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General Asylum General audio topics that don't fit into specific categories. |
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General Asylum General audio topics that don't fit into specific categories. |
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In Reply to: several thoughts posted by musiclistener on September 28, 2007 at 12:32:02:
I think you're right to cast some doubt on Tweeter's failure as indicative of a decline (or not) of audio. Tweeter tried to have it both ways (hi-fi/mid-fi and high end) and likely failed because their clientele were all hi-fi, which presumably can be got elsewhere for less. As can Sony TV's, which was probably the heart of their sales. I went to one of their 'select' shops a few years back where Sonus Faber speakers were on display. The guy selling them thought they were from France and was driving them with some mid-fi solid state gear.
I agree with several here that sales of high end magazines is probably also not pertinent. I am a fairly serious 'phile and haven't looked inside one for several years now. I'm not sure why, other than that I wasn't finding there what I wanted, which was unpulled punches. Punches are pulled on webzines too, of course, but they're free.
I do think our industry is slipping a bit but mainly because truly good sounding gear costs more to manufacture and distribute (and import)...and so its prices are high. Too high for especially classical music listeners in the educational or other moderately paying professions. Unless and until customers are ready (and able) to accept that really good audio is as important to their wellbeing as other big ticket items (cars, for example), I don't see much hope, at least for growth. To get a musically satisfying system today costs a bundle. What would my McIntosh 6100/Advent based system of around 1970-71 cost today? You could put together a very decent (vinyl based) system then for around $1000-1200. The cheapest system I sell and recommend without concerns for durability and musicality runs around ten times that much, half of what an economy car sells for. And that's not just inflation, though the 1970's were longer ago than I want to admit. That bothers me but then, I'd rather have music than fancy transportation anyway. I don't have to choose because my wife is a well-paid computer jockey, but that's the choice I'd make if I had to. Used Accord and great audio.
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Follow Ups
- Several More Thoughts - Bob Neill 14:26:32 09/28/07 (1)
- "Half of what an economy car sells for." Hmm... in 1938 the world-beater Carnegie Phonograph sold for $5000... - clarkjohnsen 07:27:21 09/29/07 (0)
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