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Is it possible for a high end manufacturer to overprice their goods?

Having just read the interesting and hyperbole laden review by RH of the new Rockport Orion speakers in the latest issue of The Absolute Sound, one thing struck me..

is it possible in the high end for a manufacturer to overprice their product ( doesn’t have to be a speaker, but this example comes to mind)? I ask this, as the Orion is priced at $133k! Yes,a price that would probably make 99% of hobbyists squirm. Yet, the speaker now joins a number of competitors that are in the $100k realm. 
To that, this particular speaker stands just 50.3” tall and is just 14.3” wide…with one 13” woofer, one 7” midrange and a 1.25” beryllium dome ( which these days is nothing special at all…and could potentially lead to the nasties of beryllium bite).

The question is…given this speakers design and parts, which may or may not be SOTA, is it possible that this is just another overpriced product that will not sell, or is it like others, correctly priced for its target market? Thoughts…

daveyf

Showing 2 responses by prof

prof
3,504 posts
 

Answer:  Of course.

I've often wondered how satisfying it actually would be for those manufacturers engaging in this race-to-the-moon-who-can-price-higher model.

Where you sell just a few a year.  Is that really satisfying?

Do you really want to spend all that time engineering great sound, only so that it can be experienced by a few rich guys?  And not only that: often enough Rich guys who may be buying "to have the expensive thing" vs those who have to strive for what they buy, and truly appreciate your work?

I'm sure it works as a business model.  Everyone is doing it now.  But in terms of personal satisfaction?   I'd want my work to be enjoyed by as many as possible

prof
3,504 posts
 

I haven't noticed any posts that look like someone is on a crusade (might have missed it).

But it makes sense for audiophiles to discuss the nature of how audio gear is being priced these days.  I mean...that's obvious, right?

 

 

 

 

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