I cant understand why this surprises anyone in this forum. If I didn't have the means to get a set of Altecs any other way I would pay it. There are folks who do not know about GPA or they might want the originals just because. Given the choice between some newer $3500 speakers and the Altecs I would much rather spend my money on what I think is the best. Nothing less will do for me when it comes to audio.

I would really like to see someone make a better sounding speaker so I could have them but in the 40 years I have been listening, it hasn't happened for me.

Its not about money now as much as it is FINDING some. They have been increasing in value for years and unless someone makes something better, they are going to go higher.