Concentration of wealth

[cjf]

I used to wonder what people did in their McMansions as I drove by subdivision after subdivision, what did they do with all that space?

Huge kitchens, but they dine out or order carry out, maybe hit the prepared meal line at Whole Foods on the way back from work.

Three and four car garages mostly filled with junk and lost desires of yesterday that lost their glimmer.

Sure they had a huge TV with maybe a soundbar or a Bose AM-5 system, but nothing resembling Hi-End, not needed with background music to be talked over.

I do not consider those people rich as it looks like a form of poverty to me, empty and transient.

Just a commentary based on personal observations and musings.

Such a post does not require citation.

It is what it is.

I think most of these folks are just trying to keep up with the Jones's. In my area these McMansions dont even have curtains and thus they expose the mostly empty living spaces they occupy because they spent every last nickel they have on the McMansion itself. Can't even afford to go out to lunch a few times a week in pursuit of keeping up with said Jones's

 

[Ron Resnick]

I think most of these folks are just trying to keep up with the Jones's. In my area these McMansions dont even have curtains and thus they expose the mostly empty living spaces they occupy because they spent every last nickel they have on the McMansion itself. Can't even afford to go out to lunch a few times a week in pursuit of keeping up with said Jones's

The naked envy virtually wafts from the words of this post. I don’t see the utility in caring about what other people have — or in making up reasons why they must be morons to have it.

We won’t have curtains anywhere except the bedrooms and the home theater room. Curtains in the living room and dining area would attenuate our ability to enjoy the view. Maybe your neighbors have views they do not wish to block.

 

[BlueFox]

I don’t mine curtains as long as I can easily place them at the end of the window. Out of sight, out of mind. So to speak.

 

[KeithR]

Could it be the concentration of wealth could actually save high-end audio?
If the ultra-rich search for bigger and more expensive toys could the influx of cash keep manufacturers and dealers afloat?
My dealer friend said audiophiles make terrible customers. I know that is true because I am one of the worst.
Maybe they could sell a 200k system to pay the bills while waiting for audiophiles to pull the trigger on the latest audio darlng. We know flagship models. bring in attention and foot traffic. But they usually sell a more affordable model.
If money is no object who knows what designer can do.
.

Most of the $200k+ systems are sold with huge discounts despite basically being the focus of dealers and manufacturers. Has shrunk the hobby, not expanded it.

So, no.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Let’s remember that it is not a good thing that the components we covet in this hobby are expensive. They are expensive not primarily because they are made out of gold and unobtanium; they are expensive because they are produced in very small quantities (thus the individual parts of which they are made are expensive to the manufacturer) and assembled by hand.

If Sony made [insert your favorite expensive high-end audio component here] it probably would cost one-fifth the price, be twice as reliable and exhibit far smaller sample-to-sample variation than the one we actually can buy.

 

[Gregadd]

Exclusivity is expensive.
What would most people do if cost was no object? Buy what they needed or the white elephant ?Would Ferrari have the same appeal if it was mass produced?

 

[IanG-UK]

Can concentration of wealth save high end audio?

Given that ultimate product pricing should be commercially defined by a combination of component cost, labour cost, research and development expensing, distributor margin, retailer margin, downward pricing pressures (copying ease; volume ease), and upward pricing opportunities (copying difficulty; volume difficulty) - then there would need to be a pretty obtuse and sustained set of circumstances in these factors, IMO, for a concentration of wealth to bale out a contracting industry. For a concentration of wealth to prop up the industry depends, IMO, on a component of the industry and a component of the potential customer base indulging in the greed/status game - which, IMO, you can see from time to time in this and a few other forums.

This does not act in isolation, nor is it definitively capable of being quantified, but I suspect that a higher proportion of profit now stems from tapping into the more excessive wealth of the top, perhaps fairly disinterested, 1% of the population by increasing general awareness (a bit) but by exploiting the profit margin (a lot) when compared with what happened maybe 20 years ago. Will it in isolation matter that much? Probably not.

 

[IanG-UK]

Let’s remember that it is not a good thing that the components we covet in this hobby are expensive. They are expensive not primarily because they are made out of gold and unobtanium; they are expensive because they are produced in very small quantities (thus the individual parts of which they are made are expensive to the manufacturer) and assembled by hand.

If Sony made [insert your favorite expensive high-end audio component here] it probably would cost one-fifth the price, be twice as reliable and exhibit far smaller sample-to-sample variation than the one we actually can buy.

But only 20% of potential buyers (on quality grounds) would want it - because for others it had the wrong badge.

 

[Ron Resnick]

You are correct, I guess, that some people are more interested in designer labels than patiently and meticulously auditioning components to ascertain their own personal sonic preferences.

 

[the sound of Tao]

You are correct, I guess, that some people are more interested in designer labels than patiently and meticulously auditioning components to ascertain their own personal sonic preferences.

But I’d guess Ron also other factors coming into play. We’re a niche hobby with a supporting niche audio industry. Say Sony built a SOTA TT or server I’d still rather buy off Mr American Sound or Mr Vyger or Mr Extreme rather than off Mr Multi-national electronics. It’s not an elitist thing but simply the character of design expressing through the individuals that have shaped this field of endeavour. Engagement with the passionate people behind the products that we love can be a big factor in the satisfaction and values that buying this gear brings with it.

Most audiophiles have knowledge of the great designers in this field, many seem to be doing it as much as a career of passion as they are doing it for business motives.

 

[Ron Resnick]

But I’d guess Ron also other factors coming into play. We’re a niche hobby with a supporting niche audio industry. Say Sony built a SOTA TT or server I’d still rather buy off Mr American Sound or Mr Vyger or Mr Extreme than off Mr Multi-national electronics. Engagement with the passionate people behind the products that we love is a big factor.

Most audiophiles have knowledge of the great designers in this field, many seem to be doing it as much as a career of passion as they are doing it as a business motives.

This is very true. I agree with each point.

Then let’s be forthright and recognize that the relationships with the designers and manufacturers are part of what we are paying for.

 

[the sound of Tao]

This is very true. I agree with each point.

Then let’s be forthright and recognize that the relationships with the designers and manufacturers are part of what we are paying for.

Absolutely. Happy to put in even in moderate grass roots ways if it helps keeps this hobby alive and fabulous. It all comes back in the future.

I think if we are being 100% objective most of us buy our gear with our hearts and not our heads.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Whenever we become dejected about the evolution of our hobby or the likely long-term longevity of it, please remember that it could be a lot worse. We could be involved in the hobby of amateur radio, struggling to persuade people of the relevance of Morse code.

 

[spiritofmusic]

This is very true. I agree with each point.

Then let’s be forthright and recognize that the relationships with the designers and manufacturers are part of what we are paying for.

Sure Ron. A big part of buying Zu is buying into Sean Casey's "Everyman" blue collar ethos. When he frets over setting a $25k pricetag on his flagship spkr, offering a whole lot of bang for yr buck, you can't help but love the guy.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Sure Ron. A big part of buying Zu is buying into Sean Casey's "Everyman" blue collar ethos. When he frets over setting a $25k pricetag on his flagship spkr, offering a whole lot of bang for yr buck, you can't help but love the guy.

I am a huge fan of Sean, both personally and professionally.

 

[kach22i]

Whenever we become dejected about the evolution of our hobby or the likely long-term longevity of it, please remember that it could be a lot worse. We could be involved in the hobby of amateur radio, struggling to persuade people of the relevance of Morse code.

Good point.

I'm one of the few that own a small hovercraft. The folks over at Hoverclub of America were lamenting at a rally about the large audiences and following things like lawn mover racing and other overnight sensations garnished why our club as shrinking every year.

 

[Ron Resnick]

The meetings of the Los Angeles Amateur Radio Club I went to a few years ago made any audiophile gathering seem like an EDM music festival in Berlin.

 

[KeithR]

Sure Ron. A big part of buying Zu is buying into Sean Casey's "Everyman" blue collar ethos. When he frets over setting a $25k pricetag on his flagship spkr, offering a whole lot of bang for yr buck, you can't help but love the guy.

Except we are still waiting for said speaker, years later

 

[spiritofmusic]

Even more reason to love Sean. He just won't release that speaker to make me have to return to a life of crime.

 

[IanG-UK]

But I’d guess Ron also other factors coming into play. We’re a niche hobby with a supporting niche audio industry. Say Sony built a SOTA TT or server I’d still rather buy off Mr American Sound or Mr Vyger or Mr Extreme rather than off Mr Multi-national electronics. It’s not an elitist thing but simply the character of design expressing through the individuals that have shaped this field of endeavour. Engagement with the passionate people behind the products that we love can be a big factor in the satisfaction and values that buying this gear brings with it.

Most audiophiles have knowledge of the great designers in this field, many seem to be doing it as much as a career of passion as they are doing it for business motives.

What an important point. Over 40 years I can name the designer who evolved and created my product purchases - Stuart Tyler (Celef, now renamed ProAc - and still running the same company after 40 years; Peter Walker of Quad, Roy Gandy of Rega - another 40 year man , ... through to Pierre Emmanuel Calmel of Devialet and Alan Wolf of Magico). All remarkable guys. In some senses one would like most of the product profit go to them and their teams rather than big chunks to the distributor and retailer.