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Why are so many companies like harbeth making old speakers designs and charging thousends?

Hi everyone I am a little confused about the speaker market. I had been two dealers that sell totally different products. The one I had been to which I bought my forests from sells Totem And Monitor Audio and B&W. though I went to the other that sells Harbeth And audio note speakers which they recommended me buying. And the problem I have trouble understanding Is when I spend thousands on a speaker. Especially my next big purchase. That has no real new technology and is the size of my dads old conerwalls and never use to cost Thousands to build. With no technological advancements. to a product such as the totem that is small compact and modern for the wife approval , and to be more exact. The new Element line and technologically advanced like the torrent driver. Which I can get the same speaker as the same cost or less of the audio note and Harbeth and dose not need to take up the whole room or look like the 70's. Whats your opinion? Would you buy a product that is a 30 year old design that costs 5 times as more with the only diffinceses as upgraded silver wire and upgraded crossover components. To a thousand dollar woofer that is machined not stamped and has so much magnetic flux that it ca lift a car and no crossover?
128x128jakecanada

Showing 3 responses by jmcgrogan2

jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
But why charge twice as much or more then what it costs to manufacture it.

Twice as much? In general, manufacturing costs are about 20% of the list price.
Usually 20% for manufacturing, 20% for R&D, 20% for Advertising/Marketing, and 40% for dealer markup.

What ever happened about giving the best sound for the most real cost?

That business model is still out there, you just have to open your eyes and look around. No one is forcing you to buy Harbeth speakers.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Which had some points to it, and made me think twice would you want to spend money on something that takes quite a bit of real estate in a starter home with older technology. Or a speaker that sounds as good or the same. With the same price smaller foot print and newer technology

@jakecanada , you would be surprised at how much money people spend on "older technologies". Just look at the popularity of tubes and vinyl.

Newer technology does not necessarily translate into better sound.
Just as smaller is not necessarily better.

If you want a smaller speaker, that's fine. I have space restrictions myself.
I don't question why some speakers have to be so big though.
Different strokes for different folks.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Have the prices of the speakers (and everything else) gone up ... or has the value of the money gone down?  

Little bit of column A, little bit of column B.
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