View Full Version : What is the Cabasse strategy of the la Sphere speakers
I decided to start a new thread.
What is the Cabasse strategy of the la Sphere speakers?
I can't believe that Cabasse are using these as a loss leader as suggested in another thread
and as a flagship or statement product they can charge anything they like for them.
why price them at $100,000 and make a loss, if they cost, for example, $150,000 to make ?
why not sell them at $175,000
so what's going on?
hifi_dave
17-03-2010, 21:02
Only Tesco and Walmart etc can really afford to make 'loss leaders'.
Without seeing their costings, it's impossible to judge whether the price is insanely low, or ridiculously high. Either way, it's approximately 50 times more than I'd pay!
Markf, I think you mis-understood the tone of the earlier thread.
Manufacturers are in it for PROFIT and, as I understand it, the basic driver design in the La Sphere is used in one form or another elsewhere. The high cost comes in the miniscule numbers these things are made in, the desire to have a "statement" product that all but the richest can afford to buy and to make a presence of sorts in the far eastern market, where these richest clients tend to reside I think..
As Marco said, if there are people willing to pay this much for such things, then fine. But please don't think that these speakers are made at a loss, 'cos i'm sure they're not..... :peace:
The ADM9.1 speaker system is approximately 300 times better than the Cabasse legacy models. Science fact.
Cabase would have spent many engineer hours in the development of these speakers. This will be amortised over the number of units. However, as Dave has mentioned, for reasons of exclusivity and the desire to promote these speakers as flagship 'state of the art' models, they will be priced accordingly and not many are going to be sold. Hence there are fewer numbers with which to spread the costs and so make them even more expensive. This will then reinforce the supposed 'qualities' mentioned.
Cabasse will make a profit; it is quite likely that the material costs are no more than 10% of the selling price. They are active speakers so you do get some electronic crossovers thrown in!
There are other manufacturers that make the occasional expensive limited edition flagship models: Kef (Muon) and B&W (Nautilus). All received a blast of publicity, limelight and over-the-top reviews. All were short lived.
Stratmangler
17-03-2010, 22:47
As an add to Barry's post - AFAIK the Nautilus is still available, but at over £50K a pair this is on a to order basis.
This is just because the Nautilus looks so bloody gorgeous http://www.bowers-wilkins.co.uk/display.aspx?infid=1729&sc=hf
As an add to Barry's post - AFAIK the Nautilus is still available, but at over £50K a pair this is on a to order basis.
This is just because the Nautilus looks so bloody gorgeous http://www.bowers-wilkins.co.uk/display.aspx?infid=1729&sc=hf
Agreed (in the right setting of course). Makes you wonder if they were designed by H. R. Geiger (of 'Alien' fame)?
This is just because the Nautilus looks so bloody gorgeous...
Lol... Chris, it's amazing how tastes differ, as I think they're hideous! :lol:
"Bloody gorgeous", in terms of speakers, is this (and no I don't know who she is):
http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/1425/tannoywestminsterroyal.jpg (http://img444.imageshack.us/i/tannoywestminsterroyal.jpg/)
Or this:
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/2846/el150slp.jpg (http://img263.imageshack.us/i/el150slp.jpg/)
:cool:
Marco.
More audio porn! :eyebrows:
Regards
Stratmangler
17-03-2010, 23:40
Lol... Chris, it's amazing how tastes differ, as I think they're hideous! :lol:
"Bloody gorgeous", in terms of speakers, is this (and no I don't know who she is):
http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/1425/tannoywestminsterroyal.jpg (http://img444.imageshack.us/i/tannoywestminsterroyal.jpg/)
Or this:
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/2846/el150slp.jpg (http://img263.imageshack.us/i/el150slp.jpg/)
:cool:
Marco.
I can see that beauty truly does lie in the eye of the beholder, and I hope that you're kind to your guide dog.:eyebrows:
Hehehe... I just love traditional styling and the patina and warmth of real wood, and hate modern 'sculptured' looking monstrosities with a passion... ;)
The Nautilus look like pieces of elasticised snot! :eek:
Marco.
Stratmangler
18-03-2010, 00:12
The Tannoy is very reminiscent of the caskets I saw last time I was in a funeral directors'.
The speaker pictured lower down the page is a good looker. What is it ? Does it pass a tune dem ?
They're ATC EL-150SLPs, and their styling is my concession to the 'modern look' - still luscious looking real wood veneer (birdseye maple, I believe) but with a much more contemporary feel :)
Sadly though, they are completely tuneless ;)
The Nautilus I suspect would suit the penthouse flats of the rather vulgar Bourgeoisie with a penchant for Cristal fizz and a questionable taste in caviar.
Marco.
S'all balls y'all, innit:). (Was going to make some remark about Les Francaise but thought better of it....:))
Go on, Ralph, what were ya gonna say? :eyebrows:
Marco.
They're ATC EL-150SLPs, and their styling is my concession to the 'modern look' - still luscious looking real wood veneer (birdseye maple, I believe), but with a much more contemporary feel :)
Sadly though, they are completely tuneless ;)
The Nautilus I suspect would suit the penthouse flats of the rather vulgar Bourgeoisie with a penchant for Cristal fizz and a questionable taste in caviar.
Marco.
You must be referring to LOMBARDs!
Actually I find the appearance of a lot of modern speakers not to my taste; some are to my eyes downright ugly (but then some would say the same of my Quad 57s)! The problem is that modern speakers are styled as pieces of sculpture and as such, only really look good in rooms with modern and minimalist décor.
Regards
Indeed!
Sophisticated class in a glass :):
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/8416/westminster.jpg (http://img268.imageshack.us/i/westminster.jpg/)
The reaction of discerning chaps with impeccable taste (like Barry and me) after viewing the Nautilus (or drinking the footballer's favourite tipple, Cristal):
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/7927/puke.jpg (http://img248.imageshack.us/i/puke.jpg/)
You can almost smell that, can't you? :eyebrows:
Marco.
I have only just spotted this thread, can some one point to the 'loss leader' thread relating to La Sphere's please.
Mr.C Cabasse's UK partner
I have only just spotted this thread, can some one point to the 'loss leader' thread relating to La Sphere's please.
Mr.C Cabasse's UK partner
Here you go:
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?p=109645&highlight=cabasse#post109645
Indeed!
Sophisticated class in a glass :):
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/8416/westminster.jpg (http://img268.imageshack.us/i/westminster.jpg/)
The reaction of discerning chaps with impeccable taste (like Barry and me) after viewing the Nautilus (or drinking the footballer's favourite tipple, Cristal):
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/7927/puke.jpg (http://img248.imageshack.us/i/puke.jpg/)
You can almost smell that, can't you? :eyebrows:
Marco.
Is that why they call it Asti Spew-manti?
I should add that I admire the look of the Nautilus speakers, and respect the boldness of the B&W stylists (didn't they also produce a speaker that looked a bit like a saxophone?), much in the same way I admire the boldness of the designers of the (original) Ford Ka. I would want neither.
My comment concerning the Nautilus design was that the radical and futuristic looks mean that it will only sit well in rooms that have a similar décor, and have minimalist furnishings.
Regards
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