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OK, Here's One For You, Industry Quantification...


So, I have a few questions aimed at attempting to quantify the industry. This is not because I am thinking about opening a store - no, I'm a very happy computer software engineer (code bone). My interest owes its due to an unfortunate audio dispute, the details of which are uninteresting other than to say, my would-be dealer argues the hi-fidelity industry is small (cottage) and, as such, does not follow the same consumer protection ethics (my word) as, say, plastic kiddie toys.

Upon hearing his claim of a small industry, I began thinking, is this true, and upon what measure would one either make or deny this claim. I came up with the following questions whose answers would be very interesting.

I am interested in hearing if anyone knows of 'official' sources to answer any of these questions or your thoughts about how to quantify the industry or how to even define it, for that matter.

1) Annual consumer spend - US, Europe, Worldwide
2) Total number of manufactures - US, Europe, Worldwide
3) Total number of publications - Monthly, Quarterly, etc.; US, Europe, Worldwide
4) Total number of distributors - US, Europe, Worldwide
5) Total number of retailers - US, Europe, Worldwide

The last point above, how to even define the market, is also very interesting. Is purchasing a $250 Pioneer receiver classified similarly to purchasing VAC monoblocks? What about a $2,000 integrated amp? How is that line drawn?

I look forward to reading a few responses!

Thanks...
cocozhou

Showing 4 responses by pbb

pbb
1,140 posts
 
Well without the aid of any figures it seems pretty certain to me that since the audio industry (and by that I assume you refer to "high-end" audio) lives on unsubstantiated claims, its movers and shakers clearly believe, for the most part, that it is beyond reach of consumer protection laws. Cables that have a sound all their own, vibration reducing platforms or cones for solid state equipment that is not microphonic to begin with, the invention of a whole vocabulary that is clearly aimed as lying in a grey area where anything goes, etc is proof enough that they feel that some very basic rules don't apply to their "industry".
pbb
1,140 posts
 
Anarchy, if you could stop for one minute spewing and actually read what people post you could avoid being the source of lot more heat than light. Since when is audiophilia and, more to the point, products whose promoters cannot and will not deign provide any proper explanation or back-up as to their superiority, beyond the reach of criticism? Maybe you bite into the whole high-end subjective audio thing hook, line and sinker but there are still a few people who enjoy the hobby but still keep to a sense of proportion and common sense. Or is it maybe that audio to you is a religion? The original poster was a little dismayed that a dealer thinks that by dint of the fact the industry is small that the usual rules of commerce don't apply to it. In the sense that high-end audio lives by this notion that there are no objective measures to be applied, I can certainly understand this belief that a product does not have to provide provable performance that lives up to scrutiny if you invent this notion out of whole cloth that it is beyond reach of the physically provable and only lives in the world of aesthetics. If you are not the least bit shocked and appalled by, for example, cables selling for 8K, you are indeed a true believer. Now if you have any numbers to provide the original poster, go ahead, but somehow I feel you are not too big into quantifying anything.
pbb
1,140 posts
 
A piece of wire has nothing to do with a Monet or a Michelangelo. An art historian could explain at length the technical and artistic merits in a proper historic context of the work of such geniuses. Can anyone do the same for the folks behind expensive cables? You, Anarchy, are truly a believer, one with no arguments to speak of aside from your personal attacks that are tiresome and unfounded. Strange is it not that an industry that has sidestepped any scrutiny by shifting their wares to the higher level of pure aesthetics should refuse to take back the product when the purchaser objects to it on the grounds of aesthetics? Insofar as you being a champion of the subjective audio thing is concerned, may I add that you are one of the worst ones I have come across on this site. Like I said: hook, line and sinker.
pbb
1,140 posts
 
What if you don't have any friends, how can you tell your equipment is high-end?
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