Interesting thread. The real "proliferation" of BOSE came with their sub + satellites systems. If you think of it, it was actually audiophiles that were at least somewhat responsible for their success which started in the late 80's but really grew in the 90s. That was right about the time that audiophiles started to allow manufacturers to get away without providing detailed technical information. That allowed them to proliferate a sub with a wickedly high crossover frequency and holes in the spectrum in typical room environments. This would be "law of unintended consequences" :-)
But seriously, Bose is still around in many ways because of technical prowess and consumer awareness. Yes really. What they did in 1984 with their OEM system for the Corvette was beyond most other companies at the time. While not up to today's systems, it was a big step up compared to every prior OEM system (and most aftermarket without modifying the car). Waveradio was the product people wanted. They were a decade ahead on headphones and active noise cancelling, a much wanted product. Their small BT speakers were also class leading in a similar form factor at the time.
w.r.t the proliferation of speaker brands, back to that audiophiles not insisting on technical details. That has lowered the barrier to entry on speakers (and any number of other products) to just about 0. Anyone can whip together drivers and a cabinet and call themselves a speaker company. If you create good products that don't have defining features, then you better be prepared to stick it out while you develop a following through organic growth. However, take a tact like Tekton and do something unique (right or wrong), and you can grow much faster (just like the Bose Acoustimass - unique at the time) because you will get free marketing well beyond your size as everyone wants to talk about you.
To stay around, as many have noted, you have to keep catching the customer's eyes (ears). Speakers last a long time, so return sales is a difficult game.
But seriously, Bose is still around in many ways because of technical prowess and consumer awareness. Yes really. What they did in 1984 with their OEM system for the Corvette was beyond most other companies at the time. While not up to today's systems, it was a big step up compared to every prior OEM system (and most aftermarket without modifying the car). Waveradio was the product people wanted. They were a decade ahead on headphones and active noise cancelling, a much wanted product. Their small BT speakers were also class leading in a similar form factor at the time.
w.r.t the proliferation of speaker brands, back to that audiophiles not insisting on technical details. That has lowered the barrier to entry on speakers (and any number of other products) to just about 0. Anyone can whip together drivers and a cabinet and call themselves a speaker company. If you create good products that don't have defining features, then you better be prepared to stick it out while you develop a following through organic growth. However, take a tact like Tekton and do something unique (right or wrong), and you can grow much faster (just like the Bose Acoustimass - unique at the time) because you will get free marketing well beyond your size as everyone wants to talk about you.
To stay around, as many have noted, you have to keep catching the customer's eyes (ears). Speakers last a long time, so return sales is a difficult game.