Thiel/Crutchfield

I have bought from Crutchfield for many years for some mid-fi equipment for myself and family. They have excellent customer service and would bend over backwards to make sure you are happy. I even had an item replaced absolutely free a year later because I broke one of the speaker wire terminals. Yes, they sell at retail. But when they have a sale they offer great discounts, free shipping and no hassle returns.

They do sell low to mid range electronics and looks like they are expanding to house the higher end. Crutchfield is a very respectable company and will be great competition for Music Direct and Audio Advisor. I wouldn’t scoff at a company because they sell lower range electronic. Stop being audio snobs!

Regalma1....where did you get the impression most Thiel owners listen to classical? They are more know for their bass and dynamic character and to some like yourself, irritating top end, but classical? My Thiels like it loud and like it hard...Rock On!

I spoke with Gary today, customer service at Thiel, (regarding a repair on a cs1.6 that UPS damaged) and I happened to ask him about Crutchfield. He said that yes, they believe they will reach a new audience and that Crutchfield's customer service reputation is very strong.

Whatever one's opinion is regarding Thiel's actions, one thing for certain is that Crutchfield and Thiel are profitable enterprises and probably know a little bit more about making money in the audio market than most of us.

But I can't help thinking that Thiel may be cutting its throat in an attempt to mass market themselves via a prosumer electronics market. After all, is this not how Bose endeared themselves to audiophiles?

And Thiels' bad reputation among some audiophiles (borne mostly of those who make the serious mistake of coupling subpar electronics to their speakers) will, sadly, probably further erode an already unfair image of the company. But then again, I'm not in the speaker business.

Gs5556, I agree with you. You would think Thiel would see its reputation from the same perspective. And still, the deal was struck. Oh, the delusion that all profit is money!