Why Is Hi Fi Gear So Darn Expensive?


Why Is Hi-Fi Gear So Darn Expensive?! - The Absolute Sound

Interesting read.

"I recently heard a small 2-way stand mount speaker at a show. The sound was excellent. The product was priced at $50,000 or thereabouts, per pair. Allowing for distribution and marketing leaves about $25,000."

$25000 for distribution and marketing? Really? That much more for this than a similar product at 1/10th the cost?

I don’t doubt the marketing cost per unit could be much higher with boutique products. Makes sense. Is the cat is out of the bag regarding the value proposition of boutique products?

How about fancy fuses marketed for free here that cost practically nothing to ship? Oh my!

I guess there are "excellent" expensive boutique products and others that offer value everywhere. Hifi not unique. Take your pick! Live and learn!

The article also chalks up people’s reactions to high-fi prices to emotion. What about the sound they hear? Real or emotionally distorted? What would Mr. Spock think about that? I know he likes music...he plays a harp!

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In High End Audio, price is not as important as intention.

However, parts, development time and labor costs do, mostly, dictate cost.

However, most companies use a 5 or 6 times multiplier.

However, many companies have gone to direct to consumer sales.

However, most of those companies continue to use that same multiplier.

$$$

Quad 57s were mentioned. And there are many other affordable speakers that one can joyfully live with. Certainly, the same can be said for many components.

However, IME, a $13K cartridge is certainly $10K more amazing than a $3K one.

 

Maybe it had nothing to do with the speakers.  Maybe the stands were made of Unobtainum? 😀

On a more serious note, I also bought  a pair of the Ohm 2’s for $7xx.  Between improvements and inflation the new Ohm 5’s cost almost 5 grand with shipping and handling.