In Reply to: RE: SEVEN YEARS AGO the North American importer had an unworkable business model and tragically underpriced... posted by Bob Neill on August 3, 2009 at 05:26:54:
You wrote (quoting me):
"a mature classical music lover"
Right. And what percentage of the audio buying public do you suppose fit this description?
End quote.
I don't think I have to suppose, I believe I know: mature classical music lovers are a small minority of the "audio buying public" and a larger minority of audiophiles, but still a minority.
This does not mean that Harbeth is the only good speaker out there. I think Aerial 20Ts are wonderful. I love Wilson Benesch. But, to repurpose JA's observation re: overported speakers, nobody every went broke selling a speaker that is very impressive in a short showroom audition.
The single most disappointing first hearing I can ever remember was the Quad ESL-63 at Tweeter Etc. Right, yeah. I assign blame from my mature perspective equally to the speaker, Tweeter's piss-poor setup, and my own immaturity as a listener--even though at the time I owned Fried C2s, hardly a boom and sizzle speaker.
A very successful importer told me many years ago that (then), to launch a high-end audio line in the US so that it gained traction and stayed in the game took a $250,000 bankroll.
Today, paradoxically, that number may be still the same or even smaller, because there are fewer stores to visit and publications to advertise in.
But even before lack of working capital came into it, I think the former importer had tunnel vision that came from his map of the world having the Harbeth fanboys in the foreground (like the old New Yorker cover with the New Yorker's view of the world). At one point he told me he was concerned about Harbeth's being "over-exposed," and I said to myself, G_d help this guy, and soon, please.
As I understand it, Harbeth has fewer than half the US dealers that Wilson Audio Specialties does, and I surmise that most of Harbeth's dealers are less well-established and less well-capitalized than the average Wilson dealer. I don't see any profiteering going on with Harbeth.
JM
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Follow Ups
- I don't need to suppose, I believe I know - John Marks 11:26:43 08/03/09 (3)
- This does not mean that Harbeth is the only good speaker out there. - Bob Neill 15:26:36 08/03/09 (2)
- RE: This does not mean that Harbeth is the only good speaker out there. - SD_richard 22:24:50 09/07/09 (0)
- Really "good enough" is "really good enough" - John Marks 18:09:07 08/03/09 (1)
- Just finished listening to B-52's "Party Out of ..... - MWE 19:14:18 08/03/09 (0)