+1. Matching veneers, high level fit and finish, and hand-built cabinetry Take time and higher end materials. Both of these are pricy. You can’t expect an $800 (retail) speaker to offer these, especially one that goes through a traditional dealer network.
I own a couple recent pairs of Omega speakers. These are hand-built and sold direct. They have wonderful veneer, overbuilt cabinetry, and exceptional fit and finish. They don’t have the same high end hand finish in as Salk, but anyone who looks at them would admire their workmanship. The catch is that a standmont speaker with real wood veneer and a low parts count still cost $1,600 direct from the manufacturer.
With rare exceptions, the cabinet has traditionally been the most expensive component of any speaker system.