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+---- Thread: IS THE BEST EQUIPMENT WORTH THE INVESTMENT ? (/Thread-IS-THE-BEST-EQUIPMENT-WORTH-THE-INVESTMENT)
IS THE BEST EQUIPMENT WORTH THE INVESTMENT ? - Chello - 05-07-2026
IS THE BEST EQUIPMENT WORTH THE INVESTMENT ?
Let's start with cables that are more expensive than the devices:
To have any chance of hearing a difference between very expensive cables, you need to have similar devices.
I have very good devices, but still can't hear a difference between expensive cables; except for cables that are well shielded, which give less noise, but no difference in sound quality.
But cables CAN make audible differences:
Try connecting the speakers with a ground cable versus normal cables, and hear the difference, even with bad devices..!
A ground cable gives TERRIBLE sound.
Mp3 versus Wave:
I have no problem hearing a difference between these, but if the base recording is very bad, it can be very difficult to hear any difference - the better the recording, the bigger and clearer the difference.
Crossover components affect the sound perhaps more than anything else, and I can clearly hear the difference between bad and good coils and capacitors, for example.
One thing is very important to be aware of, and that is that no chain is stronger than its weakest link.
If, for example, you have very good devices and connect one that is not so good, you will hear this immediately and mercilessly.
Another and often forgotten thing is that all devices must match each other sonically; they should have approximately the same sound signature.
I was reminded of this when I replaced my MBL preamp with FM Acoustics, which resulted in a formidable improvement in the entire sound image, including the subbass content.
And last but not least, my JBL horns became quite ordinary without the foil membranes; the perspective was destroyed, and the dynamics disappeared.
When I build speakers, I test different units to find one with the same signature (tone color) as the others, and avoid making complex crossovers; preferably just a capacitor/coil.
This is the best way; to choose the most suitable unit that does not require any adjustments.
My new mini horns project that I will soon start are thus a game of chance, because I only have minimal data to base the choice of unit on, and do not know its sound signature until I have tested it.
These units also cost a bit; about $250, but would have cost many times more in Norway purchased from a regular dealer.
But work like this is what I like best, because it is incredibly rewarding when you succeed, and I happily spend money to achieve this goal, because I control all the processes myself.
I prefer to develop and make things myself.
RE: IS THE BEST EQUIPMENT WORTH THE INVESTMENT ? - Graham UK - 05-07-2026
IS THE BEST EQUIPMENT WORTH THE INVESTMENT ?
Largely dependent on the quality of one's hearing but usually higher priced equipment provides diminishing returns.
A manufacturer has a set profit margin to meet and this is the initial standard base selling price point after costings.
Discussions are made how much more would a customer be willing to pay compared against similar products from the competition.
This higher price provides more profit margin but also enables the selling price to be lowered if the product does not meet its sales expectations and still leaves the manufacturer with his basic set profit.
RE: IS THE BEST EQUIPMENT WORTH THE INVESTMENT ? - Chello - 05-07-2026
(05-07-2026, 11:02 AM)Graham UK Wrote: IS THE BEST EQUIPMENT WORTH THE INVESTMENT ?
Largely dependent on the quality of one's hearing but usually higher priced equipment provides diminishing returns.
A manufacturer has a set profit margin to meet and this is the initial standard base selling price point after costings.
Discussions are made how much more would a customer be willing to pay compared against similar products from the competition.
This higher price provides more profit margin but also enables the selling price to be lowered if the product does not meet its sales expectations and still leaves the manufacturer with his basic set profit.
⚅Graham
Thanks for your informative info from the manufacturers' perspective.
This is something we users also need to have some understanding of; after all, it often costs large sums to develop a product, and the manufacturer must try to set a price that covers the costs and provides the necessary profit.
State of the Art products give rather poor returns, but are to a certain extent necessary to establish a place in the market, and constitute a difficult calculation.
Sometimes things go completely wrong, as with the Norwegian Tandberg and their 3002 and 3003 amplifier sets.
One of the world's best amplifier sets, but it cost so much that the company almost went bankrupt, because the retail price was far too low, even though the sum was sky-high.
Another example is Technics, which had to discontinue the production of keyboards after developing the KN-7000 - the earnings were not in proportion to the costs of developing it.
A third is Mercedes, which was forced to focus on simpler and cheaper models that anyone could buy.
Unfortunately, only a few users are competent to evaluate State of the Art products, and the earnings lie in consumption; that is, cheaper products that the masses can acquire.
Korg Italy is perhaps in a similar situation due to the Pa5X.