How much should I spend on my first system?

There’s no one “correct” dollar amount for starting out - the right budget depends on your space, priorities, listening habits and how far you want to take it. That said, here are some guidelines for a first system, and how to think about your budget so you don’t overspend (or underspend) and still get meaningful sound.

• If you’re on a modest budget, you can build a pretty good setup for around $3000. This will get you a decent pair of speakers and a basic amplifier with built-in streaming capabilities. 
• If you’re ready to invest more and want something “seriously better,”consider a budget of $10,000 - $15,000 for a much more open, dynamic system.  This will have larger, more powerful speakers, a higher quality amp and in some cases a separate streaming DAC.

How to decide your budget

Here are key questions and tips to guide your decision:

• What’s your listening space? A small bedroom needs far less power, fewer bass demands, and smaller speakers. A large lounge or open space may demand more gear (and hence more budget).
• What’s your goal? Is this just a step-up from your TV or Bluetooth speaker, or do you want “hi-fi” in the sense of detailed, immersive music listening?
• New vs used gear? Buying used can let you access better-tier components for the same budget - but carries trade-offs (warranty, wear, unknown history).