|
Post by linvincible on Oct 3, 2014 1:38:56 GMT -5
we are just hifi enthousiasts and spend our fancy budget in hifi whereas other might spend it in gas, clothing, cellphones, anything fashionable. If certain fruity brands entered the hifi business I'm sure lots of people would get an expensive stereo again! it's not really a matter of being cheap it's a matter of marketing educated priorities Also you really need to do your research to come up with a system you will like (and be able to hook it up correctly) so people who just want to buy a box, open it and turn it on are looking away...
|
|
|
Post by garbulky on Oct 3, 2014 10:52:53 GMT -5
I think as a whole high end audio just sucks at marketting. Usually the best they've got is something like a woman whose usually facing backwards or sideways on a couch looking vaguely thrilled at the speaker. That or she's nekkid. Means nothing to a person. Take Beats audio. If you told me people would spend over a $100 ...let alone $20 on a headphone in my state, I would have laughed. Yet their marketting made it that I see it quite often
|
|
|
Post by jmilton on Oct 3, 2014 12:01:38 GMT -5
I think as a whole high end audio just sucks at marketting. Usually the best they've got is something like a woman whose usually facing backwards or sideways on a couch looking vaguely thrilled at the speaker. That or she's nekkid. Means nothing to a person. Take Beats audio. If you told me people would spend over a $100 ...let alone $20 on a headphone in my state, I would have laughed. Yet their marketting made it that I see it quite often ...and a plastic bottle of water goes for $1.50. Who knew?
|
|
|
Post by garbulky on Oct 3, 2014 12:03:22 GMT -5
At least my part of town doesn't fall for that yet. I digress, I did see some fiji waters some time back.
|
|
klinemj
Emo VIPs
Honorary Emofest Scribe
Posts: 14,775
|
Post by klinemj on Oct 4, 2014 7:54:10 GMT -5
To the OP's point that many don't listen to tunes at home, agree. I have many friends whose homes ware silent. It is wired to be there!
Mark
|
|
|
Post by brubacca on Oct 4, 2014 8:05:13 GMT -5
At least my part of town doesn't fall for that yet. I digress, I did see some fiji waters some time back. Funny point, that Fiji Water, really is from the island of Fiji. I know someone who was been to the plant where they gather, treat and bottle the water.
|
|
DYohn
Emo VIPs
Posts: 18,366
|
Post by DYohn on Oct 4, 2014 10:07:54 GMT -5
It's not all about people being cheap. It's about the Internet driving down prices. Take Emotiva for example. If they sold through a distribution/retail outlet network, the prices we all pay would be at least 50% higher than what they charge internet-direct. That's just what it takes for everyone in the chain to make money off the deal. And at retail, you are at the end of that chain and in many cases make the least money of anyone because they have the most overhead costs, sometimes even more than the manufacturer. This is why only high volume big boxes selling relatively inexpensive gear are the last survivors these days. And I say their days are likely numbered too.
|
|
|
Post by andyadler on Oct 4, 2014 16:17:35 GMT -5
I'm 57 and have been in this game as a passionate consumer for almost 40 years, beginning when my parents funded my first "real" audio system for my 21st birthday. We lived in Manhattan, and I spent the better part of an afternoon at American Audiophile on Madison Avenue listening to entry level speakers of many sorts, emerging with a pair of Spica SC-50s, which for me were a revelation -- small loudspeakers that sounded like music. These were paired with an NAD 3020 integrated amplifier and a modest Dual turntable. I spent untold hours in classical-music record stores like Korvette's, Sam Goody, J&R, Tower, HMV and The Record Hunter, which eventually hired me as a sales clerk. Fabulous job -- getting paid to talk with customers about classical recordings (and which led to engaging encounters out of the store with at least three remarkable women...). In early 1983 at age 25, when I moved to Louisville, KY to take a job as a classical music and dance critic for The Courier-Journal, I was wonderfully fortunate to meet a fellow named Larry Staples, who owned and ran an audiophile shop called The Sound Gallery (he was one of the first dealers to support what was then the fledgling Thiel company in nearby Lexington). Larry turned me on to SOTA and Well Tempered turntables, Conrad-Johnson electronics, and speakers like Thiel and Essence.
Without these kinds of dealers back then, I would have had scant appreciation for the kind of gear --not necessarily through-the-roof expensive -- that has remained with me for almost four decades. With two teenagers at home and retired from full-time journalism, spending can be more selective, and having access to gear from a company like Emotiva is a terrific advantage. Yes, the internet-direct model has become pervasive, and I've embraced it. Still, I feel sad for the current generation of listeners who don't have the mentors I was fortunate enough to encounter, and be nurtured by.
|
|
|
Post by Porscheguy on Oct 4, 2014 17:55:21 GMT -5
You can do it, but you need to appeal to the most affluent and have the best lines. There are a few in my area but the one that really is impressive is Goodwins High End in Waltham, MA. They have all the real $$$$ stuff like Mac, Wilson, Magico, Krell, Rockport etc. Some of the speakers are more than $100,000.00 a pair... I'm afraid to even walk though the door for fear that someone might ask me to buy something www.goodwinshighend.com/
|
|
|
Post by jmasterj on Oct 4, 2014 18:35:24 GMT -5
I would love a chance to go to Goodwins High End. I've seen exotic equipment in magazines all my life. I currently have a subscription to Stereophile. I've never had the opportunity to listen to that level of equipment. Go ED go the holy grail and listen. Then come back and tell the masses. I'm serious go.
|
|
hemster
Global Moderator
Particle Manufacturer
...still listening... still watching
Posts: 51,921
|
Post by hemster on Oct 4, 2014 19:24:32 GMT -5
You can do it, but you need to appeal to the most affluent and have the best lines. There are a few in my area but the one that really is impressive is Goodwins High End in Waltham, MA. They have all the real $$$$ stuff like Mac, Wilson, Magico, Krell, Rockport etc. Some of the speakers are more than $100,000.00 a pair... I'm afraid to even walk though the door for fear that someone might ask me to buy something www.goodwinshighend.com/LOL, I know what you mean. Goodwin's are not the sort of store that you would walk into, grab a bag of popcorn from the popcorn machine and plonk yourself down for a movie. They'll see you like a missile and engage you like the iron dome counter-missiles. Way back when I bought my gear from Ensemble in Nashua (Daniel Webster Hwy) they let me take the gear home and keep it for a week... all without any collateral. Gone are them good old days unfortunately... (and yes, I ended up keeping all the gear at negotiated prices).
|
|
|
Post by Porscheguy on Oct 4, 2014 22:03:46 GMT -5
You can do it, but you need to appeal to the most affluent and have the best lines. There are a few in my area but the one that really is impressive is Goodwins High End in Waltham, MA. They have all the real $$$$ stuff like Mac, Wilson, Magico, Krell, Rockport etc. Some of the speakers are more than $100,000.00 a pair... I'm afraid to even walk though the door for fear that someone might ask me to buy something www.goodwinshighend.com/LOL, I know what you mean. Goodwin's are not the sort of store that you would walk into, grab a bag of popcorn from the popcorn machine and plonk yourself down for a movie. They'll see you like a missile and engage you like the iron dome counter-missiles. Way back when I bought my gear from Ensemble in Nashua (Daniel Webster Hwy) they let me take the gear home and keep it for a week... all without any collateral. Gone are them good old days unfortunately... (and yes, I ended up keeping all the gear at negotiated prices). Gone are the good old days and gone is unfortunately Ensemble.....
|
|
|
Post by bluemeanies on Oct 5, 2014 6:44:08 GMT -5
I'm 57 and have been in this game as a passionate consumer for almost 40 years, beginning when my parents funded my first "real" audio system for my 21st birthday. We lived in Manhattan, and I spent the better part of an afternoon at American Audiophile on Madison Avenue listening to entry level speakers of many sorts, emerging with a pair of Spica SC-50s, which for me were a revelation -- small loudspeakers that sounded like music. These were paired with an NAD 3020 integrated amplifier and a modest Dual turntable. I spent untold hours in classical-music record stores like Korvette's, Sam Goody, J&R, Tower, HMV and The Record Hunter, which eventually hired me as a sales clerk. Fabulous job -- getting paid to talk with customers about classical recordings (and which led to engaging encounters out of the store with at least three remarkable women...). In early 1983 at age 25, when I moved to Louisville, KY to take a job as a classical music and dance critic for The Courier-Journal, I was wonderfully fortunate to meet a fellow named Larry Staples, who owned and ran an audiophile shop called The Sound Gallery (he was one of the first dealers to support what was then the fledgling Thiel company in nearby Lexington). Larry turned me on to SOTA and Well Tempered turntables, Conrad-Johnson electronics, and speakers like Thiel and Essence. Without these kinds of dealers back then, I would have had scant appreciation for the kind of gear --not necessarily through-the-roof expensive -- that has remained with me for almost four decades. With two teenagers at home and retired from full-time journalism, spending can be more selective, and having access to gear from a company like Emotiva is a terrific advantage. Yes, the internet-direct model has become pervasive, and I've embraced it. Still, I feel sad for the current generation of listeners who don't have the mentors I was fortunate enough to encounter, and be nurtured by. You bring back a lot of fun memories mentioning the likes of Korvettes, Sam Goody and Tower records. I use to love especially going to South St in Philadelphia. At the time it was the closeist that that I would get to Haight Asbury. I loved walking thru that store and the peopl were very knowledgeable about the music they sold. There was a older gentleman that worked in the blues and jazz section and he was a history book of information about artists that I had never heard of when I was in my high school/college days. After buying albums my friend and I use to stroll around glimmering at all the beautiful young girls and appreciating how freaky they looked. (Freaky) back in the day was a compliment. Today it has a totaly different conotation and label...unfortunately. We then use to grab a cheesesteak at Jims Steaks on South St. To me they were the simple times in life just like my father before me. We all had our time. Your only on this merry go round once in life make it a good ride. Thanks for making me remember.
|
|
|
Post by jmasterj on Oct 5, 2014 8:48:46 GMT -5
Back in the early eighties I subscribed to Stereo Review magazine. I saw Matthew Polk's SDA true stereo speakers, and Bob Carver's magnetic field power amps, and I was dying to hear them. I'm from Chicago and I found a place called Simply Stereo that carried both Carver, and Polk it was located somewhere in the south suburbs. You know I had to go. It was a small out of the way place you would drive by and hardly notice. I think they my have had three rooms maybe four. I went halfway expecting the sales people to be snobs but to my surprise they were not.
I explained to the salesman how I had been reading about Carver, and Polk and had been looking for a dealer that had both brands. He showed me around and let me listen to the equipment answering all my questions. Up until that point I had never considered spending $1250.00 for a pair of speakers. I had $1000.00 Bose 901 series four's and a pair of 301's, hanging from the ceiling in my bed room. I had a B&O turntable all brand new for the low low "they fell off the truck price". I thought I already had the best. Boy was I wrong. I left Simply Stereo that day on a mission. Everything I already had, had to go. I worked and worked saving every penny until that equipment was in my house. Simply put the equipment was on a different level to what I had previously owned.
I guess what I'm trying to say is the thought of hearing the Wilson's, Magico's, and the Krell's I would be driven. Even if I left there came home and wanted to throw all my gear away. To me they are the stuff dreams are made of.
|
|
|
Post by lionear on Oct 5, 2014 10:45:15 GMT -5
gary Cook Which opens up a new possibility: hi-fi manufacturers sell direct and abandon the dealer-centric model, like Emotiva. A $10,000 component may go for $2,000 if sold direct. jmasterjThe question is: Why would you want to open a stereo store? I got into hi-fi in the 1970's. At that time (and in that locale), getting a good stereo system was "the" thing to do. But in the 1990's, general interest shifted to golf. If the popular trend is not there, then the dealer has no chance. I think the popular trend is with iTunes, etc. And that's generated interest in headphones, which has generated interest in hi-fi headphones and hi-fi headphone amps. And this has led to interest in small hi-fi amps and speakers that can be connected to a computer. But so far, these people don't want to get big speakers, and then have to arrange their whole living room around the speakers, which need to be moved into a specific sweet spot. Magnolia Hi-Fi abandoned the brick-and-mortar model (or may be they hit financial difficulties), and became a "store-within-a-store" in Best Buy. Thanks to Best Buy, people will stroll by - people interested in everything from TV's to computers to vacuum cleaners and washing machines. But there's still a huge challenge in getting people interested enough in the Martin Logan speakers to even ask "What's that?".
|
|
|
Post by pop on Oct 6, 2014 8:39:05 GMT -5
Look up the retail term "Showrooming"
It's almost silly to open a B&M these days. I work in retail sales, I see it first hand.
|
|
|
Post by TempTag on Oct 6, 2014 18:42:13 GMT -5
A family member bought a component at one of the last real AV specialty stores in the area. The component failed under warranty. My family member brought the component back to the store for warranty support. The store shipped it to the manufacturer and charged my family member for shipping. (And the store charged more than my family member would have paid if they shipped it themselves.)
The store did nothing wrong, and this support model works well for Emotiva among other companies. But if this is the best a local store can offer for support what advantage are they really offering over an Internet vendor?
|
|
|
Post by ocezam on Oct 10, 2014 17:24:25 GMT -5
I would love a chance to go to Goodwins High End. I've seen exotic equipment in magazines all my life. I currently have a subscription to Stereophile. I've never had the opportunity to listen to that level of equipment. Go ED go the holy grail and listen. Then come back and tell the masses. I'm serious go. Honestly man, you aren't missing that much. If you've got a good DAC, an XPA-2 or better, and a decent set of speakers (Magnepan 1.7, Polk LSiM705 or LSi15, Axiom M80, Tekton Pendragon, Lore or Enzo, Aperion Audio, Gallo Classico just to name a few lower budget GOOD speakers) then you really are 99% of the way there. Speakers really make the most difference, and are HIGHLY subjective. HIGH END AUDIO is all about money. You may or may not find better sound there. I've listened to 1/4 million dollar systems. They aren't always better. When they are better, it's by a VERY small margin. It's pretty cool to have the opportunity to listen to uber high end stuff. I never get tired of it. But DO NOT envy it. Lot's of it is not that fantastic. MOST of it really isn't worth the price unless you have money to burn. I think you need a city of AT LEAST 3/4 to 1 million people to have any decent high end stores. In Colorado, Denver is fortunate to have a few high end shops and one of the biggest Audio Fests in the country (so why did Emotiva cancel their "on the road" show in DEN?"). At these venues I get to hear some uber expensive stuff. It's a blast, but I rarely wish I could buy. I do miss some of the "audio boutique" experience, but I'd rather have companies like Emotiva providing their level of quality at their prices. I'll take Internet Direct any day! I guess what I'm trying to say is the thought of hearing the Wilson's, Magico's, and the Krell's I would be driven. Even if I left there came home and wanted to throw all my gear away. To me they are the stuff dreams are made of. Yep, but it really is only dreams. When you went from Bose and BO to Polk and Carver, you went from consumer level to enthusiast level. Big difference in quality and smaller difference in cost. When you go from enthusiast level to truly high end, the cost rise incredibly and the sound moves only a bit. And again, sometimes the sound actually moves in the WRONG direction. It's extremely subjective at this level and psychoacoustics play a HUGE role. Peace ....
|
|
|
Post by jmasterj on Oct 11, 2014 1:00:09 GMT -5
I know it's only a dream, and there's nothing wrong with dreaming. We go to the auto show and the reality is we maybe can afford a Chevy, or Kia but we still enjoy looking at the Bentley's Maybach's and Maserati's. It's the same thing with audio enthusiast. We may only have a 10'X 12' room but we want some Maggie 3.7's or Pendragons, that's like keeping a elephant in the garage.
I'm one of those people who sets a limit because I know with equipment the "cost can rise incredibly and the sound moves only a bit". I have a pair of Maggie MMG's, a pair of Tekton M-Lore's, and a pair of JBL ES30's bookshelf speakers with dual ES150 subs. I believe they represent some of the best bargains in speakers. Yes I could spend more and do better, but for my budget, and space they all serve me very well. I can't help myself I still watch the TV shows with the mega yachts, and million dollar motor homes. What can I say?
|
|
|
Post by ocezam on Oct 11, 2014 8:01:52 GMT -5
I have a pair of Maggie MMG's, a pair of Tekton M-Lore's, and a pair of JBL ES30's bookshelf speakers with dual ES150 subs. I believe they represent some of the best bargains in speakers. Yep. You are listening to great sound. It would take THOUSANDS and THOUSANDS to better it. I guess my point is that having another forum member go and listen to uber expensive stuff and report back isn't any better than reading Stereophile. You should consider an audio vacation. This weekend is the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest in Denver. I can't make it this year, but it's a blast. You get to hear some incredible equipment. You'll also see some REALLY WEIRD equipment. I met Lonnie Vaughn there a few years back, that was cool. Next years dates are October 2 thru 4. You can go all three days and not see everything. People come from all over the country. Peace.
|
|