Which side are you on?
Premium speaker parts are a waste of money, at least according to Hi-Fi reviewer Andrew Robinson.
It’s a bold statement and one that Danny Richie, the owner of GR-Research, couldn’t leave unanswered.
This led many to question: do high-end parts and upgrades justify their cost, or are we just paying for marketing hype?
Let’s examine both perspectives.
A Reviewer’s Case Against Premium Parts and Upgrades
Robinson’s stance is rooted in his evidence-based approach to audio. He argues that, as long as measurements show a speaker performs well, its internal parts become largely irrelevant.
To him, differences in component materials are often a marketing ploy.
“In 2024, I think new technologies… have brought us to a point where, while like beryllium is really great, or diamond is really great, you can still have a silk dome tweeter that performs as well, if not equal or better than beryllium, diamond, or an aluminum dome, blah blah blah.” he claims.
“And the same would be true of woofers. It’s really going to come down to what this speaker designer wants to use. And, I’m afraid to say probably also what kind of budget they’re being forced to design within.”
But, beyond material choices, Robinson also takes issue with the practice of speaker upgrades.
If a product is well-designed initially, he maintains that modifications shouldn’t be necessary.
“The amount of people that are like, “Oh, you just fixed the crossover, and it does that.” It’s like, then don’t buy that speaker in the first place.” he insists.
“ Go buy something that’s already in line with what you want because you’re not going to be chasing your purchase with more money, with more money.”
The criticism particularly focuses on smaller companies in the industry. When asked about the root of the issue, Robinson responds:
This skepticism extends to what Robinson describes as the “tweaker mentality” in the audiophile community. He believes some companies capitalize on this mindset by selling expensive upgrade kits that offer minor improvements.
From his view, the issue stems from industry efforts to profit from unnecessary fixes rather than actual product flaws.
A Manufacturer’s Defense of Quality Parts and Upgrades
GR Research’s Danny Richie responded to these criticisms with a 41-minute video. His defense centers on three main points: measurable differences, component quality, and business practices.
To demonstrate his technical argument, Richie uses his NX Studio Monitor as an example.
He presents three different crossovers with identical electrical values but varying part qualities.
According to his demonstration, each crossover produces distinct sound characteristics: one creates an expansive soundstage, another sounds more closed-in, and the third appears “dull, flat, and lifeless.”
“Why? How can that be if it measures the same? The parts inside the speaker have a lot to do with it. Everything in the signal path, from the amplifier to the speaker cables, affects the signal.” he explains.
“A lot of the signal is degraded by cheesy parts in the signal path, like ferrite materials on the binding posts, PVC jacketing on the wire, push-on connectors made of tin, and so on.”
Richie also addressed Robinson’s criticism of boutique stores’ business model. For this, he challenges the notion that boutique manufacturers exploit customers through unnecessary upgrades. And, he used market forces to validate his approach and back him up.
“Most of the time, when speakers come in, there are serious engineering issues. There are usually problems that need to be addressed.” he says.
“You can see that if it didn’t make a difference if it was just a sideways move or wasted money, we wouldn’t be in this business very long, not with the way things work today. We’d be out of business if it didn’t deliver what we said it would.”
So, Which Side Should You Take?
Ultimately, the debate boils down to cost and priorities.
Let’s discuss both points:
Is upgrading a bad investment?
On Robinson’s side, the logic is simple: upgrading often costs more than buying a better speaker in the first place.
For example, a GR Research upgrade kit for a $399 pair of Elac Debut speakers costs $579, as noted by Scientific Audiophile (who also released a video about the issue).
This price point supports Robinson’s argument that the combined cost could purchase a higher-end speaker directly from a manufacturer, which could meet the desired performance standards without modifications.
His advice? Avoid buying speakers you don’t like initially, and don’t fall into the trap of chasing improvements with costly upgrades.
Richie, on the other hand, doesn’t deny the higher costs for upgrades. But, he maintains that these upgrades provide value for users seeking specific sound improvements, so it’s basically ‘worth it’.
He even extended an invitation to Robinson and other reviewers to experience these differences firsthand at GR Research.
The decision between these approaches often depends on individual priorities:
Factory-Original Approach:
- Consistent, predictable performance
- Manufacturer warranty coverage
- Lower initial investment
- Simplified purchasing decision
Upgrade Path:
- Potential for customized sound
- Opportunity for hands-on involvement
- Learning experience for enthusiasts
- Ability to modify existing equipment
Basically, the choice between Robinson’s “buy right, buy once” philosophy and Richie’s approach to refining audio gear depends on your personal goals.
For casual listeners, the differences Richie demonstrates might not justify the additional investment. However, critical listeners and audiophiles might find value (and joy) in the ability to fine-tune their systems.
Do parts really not matter in sound quality?
When it comes to Robinson’s claim that what the parts used are doesn’t matter if the speakers eventually just sound the same, we can take it with a grain of salt.
Yes, at first, cheaper materials may be refined to sound the same as premium ones. But, the same cannot be said when it comes to durability, reliability, and consistency.
As Scientific Audiophile shared:
“I’ve seen the glue around drivers dry out and fall apart, crossovers blow, and cabinets come apart. You don’t want a $2,500 pair of speakers to fail after five years. That’s on the reliability front.
Consistency is about manufacturing tolerances. Cheaper parts have less quality control. Just because someone measures a speaker and it sounds good and measures well, when you buy that speaker, will it measure the same?”
So, while cheaper parts can achieve comparable sound initially, they may not stand the test of time or ensure consistent quality between different units of the same model.
Definitely ignore anything GR Research says. Snake oil salesman.