HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #436: Are High End Audio/Video Retailers a Dying Breed?
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arad
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HDTV and Home Theater Podcast - Podcast #436: Are High End Audio/Video Retailers a Dying Breed?
We all know someone who has to own the absolute best gear on the market. They don't care how much it costs. Whether its a receiver that "reproduces sounds that only dogs can hear" or its the guy who buys the most expensive video processor for his equally expensive projector, we all have stories of friends or acquaintances that match that description.<br><br><a href="/podcast/2010/07/hdtv-and-home-theater-podcast-podcast-436-are-high-end-audiovideo-retailers-a-dying-bread.php">Read Show Notes</a><br>
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tnsprin
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Dying Bread?
Actually when my bread is dying, I toast it.
Its been at least 15 years since I actually went in to a B and M High End AV retailer. For a while I was finding that I still had to make puchase my equipment via Mail Order and later internet from one of them. But now of days it is mostly a question of finding who has the lowest price (after taxes and shipping) via internet and ordering it from them. Some times that means its still one of high end stores, e.g 3 years ago it was Twitter for a 55" HdTV, but this year it was Amazon for a 3d HDTV.
Its been at least 15 years since I actually went in to a B and M High End AV retailer. For a while I was finding that I still had to make puchase my equipment via Mail Order and later internet from one of them. But now of days it is mostly a question of finding who has the lowest price (after taxes and shipping) via internet and ordering it from them. Some times that means its still one of high end stores, e.g 3 years ago it was Twitter for a 55" HdTV, but this year it was Amazon for a 3d HDTV.
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Shane
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Corrected the spelling ... thanks :-)
- Shane
- Shane
Publisher, HDTV Magazine
Your Guide to High Definition Television
Your Guide to High Definition Television
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paulsquillo
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Listen!
Thanks for fixing the spelling. Now if we could get you guys to listen long enough to notice that most AV systems in people's homes these days sound no better than the cheap starter systems that we (as audio/video specialists) were selling in the mid-70's. And I'm not just talking about Home Theater in a Box or plastic mini-systems.
It's not about perfect calibration of junk that can't ever show the subtle qualities of a fine piece of music. It's not about same day delivery.
It's about goosebumps every time you listen. It's about wanting to hear every old recording that you own over and over, because you notice something wonderful and new each time you listen. It's about a home system that is so good, you are inspired to go to hear more great live music events (hopefully not through a lousy PA system). And to search out the world's finest recordings.
Don't tell people there's no difference just because you were raised on computer speakers. Spend a month exploring the great audio salons. Sure, some are just audio jewelry shops, but you'll soon find one where the people know about sound, and care about music.
It is EASY to hear the difference. And once you hear it, you'll know. And once you know, you'll want it at home. Because anything less is elevator muzak.... and you won't have to buy obscenely expensive high-end prices to get that experience at home.
By the way, if you do visit those salons, listen to well-recorded music that isn't all electronic or over-mixed. If you're comparing to real music, you must have a natural point of comparison.
Enjoy,
Paul
It's not about perfect calibration of junk that can't ever show the subtle qualities of a fine piece of music. It's not about same day delivery.
It's about goosebumps every time you listen. It's about wanting to hear every old recording that you own over and over, because you notice something wonderful and new each time you listen. It's about a home system that is so good, you are inspired to go to hear more great live music events (hopefully not through a lousy PA system). And to search out the world's finest recordings.
Don't tell people there's no difference just because you were raised on computer speakers. Spend a month exploring the great audio salons. Sure, some are just audio jewelry shops, but you'll soon find one where the people know about sound, and care about music.
It is EASY to hear the difference. And once you hear it, you'll know. And once you know, you'll want it at home. Because anything less is elevator muzak.... and you won't have to buy obscenely expensive high-end prices to get that experience at home.
By the way, if you do visit those salons, listen to well-recorded music that isn't all electronic or over-mixed. If you're comparing to real music, you must have a natural point of comparison.
Enjoy,
Paul
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akirby
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paulsquillo
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Listen!
First of all, almost everybody can hear the difference. Whenever a client tells me they can't, I ask them this question:
"If there was a person playing a set of drums, or a string quartet, around the corner in the next room from you in your home, would you be able to tell if it was real vs. just a recording?"
Almost everyone knows without a doubt that they can! The trouble is, nobody gives themselves permission to expect that true a sound from their audio system. As soon as they sit down with the expectation that they should hear live quality from their systems, they suddenly notice all of the things that don't sound real.
Audio can be great, and even very inexpensive systems that are well-designed and assembled can give people the ability to fall into the music. The less expensive systems rely more on the brain's ability to correct for the differences. Each step better, and the brain has to do less work. You hear more, and listening is less fatiguing.
Where we can help you save a bundle as audio professionals is in knowing what the good stuff is, and in knowing how to combine it.
Another important factor is that everyone spontaneously weighs different parts of the music differently. One might be far more critical when dynamic contrasts are missing, another might be a stickler for great imaging, still another is sensitive to high frequency detail. A really good audio pro doesn't sell his favorite to a client. He/she finds out which sound qualities weigh most importantly in his client's listening, and makes sure the system does the most important things first for that person, hopefully in a way that is still pleasing to others.
As the budget increases, the well-conceived components do more and more of the right things, so they are able to please more and more types of listeners.
MP3's are popular because they are portable. In the days of cassette, they always outsold the better-sounding LPs.
"If there was a person playing a set of drums, or a string quartet, around the corner in the next room from you in your home, would you be able to tell if it was real vs. just a recording?"
Almost everyone knows without a doubt that they can! The trouble is, nobody gives themselves permission to expect that true a sound from their audio system. As soon as they sit down with the expectation that they should hear live quality from their systems, they suddenly notice all of the things that don't sound real.
Audio can be great, and even very inexpensive systems that are well-designed and assembled can give people the ability to fall into the music. The less expensive systems rely more on the brain's ability to correct for the differences. Each step better, and the brain has to do less work. You hear more, and listening is less fatiguing.
Where we can help you save a bundle as audio professionals is in knowing what the good stuff is, and in knowing how to combine it.
Another important factor is that everyone spontaneously weighs different parts of the music differently. One might be far more critical when dynamic contrasts are missing, another might be a stickler for great imaging, still another is sensitive to high frequency detail. A really good audio pro doesn't sell his favorite to a client. He/she finds out which sound qualities weigh most importantly in his client's listening, and makes sure the system does the most important things first for that person, hopefully in a way that is still pleasing to others.
As the budget increases, the well-conceived components do more and more of the right things, so they are able to please more and more types of listeners.
MP3's are popular because they are portable. In the days of cassette, they always outsold the better-sounding LPs.
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alice
- Major Contributor
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Reply to Paul
Finally a breath of Fresh Air. Someone is actually promoting quality equipment and standing up to
supporting audiophile and videophile standards
Personally have found that if you take the time to educate your client that they do see & hear the difference.
Yes we know that there are many who did not care yet they can shown to appreciate the value.
A major problem is going for the quick buck and then Joe expects the cheap price . Competing on
price is a losing strategy.
As an example of education, have turned a 12 yr old in budding audiophile . After having playing
her favourites as mp3's and then as Flac files, she now only listens to Flac files recorded at
320kps. The ipod has been restocked with 320k material.
When i told her the next step was a dac for outputting the ipod to the main stereo , the eyes
light up and her first words "when can we do that" . She is looking at the peachtree and few others in
the 1,000 plus range . Might take awhile yet she knows its worth it.
Todays article by the HT guys was a Disgrace. $99 players are not equivailent to a premium player,
For anyone who loves and/or has experienced what specialty AV is all about - the idea that a soundbar and a
Costco TV is what home theater is all about is a bit hard to swallow.
supporting audiophile and videophile standards
Personally have found that if you take the time to educate your client that they do see & hear the difference.
Yes we know that there are many who did not care yet they can shown to appreciate the value.
A major problem is going for the quick buck and then Joe expects the cheap price . Competing on
price is a losing strategy.
As an example of education, have turned a 12 yr old in budding audiophile . After having playing
her favourites as mp3's and then as Flac files, she now only listens to Flac files recorded at
320kps. The ipod has been restocked with 320k material.
When i told her the next step was a dac for outputting the ipod to the main stereo , the eyes
light up and her first words "when can we do that" . She is looking at the peachtree and few others in
the 1,000 plus range . Might take awhile yet she knows its worth it.
Todays article by the HT guys was a Disgrace. $99 players are not equivailent to a premium player,
For anyone who loves and/or has experienced what specialty AV is all about - the idea that a soundbar and a
Costco TV is what home theater is all about is a bit hard to swallow.