It's all about marketing. Why does everyone think Bose is the best? Because they say so. And no one else challenges them. When have you heard/seen an ad for any other audio gear? Yesterday was the first time I've heard one. Marantz had a commercial on the radio.
You've got to give Bose credit. They know what the customer wants - small, discreet, and non-invasive speakers, and discreet electronics that are simple. Market it as the best and give it a premium price tag that's not that far out of reach. Genius if you ask me.
Then when someone has something negative to say, threaten them with a lawsuit. Anyone who's half way intelligent will retract their statement rather than spend a ton of money in legal fees to prove they're right.
Monster isn't much different.
I can't imagine companies like Bryston being able to handle the requirements of being a mass marketed company, but there needs to be more diverse marketing if hifi as a whole is going to survive, let alone grow. Maybe dealers and manufacturers workng together to advertise in the dealer's market? B&M stores ate struggling, yet they don't let anyone know what they're selling or where they are.
The only one I've seen get it right is Hippo's in Albany, NY. They've got print, radio, and TV ads. The ads feature a mass market brand like Sony to get people's attention, and add in brands like B&W, McIntosh, KEF, etc. Everyone in the area knows Hippo's, where it is, and has an idea of what they have. They're probably the last hifi shop in the area, having outlasted dozens or others over the last 30 years or so.
If these B&M stores ate going to stick around, they need to market themselves.
