Why are so many companies like harbeth making old speakers designs and charging thousends?


Hi everyone I am a little confused about the speaker market. I had been two dealers that sell totally different products. The one I had been to which I bought my forests from sells Totem And Monitor Audio and B&W. though I went to the other that sells Harbeth And audio note speakers which they recommended me buying. And the problem I have trouble understanding Is when I spend thousands on a speaker. Especially my next big purchase. That has no real new technology and is the size of my dads old conerwalls and never use to cost Thousands to build. With no technological advancements. to a product such as the totem that is small compact and modern for the wife approval , and to be more exact. The new Element line and technologically advanced like the torrent driver. Which I can get the same speaker as the same cost or less of the audio note and Harbeth and dose not need to take up the whole room or look like the 70's. Whats your opinion? Would you buy a product that is a 30 year old design that costs 5 times as more with the only diffinceses as upgraded silver wire and upgraded crossover components. To a thousand dollar woofer that is machined not stamped and has so much magnetic flux that it ca lift a car and no crossover?
128x128jakecanada
Ever hear of "supply and demand" or "economies of scale"?  Harbeth is a smaller shop with very high standards.  They don't have a huge factory in China mass producing plastic junk.  The UK has extremely high costs for manufacturing but in this case, you get what you pay for, quality.

Personally, I wish the big boxes of 30.1 or 40.1 were a little more modern sounding but I'd never compromise that amazing sound for looks.
Over the years I have owned many LS3/5A type speakers including Spendor,KEF,etc. IMO ,the Harbeth P3ESR is the most musical one yet. The fit and finish is outstanding ! And it ain’t only the silver wire that makes ’em sound so good !
Because they can!

IMO they are no better than Acoustic Research speakers from the 70’s.

I owned and liked AR speakers in the 70's.  To each their own.
There are a few good points made here. I know very well how premium boutique 
Parts most certainly can make a average loudspeaker very good.
With the Harbeths the only thing special is their patented midrange driver .
6 moons foes hood in depth coverage the crossover is well below average in my opinion not 1 top brand product yo be found Anywhere.
I emailed them several times totally No response. Ripoff IMO.
Just imagine how much better they would be using Top Crossover parts 
The ones in here from Taiwan Really for  $6k .it is your money !!
Hi Jake -

No, you are not wrong in your observations.  

About 10 years back, I was considering buying the Dragonfly monitors made by Soundsmith, which listed at the time new for $1600.  I had heard the monitors at an audio show and absolutely loved them.  But life got in the way and $1600 was more than I felt comfortable spending at the time.  Fast forward to today and the same speakers cost $6000 ... 3 1/2 times more.  Hell if I can figure out why.  I scratch my head like you are doing now.     

What everyone has said makes sense ... if you don't like the Harbeths or you like some other brand better or the price makes no sense to you ... or whatever ... don't buy them.  

Rich