Comparing Spkrs at diff price points

[smjc99]

Comparing Spkrs

As an Analogy with Cars:
A BMW M3 can be compared to porsche Boster S or 911 in terms of performance but 911 being more expensive may have a slightly better build quality /materials/Prestige

Can the same be used when comparing Spkrs?
1) Should 802D at $12k/pair MSRP be compared only to $9K to $14 K/pair Spkrs with the same electronics?
2) can a $4-6k spkr outperform a $10K-$12k Spkr in most areas except in BAss ?

We were chatting in Cafe and one of my colleagues mentioned $5-$6k spkrs like Thie CS 2.4, Paradigm S8 may perform except in bass as well as $10-$12k Spkrs with similar electronics


What do you guys think? Assumption 1 above is true most of the time or Assumtpion 2 is also possible

For me if I spend $12K/pair spkr I may not agree with Assumption 2 just to make myself Happy with my purchase

[Audiophiliac]

My general rule of thumb in the A/V world is that you get what you pay for.....however, sometimes there are exceptions to this. But this is different for everyone. It is almost nonsense to ask someone else how a speaker sounds or how an amp sounds because no one hears exactly the same and no one like the same sounds. SO it is difficult to say that one speaker in better than another in the first place. It is 100% subjective.

That being said, I have personally heard speakers that I liked better than others that also cost less too. I have heard several $20k+ sets of speakers. One of them I wont name I absolutely could not stand to listen too. On the other side, the Wilson W/P 7 is one of my favorites. So I think when you are comparing speakers, dont look at the price tag. Or set a budget and only listen to speakers below that budget. Then pick the one that sounds best to you.

You might be surprised at what you find.

Here is my dilemma right now. Martin Logan Summit, Wilson Audio Sophia, Krell LAT-2000.....tough choice.

[RebelMan]

The best approach is to go listen to a variety of speakers with a variety of equipment. Once you have identified a combination of sound that appeals to you determine what the price is and use that as your guide. If the amount is more than you would like to pay you may need to make some compromises.

It's really not a trivial matter of picking a price point for speakers and mating them with similar electronics. Some (less expensive) combinations can yield far better results than other (more expensive) ones can. Case in point: I found a pair of Totem Forest's driven by a Bryston pre-amp and amp to sound much better than a pair of B&W 803S's paired with an Arcam FMJ pre-amp and amp (both used the same source). The latter combination required considerably more money but produced considerably less sonics.

[Clepto]

Also don't forget that as a general rule, as you climb the price point, the amplification requirements generally climb as well.

200wpc with one speaker might be over amplification, but on another pair of speakers that are more power hungry, in order to get the same sonic quality, you might require 500wpc.

[Audiophiliac]

I think the power requirement isnt so cut and dry. Some speakers sound amazing on 14W SET amps. Some sound better with 700W. Its all relative and again...listening to each speaker with each amp would be the best way for you to decide what you like. It can be a long tedious process, but worth it in the end.