Technically speaking, speakers (or loudspeakers) are electronic systems that transmit sound by converting electronic signals into audible noises. In the modern world, the most common type of speaker is the dynamic speaker. These devices may be common today, but the invention was groundbreaking when Edward W. Kellogg and Chester W. Rice created the first one in 1925.
Before the dynamic speaker, Johann Philipp Reis attached an early speaker to his telephone in 1861. Amazingly, the creation was able to produce relatively clear and understandable sounds. Soon after, Horace Short was awarded the patent for a speaker powered by compressed air.
Despite so many variations, dynamic loudspeakers were the norm by the 1930s. The new world of loudspeakers made space for even more innovation, including improvements in sound quality during the mid-1950s.
Today, speakers are standard on everything from phones to laptops. Modern innovations give the latest speakers super high-quality sound and useful features like Bluetooth — but just because speakers are common doesn’t mean they’re always cheap. In fact, some speakers sell for millions of dollars.
These are the top eight most expensive speakers in the world.
- MasterStack12 Tower Speakers
- The Magico Ultimate Speakers
- The Infinite Grande Speakers
- WAMM Master Chronosonic Speaker
- Grand Enigma
- The Transmission Audio Ultimate
- The Moon Audio Titan Limited-Production Speaker Set
- Hart’s Audio Speakers in Gold
Brand: Barefoot Sound
Reason for Price: High-quality sound
Unique Feature: 4.5-way design
photo source: vintageking.com
Kicking off this list are the MasterStack12 Tower Speakers from Barefoot Sound — a massive pair of 4.5-way sound machines that go for more than $56,000.
According to Barefoot Sound, the company behind these expensive speakers, the MasterStack12 gets its price tag thanks to high-tech sound systems, and the 4.5-way design is just the start. These tower speakers also offer a system capable of mimicking a wide range of studio monitors so producers can get a better idea of how their music sounds in several unique environments.
Did you know?
Each MasterStack12 Tower weighs at least 280 pounds.
Brand: Magico
Reason for Price: Rare design
Unique Feature: Each speaker weighs 800 pounds
photo source: cnet.com
Coming in at number seven is the Ultimate speaker set from Magico. These sound machines offer a crazy-looking design that’s super eye-catching — and Magico makes you pay for it. Reports say the ultra-expensive speakers have a pre-tax price tag of $600,000!
Beyond their wild design, Magico’s Ultimate speakers feature impressive specs. The five-way system offers a 15-inch woofer, a 4,000-watt amplifier, and a footprint measuring nearly eight feet tall. Yeah, these speakers are massive.
Did you know?
If impressive specs aren’t enough for you, Magico made their Ultimate speakers even more special by limiting their production. It’s not clear exactly how many pairs are on the planet, but reports from 2013 say not a single dealer in the U.S. has these speakers on display.
Brand: Wisdom Audio
Reason for Price: Massive design with expensive materials
Unique Feature: High-tech sound reproduction
photo source: trendhunter.com
The Infinite Grande Speakers have a bold name and a bold price tag. For $700,000, you can own these insanely massive sound machines. How massive? The whole thing weighs 3,800 pounds and stands 13 feet tall. Yes, seriously.
According to reports, Wisdom Audio (the brand behind these expensive speakers) claims the Infinite Grande can produce “sound pressure levels in excess of 120 dB.” That’s loud, like really loud.
With speakers this big and powerful, it’s no surprise to see them compared to live concerts. As one tech reporter puts it, “the Infinite Grande closes the gap between mere hi-fi and the sound of the real thing.”
Would you buy this massive speaker system?
Did you know?
If $700,000 is a little pricey, check out Wisdom Audio’s “approachable” speakers which start at $10,000 per pair.
Brand: Wilson Audio
Reason for Price: High-tech design
Unique Feature: Extremely accurate sound reproduction
photo source: hiconsumption.com
These machines look like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, but there’s no fiction here. The ultra-expensive WAMM Master Chronosonic Speaker system offers a high-tech design with a high-budget price tag that’s all too real — be ready to drop $850,000 for the unique sound system.
With such a massive price tag, these speakers must offer something very unique… right? Well, the speakers’ look alone is pretty special. Wilson Audio’s designers crafted a seven-foot-tall machine capable of extremely accurate sound reproduction. That means the massive devices are really good at playing music with a high degree of accuracy and sound quality, so they should please even the pickiest audiophile.
Beyond their impressive sound quality and size, the WAMM Master Chronosonic Speaker system features a sleek and futuristic design based on the first speaker concept developed by Dave Wilson.
Did you know?
Dave Wilson is the leader of Wilson’s Audio.
Brand: Kharma
Reason for Price: One-of-a-kind design
Unique Feature: Massive size
photo source: cnet.com
The Grand Enigma speakers from Kharma are pretty impressive. It all starts with the imposing setup featuring a wall of audio equipment — each channel really looks more like a huge tower than a speaker system! Next up is an array of impressive tech that makes listening to music sound like a live concert — but don’t get too excited. Kharma only made one set of these expensive speakers!
Now if you’re really set on buying something from Kharma, you’re in luck. The brand may not offer the Grand Enigma speakers to the general public, but you can buy some speakers called Enigma Veyron 1D. Kharma doesn’t list the product’s price online though, so you’ll have to contact the company to see just how much cash you’ll need to spend.
Did you know?
Kharma has roots dating back to 1982, but the brand didn’t officially form until 1993.
Brand: Transmission Audio
Reason for Price: Size and features
Unique Feature: These speakers are nearly 40 feet wide
photo source: cnet.com
When most people think of speakers, they probably imagine relatively small devices that are built into phones or stand on desks. But what if you wanted something a little bigger? Ok, a lot bigger? That’s where the Transmission Audio Ultimate speakers come in. The massive audio setup measures nearly 40 feet wide — yes, 40 feet.
With such a massive footprint, these speakers have a massive price tag. Just one channel costs $1 million, so a two-channel setup will make your wallet $2 million lighter (plus tax).
If you’re wondering why these speakers cost $1 million each, you’re not alone. One tech reporter even pointed out how unlikely it would be if the devices were actually worth so much money by saying “Ever drive a Ferrari? Was it really that much faster than a Corvette?”
Maybe $1 million per speaker is a little too much.
Did you know?
These huge speakers feature 24 eight-inch woofers, 40 15-inch subwoofers, and massive arrays of ribbon tweeters.
Brand: Moon Audio
Reason for Price: Expensive materials and limited availability
Unique Feature: These speakers are signed by the designer
photo source: cnet.com
These limited-production speakers were made by Moon Audio. According to the brand, the expensive design was made to outperform “any” speaker on the planet — which is a pretty bold goal. Moon Audio seems to think they hit on something special though, so they priced a set of these sound machines at $2 million.
So what’s so special about these speakers? Reports say it starts with the designers themselves. According to Moon Audio, the speakers’ were crafted by audio experts with 25 years of industry experience. Next, the company used a lot of high-end materials. Like, a lot. Altogether, the set weighs 2,8000 pounds. So yeah, there’s a lot of expensive stuff packed inside these big speakers.
Did you know?
If these speakers are a little outside your budget, Moon Audio offers a different set for $5,000 per pair.
Brand: Hart’s Audio
Reason for Price: Expensive Materials
Unique Feature: These speakers are made of gold
photo source: luxurylaunches.com
Hart’s Audio Speakers in Gold are the most expensive speakers in the world.
If high-quality sound isn’t enough to get you excited, these speakers go the extra mile with shimmering gold bodies. The incredible design was created by Hart’s Audio, a loudspeaker brand in the business since 2003. According to reports, Hart’s Audio only made one set of these luxury speakers — so it’s safe to say even the richest audiophiles won’t get their hands on these ultra-expensive sound machines.
Don’t get too sad though! If you’re dead-set on owning speakers made from an expensive metal, Hart’s Audio created a limited set of 99 bronze speakers alongside five sets in sterling silver. The bronze set goes for over $60,000, which somehow seems cheap compared to the gold.
Beyond their impressively expensive materials, these speakers offer “well-balanced, clean, and clear audio.” The system runs on three speaker drive units packaged inside a 110-pound body, giving the design dedicated sound production for all audio levels.
Altogether, Hart’s Audio Speakers in Gold have a $4.7 million price tag.
Did you know?
If you’re not ready to spend nearly $5 million on speakers, you could buy the sterling silver version for $313,000.
