No one ever said High End audio was rational. It's obsessive
compulsive behavior! It's a relatively harmless outlet for OCD, as
opposed to some others. Mid-fi is more rational which is why it sells
more- a reasonable approximation at a reasonable price. You buy it,
hook it up, it sounds okay. Not super great, okay. The same with a
hobbyist owning Snap-On wrenches, or HP/Agilent or Tek test equipment,
or a Hasselblad camera...no, you don't need it. That's the point.

About any old speakers hooked to about any old amplifier in about any
room will sound about okay, to the average person on the street. If
you have a little money and tme and want the sound to be more
realistic, more, well, more...and you like well made things for their
own sake...high end audio might be a good hobby. Maybe you have money
and no time, just call the high end saloon on lunch break-even dope
defense lawyers and brain surgeons have to eat-and have them deliver
what they think is best. Have some time and curiosity and energy and
not so much cash? Building your own speakers and amps has to beat
watching stupid TV shows. Nothing in the world like flipping the
switch and watching filaments light up...even in 2005.