are all amps equal

TVAD is an audio god!!!

well, this is all very interesting and food for thought, and not that it matters in this discussion, but I do have an
8 inch Velodyne (130 watts). I sometimes use it with the Ushers, even though it only goes down 40 hz,it does add to the fullness of the sound. My room is about 12 by 15 so the combination fills the room very well.... Thanks for all the info....

Keslerd - Do you think it adds extension, definition, amplitude, punch or all of the above?

03-28-09: Kijanki
As for the lack of correlation between price and quality - are you saying there is none and everything is just random?

I am saying price does not necessarily equal quality nor lack of quality.

Can one purchase $1k speaker as good as $50k speaker?

That example is a bit extreme, but I'd say one can purchase $3000-$4000 (retail) speakers that will outperform $10,000+ speakers depending on the brands/models being discussed.

If you're willing to buy used, then you can cut the cost in half.

There's plenty of expensive junk on the market, IMO.

I think you'll both agree that providing bass that is
simultaneously clean, undistorted, deep, and high in volume, requires big
drivers (at least 10-12 inches, or else equivalent multiple smaller drivers),
which means bigger cabinets, and both the larger drivers and the larger
cabinets tend to result in higher cost if quality is not sacrificed.

Regards,
-- Al
Almarg (Answers)

On absolute terms, yes.

However, much depends on how big the gnat's ass is that one wants to
examine.

If one's primary concern is lack of bass distortion, and one does not have the
room to accommodate speakers with large bass drivers, then definitely
choose semi-full range monitors and sacrifice the full musical experience.

If one's primary goal is the full musical experience, then one may have to
sacrifice a little in bass definition and clarity. But again, it's dependent on the
size of the gnat's ass one is examining.

I know where my preference lies. I'd rather enjoy the full musical experience
and sacrifice some clarity (but I don't think I sacrifice much clarity or
definition, so the point is moot for me).

The above mentioned speakers from Vandersteen, Von Schweikert, plus
Emerald Physics, Coincident, Audiokinesis, Merlin and Devore will provide the
full musical experience (or darned close to it) without much sacrifice, if any.