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Thoughts from THE Show, is $29k the new $10k?

Had another enjoyabe brief one day visit to THE Show, Newport Beach last weekend. Great to see so many fellow hobbiests, and great gear. Went in search of speakers; here is a brief and disjointed summary of my impressions:
Many vendors were focusing on the $25-32k range; with most for sale around $29k as an entry point to 'quality'.
Rockport showed their new entry, $29k speaker in the Atrium. Had great balance; was warm, detailed, and engaging. First show presence for dealer; nice guy. My first experience with Rockport; was very impressed.
Eficion: at the Hilton; wow; for $16k I think it gives Wilson a run for its money with the Sophia; its AMT ribbon tweeter had great crystal highs, and its large woofer filled the room with satisfying bass, I enjoyed it.
BMC: nice gear; their $32k speakers had dipole arrangement; with both front and rear firing speakers; very engaging, huge sound stage, and great low end response. Paired up nicely with their amp/dac
YG: brought my own CD; so I was familiar with what was possible; initialy liked their sound;but in the end found it a bit 'dry', and brittle; and not totally enjoyable, this was at at least three different rooms showing their speakers.
Wilson Shasha's in the Brooks-Barden room; always a treat; enjoyed their room treatments, and professionalism, nice analog set up. Warm, detailed, lovely, and engaging.
Ventures: wow, very expensive; and very large...but totally engaging; great integration, warm, detailed, expansive sound stage, great bass, huge open subtle nuance on female voices...
Ayon: liked their Lumen White's better last year, than their own speaker line this year, but great amps and dac.
Found the KEF blades a bit disappointing, surprised at how large they are in person.
Enjoyed the TAD speakers again this year, well balanced, integrated very well.
There was a 'curved' line array speaker; I forget its name that also was quite good, interesting design, but filled the room with great sound; no glare.
The Veloce gear, with its battery source was extremely 'quiet' and detailed, and enjoyable.
Surprised how many room utilized the Synergistic Research ART treatments...hard to tell how it improved things; but can't argue with the results.
Too much to see and listen to in one brief day. Curious to hear from other members their take....I know you don't need to spend so much to get quality sound, but so many vendors showing off their $29k speakers made me want to chuckle; and take out a home loan...also thought the digital and computer audio was getting very close now to the analog rigs.
Love having this showcase in our backyard on the west coast; and will contiue to support and attend. Kudos to Bob Levi; and his team at LA/OC audio society; another great job; and Tierney Sutton singing on Friday night was an extra special treat.
mribob
rdavwhitaker
173 posts
 
This is one manifestation of a problem that is going to become more acute over the next several years for a growing range of products, including cars, televisions and appliances. As the middle class disappears in the United States, and countries with emerging wealth see it concentrated in a relatively small number of hands, high-end manufacturers find themselves trying to chase bigger and bigger sales to a smaller audience - those able to buy five and six figure pieces of equipment, with the abundance of money, interest in the hobby, and lack of common sense that all seem to be prerequisites to purchasing most of these new ultra-high end products.

I used to shake my head in wonder when Stereophile would refer to a three or thousand dollar component as "affordable." Recently, I read a piece in a British hi Fi magazine that called a five-figure pair of speakers "entry level" and about fell out of my chair laughing.

My advice: Buy good new and used equipment from Audio Research, Manley, Conrad-Johnson, VTL, Magnepan, Totem, Spendor, and the other "old guard" high-end companies while ye may- if these trends continue, those companies will soon be gone, and those of us who can't afford, or aren't dumb enough, to buy 29k "entry level" speakers and 40k amplifiers will be left adrift.
whart's avatar
whart
3,031 posts
 
Or, the companies focus their efforts on the upper price ranges, where they can make more money, and offer the true 'entry level' line as 'trickle down' technology, perhaps sharing design attributes, but manufactured in places with cheap labor, e.g. the Acme Line by Brand X.
I think there will always be more modestly priced stuff available at a more grass roots level that is still serious enough to listen to and not mass market consumer product disposable junk. But, we will tell our grandkids that back in our day, you could buy a first rate preamp or loudspeaker for a few thousand dollars, and they will feign interest while watching the latest holo-video on their virtual screen retina implants.
mribob OP
229 posts
 
any comments on the speakers mentioned? Other consideration for 'Best of Show'? It was a great show, like to hear from others...even though the price of admission now for gear is geting a bit steep...
polk432
1,142 posts
 
Rdavwhitaker knows about the world and the economy,common sense and not being foolish to be sucked in just because something has a high price tag on it. If companies could build items half as good as they can lie and market, maybe they could honestly make a good living. Magico? As much as they cost, what is so amazing about them? Try selling them on the used market. Aston Marin, CAT, MBL, Bently, Rolls. They should do what you are paying for. I just don't see anything amazing about it. It's the LEAST they can and should do.
ricred1
2,002 posts
 
I didn't attend the show, but because of my recent experience looking for speakers, I agree that the entry level seems to be right below 30K. I sold my Sophia 3s and found a used pair of Sasha's. Unfortunately, as good as I thought Sophia 3s were, I submit Sasha's are the first really high-end speaker that I've ever owned and I've had Sophia 2s, 3s, Audio Physic Virgo 3s, Devore, Artemis, Mirage M1, and several more. I was just telling my wife it's sad that everything cost as much as it does. Sasha's are the first speaker I ever owned that sounds natural to me, especially with good recordings.

Rdavwhitaker

I couldn't disagree with you more! You said,"dumb enough, to buy 29K "entry level" speakers and 40k amplifiers will be left adrift." Some people have the money and 29k speakers and 40K amplifiers are nothing to them. Me I'm not rich, retired after 28 years in the Air Force and work everyday. I've been enjoying this hobby for 30 years. I've never bought new, usually purchased demo's and have slowly traded up over many years. I submit most audiophiles sacrifice other things to enjoy their hobby. I for one appreciate those who are rich enough to afford new expensive gear because it keeps the high-end going and all of us benefit.
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