[gitarretyp]

Well, I think maybe you aren’t seeing the real cost.

The retail cost of parts is likely marked up quite a bit. My guess is that the actual wholesale cost for the parts are closer to $500.

“…Wood, veneer, finishing supplies, screws, glue, and other miscellaneous parts probably bring the parts cost to 1750-2000…” ?? Again a gross over estimation.
I’d say the cost for raw materials by a manufacturer are likely hardly another $500.

Even a small time manufacturer can likely pull off a low material cost and I won’t argue the cost of labor but Garner, NC,  I’m sure the labor cost value is relatively low.


Electronic component manufacturers don’t make that much of a mark-up. I believe the reason is the enormous number of speaker maker competition. Its many times higher then any other part of the industry and they need to get a bigger piece of the pie? That and good old fashion greed by taking advantage of what they can, just as the cable and wire guys do.
Scotty, those are similar arguments I use for the cable manufacturers.

And again, a furniture finish has nothing to do with audio, I can give a rats ass about the finish and if I do that I’ll be the first to admit that these $5000 speakers are rally only $1500 in a $3500 peaty box to match my wife’s curtains.


Sorry, that was my last toke!

Clearly, you've never built your own, complex speakers and used top quality parts and finish or you wouldn't think 700-900 for the cabinet parts is high. Also, retail or close to it, is what a company pays unless they sell large volumes, again review your economics.

Regarding your comment that electronics manufacturers don't charge as much of a mark-up, i assume you mean large companies such as sony. If you think their mark-up is less than 2-4x, you're deluding yourself. The parts cost in an average $200 dvd player is likely less than 50. Even if the markup were lower, the volume of sales would make-up for the difference in markup. Thus, a large volume seller can undercut a low volume seller on price, see walmart for example (darn economics again).

[JLM]

Retailing and distribution costs typical amount to 2/3rd's of the retail price in most market sectors.  Honda for instance spends over $10,000/car on marketing alone and GM spends more.  DIY and thankfully the internet spawned cottage industry have eliminated most of those mark-ups.  However you must then deal (especially with speakers) with the costs and other infamous hurdles of shipping.  And how many times do you read of someone talking hours with one of our cherished vendors on the phone?  Should he go home hungry after a few such calls?

Cabinet materials are normally relatively inexpensive.  In quantity, the materials probably average $50/pair of speakers (veneering being the most expensive part by far).  Parts Express sells mass produced 0.25 to 1.0 cu. ft. pre-finished cabinets for $55 - 100 each.  In the limited quantities (and unique designs for some) of the speakers being discussed, the labor cost would be quite another matter.

While boead may not care what they look like, there are seemingly some who go way over the top.  OTOH my solid cherry dining room set sold 9 years ago for over $8000 (looking back I can't believe I spent that much).  Audio spans a wide range of economics.  I'm much more impressed and glad to see another inexpensive overachieving product be introduced than a mega-buck one.  But choice is a good thing.

If audiophiles were sane (they wouldn't be audiophiles  ) we'd all stick a one or two good drivers in one of those Parts Express cabinets, add stands with maybe a powered sub (season to taste), and live happily ever after.


Boead,

As you may know, I tried for years to like the Decware house sound (no deep bass, thin midbass, and midrange forwardness) because of nice guys that were around their forum but finally gave up.  I've heard most of those speakers you mentioned and they follow that pattern.  The Parkers are designed specifically to run with the original Decware amps and The Horns can be very placement fussy.  That hardly makes them suitable to the mass market, but to each their own.  Klipsch, like many audio vendors has it's own cult.  IMO all their audiophile offerings, except the mighty Klipschorn, are PA speakers dressed up for home use.

If you want "crazy" in audio pricing look no farther than interconnects and speaker wire.

You are right about content value.  An example from A/C that demonstrates my points is the GR A/V-3.  In kit form it's $329/pair but assembled it's $1450/pair.  As it uses a transmission line design (of which I'm a huge fan), the cabinet must be custom built.  Transmission lines are another technology that most have never heard, but are ready to dismiss out of had.

[boead]

Clearly, you've never built your own, complex speakers and used top quality parts and finish or you wouldn't think 700-900 for the cabinet parts is high. Also, retail or close to it, is what a company pays unless they sell large volumes, again review your economics.

Regarding your comment that electronics manufacturers don't charge as much of a mark-up, i assume you mean large companies such as sony. If you think their mark-up is less than 2-4x, you're deluding yourself. The parts cost in an average $200 dvd player is likely less than 50. Even if the markup were lower, the volume of sales would make-up for the difference in markup. Thus, a large volume seller can undercut a low volume seller on price, see walmart for example (darn economics again).

Is it that clear? Well, I had a speaker cabinet made for me. Built by Bob Ziegler who is a wood craftsman and shop owner specializing in speaker design and construction.
They are well braced, have a natural cherry veneer and 15+ coats of black lacquer on front with multiple clear coats. Custom shipping boxes were included that are monkey (Umm, I mean UPS) safe.
Final cost was around $400 for the pair and Bob didn’t work for free! So what do you think they cost in raw material? Not much!

This hobby is full of insanity and much of it I’ll buy into, including speakers but…




That was my morning ‘wake and bake’