What’s the Sweet Spot price point wise in your audio journey?

@jijoh123 I wholly agree with you, but that is not to say the guy with a $500K system is not also doing all those other things?  And more?  To be clear, I'm not that guy. 🤣

My income , my experience of finding slightly used components allow me to spend 25 to 30k used but will perform close to 70k maybe more. This is what I have experienced at Axpona.At Axpona I have heard 50k system sound better those 100k. If you really know where to get used gear you will be able to put up a good system between 10  to 15k maybe even less.i have 3 systems . My main system is worth 60k new. Used and new combo around 45k second system probably again it combo of used and new 20k. My third system  10k new and used combo. My second system will give my main system run for the money I spend. My third system is also very good Calvinj I believe sweet spot depends on your income, experience.My third system were my amp, preamp, cables , dac, tt , that I have accumulated over the years, and I refused to sell them. I have kept 98% of all my cables.

Price has nothing to do with reaching  the "minimal acoustical satisfaction threshold" .

Price is related to your budget limits and needs  more than to the "minimal acoustical satisfaction threshold"...

I needed and enjoy  now a desktop system for nearfield listening  after i loose my acoustical dedicated room...

I own a top headphone too which sold for peanuts...

 When optimized these two systems makes preposterous any envious  desire to invest in very costly system...

My actual  speakers system could be upgraded not because it does present displeasing limits, it did not when optimized, but anything can be improved with money...

I dont know and i doubt it  if any headphone , be it the K1000, . Mysphere, or Raal can beat my k340 of ALL acoustics count...Then if i had the budget i would upgrade my satisfying speakers+sub for another set around 2,000 bucks (my actual set is peanuts and very good optimized).

I already had with my K340 a top system which cannot be beat easily ...

There is no sweet spot for all...

Too much different budget limits...

Too much different concrete  needs..

Too much different knowledge level about acoustical,electrical and mechanical optimization and too much "tweaks" adding to this and DSP on top...

Too much different designs quality levels  at all price...

Who knew how to optimize the K340 by the way if you read the few negative reviews of it  ? (almost no one)

"my" sweet spot then  is my actual  1000 bucks for all my pieces...

Beat me soundwise....Good luck...

The ratio S.Q./ price only makes sense... there is no sweet spot cost  without basic knowledge...

My daughter has a end game sounding rig for 5k, might surprise even some very nitpicky guys. But, one can keep buying different things at various pricepoints to satisfy his curiosities, depending on the size of his/her wallet, of course.

There is no sweetspot... things may sound good or bad at different prices.

a) Don't be a loser grumbling/whining about guys buying things you can't afford.

b) Don't be a jackass looking down on dudes who can't buy certain things.

Plenty of a's and b's around.....

Otherwise, it should all be fine....

For me the sweet spot is about $20K per component and $30K+ for speakers. It is the sweet spot for me, since it is the level I could afford during my last upgrade.

When you get into high end gear... there tend to be levels of products. Like $12K, $20K, $50K. Also, to make a meaningful upgrade I find 2x is the minimum to make the result strike me, "Wow, that is amazing" and feel it is well worth it. So, if I can afford it in about five years of so my next upgrade would be to the $50K level. But I am very happy at this level if I can’t upgrade. This system definitely hits my "minimum acoustic quality for satisfaction" . Typically, I am really happy for around ten years at a level before I start thinking maybe I should consider leveling up.