Idon't think Dennis is crazy @ all for his pricing. I would do the same.
.... actually, that just means you're both crazy
But IMO there is no need to charge $15K for the Soundscape or Orion.
the Orion, I agree. It should really only cost around 6-7k. It's got great drivers and great electronics, but the overall construction is something I could do.
But the soundscape I can see easily costing what it costs, or even double.
The bass section alone is like 2" thick, and huge/overbuilt. The woofer is a custom USA-Built 12" unit with passive radiators so I can't imagine it being inexpensive. A comparable subwoofer would probably be around the 2k range as it is IE Funkywaves, and remember there's two pairs of soundscapes.
The midrange ain't cheap... it's an accuton. Then there's the die-cast midrange and tweeter portions of the cabinet. I can't do that at home.
And that 70-20XR tweeter alone costs like $2000+/pr to my knowledge. It's a RAAL, but it's not the same as the not inexpensive one dennis is using. It can play almost an octave lower.
Then throw in the most likely pricy crossover, even with cost effective / non snake oil components. Then add the furniture grade finish. I think the SS12 probably costs around 5-8k before construction, and then you need a ~40-50% markup to make up for all the labour spent on construction itself.
Salk is a business, and I don't think their markups are bad at all... Same with Seaton / JTR / Pre-huge-price hike Linkwitz.
I don't like the prices on the Salk speakers @ all.
$2000 for SongTowers
$2700 for SongTowers + RAAL
$4000 for Archos
$4300 for V3
$4500 for HT2-TL (with RAAL)
$6000 for HT3
I think all of the above are
fantastic prices for custom made speakers. Dennis's Philharmonic prices are truly crazy in the realm of "DIY kit" pricing. I mean any sane company would sell these for twice the price at least, even with made in china cabinets.
9k for Pharos is a bit pricy, but look at the cabinet construction.
$16k for Soundscapes is expensive? Sure. It's a statement product. I think 40k for a pair of KEF Blades is way worse, even if a dealer hooked you up with discount. I think 75k for a pair of TADs is unbelievable. 180k for some Focal Grande Utopias? Ridiculous.
We can argue about SQ all day. But IMO Salk, Linkwitz, Seaton, JTR, etc., will never be in the same boat as Revel, KEF, B&W, ect.
It doesn't matter if 100 guys on AH or AVS love the sound of Salk or Seaton.
They are different animals, & they need to realize it.
As dirty Harry would say, "A man's gotta know his limitations."
I can get the Salon2 brand new shipped to my front porch for $14K. So why would anyone spend $15K for the Orions or Soundscapes? That is crazy.
I don't get it. What do they need to realize exactly? Weren't the $22k pair Salons made in china with only one stock finish(maybe two)? If the Soundscapes or Orions sound more lifelike to someone than the Salons, while offering a custom finish (i think the regular salons finish is lame and would never buy it at those prices), how is that crazy?
Is this more or less a "Internet Direct companies have to be dirt cheap while brick and mortar companies can get away with whatever they want" assumption? There's companies like Ascend and EMP for "inexpensive" just like there's companies like Infinity and Pioneer. Companies like Salk, Seaton, Clearwave etc have a different niche that they're filling and I think they're doing it well.
