So your comment about a $700 receiver and $300 speakers seems a bit of a puzzler. There is a price point that you simply cannot drop below without having to take a serious sacrifice in quality and or functionality. Sorry, but a new $300 speaker that sounds good doesn't exist. Even the M2 speaker is $600.
Think we are in agreement on the speaker part of this example (at least for new speakers).
The example is making a few points:
1) someone starting this hobby with a $1000 in their pocket needs to make compromises.
2) that at this price point the receiver will sound fine, maybe not up to your standards, but very listenable.
3) that the difference sound wise between a $300 receiver and a $700 receiver is most likely very small (at least for anything halfway main-stream).
4) that the difference sound wise between a $300 speakers and a well selected $700 speakers is probably large.
Now think about someone starting out and how they might distribute their funds. Many will fall into buying the “better” 110 watt receiver. That’s the way marketing works … for only $50 more I can get X and for only $50 more than that I’d get X+. Leaving less for what matters. Either way, $700 speakers or $300 speakers, the speakers are most likely, IMO, the main limitation in a $1000 system.
Your point about front ends being the main place to upgrade comes much later down the upgrade path. The people who get there spent time and energy listening for the differences and care enough to spend money to get there. This is a much smaller group then the average person who feels they have a great stereo. You made that point above: your freind who thought he had a great system really wasn’t listening … he was just enjoying till you opened up his eyes (ears?) … definitely a thanks a lot moment
