Ignorance is bliss?

You wouldn't believe how many people I've served over the years who will happily throw $5000+ on a tv, only to then turnaround and say "now what do you have in the way of home theatres under $500?"

It's a stigma that exists in the market largely, I believe, in part due to major brands marketing (on paper) amazingly well specced all in one home theatres at what is effectively next to nothing in cost. 

Here is the argument I propose. Most tvs from entry level upwards can be tuned/calibrated to look remarkably better than they previously did, there are a number of calibration discs circulating around to help guide you and tune your tv to produce better brightness, contrast and color. 

A bad sounding speaker however, is only ever going to sound bad. If anything, it's almost worth spending more on the audio than it is on the tv. I mean think about it.

The technology in tv's these days is changing so rapidly that they are updating ranges at least once every twelve months. With the addition of smart tv functionality, improvements in back lights, even the introduction of 4K and OLED, there are constant improvements in performance over a year long cycle.

My stereo speakers I have at home however, (which could also be used as part of a home theatre) were released in the first quarter of 2009. 

They are still current today and readily available to buy.

Good speakers have, and always will be a sound (pun intended) investment. Even if you have to update your AV receiver once every five years, the performance to dollar ratio is still much better. Why, a good set of speakers you could hold onto for upwards of 20 years, longer if you're lucky.

I think what it comes down to is the fact that people don't know what it is they are missing out on. True, a cheap all in one system will be loud, and make the floor shake, but where it falls short is longevity first and foremost, and then the little finer details. A good speaker will separate high, mid and low range frequencies, creating a spacious, open sound. A poor speaker tends to have all of these dynamics mushed together, sure it can be loud, but it lacks the clarity of better product.

Be a better educated shopper and make a more informed decision, it will reward you in the end.