I own a retail business and so just to chime in about cost to build a speaker. Its nearly impossible to generate a profit in a store front reselling items if you don't charge at least double what you pay for it. Not to mention that Harbeth may also be providing additional engineering or refining the parts in ways we don't appreciate and also they likely are offering item warranties etc which all effect bottom line. You simply can't stay in business without similar markup. Small business' may pay tax on the items used to build the product (we pay Obama's new medical device tax now-an additional 2%), sales tax when they sell it, workers comp, liability insurance and so on and so on. It is not easy to generate a profit without marking it up. The trend now is direct sales where you really can't demo the product without first paying-allbeit with good gaurenty but you still have to go through the process or purchasing the product and having it shipped to you home. These speakers tend to be much more affordable as a result-more to your liking-but going that route almost assuredly signals the end of the storefront HIFI sales store for certain. Take your pic! Support direct sales for the savings of support the guy with a passion for hifi with a storefront where you can sit and listen and talk to an experienced salesman (hopefully) and be willing to pay for that experience. Jut my 2 cents.
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?