Wharfedale Elysian 4 Incredible build quality and sound, but made in China.

It shouldn’t matter where it’s produced as long as proper/adequate quality control is managed during the manufacturing process. China has significantly cheaper labor and the technical expertise that makes manufacturing there attractive to cut costs to stay competitive.

Buying domestically only to support local businesses seems like a good idea, but we now live in a global economy. Parts are sourced from many non-domestic sources. Generally, it makes no business sense to pay more for a part than us necessary. Businesses are for profit so cutting costs directly helps. However, there are exceptions- some businesses may want the tighter control of manufacturing locally, and they can afford to do so because the market will pay the increased costs.

And realistically, I doubt buying domestic only will have a much of a financial impact since the majority doesn’t follow this thinking.  

@kennyc Your point of view is so problematic at a micro-economic level. You may as well make everyone in the West disappear from existence because there’s cheaper labor somewhere else. This extreme cost cutting mentality needs to stop. The end result is de-industrialization, loss of skilled labor, dependence on other countries for essential products, loss of negotiation power, increasing inequality, lower living standards, lower state tax income (public services/utilities getting worse) etc…

Just take up the challenge of producing locally with long term wealth goals. Focus on quality over quantity and price. The High End Munich show proves that this is possible with the countless European manufacturers. Furthermore, these products don’t have to be priced out of reach for regular customers. There are many great offerings under $2k which outperform the KEF LS50 with local manufacturing.

@kokakolia

Your point of view is so problematic at a micro-economic level.

Do you really think that multinational globalist companies care about any of that?

You may as well make everyone in the West disappear from existence because there’s cheaper labor somewhere else.

Now, now, don’t give them any more ideas.

The end result is de-industrialization, loss of skilled labor, dependence on other countries for essential products, loss of negotiation power, increasing inequality, lower living standards, lower state tax income (public services/utilities getting worse) etc…

Yes, we know.

We’ve seen this happening for decades.

The UK once had a thriving motorcycle industry which disappeared almost overnight.

Hardly anyone misses it now.

Besides it’s still possible for small home-grown companies to succeed if they are innovative enough.

Rega are an obvious example of a consistently innovative company that has managed to succeed globally and yet also keep it’s production based in the UK.

On that score it’s a model example to everyone else.

We should also remember that after market back up and care matter too. Especially when you're buying products that might cost half of your annual salary.

I remember when I bought my Rega 3 it came with a lifetime guarantee, but I didn’t realise this also applies to every Rega product!

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"So confident are we in our ability, Rega offers a lifetime warranty against manufacture defects on every single product we make."

https://www.rega.co.uk/about/history

@cd318 . I buy what ever the wallet fits and agree with you. The world is globally sourced with so many MFG. Consumers are well educated today and know a good buy when they see one along with using the judgement of diminishing returns.

@cd318 

Well, you almost said it. Outsourcing hurts innovation. Why bother researching and innovating when you can dropship? Just phone a wholesaler.

Hey, REGA is good example of UK innovation. There are many similar examples in Europe like Atoll, Exposure, Focal etc... So you’re not a marginal for buying locally manufactured goods.

"Do you really think that multinational globalist companies care about any of that?"

That’s precisely the problem. It’s extremely political. Nations should keep globalist companies in check. But it’s the other around: globalist companies are suing countries for natural resources and to freeze the minimum wage etc...

Ultimately, I believe that it’s really easy to buy high quality UK produced gear on the used market. This is especially true in France since the local population doesn’t seem to care about UK brands such as Arcam, Rega, Creek or Castle. I scored a Creek 4240 for 130€ recently and the owner told me he was trying to sell that thing for over 1 year. So I feel obliged to buy British. A comparable Atoll IN30 would sell for 400€ used.

@webking185 

The average buyer isn't as informed as you might think. Let's just say that a dozen brands like Polk, Wharfedale, Focal, Klipsch, B&W, KEF, Wilson Audio etc... get all of the coverage. You can't really circumvent that problem, there are too many brands. But it's silly to me that people are paying full retail for a pair of KEF LS50 when there are better options on the used market for way less $ or just a few hundred more on the new market.