[robwm]

Hi,

Considering the Bully electronics cost $2675, how much would you have to spend on commercially built speakers to get the same cost in parts? I think Danny did a video once where he said after all of the R&D and cabinet building of a $500 speaker, it would only have maybe $90 invested in the electronics. How much would you have to spend on a pair of speakers to get $2675 worth of electronics installed?

Thank you!

Rob

[Hobbsmeerkat]

As far as "retail" speaker pricing is concerned, expect to have to pay in the range of 4-5x for equivalent level of components, all else being equal.
But realistically likely more than that, as most manufacturers will gladly cut costs on the crossover for a nicer looking cabinet.

[seikosha]

Hi,

Considering the Bully electronics cost $2675, how much would you have to spend on commercially built speakers to get the same cost in parts? I think Danny did a video once where he said after all of the R&D and cabinet building of a $500 speaker, it would only have maybe $90 invested in the electronics. How much would you have to spend on a pair of speakers to get $2675 worth of electronics installed?

Thank you!

Rob

For me the concern would be how much to spend to achieve identical or better sound & measurements.  Who cares what the parts cost if it doesn’t measure and sound as well right?

[Hobbsmeerkat]

For me the concern would be how much to spend to achieve identical or better measurements.  Who cares what the parts cost if it doesn’t measure as well right?

You can make a speaker measures well using dirt-cheap crossover parts, that's not difficult to do, but you're going to be leaving finer details and soundstage performance (layering & image separation) on the table.

So I think the question being asked is really more "how much do you have to spend to get a speaker that measures well AND uses high-quality components."

[Tyson]

IME it’s anywhere from 5X to 10X parts cost for final price.  Except in the very high end where it is closer to 20X. 

[seikosha]

You can make a speaker measures well using dirt-cheap crossover parts, that's not difficult to do, but you're going to be leaving finer details and soundstage performance (layering & image separation) on the table.

So I think the question being asked is really more "how much do you have to spend to get a speaker that measures well AND uses high-quality components."

100% agree, but really my main interest is how it sounds.  After all, if you have two identically priced speakers, you are going to pick the one that sounds best, even if it does use less expensive parts.

[Tyson]

100% agree, but really my main interest is how it sounds.  After all, if you have two identically priced speakers, you are going to pick the one that sounds best, even if it does use less expensive parts.

Agreed, it's necessary to have a great design first.  Once you have a great design in place, then it makes sense to start using premium quality parts.

[BrandonB]

You also have to remember you can upgrade the parts from what's in the kit if you want.  You can put Deuland, Path etc.  You can hotrod these kits as much as you want.  You can do that with any speaker I suppose but I don't even have a clue of what speakers come standard with these parts and I imagine the price would be astronomical. 

[Danny Richie]

To get that level of parts quality you may need to look at speaker 10 to 20 times the cost of the Bully kit, and you still may not be able to match the performance.

The Bully is also really unique. I know of no other speaker that has 94db sensitivity and plays flat to 20Hz. Nothing really does that.

[seikosha]

The Bully is also really unique. I know of no other speaker that has 94db sensitivity and plays flat to 20Hz. Nothing really does that.

I’m sure Tekton has a bunch of speakers that would make or even exceed that claim but then well….who knows! 

[Danny Richie]

I’m sure Tekton has a bunch of speakers that would make or even exceed that claim but then well….who knows! 

I have upgraded a few of them. The parts used are not top level. They are more entry level to mid-fi level.

[tomlinmgt]

I have upgraded a few of them. The parts used are not top level. They are more entry level to mid-fi level.

I assume you're referring to their baseline crossover since most (maybe all?) of their models offer upgraded crossovers. I'll at least give Tekton (or any other manufacturer who does) credit for offering upgraded networks since with most manufacturers you don't have that choice/option...which has obviously worked in your favor, Danny. 

Michael