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How important is "brand name"?

How important is "brand name" when purchasing audio equipment? I noticed that some brands that advertise in the magazines have no Retailers in the San Francisco Bay Area. I have been getting referred to a Retailer in another state and so no auditions of any kind. Some brands have a very small following and so selling used equipment for this brand is very difficult if not impossible. The Retailers for some brands have limited other equipment so that auditions are not possible. Some popular brands that were hot last year and are no longer in business. Some Distributors change their distribution channels and Retailers get dropped (this happened to me on two brands that I own). Any comments? thanks..
hgeifman
clueless
763 posts
 
"Brand name" is very important in audio because most successful companies spend more time and money developing it than they do audio equipment.

I remain,
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Clueless: What you are referring to, sounds like the Bose formula.
greggie
32 posts
 
I think a trained ear is important, but it is good to hear from other people here, who confirm what I feel.
I have heard this before, but always like to hear it again.
It is hard to believe that with all the hype that catches a person, who innocently reads it.
unsound
7,329 posts
 
Bbtuna, summed it up rather well. Lets remember that many of todays top names started out in garages. Today it may be more challanging to have the same growth due to more established competition, but the earlier pioneers may have had greater risk due to a smaller potential client base. I regularly compare the customer service reputations of established manufacturers vis a vis the value of current offerings. A manufacturer that continues to offer both good customer service and competive products (rather than resting on thier over priced laurels) will always get my attention.
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