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Peformance at price point for speakers manufactured in China?

Lately I've been doing some "window shopping" for speakers on various sites, and  this question pertains to how much more speaker one can get for the money when they are manufactured in China.

Specifically, I did some browsing on Music Direct and came across the Wharfedale Elysian 1.  I see a listing for a pair with stands that claims it has been marked down from 5800 to about 4k (this does not appear to be an open box) which is interesting, because a pair WITHOUT stands is listed at 5k; but regardless, if these speakers were not manufactured in China, how much more would they probably list for?

immatthewj

Showing 1 response by erik_squires

erik_squires
15,788 posts
 

The starting point for profitability in retail speakers is to sell them for 10x the driver cost. Everything after this is "bonus."

Off shore manufacturing, and "in house" drivers are two ways to achieve this.

The last thing you want to do is offshore, and built in house drivers while ONLY achieving a 10:1 ratio. That way lies barely hanging on.

Custom, one person shops like Fritz are rare exceptions.

I also want to say that I think being a bespoke speaker manufacturer in this economy is one of the most challenging gigs you can have.

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