Is it possible for a high end manufacturer to overprice their goods?


Having just read the interesting and hyperbole laden review by RH of the new Rockport Orion speakers in the latest issue of The Absolute Sound, one thing struck me..

is it possible in the high end for a manufacturer to overprice their product ( doesn’t have to be a speaker, but this example comes to mind)? I ask this, as the Orion is priced at $133k! Yes,a price that would probably make 99% of hobbyists squirm. Yet, the speaker now joins a number of competitors that are in the $100k realm. 
To that, this particular speaker stands just 50.3” tall and is just 14.3” wide…with one 13” woofer, one 7” midrange and a 1.25” beryllium dome ( which these days is nothing special at all…and could potentially lead to the nasties of beryllium bite).

The question is…given this speakers design and parts, which may or may not be SOTA, is it possible that this is just another overpriced product that will not sell, or is it like others, correctly priced for its target market? Thoughts…

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It is yes but has always been the Hi-End. The market for that particular brand would be a smaller demographic who believes in the product and engineering through and through. They often care less about hunting down another type of sound to relax to each evening when its already perfect. When you hear it you know

 

Happy listening!

 

 

I guess it depends on whether it sells. At that price there is only so large a market. If it provides something not easily found otherwise, or requires a highly-refined level of skill only uncommonly found, someone will appreciate it . . . maybe. It is because of products like these that i welcome the controversial ASR site and Amir's approach: does it measure well, as one might expect a TOTL product to measure? Or is it something that measures in a fairly ordinary and unexceptional way and its makers have to explain themselves.

IMO yes it’s grossly overpriced. However I’m not the target buyer. If they can sell it and the market will bear it and they sell to projections I guess it’s not overpriced. I’m not sure but would venture to guess if they sold it for a third of that they would sell MUCH more and probably make a much bigger profit. I could be wrong and maybe it costs that much to make, although how could it…? 

As long as there are enough wealthy people with space to fill and who like expensive toys that will buy them,  they serve a unique purpose and are not any more overpriced than a Ferrari,  Lamborghini or designer watch. Or designer handbags and clothes for the ladies. 

to me it is a mystery how so many people have so much disposable income (e.g., from my db of speaker companies revenue) to buy high end gear. But I come from one of the poorer side of the world, it’s just my lack of imagination. And I feel the same way about every 4th house on my street having one or two Teslas.

There must be 100 dollar bills raining while I am still asleep (not a morning person cool)