• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Trouble with hi-fi manufacturers going under?

soundboy

soundboy

Super Member
Sound United is the owner of some of the most respected brands in the audio industry....Marantz, Denon, Boston Acoustics, etc. to name a few.

Former Sound United Business Could Be “Discontinued” Next Year After Falling Revenues, No Buyer and Losses Claims New Director – channelnews

www.channelnews.com.au www.channelnews.com.au

And now, Vox International is in trouble. Vox International owns Advent, Acoustics Research (AR), Klipsch, Energy, Mirage, Pioneer, Pioneer Elite, Esoteric, Jamo.

Vox International Up For Sale, As Consumer Sales Plunge, Pioneer Brand Dropped – channelnews

www.channelnews.com.au www.channelnews.com.au
 
Register to hide this ad
Wow, some big brands!

So, I wonder what buying a single brand would be like?

If someone said, "I think I'm gonna buy Klipsch," what would they be getting? I'd like to know the infrastructure!

Some names still have cache.

_

Just think of buying Acoustic Research and resurrecting the AR-3 for, maybe $999 dollars a pair.

Bring back the classic turntable.


Hey, thanks for posting this, I am going to go learn more thanks to your post! :beerchug:
 
Last edited:
Good examples of swechsier's point are Bell&Howell and Bausch&Lomb. The former world class professional cameras/projectors and the latter manufacturer of high end medical grade optical equipment. Both companies were bought out and their names sold off/licensed to marketing companies. Bell&Howell=>cheap sunglasses/Bausch&Lomb =>contact lenses. Same with the big names in audio. Pioneer made some outstanding audio equipment in the heyday of audio and are still riding the logo on avegerage/lo-Fi equipment. The same with the other great companies like Sansui, Kenwood,etc.
 
Sound United does not appear to give two craps about anything other than the money and our way of listening to music is dying almost as fast as we are. Correlation??
 
swechsler said:
If history is any clue, the companies will go bankrupt and Chinese electronics firms will buy the brand names for pennies. Look what happened to Sansui and Nakamichi.
Click to expand...

China's International Audio Group (IAG) has done very well with their purchases of Wharfedale, Mission, Audiolab, Quad and Luxman.

No American interest in brands mentioned in my original post? Harman International (JBL, Infinity, Revel, Mark Levinson) is now owned by Samsung. What's left?
 
Other than the tiny sliver of old men who still collect gear and call it a hobby (is hoarding a hobby?), there is no substantial interest in the world in what we call HiFi. A few niche makers will continue on, fed by Oligarchs and friends thereof, while the rest of the populace listens on small, cheap gear and ear buds. Given the high prices and esoteric nature of HiFi, it won't be missed.
 
DavidTT said:
Other than the tiny sliver of old men who still collect gear and call it a hobby (is hoarding a hobby?), there is no substantial interest in the world in what we call HiFi. A few niche makers will continue on, fed by Oligarchs and friends thereof, while the rest of the populace listens on small, cheap gear and ear buds. Given the high prices and esoteric nature of HiFi, it won't be missed.
Click to expand...
This

. People here seem to forget we are the weird .0000000000000000000000000001% of the consumer electronics market.
 
DavidTT said:
Other than the tiny sliver of old men who still collect gear and call it a hobby (is hoarding a hobby?), there is no substantial interest in the world in what we call HiFi. A few niche makers will continue on, fed by Oligarchs and friends thereof, while the rest of the populace listens on small, cheap gear and ear buds. Given the high prices and esoteric nature of HiFi, it won't be missed.
Click to expand...
Exactly right. We've got 10-20 years left, if that.
 
GChief said:
This

. People here seem to forget we are the weird .0000000000000000000000000001% of the consumer electronics market.
Click to expand...
Yes and no. There is hope, there are up and coming, but the industry is in shambles and being really stupid by ignoring the up and coming potential customers. Chi-fi is planting those seeds. Companies that lack the stories and histories that built the audio community. Over the years i have met many, but so many more are gone. I was involved in a phono stage project with Jim Fosgate and two friends. As of Sunday, I'm the last man standing. It's a strange feeling. The generation that made audio fun are dying off. My kids have no idea what that even means. Now there are too many corporate aggregators who don't love the industry, owning classic lines. Then they wonder why they get no traction.
 
This summer, I had a neighbors son over to listen to jazz. He was heading back to Boston College. Was into jazz and playing a saxophone for entertainment.
He had a Crosby suitcase phonograph! Mind you he's a student. But, here's an example why HIFI brands are dying. Need young customers.

Young are into phones and connecting by net.
 
Last edited:
A friend of mine thats in the business says business has dropped around 30% compared to the peak during Covid or immediately after word. In his case the biggest drop has been in turntable sales. Inflation hasn't helped either. But seems other dealers selling Technics latest Turntables are suffering from Technics giving them enough tables to see. I guess thats encouraging. Of course if you are a first time buyer Technics will give you 10% off if you buy diestly from them. That seems totally unfair to their brick and mortar store dealers. . But thats nothing new For Technics. They were always pulling stunts like that back in the 70's and 80's.
 
painttoad said:
i stop reading at the marantz wireless speaker, which i looked up and goes for $5500.

i'd say that would be a damn good reason for lacking sales.

i say good riddance to anyone that can't supply a quality, somewhat affordable product.
Click to expand...
Oh, come on, so a manufacturer makes a range of items at a range of prices and you get pissed because one of the products is expensive?
I know a lot of people here are dumpster divers, and that's great and all, but others have the desire or means to buy gear that's a tad more esoteric. Be thankful that companies are making stuff that appeals to a range of budgets.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom