2. misc-audio
  3. 123225-40

Is it all worth it?

So this week I re-foamed a pair of Boston Acoustics a40 series ii speakers I bought 30 years ago for not very much at all by audiophile standards. Put them in my 12x12 sunroom running of my main system which has very good source and amplification and these things are blowing me away. You could find a pair online or at your local thrift shop for around $50. Why bother spending the big bucks?   Really makes one think.
128x128mapman
reubent
6,936 posts
 

mapman,

It makes me happy that you are enjoying your "free" speakers.

I've had a somewhat similar experience. I was in a resale shop a year or so ago and the owner was playing FM radio through a pair of Infinity Qa speakers that he had priced at $79. It sounded GREAT! I didn't buy them that day but keep thinking about them. Went back a few weeks later and they were long gone, but it started me on the hunt for a pair of classic Infinitys. I ended up buying a pair of Infinity Qbs for $117 and they got me back into quality sound after taking about 7 years off from the hobby. They do a lot of things right and it makes me smile knowing they cost a fraction of my last 5-10 pair of speakers.

Since then I found a pair of nicely rehab'd Infinity RS 1.5's for $250 and they are even better with incredible bottom end for a large bookshelf speaker and , of course, that wonderfully smooth and extended EMIT tweeter.

I've stopped looking at expensive speakers, but I do keep my eyes open for vintage Infinity speaker up the line from my RS 1.5s.

Enjoy the music brother, in your sunroom and everywhere else.

uncledemp
706 posts
 
I read an article awhile back stating at some point technology will be so powerful and change so rapidly that a human will be forced to enhance it’s body in order to take full advantage and compete.Meaning become part machine, or a cyborg.

Wonder if music will advance to a point that an imperfect wooden instrument will be replaced with a machine? Or a human voice will be deemed imperfect in it’s natural form?

As much as I love the useful advancements in medicine and technology making our lives easier, I hope we don’t think our way into extinction.

I’m off to microwave some dinner...

gary

coli
291 posts
 
Yeah, I'm in the process of selling all my "high-end" equipment.
rooze's avatar
rooze
566 posts
 
After 35+ years in the hobby and endless cycles of buy...buy...buy...then dump it all, I've finally come to understand how my mind works in this regard. The more money you spend the higher the level of expectation. Beyond a certain financial point, one arrives at a system where it isn't the music drawing the focus of attention during a listening session, it's the equipment. At that point the battle is lost and it's time to start over. 
When I sit in the little TV room listening to my secondary rig, it's all about the music. I wish I could just be satisfied at that level but my OCD won't allow it.
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
My salvation came in the form of variety. When a person is endlessly pursuing "the One," it's a good clue that they won't find it. Very likely there is an insatiable drive to hear something different, no matter how good the rig. Buying and dumping won't address the need. The need is to enjoy the variety and gear as much as the music, and there is nothing wrong with that. It's a fabulous way to enjoy the hobby. 

The solution is simple; divvy up the budget to get the best components or speakers to express variety, and watch how satisfaction blossoms. Bored? Simply change some cables, a component or speakers. If one has the space and the means but is not willing to spend the money on this, then there is no justification for complaint, especially when at all price levels this diversification can happen, even with inexpensive speakers such as the A40. 

For instance, something as simple as having a pair of more affordable panel speakers on hand to swap out with the main speakers can keep much of the OCD-like dissatisfaction away.  Or, if on a severely restricted budget, find several garage sale or thrift store speakers and rotate them. The variety of experience is lovely, and it doesn't need to be costly. 
More to discover