How are Hig-End Speakers Priced?

I think that's why we're starting to see catalogue merchants like Crutchfield starting to carry high end lines.

I didn't know this thread was still alive. (I'm not receiving e-mail notices.)

Here is a bit of my perspective: I returned home from work rather late last evening, a bit worn out by some projects I've been struggling with. I turned on my DMA-90 to let it warm up while I watched the late-night news. (I had left my Icon and DMC-12 on from my listening session the previous night.) A short while later I was thoroughly enjoying cuts from Yellowjackets' "Live Wires", Joshua Redman's "Wish", Lyle Lovett's "Joshua Judges Ruth", Rickie Lee Jones' "Pirates", Duke Ellington & John Coltrane, and John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman. I had the volume set at twelve o'clock! The music was beautiful.

I had thought I would need to spend three-to-five thousand dollars on a pair of stand-mount speakers to have something commensurate with my main system. (And the ATC's I spent some time with a few months ago certainly satisfied, even though they thirsted for a bit more power than my DMA-90 could muster.) However, I am so pleasantly surprised to be enjoying my music through these relatively inexpensive Human Speakers as much as I am. The music is detailed and fast and involving and, um, musical—whether at lowish SPL's or highish!

Now, I don't have "golden ears", and my listening room—my family room—isn't treated with audiophile sound panels, etc., and I haven't invested in special power cords, etc. But I do attend a fair bit of live music performances, and I can absolutely appreciate the quality of music emanating from these small, inexpensive speakers. The live cuts on the above CD's sound very good, indeed.

I can't help but believe that if the designer/builder of these speakers was more "conventional" with respect to marketing, etc., these small speakers would sell for a good deal more than they do. Oh, God! I really hope he doesn't read this!

rx7audio

Pubul57 That's a very interesting point you raise. How far is to far to expect to be able to buy from a dealer. This is much more of a problem in the US, with the size of the country. Here in the UK, 500 miles takes you from one end of the country to another. I also believe, that is why shows like Denver are so much more important to you than us. It really is impossible to audition a range of options, unless you go to a show.

What I do know, is direct selling by manufacturers, drives dealers crazy. Particularly when they dem the speaker and the client goes and buys cheaper from the manufacturer. Most dealers would drop a line of products under these circumstances. I think you have to ask a dealer, how far he considers, his patch covers

RMAF is the only time I see equipment I or a friend don't own:( In my 30s I visited dealers in NYC/NJ/CT many times and it was the way I bought equipment - last 15 years? Everything through Audiogon, or direct from manufacturer with "anchor" pricing to feel like you got a good deal.

Not sure how well 2-channel dealers are doing, HT seems to be where it is at in terms of retail survival.

A few regional shows for the hi-end is probably the best we can hope for to "audition" and expose ourselves to new equipment - or buy/sell/buy/sell... on Audiogon.