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What makes an expensive speaker expensive

When one plunks down $10,000 $50,000 and more for a speaker you’re paying for awesome sound, perhaps an elegant or outlandish style, some prestige ... but what makes the price what it is?

Are the materials in a $95,000 set of speakers really that expensive? Or are you paying a designer who has determined he can make more by selling a few at a really high price as compared to a lot at a low price?

And at what point do you stop using price as a gauge to the quality? Would you be surprised to see $30,000 speakers "outperform" $150,000 speakers?

Too much time on my hands today I guess.
128x128jimspov
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,972 posts
 
Above all,
keeping production out of china!
ricred1
2,058 posts
 
jafant,

I believe my previous(Aerial 7T) and current speakers(Monitor Audio PL500) were made in China. I submit both of them are very well made and offer outstanding value.
ctsooner's avatar
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Guys, some products will be made in China.  As long as the company controls the manufacturing, the quality can be fine.  That said, I personally don't think I have anything in my system that is made outside the US from cables, to all digital to phone and electronics.  TV I can't help.

vicweast's avatar
vicweast
150 posts
 
@swampwalker ...Great question. I can tell you that in January I called the US distributer of a famous tube amp vendor and asked a few questions about a few of their amps.

The distributer quoted me $9000+ for a specific model. ME: I balked and said I was currently on sabbatical. DISTRIBUTER: $7500. ME: Sold.

...Street price way below 15k manufacturer's suggested price.
ctsooner's avatar
ctsooner
2,480 posts
 
Is the distributor the only one who sells these amps or does he sell them via B&M and or online stores?  If so, what he's done is back door them and ruined his product for the future.  It's a terrible business practice and one that partly got Dan D let go at Krell.  It's ruined so many top lines in the past.  I only will deal with reputable companies in audio as I concern myself with the future value of my products as I do sell eventually.  Not a slam at you at all, so please don't take it that way.  We customers are always trying to get a great value etc.... The markup on some great lines is only in the 30% range so they don't have that much room to move at all.  Personally I like that as I feel I'm getting value for my money and I know that no one is getting it for less than I am.  

Devaluing someone's product just isn't good business sense on their part.  I just never understood that personally.  Again, not a slam against you, just against any dealer or distributor who devalues their products.  If it's only worth 7,500, then just offer them at 8k if you feel you need to sell them for less.  JMHO and not preaching.  Thanks.

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