In Reply to: RE: Sorry to be a wet blanket posted by 6bq5 on September 8, 2015 at 10:13:45:
FICKLE
and
DISCRETIONARY.
When we cleaned out my mother's basement after her death, there were enough stereo components to make three and perhaps five systems. And stationary bicycles and other exercise equipment, and regular bicycles, too.
Back in the 1960s, if you wanted good sound, you had to buy component audio.
Today, I tell musicians to listen to test CDRs in their cars, the car is the best stereo system most people will ever have.
Most home theaters can play a CD or a concert DVD.
Cellphone sound stinks, but people still push in their earbids.
Add it all up, most people are doing fine without component audio.
So, the ecosystem has changed radically in 50 years, but, a lot of the audio industry persists in outdated thinking, outdated behavior patterns, and outdated business models and expectations.
Component audio today is a LUXURY good, but the problem is, it does not have the cross-platform aspirational appeal of all other luxury goods such as expensive wristwatches, for two immutable reasons:
1. A wristwatch takes up about 12 square inches on your dresser and a nice piece of Impressionist art a couple of square feet of wall space; but a full-range stereo system takes up floor space and shelf space in your living area and in most cases will dominate the room.
That living-space grab disqualifies more than half the market: "You are not putting those huge things in MY living room."
2. An ambitious stereo makes sense only if you sit down, shut up, and listen carefully. Please re-read that sentence!
If all you want is background music to accompany entertaining or any other activity, Sonos has got you covered for $600.
The only audio companies that will survive long past the death of their founders will be the ones that are not in deluded denial about the above, and that can offer both a Unique Selling Proposition and an Undeniable Value Proposition.
Ciao,
john
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Follow Ups
- Your two words sum up the entire state of affairs! - John Marks 11:51:29 09/08/15 (3)
- RE: Your two words sum up the entire state of affairs! - JaroTheWise 00:48:42 09/11/15 (0)
- RE: Your two words sum up the entire state of affairs! - SalD 13:44:10 09/09/15 (0)
- RE: Your two words sum up the entire state of affairs! - Markw* 12:20:45 09/08/15 (0)