Can Magnepan survive Wendell Diller?


I bought my first set of Magnepans in 1976, and I currently have a pair of 1.7i's.

It is difficult for me to upgrade to the 3.7i's because their are so many things that the company can do to improve their product that they simply won't offer; upgraded crossover components, a solid wood/rigid frames and better stands are examples.

Other companies are now doing this, but Magnepan always says Wendell doesn't think that is a good idea.

Can a man who suggests using lamp cord for his speaker line really have that much control over an otherwise unique technological approach to speaker design? I must be missing something obvious when a product is hand assembled in MN and any of these upgrades would, in my mind, warrant factory upgrades. Who wouldn't spend an extra $1k for a 1.7i with a hardwood frame and an upgraded x-over? Adding a ribbon tweeter to the 1.7i would warrant an additional $1k, still bringing them in $2k under the 3.7i.

Is it common for one person to hold an entire company back in high end audio? 
128x128william53b

@Secretguy: No, I am fully aware of the current labor market. Yes, there is an overall shortage of workers. But much of the problem is that employees are quitting their jobs when they have any issue at all with fellow workers or management to go take an almost identical job at slightly higher pay or perceived more friendly environment. But nearly all of such jobs are entry level service industry jobs.

But Magnepan has what appear to be very long-term manufacturing jobs in at a company that historically can’t make enough product. Therefore, those jobs would be much more highly prized than working at Walmart or McDonalds, assuming that pay and benefits are as good or better. Having worked in an American manufacturing company, I know that the employees who manufactured our products very much appreciated the work they were doing, and the people they were working with. They felt like they had a real career with interesting work and opportunities.

IMHO, a company like Magnapan has labor shortages today either because they are located away from a suitable labor pool, or the pay / benefits are substandard. Oh yeah, it might also be because management is caustic. I only say that because if an exec has no issue with cussing out a customer, I can only imagine how that exec treats the people around him / her. Have a nice day.

@Jaymark: I too have a pair of 1.7s. Would you please let me know what mods you did? I am interested in modding my pair for use as surround speakers. Thanks.

Funny that geniuses here know more about (in this case) Magnepan’s business plan than Magnepan. Reminds me of the sports forum about my alma mater where the members think they know more than the hall of fame basketball coach. 
 

Of course Magnepan could use better quality components. That would compromise the value part of the product. Not all of their target market is audiophiles. 

@mschott

Obviously having an established company with a steady customer base is the key to survival, and there is no need to look for better management or innovation, when you have everything under control.

Just ask these companies:

Kodak

Sears

K-Mart

Radio Shack

General Motors

Blockbuster

Polaroid

Borders

Pan Am

Circuit City

FW Woolworth

SS Kresge

Kay-Bee Toys

Toys R Us

Tower Records

Pier 1 Imports

Hummer

American Motors

CIT Group (NYSE:CIT)

Enron Corp. ...

Conseco Inc. ...

MF Global. ...

Chrysler. ...

Thornburg Mortgage. ...

Pacific Gas and Electric Co. ...

Texaco.

Etcetera…..

And of course, the obsession to hold the line on costs may test them to the max with runaway inflation.