How do you determine how much to spend on speakers

Hello!

This post is nearly 10 years old but the topic continues.

I strongly recommend the source components be where the most emphasis should be put.

Try to make purchases which have lasting, classic value.

In a digital world the music starts with the d/A converters and their power supplies. Today very compelling and beautiful music can come from a universal disc player.

For example, oppo 95, plus a pre-amp e.g. Proceed avp2(used but classic) could be had for $2500.

A citation 7.1 power amp (used) sells for about $800. Also musical fidelity has a good one which sells for about the same price. 3.2CR.

Spend $500 on competent used interconnects e.g. Card as neutral reference or similar. Supra speaker cable buy in bulk with good terminations.

For speakers buy NHT super zero XU for under $200 new.

You will have spent $4000.

Put the remaining $1000 in your mouth and pray for lock-jaw and continue your search for speakers. In two decades the change will be new speakers.

For speakers buy NHT super zero XU for under $200.

I just happened by here and wanted to reply to Appasionata. You seem to really like NHT. I had several of their models from 1998-2008, including the pair of super zeros from the late 1990s. If you like those, try the NHT classic 2s, which can be picked up used. I even have a pair I don't use. They aren't expensive by any means. And I guarantee you the Classic 2s are much, much better than the late 1990s Super Zeros.

Buy used, spend 1/2 on speakers

Speakers are the last item on the musical chain; however, the golden rule "garbage in and garbage out" is absolutely correct.
You cannot correct anything wrong to begin with.
For the last 30 years, I have listen to system sometimes cost more than a house (over 300,000) and sound like you want to it off in less than 15 minutes. At other times, I can listen to a system with no more than $5,000 altogether and enjoy every minute of it.
TRUST YOUR EARS, a system is a combination of all the components and if you want to listen to it for more and more; no listener fatigue and that is a good system.
Something happens to the allotment of the speakers.
Think about a system with a 100,000 speakers yet hook up to a $200 receiver; will you say this is a good system?
Go figure.

I didn't read this whole thread because I'm not a masochist. But I read Robert Harley's book and he advised spending 50% on speakers. I found myself unable to do that, because the speakers I liked didn't cost that much money, and my analog and digital front ends both ended up costing in the ballpark of my speakers. If I were to look at my current system breakdown, speakers have ended up being about 20-25% of total system cost. I would imagine a number of people shoot for 50%, but end up in a similar situation when they find that they don't want to shortchange the good equipment in their systems with bad equipment. I agree with Robertwolfee and others who have said this: "trust your ears." And don't spend more than you can comfortably afford at any given time.