Why do folks spend more on electronics than on speakers?

After fifty years, in retrospect. One of my first and best sounding sets of speakers were Acoustat 2 + 2… loved them in the showroom. Brought them home… my system couldn’t even remotely power these things to sound good. So I brought home a 75 pound Yamaha behemoth amp… maxed the needles … could not power them. So I got rid of them and bought a brand new Threshold s500… took out a loan… $18,500 in today’s dollars. Then I couldn’t afford the speakers.

After that, speakers first, then optimize the electronics to support them. For a decade or so my speakers were down to 18% the total value when I had ribbon speakers (including subwoofers). But overall it has hit at 30% and the most expensive piece. They set the capability… I can’t imagine having a bunch of electronics and swapping speakers to get the right sound. Besides the technology of the boxes changes much faster.. so a set of speakers tend to stay in my system longer.

I now have Sonus Faber Amati Traditional and can’t image upgrading for at least ten years.

My speaker $600 only, and amplifiers is $13000,so  it is more than 21times and my system is really really good. I can listen 8 hours a day.

@runwell 

Ok, please reveal your system. This is fascinating. 

@ghdprentice

I purchased focal 905 from a local store, they are focal dealer but they will not continue to be the dealer, so they have demo one, sell to me with $600 Canadian Dollars.

power amplifier Audio research ref 75 se is also a demo one with $10800 Canadian dollars.

pre is  audio research ls 25 mk I , I bought many years ago with about $2000 US dollars. Please noted, it use tube 6922, not 6H30. I have listen a lot of 6h30 pres and I just don’t like it. With 6922 I use very old tube,and the sound is just fantastic.

@runwell

Thanks. I am a big fan of Audio Research and have owned various components over the last 40 years (you can see my current system under my UserID). The ARC75 is an incredible amp. I am thinking at this point being legendary.

It is amazing what great electronics can do for a set of speakers. But, you must ask the question ocationally, “I wonder what my system would sound like if I upgraded my speakers?” … like to Focal Aria or Kanta.