Unusual Speakers for the rich and famous

[NINaudio]

Above 2k this business is just nonsense. ok maybe 5k. but still it's just nonsense. Perhaps not, maybe it's just more artwork or wood working?

That point of diminishing returns is going to vary for everyone.

 

[John Parks]

That point of diminishing returns is going to vary for everyone.

Exactly. Yes, some (well most) of the speakers mentioned are stupidly expensive and are way beyond the point of excess coming from a middle class Joe like myself. On the other hand, the very best speakers I have ever heard (that I would actually contemplate buying) start at around $15-20K and topped out at $40-50K. Fortunately, I have not demoed Focal's super upper tier offerings and kind of don't want to - I really do not want to sell my kids for scientific experiments...

 

[highfigh]

Above 2k this business is just nonsense. ok maybe 5k. but still it's just nonsense. Perhaps not, maybe it's just more artwork or wood working?

Fine furniture is expensive- the wood used can be very pricey, might even be restricted by the Lacey Act, which prohibits selling/shipping certain species that have been placed on the 'protected', 'endangered' or procured illegally.

If they could find a way for exotic materials to improve the sound from speaker cabinets, it might be seen as a good reason for using them but the fact is, they don't. OTOH, I hope nobody makes bedliner the official cabinet covering material.

 

[TankTop5]

Fine furniture is expensive- the wood used can be very pricey, might even be restricted by the Lacey Act, which prohibits selling/shipping certain species that have been placed on the 'protected', 'endangered' or procured illegally.

If they could find a way for exotic materials to improve the sound from speaker cabinets, it might be seen as a good reason for using them but the fact is, they don't. OTOH, I hope nobody makes bedliner the official cabinet covering material.

I worked for a roofer who specialized in Eichler homes. That was his “patented” top secret roof for replacing tar and gravel, honestly it worked a heck of a lot better.

 

[Irvrobinson]

Above 2k this business is just nonsense. ok maybe 5k. but still it's just nonsense. Perhaps not, maybe it's just more artwork or wood working?

Wait a minute... your B&W 702S2s go for $5000/pair at Crutchfield:

Bowers & Wilkins 702 S2 (Rosenut)

Floor-standing speaker

www.crutchfield.com

And their performance leaves quite a bit to be desired:

Bowers & Wilkins 702 S2 loudspeaker Measurements

Sidebar 3: Measurements

www.stereophile.com

Perhaps you'd like to rethink that price target a bit.

 

[highfigh]

I worked for a roofer who specialized in Eichler homes. That was his “patented” top secret roof for replacing tar and gravel, honestly it worked a heck of a lot better.

We have a good number of homes in the Milwaukee area that look very similar and I would imagine they have the same problems with the flat roofs, other than the long Summers. We do, however, have hot stretches that make tar fail and roofs leak. Add the freeze/thaw cycles from Winter/Spring and you have a recipe for trouble.

Did his secret roof solution involve rubber membrane?

 

[TankTop5]

We have a good number of homes in the Milwaukee area that look very similar and I would imagine they have the same problems with the flat roofs, other than the long Summers. We do, however, have hot stretches that make tar fail and roofs leak. Add the freeze/thaw cycles from Winter/Spring and you have a recipe for trouble.

Did his secret roof solution involve rubber membrane?

Nope, a spray foam insulation layer and line x over the top.

 

[stalag2005]

What I have noted is that you don't need to spend huge amounts to get a good audiophile experience. If you can get 98-99% perfection, that last 1-2% is going to be extraordinarily expensive and unless specially designed for the space you just won't hear the last bit. And my review of my audition of bookshelf speakers looking for the replacements of my Martin Logan LX-16's says that money is not everything. A $900/pair speaker blew away by a lot in my hearing a $2K speaker. I am certain that the bling of the top end may hide a speaker that is awful in reproduction that is just not worth it. I just am not that expense is all type of guy.

Link to my thread and review.

Starting of thinking of replacing my Martin Logan LX-16's

After the speaker upgrades on my 7.1 system, the bookshelf speakers I have in my office are sounding for want of a better term "thin". As mentioned in the title, those are the speakers I am thinking of replacing. My budget with some wiggle (don't go crazy) is $2000 USD. Given this, if a...

forums.audioholics.com

 

[Eppie]

$93,000 for the Vivid Audio Giya G1 Spirit. Man, is that thing ugly.

 

[Verdinut]

$93,000 for the Vivid Audio Giya G1 Spirit. Man, is that thing ugly.

With that sh*tty color, it might be acceptable for a recreation room but not in a living room. Of course, if it provides an acceptable experience at first hearing.

 

[Pogre]

Woof. Lol.

 

[Trebdp83]

I think you can demo them at Whoville HiFi.

 

[shadyJ]

$93,000 for the Vivid Audio Giya G1 Spirit. Man, is that thing ugly.

The Vivid Audio Giyas are goofy looking, but they measure extremely well:
Soundstage Giya G2
Stereophile Giya G3
Stereophile Giya G1

For that kind of acoustic performance, I can forgive the looks.

 

[Eppie]

The Vivid Audio Giyas are goofy looking, but they measure extremely well:
Soundstage Giya G2
Stereophile Giya G3
Stereophile Giya G1

For that kind of acoustic performance, I can forgive the looks.

I did read one glowing review before posting, but sorry.... if I won the lottery they would be on the bottom of the wish list below Pogre's golden turds.

 

[Gmoney]

I did read one glowing review before posting, but sorry.... if I won the lottery they would be on the bottom of the wish list below Pogre's golden turds.

You could have these, i would.

 

[Verdinut]

How about this:

THE NAPOLEON

 

[lovinthehd]

How about this:View attachment 46889 THE NAPOLEON

Stuff of nightmares!

 

[Mark E. Long]

You could have these, i would.
View attachment 46888

I seen these reviewed long time ago to me they scream I need huge mono blocks that no one can lift and are delivered on small skids !

 

[Verdinut]

These are not really unusual, but you need money to buy them. They must be amazing. Several years ago, I heard some of their loudspeakers which were using specially designed Scan-Speak drivers. I was really impressed with their performance.

These use modules so you can add-on to build up the full enclosures:

Sonja XV Awarded Cost-No-Object Loudspeaker of the Year from HiFi+ - YG Acoustics

www.yg-acoustics.com

 

[Swerd]

All these expensive and ridiculous looking speakers proves yet again that very old adage…
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.