The Real Deal About Speaker Pricing: Size Isn't Everything

      or: "Why does a tiny Harbeth cost more than a giant Polk?"

Just like in any hardware – you're paying for the following:

• Time (R&D and production)
• Materials
• Marketing
• Distribution/Delivery

Oh, and profits – but that's usually not the big money-grabber. What DOES jack up the price? Distribution. ⚜

The Price Game: What's Really Going On

Want a "Rolex" or "Ferrari" of speakers? You'll pay for those logos. You'll also pay for geography – building in Southeast Asia costs way less than Norway. Then there's the fancy stuff: diamond and titanium tweeters, walnut burl veneer. And don't forget R&D – tried-and-true tech versus cutting edge innovation. ⚜ Getting the Best Bang for Your Buck
Want the real deal? Here's where to look:

• Check the "made in [cheaper labor country]" tag
• Look at economies of scale (volume sold/company revenue)
• Compare price per size and driver diameter
• Consider price per kilogram (not perfect, but it's a start)

Why all these metrics? Because size matters in speakers – the bigger your room, the bigger sound you want. That's why I included all those columns and diagrams. Use the sort function – numbers don't lie. Got a small room? Go for smaller, "more musical" speakers. That roughly translates to better design, better materials. But here's the thing: regardless of room size, you always want quality – you just don't want to pay for quality you can't hear = stuff that makes zero difference for you. ⚜

Your Shopping Strategy Options

The Ultra-Budget Route
Want really cheap? Buy a DIY kit (check out Creative Sound Solutions). You'll save 50-80% and probably get great sound. The trade-off? Your time and prettier looks.

The Safe Bet
Want to play it safe? Skip the hype and those suspiciously coordinated latest reviews. Look at:

• Company age
• Revenue
• Return policy Think: KEF, B&W, Klipsch, KLH, Focal, Tannoy, Elac, Dali... Pro tip: Don't fall for the "where it's made" trap – focus on where it's designed and assembled.

The Adventure Route
Feeling curious and adventurous? Try the one-man and boutique brands:Graham, Falcon, Fritz, Volti, Nola, Spatial Audio – basically any company with fewer than 5 employees and models.

The New Kids on the Block
There are some mind-blowing newcomers with killer reviews at half their competitors' prices – Fyne, Arendal, Q, Revival. Makes you wonder what's the catch – if there even is one. Where can you cut corners without sacrificing quality, longevity, frequency range, and sensitivity?
⚜

The "Website Information Clarity" (WIC) Factor

Here's something extra I tracked: how transparent companies are with their data. My logic? It's like catching a kid doing something bad – they'll avoid eye contact, talk about their shoelaces, show you pictures of squirrels on scooters. Anything to dodge the real issue. Same with speaker companies and their websites. Watch for the "squirrel pictures" – irrelevant stuff replacing what matters. You know, the founder's Mount Everest climb and their "passion for ultimate sound" instead of actual specs.
The Good Ones
Most legit speaker companies publish comparable data – numbers that prove what their speakers can do. You'll get:

• Apples to apples specs and measurements
• Front, back, and side photos
• Tweeter descriptions
• Actual prices(!) Even small boutique shops with '90s-style websites proudly show their measurements, materials, specs, and more impedance curves than you'd ever want to see.

⚜

The Red Flags

Then there are websites where finding basic data is like a treasure hunt. They'll go on about:

• The founder's "vision"
• Their "unique and revolutionary" design
• Fancy quotes and artsy close-ups But substance? Good luck!

This matters for two reasons:
1. It makes my job harder (finding data for the database)
2. What are they hiding behind all that fluff?
That's why I created the WIC rating (1-4, 4 being worst). Being honest: even a 1 is just "reasonably easy to navigate." (Hey companies, put those specs links AT THE TOP!) ⚜

My Rating System

• 3-4 points: Takes forever to find data, endless scrolling for PDFs, confusing model numbers
• 2 points: Some annoying issues
• 1 point: Easy navigation (even with amateur design)
• Green highlight: Educational, fun, transparent, easy to read

And really, what does it tell you when you can't find one decent photo of a speaker? Anywhere?

   wait for it....