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Hype, Hyperbole and high price!

Okay, I understand that this site has to make money by having advertisers, but cheese and crackers, the claims that are made are just laughable if not down right criminal!  Before I attended an engineering university I too was duped into buying expensive wires and such.  Now, armed with an engineering and physics background, I can see through the BS claims made.  I try and not let it get in the way of my enjoyment of good quality stereo equipment, but when a salesman tries to sell me something based on testimonials, hype and hyperbole, I tell him politely my background and then ask him a series of questions which leaves him dumbfounded. 

Such crap as directional wires - (I used to work for both Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman) and trust me, if we had to test the miles of wires for directionality in every piece of equipment built...well you get the gist.

I have friends that are audio snobs and although they argue with me (Basically buyer's remorse) they know that what I say is true and end the conversation.  Oh well, I suppose I will continue to get a headache when I read said claims.

Sigh!
128x128kenny928
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,911 posts
 
Great story on Noel Lee. Like him or not, he is a marketing genius.
Back in the 80's most of us used Monster wire.
knghifi
1,668 posts
 
In some cases, you simply can't buy a quality product at any price now- everything is disposable.
Innovation and efficiency have contributed to more disposable commodity as price drops.   Great example is computers.   Saw an ad last wknd $499 for a HP laptop with all the bells and whistles.   For me this is a positive for consumers.

I don't agree 100% simply can't buy quality at any price.
  
One of the things I like about this industry is that it is still made up of small, "cottage" type manufacturers. And, there's quality out there.

The consequence is higher prices with low volume and low demand.
whart's avatar
whart
3,063 posts
 
knghifi- I didn’t mean it as a blanket indictment ("In some cases...").
And I agree, the commodification of some products, like TV and computers, has increased performance and lowered price. The modest Marantz AV processor in our den outperforms an old Meridian that was state of the art when it was introduced two decades before. But, I replace the outdoor motion sensor spotlight fixtures on our house approximately every two years- I suppose I could go to an industrial prison level lighting system, but when I checked, I couldn’t find much in the average, consumer products realm- all the same, crappy fixtures. Ditto- a lot of clothing, short of really high end or custom stuff- it is badly made and disposable.
Apple, to me, is a prime example of hype v reality. Fashion statement, but I’m tired of the lackluster performance, the fact that the phones tank after 2 years and it really is about constantly upgrading and features I could care less about. I’m not drawing a direct parallel to hi-fi here, but my point about ’cottage industry’ is that you have a choice. In a lot of consumer products, I’m not sure you do. Then again I may just be a victim of fashion. regards,

knghifi
1,668 posts
 
whart, Try clothes from LL Bean.   I buy most of my daily wardrobe from them.  I think it has a lifetime warranty.   I also shop at Timberland, Bloomingdales and Barney's of New York.  

I've been using iPhone for years without any issues.   I only upgraded to 6 Plus for larger screen and got $200 rebate for a 4s.

Quality issues I encountered is with specific retailers.   Sears is top of the list.   Definitely not my father's Sears.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,457 posts
 

I always seem to like Orvis for clothes and of course there is always Nordstrom. Would be cool to see a Nordstrom electronics and hifi department.

Lots of good quality stuff available via amazon of course not everything is a gem.

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