3 ms·

i dunno, that doesn't seem so bad compared to an i.e. sports car collection.

sagarm 4y ago
This is exactly how I justify my relatively inexpensive hobbies! I guess I shouldn't be surprised I'm not the only one...
JohnBooty 4y ago
You can also put together a really nice hifi system for a lot less than that. Assuming you're using digital sources... roughly $500 for a decent 2.0 setup, $1000 for a nice 2.1 setup, and $1500 for a nice 2.2 setup. Less if you have the ability and knowhow to shop the used market, although the used audio market for speakers and subwoofers is kind of a pain because shipping costs effectively limit you to local pickups. At that point you're comparing pretty favorably to a lot of things. Like a single generation of gaming on a specific console. And audio systems don't really become obsolete. They'll sound good for decades. Until capacitors leak and need to be replaced, same as any electronics. The $10K system will be a cut above (assuming you've chosen well - it's certainly possible to spend $10K and wind up with something mediocre) but the vague price range I mention above it IMHO where you start hitting diminishing returns.
- govg 4y ago
  What would you suggest for the start of the range you mention? I have been quite happy with my Edifier 1280's and they were just 120 bucks. They get plenty loud and detailed and visitors always appreciate them. I do have a DAC /Amp and few open backs / IEMs but never really bothered with speakers since you can really only get the one.
  - JohnBooty 4y ago
    I'll defer to Wirecutter here as they have always done a good job in my experience! Note that some of those bookshelf speakers will require a separate amp. https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-bookshelf-speakers/ https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-bookshelf-sp... https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-computer-speakers/ https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-computer-spe... I'll also be a bit heretical here and suggest that EQ is important. Either in software, or with something like: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-computer-speakers/ https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-computer-spe... However... if you're happy with your current speakers, perhaps there's no reason to upgrade! A lot of the choices I've linked to above will come with an increase in size and/or complexity. And I think those Edifiers are pretty well regarded in general.
    - brandall10 4y ago
      While better than typical hifi rags, wirecutter and the like are still entirely subjectivist and rather off the mark more often than most. My point above was to lead by measurements of some sort, and places like Audio Science Review and Erin's Audio Corner provide just that. EQ is absolutely important for the vast majority of systems. But use proper PEQ that has been derived from measurements and don't just wing it by ear. Just as important in most environments is using some sort of room correction (and preferably room treatments).
      - JohnBooty 4y ago
        I agree with everything you said. Sometimes I do just send newcomers to Wirecutter if it seems like they're just looking for a recommendation (along with some lite foundational knowledge) rather than looking to really get their hands dirty with the hobby. It may or may not be the right call. But thanks to you they've got a couple of paths from which they can now choose.
  - brandall10 4y ago
    I'd ignore any reviews that don't provide a host of measurements. Even well intentioned subjectivist sites get it wrong more often than right. Go here, click on speakers, sort by price, and follow the preference score (generally around 5+ is an excellent speaker on the low end), then read specific reviews for more detail about their strengths/weaknesses: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?pages/Reviews/ https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?pages/Rev... There are a handful of brands, while not cheap, that provide excellent value as up/down their lines they are nearly infallible, such as Genelec, Revel, and Neumann. There are also some that are usually excellent such as Kef.
- brandall10 4y ago
  The vast majority of systems, both low and high, are pretty poor. The $10K systems I reference really are about just top of the heap and provide excellent value based on raw performance. One may not need that level of perfection and power, but they're objectively that amazing. Things like the Genelec 8361A: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/genelec-8361a-review-powered-monitor.28039/ https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/g... Or the Dutch and Dutch 8C: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/dutch-dutch-8c-review.21016/ https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/d... That said, agreed you can put together nice systems for not much. There are systems for just a few hundred dollars that perform well, at least for nearfield/small room situations.

This is exactly how I justify my relatively inexpensive hobbies! I guess I shouldn't be surprised I'm not the only one...

JohnBooty 4y ago

You can also put together a really nice hifi system for a lot less than that. Assuming you're using digital sources... roughly $500 for a decent 2.0 setup, $1000 for a nice 2.1 setup, and $1500 for a nice 2.2 setup. Less if you have the ability and knowhow to shop the used market, although the used audio market for speakers and subwoofers is kind of a pain because shipping costs effectively limit you to local pickups. At that point you're comparing pretty favorably to a lot of things. Like a single generation of gaming on a specific console. And audio systems don't really become obsolete. They'll sound good for decades. Until capacitors leak and need to be replaced, same as any electronics. The $10K system will be a cut above (assuming you've chosen well - it's certainly possible to spend $10K and wind up with something mediocre) but the vague price range I mention above it IMHO where you start hitting diminishing returns.

govg 4y ago
What would you suggest for the start of the range you mention? I have been quite happy with my Edifier 1280's and they were just 120 bucks. They get plenty loud and detailed and visitors always appreciate them. I do have a DAC /Amp and few open backs / IEMs but never really bothered with speakers since you can really only get the one.
- JohnBooty 4y ago
  I'll defer to Wirecutter here as they have always done a good job in my experience! Note that some of those bookshelf speakers will require a separate amp. https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-bookshelf-speakers/ https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-bookshelf-sp... https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-computer-speakers/ https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-computer-spe... I'll also be a bit heretical here and suggest that EQ is important. Either in software, or with something like: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-computer-speakers/ https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-computer-spe... However... if you're happy with your current speakers, perhaps there's no reason to upgrade! A lot of the choices I've linked to above will come with an increase in size and/or complexity. And I think those Edifiers are pretty well regarded in general.
  - brandall10 4y ago
    While better than typical hifi rags, wirecutter and the like are still entirely subjectivist and rather off the mark more often than most. My point above was to lead by measurements of some sort, and places like Audio Science Review and Erin's Audio Corner provide just that. EQ is absolutely important for the vast majority of systems. But use proper PEQ that has been derived from measurements and don't just wing it by ear. Just as important in most environments is using some sort of room correction (and preferably room treatments).
    - JohnBooty 4y ago
      I agree with everything you said. Sometimes I do just send newcomers to Wirecutter if it seems like they're just looking for a recommendation (along with some lite foundational knowledge) rather than looking to really get their hands dirty with the hobby. It may or may not be the right call. But thanks to you they've got a couple of paths from which they can now choose.
- brandall10 4y ago
  I'd ignore any reviews that don't provide a host of measurements. Even well intentioned subjectivist sites get it wrong more often than right. Go here, click on speakers, sort by price, and follow the preference score (generally around 5+ is an excellent speaker on the low end), then read specific reviews for more detail about their strengths/weaknesses: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?pages/Reviews/ https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?pages/Rev... There are a handful of brands, while not cheap, that provide excellent value as up/down their lines they are nearly infallible, such as Genelec, Revel, and Neumann. There are also some that are usually excellent such as Kef.
brandall10 4y ago
The vast majority of systems, both low and high, are pretty poor. The $10K systems I reference really are about just top of the heap and provide excellent value based on raw performance. One may not need that level of perfection and power, but they're objectively that amazing. Things like the Genelec 8361A: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/genelec-8361a-review-powered-monitor.28039/ https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/g... Or the Dutch and Dutch 8C: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/dutch-dutch-8c-review.21016/ https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/d... That said, agreed you can put together nice systems for not much. There are systems for just a few hundred dollars that perform well, at least for nearfield/small room situations.