The Problem with Synergistic Research


The problem is one that a number of cable makers suffer from. I preface my remarks by noting this not a problem that is exclusive to Synergistic Research. I use SR as an example because I am more familiar with their cables than with the cables of other companies that have the same problem.

The problem is the cost of incremental improvements. SR makes some great products. But, in spite of their copy writing, not all SR products are great, IMO. Some SR products have made great improvements in my system -- like the Tesla SE Hologram D power cord. That having been said, in retrospect, despite the bally-hoo that surrounds SR product launches, most of their products have brought no more than incremental improvements to my system. Products from other cable companies have brought equal or greater improvements for me -- often at much lower cost.

The problem is that SR has such fast-paced marketing with products coming out at a gallop supplanting recently released products -- such as the SR line of PowerCell conditioners -- that I sometimes feel I have been left in the dust.

We cannot stop the relentless march of technology. But at the high price of most of SR's offerings one is often left with sense of being left out instead of left in when new products come on the heels of products one has just purchased. The SR trade-up program does not remedy this problem at all, IMO.

There are many other cable companies without fast-paced marketing that provide equal or better value for the money, IMO. Companies like Bybee, HiDiamond and Cardas. I am probably not the only one who feels as I do about SR and other companies with fast-paced marketing.
sabai

Showing 5 responses by mapman

I can understand how Sabai feels. You want to stay on the leading edge with a product line but can't afford to. I don't blame anyone. We can't always get what we want. Wait a bit and buy used only maybe?
"It is worth noting, that not all companies have such a short product cycles. "

Glad someone pointed that out!

FOr example, OHM Walsh speakers have been around for over 30 years and are currently in their 4th revision level I believe. I have owned the third revision level models for several years and am content and feel these do it "right", though if I had a few extra bucks laying around I would be tempted to take the next jump which is modestly advertised as "evolutionary, not revolutionary".

I've designed and worked with a variety of technologies for also about 30 years now. I find its a lot like baseball. Most good designers that want to get it right usually get it right by the third time around.

Three strikes you're out?
I tend to think about these things in a manner similar to Sabai.

It's amazing to me that especially in these days of a rough economy, the internet, free information flow, etc. that more do not go out of the way a bit in the interest of good customer relations. Companies that tend to do best over the long term tend to do this kind of thing better I believe.
I feel sorry for myself sometimes that I can't always get what I want, then I throw the switch and end up being thankful for what I have (usually).

It happens often when I watch "House Hunters" on HGTV and realize I probably cannot afford that gorgeous beachfront property in the Caribbean. Maybe my 10 year old daughter who is that shows biggest fan will be able to someday....