sky-hi amp prices

woodsyi · « **Reply #100 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 01:40 pm »

Over priced.

arthurs · « **Reply #101 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 01:40 pm »

I think the same of it as I do anyone else's pricing, they have all their cost lines to understand the cost to produce it, they evaluate their marketplace, and then mark the product up to make a profit, same as any other business....I guess that's why these threads strike me the way they do...it's the same principal for any company doing business anywhere, why pick on just a few or make insinuations about the consumers that support them? Pick an industry, we can have the same debate about any firm in it....

sts9fan · « **Reply #102 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 01:48 pm »

Personally I love my Druids. I am not looking to swap them anytime in the near future. Do I think that their new price tag of $3200 is fair? Hell no! They are two drivers in a nearly empty box a few caps with a nice finish. So a speaker like the ACI Sapphire XL with a piano finish goes for $1700. I am dismissing size because I am sure the XL has a more complex box and x-over for that matter. So where does the price difference come from?

Marbles · « **Reply #103 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 01:54 pm »

The worth of a thing
Is what it will bring.

A free market will sort out whether the price is fair, like it does all products.

It sounds like you are questioning the cost of the speaker as it relates to parts cost, rather than PERCEIVED value.

macrojack · « **Reply #104 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 02:01 pm »

I can't justify the price of the Druid or anything else that audio offers. We always seem to look at these options relative to other options.
What has me wondering is why the Watt Puppy 8 is 9 times the price of Druids. I can see 3 times, even 4 maybe. But 9 times as much money for what?
If we conclude the Druid is overpriced, where does that lead us?

Marbles · « **Reply #105 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 02:05 pm »

Quote from: macrojack on 27 Sep 2007, 02:01 pm

If we conclude the Druid is overpriced, where does that lead us?

Don't buy it.

Buy something else.

Make your own.

I don't see anyone forcing you to buy any audio product.

FWIW, one of my favorite systems is a small portable radio that was under $35

macrojack · « **Reply #106 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 02:11 pm »

Marbles - Take my question, re-install it in its intended context and then answer it if you like.

Taking quotes out of context for the purpose of distortion is inconsiderate and trite behavior. It is inconsistent with your self-esteem.

sts9fan · « **Reply #107 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 02:15 pm »

Or buy used. That's what I did and I feel 100% satisfied with my purchase and had/have zero buyers remorse.

Luckily for people like me there are always going to be people that won't buy used. Like this temp I work with who just bought a brand new car. He claims he can't stand the idea of "getting someones leftovers". Personally I can't stand the idea of buying someting that loses so much value the second you sign the check. YMMV

Marbles · « **Reply #108 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 02:15 pm »

Jack, the Watt Puppy 8 is 9 times the price of Druids because it has a perceived value that is 8 or 9 times that of the Druids.

Marbles · « **Reply #109 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 02:16 pm »

Quote from: sts9fan on 27 Sep 2007, 02:15 pm

Or buy used.

Another great point.

ecramer · « **Reply #110 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 02:28 pm »

Some of the best buy cars are 2 year old Caddy's coming off lease Just broken in and actually selling for about what they are worth.

ed

Quote from: sts9fan on 27 Sep 2007, 02:15 pm

Or buy used. That's what I did and I feel 100% satisfied with my purchase and had/have zero buyers remorse.
Luckily for people like me there are always going to be people that won't buy used. Like this temp I work with who just bought a brand new car. He claims he can't stand the idea of "getting someones leftovers". Personally I can't stand the idea of buying someing that loses so much value the second you sign the check. YMMV

BrianM · « **Reply #111 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 02:29 pm »

Quote from: macrojack on 27 Sep 2007, 01:36 pm

What does anyone think of Zu pricing?

I don't have an opinion on Zu's pricing, or any other manufacturer's in terms of its appropriateness, but I will say that's it's nice when you can buy direct and not pay the middleman.

BrianM · « **Reply #112 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 02:34 pm »

Quote from: Marbles on 27 Sep 2007, 02:15 pm

Jack, the Watt Puppy 8 is 9 times the price of Druids because it has a perceived value that is 8 or 9 times that of the Druids.

Come. On. This is plainly false. NO ONE who buys Wilson speakers says to himself "these are 9 times more valuable than Zu Druids. I am 9 times happier, and my stereo sounds 9 times better." People don't evaluate their purchases, or perceived value, actuarially. Now maybe the folks at Wilson think their speaker is 9 times more "valuable" than a Druid, but I doubt it. The reality is, they're nine times COSTLIER, and the "perceived value" is appraised along a different, and much grayer, scale.

macrojack · « **Reply #113 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 02:36 pm »

The best deal seems to be buying the factory-direct stuff used.

I get the perceived value argument alright. My question concerns the basis for perception. Is it promulgated by reviews? Advertising? He's a nice guy? It comes in 3 colors? My Dad always bought McIntosh? JBL? Chevy?

What makes us think that X is worth so much more (or less) than Y?

BradJudy · « **Reply #114 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 02:45 pm »

Quote from: macrojack on 27 Sep 2007, 02:36 pm

I get the perceived value argument alright. My question concerns the basis for perception.

If you're going to ask about the basis of perception, we might as well have a philosophical discussion about symbolic interaction. The origins of each individual's perceptions of anything (including the value of items) is unique. While there may be some trends, they are pretty obvious and you already covered some of them. I would add things like "is it what my peers buy", "does it make me look impressive", "is it the easy answer to creating a nice stereo because I don't want to spend lots of time researching", etc. Or the one probably most noted by audiophiles: "does it give me the feeling I'm looking for when I play my music?" - each person decides how much that feeling is worth to them, for some it's $50, for others it's $500,000.

In the end, most people are just asking: Is it what I want and can I afford it? Debating either of those points here is pointless (pun intended) since both of them are personal decisions for each individual.

Marbles · « **Reply #115 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 02:48 pm »

Brad, Great post.

Jack, Why does that matter to you?

You are clearly not their (type of) customer.

Enjoy your system.

It might interest you to know that in the beginning Dave Wilson would go to each customers house to set up his speakers. This service was not free. I'm sure that was part of the reason his speakers cost so much. He offered better service to go with his product. He took a totally different tact than the direct to customer, no service route. Don't know if he currently does this, but I bet his dealers still do.

BrianM · « **Reply #116 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 02:50 pm »

Quote from: BradJudy on 27 Sep 2007, 02:45 pm

Or the one probably most noted by audiophiles: "does it give me the feeling I'm looking for when I play my music?"

No, I think you meant "Does my wife know what I paid for it?"

macrojack · « **Reply #117 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 03:02 pm »

I think research will reveal that Dave Wilson was a TAS reviewer who authored some highly regarded audiophile recordings. Initially, I believe, he created an over the top system which was actively crossed over, totally equalized and directly amplified. If anything, he backed off to broaden his customer base potential.

Bonus question: What was that system called?

BrianM · « **Reply #118 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 03:16 pm »

Quote from: macrojack on 27 Sep 2007, 03:02 pm

Bonus question: What was that system called?

Tim?

macrojack · « **Reply #119 on:** 27 Sep 2007, 03:41 pm »

Times up. It was called the W.A.M.M.