OK, Here's One For You, Industry Quantification...



So, I have a few questions aimed at attempting to quantify the industry. This is not because I am thinking about opening a store - no, I'm a very happy computer software engineer (code bone). My interest owes its due to an unfortunate audio dispute, the details of which are uninteresting other than to say, my would-be dealer argues the hi-fidelity industry is small (cottage) and, as such, does not follow the same consumer protection ethics (my word) as, say, plastic kiddie toys.

Upon hearing his claim of a small industry, I began thinking, is this true, and upon what measure would one either make or deny this claim. I came up with the following questions whose answers would be very interesting.

I am interested in hearing if anyone knows of 'official' sources to answer any of these questions or your thoughts about how to quantify the industry or how to even define it, for that matter.

1) Annual consumer spend - US, Europe, Worldwide
2) Total number of manufactures - US, Europe, Worldwide
3) Total number of publications - Monthly, Quarterly, etc.; US, Europe, Worldwide
4) Total number of distributors - US, Europe, Worldwide
5) Total number of retailers - US, Europe, Worldwide

The last point above, how to even define the market, is also very interesting. Is purchasing a $250 Pioneer receiver classified similarly to purchasing VAC monoblocks? What about a $2,000 integrated amp? How is that line drawn?

I look forward to reading a few responses!

Thanks...
Ag insider logo xs@2xcocozhou
No numbers just opinion. It's a small industry. In High End Audio, most of us have much better audio systems than our friends. Some posters on the "gon" have said they don't know ANY audiophiles in their home area, ANY! World over, how many audiophiles? Most people think were nuts for what we pay for gear (even those of us with relatively cheap gear). I, on the other hand, think it's nuts to spend $20-30K on a fishing boat that you only use 2-3 times a year. Another comparison, you can always find another car enthusiast.

The High End Audio business has to a least make a safe product, meeting electrical codes etc.

As far as livng up to some of the claims that manufacturers of High End equipment make; Some do, some make claims only some people believe, some IMO are making ridiculous claims.

However, other industries make claims that aren't always true too. Can you go after a refridgerator company for claiming their machine does this, does that when it doesn't really? How about, "the safest car on the road", is it? We've all bought products that claim to do something they either don't really do, or do so very poorly. Can we go after them for making false claims?

What is High End? If your friends have equipment as good, or close to as good, you DON'T have High End equipment.
What if you don't have any friends, how can you tell your equipment is high-end?