Good thread but it raises the question
What's worse, snake oil marketing of tone controled, distortion inducing products such as the Zu's.
Or the on going craziness of the worthless products marketed and trumped on sites like WBF and CA. They as a rule have no effect on SQ either for the good or bad but get into delusional believer audiophiles pockets none the less.
There is much good news too.
Well designed, reasonably priced speakers in both passive and active versions from companies like Elac, JBL, HSU, Emotiva, many more. Same goes for electronics and sources. In today's market you can put together incredible sounding systems for the cost of a decent TV and NOT a fricken house.
The sad part is that there is not a media or marketing arm for the above gear or philosophy. The vast majority of whats out there will give occasional lip service to affordable gear but in the main are just more reflections of Stereophiles BS Recommended Components list. I put my discarded copies in the small free library of my community and wonder what some may think when they pick them up and purse the gear listed in the pages.
Fugeddaboudit