Hi-end audio coming to Wal-Mart

Marbles · « **on:** 31 Mar 2005, 02:37 pm »

Wal-mart will be selling speakers made by SLS International (stock symbol SITI)

http://www.slsloudspeakers.com/products.htm

That are designed by Quincy Jones (not likely, more like they are using his name).

This surround system will retail for $498.

The thing that makes this exciting is that SLS makes commercial speakers based on a similar type of PLANARS that VMPS uses as well as using BG NEO Ribbon 3's etc...........

Carlman · « **Reply #1 on:** 31 Mar 2005, 02:46 pm »

The HT400 would be cool to hear... the specs look pretty good... Especially if it's a good price... If that shows up in Wally world, I won't feel bad about taking a 30-day demo.

However, I would imagine they're going to make special, 'price-sensitive' speakers for Walmart. They sell for less because they buy for less.

Interesting nonetheless... what's the source?

CornellAlum · « **Reply #2 on:** 31 Mar 2005, 02:46 pm »

Let's not get carried away in our similarities when speaking of products at walmart.

Marbles · « **Reply #3 on:** 31 Mar 2005, 02:55 pm »

Source is todays Wall Street Journal, page D4 column 1

John Casler · « **Reply #4 on:** 31 Mar 2005, 04:15 pm »

It must be a "whole new" product.

I have been an SLS dealer (which means one of my distributors carries them) for probably 5 years. (never sold a pair)

The cheapest 5.1 system on my price list is the HT 400 which retails for $3000 for the 5.1 set.

Their cheapest small speaker is the CT8R which lists for $895 (each)

The HT8R shown on their site is listed at $1095 each

Hard to figure what they might offer at that price, but I don't think it is shown on the site.

Should be interesting to see what they come up with for $495.

doug s. · « **Reply #5 on:** 31 Mar 2005, 04:31 pm »

the pdr1000 ribbons in these speakers actually *look* a lot like the hi-vi research ribbons. i contacted sls a while back, inquiring about the price of their ls-8695 - around $9k/pair retail, iirc... john casler - can ya do any better?

http://www.slsloudspeakers.com/LS8695%20Line%20Array.htm

doug s.

ekovalsky · « **Reply #6 on:** 31 Mar 2005, 05:02 pm »

I'm setting up a mini-theater around a new TV (Sony Qualia 006 -- AWESOME !!!) in our game room. The HT400 would be perfect for this rig.

If the MSRP price is $3000, I assume wholesale pricing is about $1500. Discounted purchase price would probably be in the $2400-2700 range, may be a bit lower from John

No doubt Wal-Mart would negotiate a lower wholesale price based on high volume purchase, probably $1200-1350. They could then sell to the customer for $1500-1800 and still make money. Maybe sluggish sales through the typical distributor/dealer network have prompted SLS to look to Wal-Mart as a distributor ?

I have seen many high ticket items in the local Wal-Mart and Sams Club here in Scottsdale (not sure if that is the case everywhere though), and a $1500 speaker system would certainly not be out of the ordinary.

ted_b · « **Reply #7 on:** 31 Mar 2005, 05:23 pm »

Eric,
OK, mini-theater compared to my all-out 120 inch front pj, maybe, but ANYTHING but mini!! That's a frickin 70 inch $11k tv there mister!

Seriously, it looks good, huh? Must be. The SXRD technology they use looks to be incredible.

John Casler · « **Reply #8 on:** 31 Mar 2005, 05:40 pm »

Quote from: ekovalsky

I'm setting up a mini-theater around a new TV (Sony Qualia 006 -- AWESOME !!!) in our game room. The HT400 would be perfect for this rig.

If the MSRP price is $3000, I assume wholesale pricing is about $1500. Discounted purchase price would probably be in the $2400-2700 range, may be a bit lower from John

No doubt Wal-Mart would negotiate a lower wholesale price based on high volume purchase, probably $1200-1350. They could then sell to the customer for $1500-1800 and still make money. ...

Hi Guys,

My intention on commenting was not to "solicit" business, but just to comment on price of what is currently available.

Since all know what my main line of speakers are.

As with any line I carry or have access to, I would be happy to help any AC member get the best price, but I have "NO" experience with the product, nor can I vouch for its quality or performance.

Marbles · « **Reply #9 on:** 31 Mar 2005, 05:49 pm »

John, the product will be in their Q-line

The Q-line is not on their website near as I can tell. The Q-line Silver surround will sell in certain Wal-Mart stores in the fall........(from WSJ)

John Casler · « **Reply #10 on:** 31 Mar 2005, 07:03 pm »

Quote from: doug s.

the pdr1000 ribbons in these speakers actually *look* a lot like the hi-vi research ribbons. i contacted sls a while back, inquiring about the price of their ls-8695 - around $9k/pair retail, iirc... john casler - can ya do any better?

http://www.slsloudspeakers.com/LS8695%20Line%20Array.htm

doug s.

Hi Doug,

Don't see them on the list. Sorry

Do be aware that as large as they are, they only play down to 90Hz.

Might work well with your dual LARGERS, but I can think of other alternatives that might offer better performance for less.

doug s. · « **Reply #11 on:** 31 Mar 2005, 07:22 pm »

Quote from: John Casler

Hi Doug,

Don't see them on the list. Sorry

Do be aware that as large as they are, they only play down to 90Hz.

Might work well with your dual LARGERS, but I can think of other alternatives that might offer better performance for less.

john, do you mean not on the distributors' list, or not on sls' list? re: pricing, i agree that there are better budget ways out there to do a line array. but it has also been my experience that pro-audio retail pricing is typicall as much as twice the price you can actually buy it for...

i have always been intrigued about building a line array such as this. someday...

regards,

doug s.

John Casler · « **Reply #12 on:** 31 Mar 2005, 07:32 pm »

Quote from: doug s.

john, do you mean not on the distributors' list, or not on sls' list?
.

Yes, the distributor doesn't list the Pro-Sound models