Why Is Hi Fi Gear So Darn Expensive?

As someone who has made their own speakers and has worked for small companies that make things, I can see the where the cost comes from in a lot of high end products. The materials they work with, the complexity of design, and the level of finish they produce requires a lot of up-front investment. And then they sell small quantities relative to a larger company. For me personally the value isn’t there, but I don’t try to impose that on others. As with high end cars, I can see how they are better in a number of ways, but I’m really attracted to designs that are more universally available, partly because things that can be mass produced can be more heavily engineered and can be in a lot of ways better than any specialty item. I like video games, and I own a Nintendo Switch. If I were a billionaire I would still prefer a Nintendo Switch - stock, no mods. The software available for it is what I’m looking for and I couldn’t pay to have custom high zoot stuff developed that would have the same richness of content so optimized for specific hardware. With high end audio items livability and ease of use are often serious compromises made along with cost. They can be a pain to use, and not comfortable for most people to live with. The sound quality differences are typically dealing with extreme subtleties while the major flaws of the 2 channel playback format are still plainly evident to the more casual listener, hence their bewilderment about the excesses of the high end. I am one who appreciates subtle improvements even though I always hear the major flaws. While I may show skepticism of some assertions, I don't doubt people's perceptions, and I appreciate those who can afford to and are willing to go through the expense and effort of dealing with the necessary equipment to make those improvements because I’m an audio reproduction nut. Because of that I honestly don’t know what I’d do in terms of buying audio equipment if I suddenly had vast amounts of cash available to me. It doesn’t matter really because I don’t dream of owning that stuff or envy those who do. I’m fascinated with it though, and when something is perceived by many to be an improvement worthy of large amounts of cash and effort I’d like to know more technically about what makes that sound more desirable than the more run of the mill equipment that measures quite accurately. I often get told it’s a trade secret, but some measurements are available and in time we can start to recognize patterns. I want the most people possible to get the best enjoyment possible out of their sound systems, and I think scientific study of human audio perception is the way forward. I’m for sharing information and competing on quality of implementation.

I think there are all kinds of people who buy ultra expensive audio gear. Some of them can easily afford anything. Others expend very significant amounts of their finances on that equipment and make sacrifices in other parts of their lives. I'd guess the vast majority of people who can easily afford that level have very limited interest in it. They may play with something like that for a while and then move on to other things. Have you ever seen those abandoned supercars in Dubai? I saw that first hand - beautiful cars half sandblasted by the desert wind and their interiors filled with sand. Somebody had their fun with that disposable trinket and moved on.