Dynaudio C1, why so expensive?

There are several 2-way monitors that cost a lot more than the $7000.00 Dynaudio C1.My answer to your question (strictly my opinion,nothing more) is...because Dynaudio thinks they are worth it and they feel pretty confident that some folks will pay that amount.If they didn't believe these two things then they would have a different price.

They're very good speakers. But IMO my speakers, the Harmonic Precision Caravelles, the source of many heated Audiogon forums posts, are better. I've personally compared them a number of times at different dealers when I was auditioning other components. They're close but for the better sound of the Caravelles and $2000.00 less price tag, well!

Right now there are two pairs on Audiogon at a ridicuously cheap price because they're not well known: http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1289810264&/Star-Sound-Caravelles-with-sta and http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?spkrmoni&1287685938&/Star-Sound-Technology-Caravell. The pair for $2100.00 has the better stands than the pair for $1500.00, but either pair is a steal.

Chuck

Richard,

I don't know if you asked this question about the C1's because you are curious about the price or looking for new speakers.

After I heard the Caravelles over a number of months five years ago, I sold my B&W Silver Signatures and bought them. The Silver Signatures were $8000.00 when they came out in 1991, so if you're wondering about expensive and really good monitors, here's another. But I sold them and bought the Caravelles, the Caravelles are better in my system.

Here's the 6Moons reviev/preview of the Caravelle speakers: http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/starsound/caravelle.html

Chuck

They cost more than Merlin tsms or Totem Manis.

They cost way less than Magico minis.

They are expensive or a bargain depending on your perspective.

Most new speakers have huge profit margins compared to electronics usually. You can't judge the value based on what it really costs to make them.

You get what you pay for. I own C1's and the build quality is first rate. Made with real wood veneer on HDF. Machined 1 piece aluminum isolation baffle. They are designed and manufactured at Dynaudio. The binding posts - screws and internal wiring are the only things outsourced. In my opinion I would have to spend a lot more to maybe just maybe get a better sound. Also IMO the C1's are one of the most transparent monitors around (among imaging - sound stage and depth).

That all being said Dynaudio may not be for everyone. But for me it is a speaker I can NOT see replacing. I wouldn't even let my Dyn dealer demo anything less (ie Contour s1.4's - 1.3mkII or special 25's) only because I don't want to think at a later time 'What if I spent the extra bucks back then would I be looking to replace them today'. Did that too many times trying to price justify. Since then I have heard the lower lines from the audience and excite series. Personally I think all Dynaudios line up is worth the money. Then there is always used. In the end I always spent more than just getting them to begin with.

Again that's my opinion.