Wharfedale Elysian 4 Incredible build quality and sound, but made in China.


When I walked into the shop my eyes were struck by these gorgeous looking beauties. Then I sat down and took a listen and said to myself they must cost $20000.-25000. When the dealer told me $10000. I was floored. What the hell, how can this be? Then he explained they’re made in China. I thought to myself, well if they’re who cares they look and sound fantastic.
hiendmmoe
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@cd318 I apologize I deleted my post @webking185  was misstating the HD China business.

HD is only making small displacement motorcycles in China for the Asian market, though they may be coming to the US. 

It shouldn’t matter where it’s produced as long as proper/adequate quality control is managed during the manufacturing process. China has significantly cheaper labor and the technical expertise that makes manufacturing there attractive to cut costs to stay competitive.

Buying domestically only to support local businesses seems like a good idea, but we now live in a global economy. Parts are sourced from many non-domestic sources. Generally, it makes no business sense to pay more for a part than us necessary. Businesses are for profit so cutting costs directly helps. However, there are exceptions- some businesses may want the tighter control of manufacturing locally, and they can afford to do so because the market will pay the increased costs.

And realistically, I doubt buying domestic only will have a much of a financial impact since the majority doesn’t follow this thinking.  

@kennyc Your point of view is so problematic at a micro-economic level. You may as well make everyone in the West disappear from existence because there’s cheaper labor somewhere else. This extreme cost cutting mentality needs to stop. The end result is de-industrialization, loss of skilled labor, dependence on other countries for essential products, loss of negotiation power, increasing inequality, lower living standards, lower state tax income (public services/utilities getting worse) etc…

Just take up the challenge of producing locally with long term wealth goals. Focus on quality over quantity and price. The High End Munich show proves that this is possible with the countless European manufacturers. Furthermore, these products don’t have to be priced out of reach for regular customers. There are many great offerings under $2k which outperform the KEF LS50 with local manufacturing.

 

@kokakolia

Your point of view is so problematic at a micro-economic level.

Do you really think that multinational globalist companies care about any of that?

 

You may as well make everyone in the West disappear from existence because there’s cheaper labor somewhere else.

Now, now, don’t give them any more ideas.

 

The end result is de-industrialization, loss of skilled labor, dependence on other countries for essential products, loss of negotiation power, increasing inequality, lower living standards, lower state tax income (public services/utilities getting worse) etc…

Yes, we know.

We’ve seen this happening for decades.

The UK once had a thriving motorcycle industry which disappeared almost overnight.

Hardly anyone misses it now.

 

Besides it’s still possible for small home-grown companies to succeed if they are innovative enough.

Rega are an obvious example of a consistently innovative company that has managed to succeed globally and yet also keep it’s production based in the UK.

On that score it’s a model example to everyone else.

We should also remember that after market back up and care matter too. Especially when you're buying products that might cost half of your annual salary.

I remember when I bought my Rega 3 it came with a lifetime guarantee, but I didn’t realise this also applies to every Rega product!

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"So confident are we in our ability, Rega offers a lifetime warranty against manufacture defects on every single product we make."

 

https://www.rega.co.uk/about/history