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In Reply to: RE: $26,000. Good luck. posted by David Smith on August 28, 2014 at 06:01:02
I know. Most of us here could build a very good "A" system and maybe a "B" and "C" and well.
But the similarity of this design to the KLH, for example, reminded me of how Kloss and others were bent on integrating components into the home. The famous Six was designed to sit on the floor, against a wall, and not intrude into living space.
Today's speakers, whether large or not, have gotten so tweaky and placement critical that we're back to their dominating the space. True, there are more dedicated listening rooms in today's gigantic houses than in the 1950s, but a $26,000 system today would likely include speakers that are very finicky about placement.
We've also gotten more finicky ourselves, demanding a realistic sound stage rather than speakers with pronounced left-right effects for replaying records of trains or cannon shots.
Follow Ups:
Just not that much.
The smaller ticket item (about $3.5K) might be a better price point. But you could still get a decent EL84, vinyl system for that amount.
Do you think, in the 50s, we would have thought such niceties as a decent, attractive console stereo might be available to more than just the top 10%?
big j.
"... only a very few individuals understand as yet that personal salvation is a contradiction in terms."
"The smaller ticket item (about $3.5K) might be a better price point. But you could still get a decent EL84, vinyl system for that amount."
True, but at that price point the value of the audio portion becomes a significant portion of the price. At $26k it's a $3k stereo and a $23k piece of furniture. I don't see how those two go together, but maybe that's the husband/wife split of the input :)
I don't presume to suggest that I have a better business sense than the folks making it, I just think it should be possible and would be cool if someone were to offer something similar at a more reasonable price.
Dave
Even if I wouldn't argue with their business model, whatever it may be. My family and I would be interested in a modern take on a audio console, with modernist looks. Perhaps with detachable front-panel open baffle speakers that open up to reveal vinyl storage!
big j.
"... only a very few individuals understand as yet that personal salvation is a contradiction in terms."
I agree, I wouldn't be interested in paying $26k for this.
But....
and it's a big well qualified BUT.
I used to work in the custom bespoke furniture industry for a very well-known designer and as such have a different view of the business model.
They are obviously not selling enough of these to justify full on production runs or else we would be seeing more of them from new owners posting. As soon as I saw "bench made" in their intro I knew that they are making these to order. That means lots of carrying cost on the materials and components or else uncontrollable lead times. They are also probably subbing out the metal work. If not you have to add in the additional overhead for separate metal and wood shops (they don't mix well, ask any finisher). Speaking of overhead, average shop rate should be between $80-100/hr. without profit to cover wages, rent, lights, etc just for the workshop. I see they also have a showroom that has to be staffed and maintained. Oy vey, this all starts to add up really fast. I haven't really sat down and crunched the numbers, but shooting from the hip this is probably in the ballpark of what I would have to charge if trying to make 10 units or so a year for 10 different clients (direct sales downside) with taking into account all related issues with storage, shipping, warranty issues, and super picky clients (who are justified because they bought a very expensive piece of art). All while trying to make a decent living pursuing their passion.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not totally defending the designers pricing. I just know from experience that it is very easy to severely underestimate what it actually takes to produce stuff like this in the US in very limited production. It is often exponentially more than the sum of the parts.
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