most people are saying speakers to start out with should be biggest spend. I’m going to be the contrarian

I think decent amps are going to be your biggest bang for the buck. though good cheaper amps are becoming more accessible, I’m generally feeling like I’m lacking the power I want more than the quality of the speakers is the issue.

I’m also a contrarian to a lot of the opinions of audiophiles in that I like DSP and feel like you can make some decent improvements with DSP on less than ideal speakers if you have a decent amp and enough power.

but generally your speakers are going to be your weakest link, and the thing you’d want to upgrade, so if you can get to endgame amp fastest and then upgrade speakers over time that’s more worth it to me.

I’m also coming to the hobby as a speaker builder, so IMO i’d rather work with some cheaper drivers and build a good speaker than buy a set of speakers. Most of what you are paying for when it comes to speakers is the enclosure. If you look at some really high end speakers like in the 100k range that are classic “box” type speakers, you’ll find a lot of the time the actual speakers and components used in them are making up probably less than 10% of the value of the speakers and its more the design, fit and finish, exotic materials, and recouping R&D that makes up the expense. and at those price points you’re often getting into diminishing returns as far as clarity goes anyways.

It really depends a lot on what your goals are though, you can get some extremely detailed, professional quality powered studio monitors and then you’re messing up the whole “how much for an amp vs speakers” game

Rule of thumb: Spend as much as you can until you get an anxiety attack.

Obviously it’s more like this:

100% speakers
100% preamp/source/amp
100% cables, stereo bench, acoustics, etc

People say all kinds of things but in my decades-long experience, the best amp you can buy is always the right choice.

75% speakers
20% Dac, Amp, (+analog signal cable if needed)
4% Acoustics
1% Speaker wire.

Spiral upgrade system ™:

Start with the source, buy the best you can afford, then the best amp, then the best speakers. When done find the weakest link and upgrade again to the best you can afford.

Continue this process going forward.

The spiral provides maximum performance, the slowest upgrade path, saves you money and frustration.

Room treatment, research and add as needed.

Sounds about right assuming a reasonable budget. If you are low budget it takes at least a certain amount to get you reasonable components so they may take a larger percent of your budget. But even at say $3,000 you should be spending half on speakers. AND, when you get the bug to upgrade, consider upgrading your speakers first.

And don’t forget that you can gain a huge amount of improvement with room treatment.

Speakers, then receiver, then whatever else. Speakers first tho. To stretch a budget far, buy gently pre-owned. Except the sub,if you even go the 2.1 route. A lot of people abuse their sub.

Monoprice, Bluejeane or Mogami for cables… should be able to connect an entire system for about $100

Here is what I did:

• Speakers: Dynaudio Heritage Specials - $7,000
• Amplification: Exposure 3510 Pre/Pro - $4,500
• Rega Fono MM - $500
• Rega P3 50th Anniversary Turntable - $1,700
• iFi Zen One Signature DAC - $350
• WiiM Pro Streamer - $150
• Assorted cables from SVS and Amazon - -$400
• West Elm TV Console - $2,500

So total system outlay: $17,100.

• Speakers: 41 Percent
• Amps: 29 Percent
• Sources: 13 Percent
• Furniture and Accessories: 17 Percent

Of course now I’m also spending on Apple Music and Spotify and a whole lot on Vinyl. I haven’t had to spend much on room treatments because of the way the room is configured and our furniture and rugs and ceiling height. I consider this a pretty mid-Fi system and it sounds absolutely phenomenal. One day I’ll upgrade the DAC, maybe the streamer, and eventually my power system. The speakers I hope to use forever.