Back to the future
- Dr Bunsen Honeydew
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- Lindsayt
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Re: Back to the future
This is a point that can be illustrated by picking specific examples.Dr Bunsen Honeydew wrote: ↑Sat Jan 17, 2015 1:53 am The point is that the last twenty years have been about making it smaller and cheaper so *they* can make more money out of it and in the process a lot of what made things good is no longer available.
Altec Model 19's.
Retailed for 399,000 yen in Japan in 1977.
https://audio-heritage.jp/ALTEC/speaker/model19.html
At 476 yen to the pound on June 1st 1977, that was £838.
https://www.poundsterlinglive.com/bank- ... o-JPY-1977
Adjust for inflation and that's the equivalent of £6785 in today's money.
http://www.wolfbane.com/rpi.htm
Have a look at the Peter Tyson and Sevenoaks Hi-fi websites. What sort of speakers can you buy today for £7000ish? And how would they stack up, sound quality wise against fully working Model 19's?
https://www.sevenoakssoundandvision.co. ... rt=highlow
- savvypaul
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Re: Back to the future
With more 'mainstream' items, lower volume of sales is a factor that pushes prices upward, but I'm not sure that the Altecs ever sold in large volumes? I could be wrong - US houses were more accommodating to larger speakers.
- Lindsayt
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Re: Back to the future
My understanding is that Altec Model 19's sold well for speakers that sold for the same sort of money as Linn Isobariks (give or take a bit)... in America. In the UK in the late 70's to early 80's I'd expect Briks to have outsold them. By a large margin.
Since the 1977, we have had the introduction of relatively affordable CNC machines - which have helped keep manufacturing costs down for low volume items, such as £7000 speakers.
Model 19's were designed to be used with their backs close to the wall. Unlike, for example the £8950 Sonus faber Olympica Nova II's sold by Sevenoaks, that are supposed placed well out into the room. It's a triumph of fashion and emotions over logic when the Olympica's are seen as more desirable in a medium sized UK room than Altec 19's.
Since the 1977, we have had the introduction of relatively affordable CNC machines - which have helped keep manufacturing costs down for low volume items, such as £7000 speakers.
Model 19's were designed to be used with their backs close to the wall. Unlike, for example the £8950 Sonus faber Olympica Nova II's sold by Sevenoaks, that are supposed placed well out into the room. It's a triumph of fashion and emotions over logic when the Olympica's are seen as more desirable in a medium sized UK room than Altec 19's.
- savvypaul
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Re: Back to the future
Perhaps, the Altec accountants were distracted from the pure pursuit of cash...Lindsayt wrote: ↑Mon Jul 24, 2023 10:10 pm My understanding is that Altec Model 19's sold well for speakers that sold for the same sort of money as Linn Isobariks (give or take a bit)... in America. In the UK in the late 70's to early 80's I'd expect Briks to have outsold them. By a large margin.
Since the 1977, we have had the introduction of relatively affordable CNC machines - which have helped keep manufacturing costs down for low volume items, such as £7000 speakers.
Model 19's were designed to be used with their backs close to the wall. Unlike, for example the £8950 Sonus faber Olympica Nova II's sold by Sevenoaks, that are supposed placed well out into the room. It's a triumph of fashion and emotions over logic when the Olympica's are seen as more desirable in a medium sized UK room than Altec 19's.
- TheMadMick
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Re: Back to the future
Sod the speakers. That's a magnificent arse.
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- antonio66 (Wed Jul 26, 2023 10:16 am) • Firebug1 (Wed Jul 26, 2023 12:20 pm)
Blusound Vault 2, P50SA, A80's, BMU, TIS, LS7, MA PL200, Meridian 506 (18 bit).
- savvypaul
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