Custom Tuning Conspiracy

If there were a need for this and if it could be accomplished profitably, then somebody would have probably tried it already.

My speakers are somewhat tunable as they have three-position switches to adjust both treble energy and environment (i.e., speaker positioning relative to the wall).  However, these adjustments are more about optimizing the speaker for the environment and not so much about adjusting the inherent sound of the speaker for each individual user.

There are several reasons this hasn’t been done:

• Cost - the model is not likely to sustain profitability or, if the pricing were adjusted for profitability then, buyers would migrate to options that provide higher value for the price
• Choices - there are already many options from multiple manufacturers to purchase speakers that meet a buyer’s individual preferences so buyers can already shop for speakers providing specific sonic signatures and that meet the buyer’s unique price, size, appearance, and amplifier power requirements
• Options - there are already easier options to adjust the sound of an individual audio system through computer processing such as upsampling, DSD, MQA, etc., through cables and ancillary equipment, through equalization products, and through room treatment

Thank you for uncovering the heinous conspiracy. I can finally sleep tonight. 

LOL. In the words of Bugs Bunny,,,,"What a maroon!"

@kennyc 

Trying to design speakers to match each customer's "subjective" tastes is NOT an easy task - how do you know what I like? 

Thats exactly my point. They dont know what we like. Therefore all speakers are just based on guesswork. Which is exactly why we need custom tuning to take the guesswork out of the equation. 

 There will likely be a lot of trial and error until meets customer's tastes 

Audiophiles already spend their lifetimes trying to find perfect sound. The goal of custom tuning is to reduce that time. 

What if the customer refuses to be satisfied with the results, will the manufacturer have to eat the time and effort? 

No. Same as with ready made speakers. If you dont like em its your fault. You cant return them. Would a hifi dealer allow you to return a pair of $50K wilsons because you've changed your mind? Probably not. 

@mitch2 

A high end speaker costing $20k typically comprises parts costing a fraction of that. So there is a lot of profit being made. Profitability has never been a problem. We already deserve better products for what we pay, not higher prices.

Current speakers on the market are not good enough. Even if they were, how does the consumer know which one to buy? You would have to buy all the models on the market to find out and that would be far more unaffordable than a custom tuned speaker. 

there are already easier options to adjust the sound of an individual audio system through computer processing such as upsampling, DSD, MQA, etc., through cables and ancillary equipment, through equalization products, and through room treatment

Nonsense. If that was the case a cheap speaker for 200 bucks and an EQ is all you would need to get the same sound as a Magico.

@kenjit 

There is no sense in my debating this topic since I disagree with your theory, the idea of a conspiracy, and pretty much every tenet of your premise.  The only thing I can add is that if, in fact, "profitability has never been a problem", then start your own company making the types of bespoke speakers you suggest and report back on how it goes. Good luck.

@Mitch2

+1+1+1+1+1+1+1+1+1

Great idea mitch2, however that will never come to reality because it would require money, actual effort, planning and too much time away from the keyboard.

@mitch2, Bravo ....

Me, a diamond sprinkle more rough around the edges.

@kenjit, if you’re going to lie ... lie to me with sincerity.