In Reply to: I'm sick of b.s. posted by mbnx01 on May 16, 2011 at 15:39:39:
ScanSpeak makes some of the world's finest speaker drivers, used in some of the highest-end systems, and prices them accordingly. Revelator used to be their top line, but now is second to the even more exotic Illuminator series. (I'm waiting for the Terminators, myself).
The 5.5" Revelator woofers retail from Madisound at $230 each. The two models of Revelator dome tweeters go for $255 and $285 each, respectively -- not sure which model is in the Fritzes. That's around a grand in drivers per pair of speakers, but the OEM can probably get a 30% discount or so if he buys multiple cases.
If those boxes are as well made and finished as they look, he's probably paying at least $30 a piece for them, even if they're made in China. More if made locally.
I would assume that speakers using such drivers would use some boutique crossover parts and jewelry grade hardware. Maybe another $100 or so per speaker sounds fair. (I would also hope that the crossover is competently designed).
Then he's got overhead on his shop, utilities, taxes, wages and more taxes if he has employees, bookkeeping costs, insurance, yada yada. A small manufacturer can't swing the same economy of scale as a big one.
It looks like he has a lot more into those than the typical 10-15% of retail price that most manufacturers put into parts and materials. And at 1/3 off for the demo pair, he's probably not making very much on them.
Compare the linked Illuminator KIT, which goes for a bit over $1200 a pair, AND you gotta build your own boxes!
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Follow Ups
- Well, look what's in 'em - caspian@peak.org 20:25:37 05/16/11 (12)
- RE: Well, look what's in 'em - c.nourie@sbcglobal.net 03:20:36 05/24/11 (2)
- We listen to a lot more than just drivers - Sordidman 14:41:22 05/24/11 (0)
- Dynaco A25 drivers - caspian@peak.org 10:09:45 05/24/11 (0)
- Fritz buys his own wood and builds his own cabinets -t - Sordidman 09:10:45 05/17/11 (0)
- RE: Well, look what's in 'em - b.l.zeebub 08:58:52 05/17/11 (4)
- RE: Well, look what's in 'em - Æ 23:53:40 05/20/11 (0)
- RE: Well, look what's in 'em - shannere 20:48:26 05/17/11 (1)
- RE: Well, look what's in 'em - b.l.zeebub 03:48:49 05/18/11 (0)
- Because they sound better! - Sordidman 11:10:22 05/17/11 (0)
- RE:the OEM can probably get a 30% discount or so if he buys multiple cases - badman 08:01:26 05/17/11 (0)
- $30 for a cabinet? - Steyr 06:12:51 05/17/11 (1)
- RE: $30 for a cabinet? - mls-stl 08:02:08 05/17/11 (0)