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Thread: Is it me or is Hi-Fi getting even more over priced ?

  1. #1
    Join Date: Aug 2008

    Location: Tyldesley Manchester

    Posts: 294
    I'm David.

    Default Is it me or is Hi-Fi getting even more over priced ?

    I think this might be the engineer in me but these days when I walk past Audio-T and look at the prices of some Hi-Fi kit I do a double take. If the price is 'reasonable' the quality and finish seems very lacking compared to hi-fi of past generations on closer examination.

    Example... I have been looking at this bit of electronics

    https://goo.gl/images/kT6Y25

    which is a shear monster of a build in terms of materials, finish and electronics both analogue and digital if you see it in the flesh, cost £1800 at the most from a high street music store. Then I compare to stuff like the Chord Dave dac at £8500 from audio-t high street which looks pretty but I would find hard to believe it has had more technical design input and certainly has less materials and construction effort. Ok the Chord is an extreme example maybe but then look at most Hi-Fi in the same price range to other markets and its usually the same.

    This trend kind of reminds me of apple and the latest iPhone nonsense. Some might find this funny.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75gwlQlMLbk


    Is it really me ? Sign of getting old ?
    David.

  2. #2
    Join Date: Feb 2013

    Location: W Lothian

    Posts: 99,005
    I'm Grant.

    Default Is it me or is Hi-Fi getting even more over priced ?

    Quite a few good products from the Chinese market although many are poor. People have probs with it but they used to have probs with Skoda
    Regards,
    Grant .... ؠ ......Don't be such a big girl's blouse

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  3. #3
    Join Date: Aug 2008

    Location: Tyldesley Manchester

    Posts: 294
    I'm David.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by struth View Post
    Quite a few good products from the Chinese market although many are poor. People have probs with it but they used to have probs with Skoda
    Yes, there are a few gems on ebay even in kit form which seems great prices. Also some of the hi-end amp like BADA etc look good value until you factor in the shipping and duty costs.
    David.

  4. #4
    Join Date: Nov 2008

    Location: North Down /Northern Ireland/ UK

    Posts: 19,484
    I'm Neil.

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    I do struggle at times to see how some items cost what they cost.
    Regards Neil

  5. #5
    Join Date: May 2016

    Location: Notts

    Posts: 2,741
    I'm Geoff.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Dalek Supreme D L View Post
    I do struggle at times to see how some items cost what they cost.
    It's not about costing what they cost: it's about market segmentation by vendors by differentiating products to extract the maximum amount from a distinct demographic! In other words, it's possible to charge prices unrelated to production costs or performance because some people are willing to pay a premium for goods that differentiate themselves as consumers. Vanity purchases or conspicuous consumption!

    Check out the work of Thorstein Veblen; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thorstein_Veblen

    Geoff

  6. #6
    Join Date: Nov 2008

    Location: North Down /Northern Ireland/ UK

    Posts: 19,484
    I'm Neil.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Sherwood View Post
    It's not about costing what they cost: it's about market segmentation by vendors by differentiating products to extract the maximum amount from a distinct demographic! In other words, it's possible to charge prices unrelated to production costs or performance because some people are willing to pay a premium for goods that differentiate themselves as consumers. Vanity purchases or conspicuous consumption!

    Check out the work of Thorstein Veblen; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thorstein_Veblen

    Geoff
    I am aware of that.
    Regards Neil

  7. #7
    Join Date: May 2016

    Location: Notts

    Posts: 2,741
    I'm Geoff.

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    What I should have added is that I believe that the growth of the super expensive hifi market is the result of increasing inequalities in income and wealth. Twenty five years ago there were just too few consumers able to spend the equivalent of a luxury car on a music system.

    Geoff

  8. #8
    Join Date: Mar 2017

    Location: Seaford UK

    Posts: 1,861
    I'm Dennis.

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    The psychology of vanity is the largest growth area in my opinion.

    Look at the fleet of new very similar SUVs which have appeared on the market over the last year, all very similar in appearance, vying for purchase, and probably never to be used for their intended design purpose.

    They will however allow the buyer to feel superior and smug when viewed in public.

  9. #9
    Join Date: May 2016

    Location: Notts

    Posts: 2,741
    I'm Geoff.

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    I don't think that vanity or vanity purchases are new. Indeed, in class ridden Britain there is a long history of the middle classes aping the consumption patterns of the upper classes, only for the working classes to ape the behaviours and practices of the middle classes. I think what is new is for a significant number of consumers to have such huge disposable incomes that they are able to differentiate their superior wealth so markedly. I would guess that in the 70s and 80s, exotic foreign holidays were the way of keeping ahead of the Joneses. "Chelsea tractors" do seem to have an appeal in some circles. In some audiophile circles the modern equivalent seems to be to spend the equivalent on a hifi on what it would cost to buy a small house "up north".

    Geoff

  10. #10
    Join Date: Aug 2008

    Location: Tyldesley Manchester

    Posts: 294
    I'm David.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Sherwood View Post
    In some audiophile circles the modern equivalent seems to be to spend the equivalent on a hifi on what it would cost to buy a small house "up north".

    Geoff
    That reminded me of something my late Friend used to say. I am not paying more than I bought my house for even if it was 20 years ago. I think many products sell us an idea or image. Look at the Vinyl craze atm. Many are buying even though they don't have a TT and record companies plus artists know this so cash in and we get inflated prices.
    David.

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