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In Reply to: RE: Sorry to be a wet blanket posted by 6bq5 on September 08, 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So, the ecosystem has changed radically in 50 years, but, a lot of the audio industry persists in outdated thinking, outdated behavior patterns, and outdated business models and expectations.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
Follow Ups:
Despite all this I still marvel that a company such as Beats (Headphones and other) could be formed a few years ago and "succeed" in the audio business despite all the headphone companies that have been around for at least decades yet they were unable to seize upon the market that Beats took advantage of.
Course, I guess the answer is that they arent really an audiophile product -and to some degree explains why those extant companies would not "do" what they did - but again goes to show how "audio" and audiophile are really different things - a gulf that could be bridged in some cases but more often is not
JaroTheWise
And don't forget, everyone can see the wristwatch when you go out, along with your suit, as well as your house and the car in your driveway. They can't see the stereo.
I think you've just summed up Bose's philosophy and answered the question "Why do they sell so well?" It's exactly what most people want.
...and an aggressive, targeted marketing campaign doesn't hurt, either.
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