Hype, Hyperbole and high price!

In some cases, you simply can't buy a quality product at any price now- everything is disposable.

Innovation and efficiency have contributed to more disposable commodity as price drops.   Great example is computers.   Saw an ad last wknd $499 for a HP laptop with all the bells and whistles.   For me this is a positive for consumers.

I don't agree 100% simply can't buy quality at any price.
  

One of the things I like about this industry is that it is still made up of small, "cottage" type manufacturers. And, there's quality out there.

The consequence is higher prices with low volume and low demand.

knghifi- I didn’t mean it as a blanket indictment ("In some cases...").
And I agree, the commodification of some products, like TV and computers, has increased performance and lowered price. The modest Marantz AV processor in our den outperforms an old Meridian that was state of the art when it was introduced two decades before. But, I replace the outdoor motion sensor spotlight fixtures on our house approximately every two years- I suppose I could go to an industrial prison level lighting system, but when I checked, I couldn’t find much in the average, consumer products realm- all the same, crappy fixtures. Ditto- a lot of clothing, short of really high end or custom stuff- it is badly made and disposable.
Apple, to me, is a prime example of hype v reality. Fashion statement, but I’m tired of the lackluster performance, the fact that the phones tank after 2 years and it really is about constantly upgrading and features I could care less about. I’m not drawing a direct parallel to hi-fi here, but my point about ’cottage industry’ is that you have a choice. In a lot of consumer products, I’m not sure you do. Then again I may just be a victim of fashion. regards,

whart, Try clothes from LL Bean.   I buy most of my daily wardrobe from them.  I think it has a lifetime warranty.   I also shop at Timberland, Bloomingdales and Barney's of New York.  

I've been using iPhone for years without any issues.   I only upgraded to 6 Plus for larger screen and got $200 rebate for a 4s.

Quality issues I encountered is with specific retailers.   Sears is top of the list.   Definitely not my father's Sears.

kenny928 OP
47 posts
05-04-2016 4:56pm
BTW sound is not transmitted through speaker wire/cable but rather a signal.

That seems like an odd way to look at it, you know, since the signal is transmitted through wire/cable. Wouldn't that dictate that sound is also transmitted through wire/cable?