If for no other reason, people have other needs and priorities in addition to (or in place of) hi-end audio. Everything is costing more and wages for most are stagnant. Most likely, not everyone in the household defines “recreation” as spending tens of thousands of dollars to sit and listen to music. They would sooner take that money on a European vacation, a sea cruise, or someone’s college tuition. Count yourself lucky if you don’t have to compromise.
The death of ultra hiend audio
Verity and DarTzeel last year, now MBL, ultra high end audio manufacturers are facing their demise and they have nobody but themselves to blame. What do these companies have in common: too much investment in creating the very best and when that fails raising their prices bottom up to recover their losses and inevitably charging 2x what the same product cost just a few years ago. Ego, greed and poor management can only result in one thing!
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I have no idea what the overall picture of the ultra high end audio industry looks like? I'm not in the industry and don't study the numbers. Is there a trade association that publishes the actual numbers and trends? My guess is, no. That makes anecdotal stories of companies failing less meaningful. As the prices of equipment continue to rise I believe the companies that will prosper are the ones who identify, and act on, the fact that more value has to be provided than just the equipment. Like it or not, these are now pure luxury items. The winning companies will be much more involved in shaping the "demonstration, delivery and set up experience". Just like, virtually, any other luxury market more care will be given to the total experience. That doesn't mean that building state of the art of the art products isn't the priority but it's not enough. Audio has been a life long obsession for me. For most of my life I pieced together my system by doing research, getting great advice from very knowledgeable mentors and trading for used equipment on audiogon! As I started looking at higher end equipment I realized I was in a position to make a more holistic change and make a significant investment in my "room". I can say that the company I landed on was CH Precision. I met the US Brand ambassador and he explained to me their philosophy. He then introduced to me to my dealer. All I can say is, I have been given a level of service that I could never have imagined- including bringing in Stirling Trayle to help set up my system. Like most markets, the only constant is change. I don't care what industry you're in, successful companies must adapt and change or be left behind. Doesn't matter whether good times or bad times, there are always winners and losers. |
@muvluv I think the people at that end of the spectrum have no issues feeding themselves. . |
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