If the market wants something, they will pay-pretty simple.
That’s for sure. Emotion plays a big part in what people want. Marketing is largely about appealing to people's emotions.
Why Is Hi Fi Gear So Darn Expensive?
Why Is Hi-Fi Gear So Darn Expensive?! - The Absolute Sound
Interesting read.
"I recently heard a small 2-way stand mount speaker at a show. The sound was excellent. The product was priced at $50,000 or thereabouts, per pair. Allowing for distribution and marketing leaves about $25,000."
$25000 for distribution and marketing? Really? That much more for this than a similar product at 1/10th the cost?
I don’t doubt the marketing cost per unit could be much higher with boutique products. Makes sense. Is the cat is out of the bag regarding the value proposition of boutique products?
How about fancy fuses marketed for free here that cost practically nothing to ship? Oh my!
I guess there are "excellent" expensive boutique products and others that offer value everywhere. Hifi not unique. Take your pick! Live and learn!
The article also chalks up people’s reactions to high-fi prices to emotion. What about the sound they hear? Real or emotionally distorted? What would Mr. Spock think about that? I know he likes music...he plays a harp!
- ...
- 105 posts total
I think I mostly agree. I do like cost effective tweaks that work. I recently bought a $3000 all in one unit that does everything except play the records. Just add speakers. It is...."excellent" sounding! Also have a small pair of all-in-1 powered speakers. These cost about what your average "high end" power cord would cost. Just add a source. They have output level limits still, being quite small, but other than that in the 12X12 vaulted ceiling lively room they are in...they sound "excellent"! Lots of modern technology and smart engineering went into both of these products.
Walsh 2s were a great score for a 17 year old back then...I had a pair at 21 when they first came out. But the newer models are night and day better these days......40 years of refinement that can be easily heard. I know this because I compared my newer Walshes a/b to my older ones back in 2008 before I traded them in. Those original Walsh 2s were still going strong after 27 years! But the newer ones had the detail and associated sound characteristics one expects from modern "high end" speakers. The original Walsh 2s...not so much.
|
@yogiboy +1 I do have issues with CHI-FI. Since Hegel and Denafrips appear to be accepted by the majority of Audiophiles why not a speaker? From what I have read the final assembly of Aerial speakers is done in MA. The cabinets and parts are Chinese sourced what % not sure we will ever know. |
There are ways around the high cost of audio equipment by finding an exceptionally gifted modder that can take a used piece of reputable equipment ; speaker crossovers, amps, preamps, phono stages, audio cartridges, etc. and bring it up to a level that competes with the latest highly-touted products appearing in the market. Remember that older products, like the Quad ESL-57, introduced in the late '50's, are often voted #1 on the lists of best speakers of all time. Western Electric gear from the '30's is sought after and commands astronomical prices. Point being- older (cheaper) stuff can be reworked into amazing gear in the right hands. |
- 105 posts total