Moderately priced audio

What was the point?

Wasn’t it that people describe their experiences with less expensive equipment?

I do not think that people who buy McIntosh put price/performance high on their list of concerns. Looks definitely account for a lot there.

uberwaltz,

Now, when I think about it, you are right. I got scammed and never realized it. I also had one beach chair (around $5) which disintegrated after a few days. One bed (upgrade from mattress on the floor for 4 years prior to that) and that was all the furniture for a couple of years. No wonder that sitting in the car was like going to the opera. On the brighter side, all my music at home got standing ovation.

yyzsantabarbara,

I had SONY CFD-S33 ($100 at that time) boombox as my only home system for five years. It was standing on a stool from Wal-Mart ($16) in the middle of an empty (dining) room. In those days, if I wanted to feel like I have some more refined sound, I would sit in the car in the parking lot.

I have to admit, both of those systems dragged me into music much more than many, actually any and all, more sophisticated systems I have heard since then. There is something about the moment and point in life, etc., I guess. To make it even more bizarre, at least to admit on an obsessive audiophile forum, both of those systems (boombox and that particular car) still sound just right. Live in the sense that I am alive again.

+1 geoffkait

The manifesto of those who’ve not caught up. 🤗

+1 for williewonka and each word written.

Here are some data about Stereophile readers. I was wrong with numbers in the post above. Time for Aricept.

Hi-Fi Equipment & Accessories

Average number of audio systems in home 2.2
Average amount invested in systems $18,500
Have budgeted/expect to buy hi-fi components in next 12 months 71%
Average amount expect to spend in next 12 months $2,400

Home Theater Equipment

Have home theater/video/TV equipment 92%
Average amount invested in equipment $6,700
Average amount expected to spend in the next 12 months $1,590

http://www.avtechmediausa.com/mediakit.stph.pdf

Reading many posts on Audiogon, you would think that people are embarrassed to admit they have a hard time affording anything over, let's say, $2000. Numbers discussed and thrown around are in tens of thousands for speakers and thousands for phono cartridges and cables.

However, a couple of years ago, price of an average audio system owned by a Stereophile reader was around $12 000, if I remember correctly. There was even a number how much an average reader was planning to spend on their system in the next year. It was relatively low. I forgot the number but way lower than $5000. It is somewhere on the Internet. Maybe $1500? I am not really sure anymore.

There is some discrepancy between what we read and what we do, it seems. Maybe magazines need to "review" more expensive products because those products do need more advertising. Cheaper products may be selling themselves just based on price and manufacturers do not allocate so much into their marketing/reviews. See how much noise there is about new Magnepan speakers. They are $650, if I remember correctly.

Car magazines are full of tests of expensive cars while Toyota Corolla still sells well.