DAC
 1,200  homebuilt PC renderer
=========
23,600 total, which puts the speakers at 31% of the cost. If you omit the DAC and renderer, the total cost is 20,400, of which the speakers amount to 36% of the total. Of course there are lot interconnects, power cords, conditioners and linear power supplies omitted from this list.

I'm happy with the result. 
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