How much do we at A'gon influence the industry?


Hi everyone,
Just a question that's been in my head for a little bit. How important do you folks feel this forum is to the audio industry at large in the Ensligh speaking countries?  I ask because I often see some taking it way too seriously, and personally.

I mean, I know times are tough, being a boutique audio manufacturer is not easy at any level in the audio industry, so I can really understand how negative buzz for your product can directly relate to your livelihood.
On the other hand, it's just A'gon. I doubt most audiophiles even come here very often.
What do you all think?

Best,

E
erik_squires
We're no more than a drop in an ocean. For every one of us putting marbles in cups, testing armboard materials or rolling NOS tubes, there are 1000 additional 0.1% people entering a market filled with very expensive products aimed at those high net worth individuals. 
On the industry, probably not much and not at all for some manufacturers.
On personal buying choices, it seems A'gon sometimes perpetuates "fads" where a couple of active posters are able to influence the buying choices of others.

I would be more interested in hearing about how much the American (i.e., USA) market influences the audio industry as a whole since I know the Asian market is very active and Europe also has a lot of audio users.  I know several USA manufacturers that do a significant overseas business - more than some would think.
To those of you who say No,nottah and zilch. I recently completed a long search and purchase for a speakers upgrade. This forum and others out there on the web guided me (Sure I did speak to my dealer as well.). 

I’m fortune to have landed with a PrimaLuna HP. That was web guided and landed. Look at their ads (also scads of others) and they site some web reviews. 

Othet than some tube rolling I’m not a flipper as staying married is preferable. I’ll just have to dream of mono blocks, exotic speaker wire, and a purpose built litesting room. 

Given my sixty plus years I’d think those in this age band would use the web for guidance less than the younger amongst us. 

I asked my my kids and some of their friends if they buy expensive stuff sight unseen off the web and they all said yes. 

Heck you can buy cars off the web so why not hifi after too many endless hours reading and pontificating. 

To the point 

Thinking forums don’t influence manufacturers in the hifi industry just isn’t so. I’m not just saying this. I know for a fact that in my industry (loathsome advertising) many company’s monitor forums specific to their businesses. Clicks is the world we live in when not tuning out to blissful music. 

As one one client put it “the forums are like having a focus group but with out having to pay for it.” And yes Virginia there are folks they read and folks they turn out. They also count everything. Everything. 

When you buy something often you are asked for a review. We are being just as watched as we are watching. Thanks Orwell.