While there is potential for a new owner with deep pockets to do good things with the label, the likelihood is that won't occur. What worries me about this sale is the potential for lowered standards; Chinese aren't particularly well-known for having the highest standards of quality control, when there is money to be made by shaving a little cost here, and letting a slightly defective product out the door there; it's money, and they often tend to prefer making money to making a reputation. There are some exceptions, and I hope this will be one.
I'm also surprised at the price paid for the company. It's a small niche label, and perhaps the high price of their products leads us to expect a higher price for the company; after all, how many people actually buy these most-expensive headphones each year, especially now that many once-booming economies are in the doldrums? What are the actual margins and profits annually for making these numbers of these expensive-to-produce headphones? Maybe the price isn't too low?
I'd expect (PERHAPS) an attempt to cash in on the name by introducing lower-priced lines that aren't up to the level of traditional Stax "Earspeakers." Maybe even some non-electrostatic lines(?).
It'll be interesting to see what happens to the brand. I might consider getting a "real" one before any big changes are made...just in case.
