Why can't they just make good stuff? <rant>

[Gimpy Ric]

I'm 42 years old, and started my addiction to great sounds at the age of 16, buying consumer grade technics junk at the time. But I had damn good speakers when I turned 18. Traded in a pair of Boston A40's for some JBL L46's. Now my rant:

Have big chain stores helped or hurt once GREAT speaker makers? Hell, JBL used to have one product line, the good stuff. Now I get confused at thier website looking at four or five product lines. And I'm almost embarrased to tell people I own JBL. Same with Boston Acoustics, and Klipsch. Here are the speakers I've owned over the years:

Boston A 40's, and A 70's
JBL L 46's, Pro III's, L100T Studio Monitors
Klipsch kg 1.2's
Bose 301's (okay, I'm only human)
MK MX 200 Sub
Infinity PS 12 Sub, Primus 150's
Velodyne MiniVee Sub
HSU HB-1's

Nothing special except the JBL L100T's. I still have those, with fresh drivers, and I love them. None of my speakers were very expensive, but the best I could/can afford. And I always by USA when I can.

Have big chain stores helped or hurt? I was taught to put 70% of my total system cost into the speakers, but the chain stores don't carry the best stuff that JBL, Klipsch, Boston, Polk, etc, make .

What do you think? As soon as I sell $7000.00 in Ham Radio Gear I'm going to buy some nice big expensive speakers from a local high end store .

 

[Adam]

Have big chain stores helped or hurt once GREAT speaker makers?

The product lines are more diverse now, so it takes more research on the consumer's part to understand the differences. It certainly can be confusing, no doubt.

Ultimately, though, I'd guess that they've helped - or at least they did if the companies actually care about audio and not just money. Making decent, low-cost speakers is probably more challenging than making more expensive speakers, and that takes research into acoustics, materials, manufacturing, and other areas. That research can almost certainly be leveraged in the pursuit of designing higher end speakers. Those low-cost speakers also almost surely generate far more revenue for the companies than the higher end products used to because of sales quantities, and that added revenue helps with more research. Some companies might opt just to make more money and forget about the higher end products, though, because profit is one large goal of a business.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

Its just like cars. Mercedes couldn't sell AMG models if they didn't sell 100,000 C-class cars.

 

[Sheep]

Not everybody goes to such extreme lengths with hobby's as others. Some people on this site put thousands into a stereo but drive a normal car. I've been into many different hobby's, and while I still like them all, I can't afford to go all out in every one.

My main hobby's right now include my car, my computer, and my stereo. Lately, I've been focusing on my car, but once I've hit a financial limit (as in, the next step would cost $$$$) I will fall back on another hobby that requires updating (which will be new surround speakers for the stereo).

Most people that shop at Futures Shop and other style stores (except for me) are just there to buy a little entertainment system so they can watch a movie or have music on the go. Thusly, they cater to those customers. Ho9wever, They do have some nice stuff as well, include the RC line for Energy, and other higher end mass marketed electronics.

SheepStar

 

[Mort Corey]

One thing is that people that tend to shop at the big chains (whether apparal, audio-visual or sporting goods, etc) do not have quality as their highest priority.......generally speaking. Another is that quality audio is not as sought after as it once might have been (see iPOD genre). Not many people just SIT and LISTEN to music as they did in the days of radio only. We've become a more visual oriented society. Music has become more of background noise while doing other things in or around the house. IMO, quite a bit of contemporary "music" isn't worth listening to anyway.

Mort

 

[westcott]

I do not think that most people place enough importance on quality speakers. They either have never heard a killer system or they have and do not place enough importance on it to spend the big bucks.

I also find that manufacturers build products to make money, good or bad. Most probably hate the idea of in wall speakers but the market demands it. Same with HTIB's. You have to make products that people will buy, whether or not you agree philosophically on their attributes.

I guess it boils down to priorities. Me, I spend my money once and hang on to what I have for many, many years. I would rather wait and save for what I want than compromise and not be really happy with my buying decision.

But, components come and go but quality speakers can last generations and have the greatest impact on sound quality IMO.

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

HUH??

There is a plethora of good stuff available as we speak

You just need to shop at the right stores.......

BB & CC is geared towards average Joes, so you'll need to shop elsewhere if you want to find higher end equipment.

 

[Gimpy Ric]

I know where to buy high end equipment, I'm just mad at the average joe buying say some JBL door speakers for his F-150 truck, and not liking them, thus writing off all JBL speakers as being crap.

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

I don't have much to say about car audio, but I'd love to hear how my HT would sound enveloped by K-2's

 

[Seth=L]

(which will be new surround speakers for the stereo).

Just some humble advice. Get larger fronts and move your current fronts to the back.

 

[Seth=L]

I know where to buy high end equipment, I'm just mad at the average joe buying say some JBL door speakers for his F-150 truck, and not liking them, thus writing off all JBL speakers as being crap.

Best Buy does diminish the image of the products they carry to some people. But most people that think Best Buy's stuff is of poor quality know enough to know that Some of those companies still make good products, or used to. I don't think that an enthusiast going to Best Buy or Circuit City really thinks they have the best there is to offer from companies like JBL or Klipsch. What is sad about Best Buy is they stopped carrying Athena I think, at least in my area, which was a very good value speaker. I am dissapointed that Circuit City doesn't carry Harman's stuff anymore. I got my Infinity Interlude 10s there a few years ago and I love them. But, I don't really feel that Infinity has turned out any good lines since Interlude, Intermezzo, Prelude time period. Betas are alright, but I still prefer the Interludes for their build, looks, and most importantly sound.

 

[highfihoney]

As soon as I sell $7000.00 in Ham Radio Gear I'm going to buy some nice big expensive speakers from a local high end store .

When you visit your local high end store to look at speakers pay attention to the store parking lot before you go inside the store,make a mental note of what kind of car the dealer drives & remember that car when your looking at his inventory.

The reason i say this is because dealer mark up on speakers is usually in the 60% range,even if the dealer will give you 30% off msrp he is still making a fat greasy wad of cash off a 10 minute transaction,this explains why most hi end dealers drive $150k and up cars,they take customers to the cleaners.

Do yourself a favor & look at used hi end speakers online at Audiogon.com,a used set of $10k hi end speakers can be had for $5k or less from buying used & you can bet your a$$ that a guy who spent $10k on a pair of speakers took great care of them,too bad he has the upgrade bug & is willing to take a massive loss so he can get a bunch of new goodies.

Buying new gear from hi end shops is a loosing proposition in all cases.

 

[AverageJoe]

I know where to buy high end equipment, I'm just mad at the average joe buying say some JBL door speakers for his F-150 truck, and not liking them, thus writing off all JBL speakers as being crap.

Hey, what'd I do?

Actually, I have quite a few JBL's, and wouldn't trade my JBL Synthesis HT1D dipoles for anything.

 

[Gimpy Ric]

Sorry Joe, that was a coincident. Sorry. I love my JBL's too.h

 

[Tom Andry]

I think 50% of Average Joe's posts are just like that.













and I laugh every time

 

[AverageJoe]

I think 50% of Average Joe's posts are just like that.

Sorry, I can't help myself - I just don't know enough to post anything constructive.

... but I may have graduated to AboveAverageJoe by now. ??

... nah!

 

[Dolby CP-200]

I think 50% of Average Joe's posts are just like that.






and I laugh every time

LOL well I have JBL have since 1990 but been fan since 1989 and my name isn’t Joe ether.