Brand name perception, what do you think ?
01-14-2005, 07:16 PM
#21
No offense to the Macrom guy,but my point is that it would be very hard, read long and expensive, to build a particular brand. Many dynamics come into play that a small retailer/ specialist has no control over such as support, distribution channels, large scale advertising etc..My personal feeling as a consumer is that I would not spend 300+ dollars on a brand that I do not know, unless the dealer was to give me a full replacement( including re/re) option for that brand. Particularly, when there are very well known brands that are in the same price range that offer at least as good performance. I am not saying that you don't try them, but you should probably have 1-2 of these brands at the most depending on your pocket book and the scope of your establishment.
01-14-2005, 08:03 PM
#22
MB Quart is owned by Rockford Corp. In Canada the only thing they share with Kleenex Gold is the same great distributor, Trends Electronics and the odd store may sell both lines.
Veeman, name one company that supplies a full re / re warranty on their equipment, I can't think of one. A warranty like this is usually covered by the dealer and has nothing to do with the product. I am one of the specialty retailers that took on a little known line 9 years ago named Eclipse, in my first year I was the Western Canada dealer of the year and helped to form Eclipse in Canada and my market. It is now a common name in the industry. Sometimes hard work pays off and the people who miss out on it are the ones who do not put the work into it or have the same opinion that you shared with us on an unfamiliar brand. Not trying to **** you off at all dude, but how do you know if you don't like Broccoli if you never try it?
Veeman, name one company that supplies a full re / re warranty on their equipment, I can't think of one. A warranty like this is usually covered by the dealer and has nothing to do with the product. I am one of the specialty retailers that took on a little known line 9 years ago named Eclipse, in my first year I was the Western Canada dealer of the year and helped to form Eclipse in Canada and my market. It is now a common name in the industry. Sometimes hard work pays off and the people who miss out on it are the ones who do not put the work into it or have the same opinion that you shared with us on an unfamiliar brand. Not trying to **** you off at all dude, but how do you know if you don't like Broccoli if you never try it?
01-14-2005, 08:17 PM
#23
^I suppose I could say the same thing about gay sex.
Some brands will do well because of the dynamics I spoke of peviously, if they are a good company with good support etc..I am just saying that I would be hard pressed to buy that SVC or Sampo plasma t.v even though it is a couple of grand cheaper than the Samsung or Sony. Again, this is not geared to those who are well educated in the car audio field, they have seen,and probably auditioned most of these esoteric brands. It's the average guy that comes in that I find most car audio specialist ignore.This has been my experience with at least a dozen shops in and around the GTA. That's why a lot of them are no longer in business. If your goal is to stay in business for 5 years then perhaps it's o.k. If you want to stick around longer you must cater to the average guy or young lady that just wants decent sound and not try to push 400.00 components on them that they have never heard of.
Some brands will do well because of the dynamics I spoke of peviously, if they are a good company with good support etc..I am just saying that I would be hard pressed to buy that SVC or Sampo plasma t.v even though it is a couple of grand cheaper than the Samsung or Sony. Again, this is not geared to those who are well educated in the car audio field, they have seen,and probably auditioned most of these esoteric brands. It's the average guy that comes in that I find most car audio specialist ignore.This has been my experience with at least a dozen shops in and around the GTA. That's why a lot of them are no longer in business. If your goal is to stay in business for 5 years then perhaps it's o.k. If you want to stick around longer you must cater to the average guy or young lady that just wants decent sound and not try to push 400.00 components on them that they have never heard of.
01-14-2005, 09:20 PM
#24
1000 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,692
i think it depends on the relationship you want to have and the service you want to offer. trends is local. it is all a matter of taste and the level of service you want. i deal with quart all the time and there is a very low margin of failure. 1 year warranty over the counter from an authorized dealer and three years if installed. says so in every box. and as long as you or your customer keeps his proof of purchase/install.
[ January 14, 2005, 10:25 PM: Message edited by: Team Shadow ]
[ January 14, 2005, 10:25 PM: Message edited by: Team Shadow ]
01-14-2005, 09:22 PM
#25
500 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 923
Doesn't really matter who their made by.
Speakers by all intents and purposes are an audio device. Close your eyes & shut your mouth and open your ears.
Who makes it? how it looks? should all be secondary or tertiary decision factors. How it sounds should be THE single most important factor. How it sounds in real life. Not on paper.
Bottom line is: Have multiple lines in store and compare speaker to speaker. Brand X could very likely "blow the doors off" the NameBrand speaker. I have sold relatively unknown brand name speakers by their performance alone.
Although inherintly a recognized name brand usually has the performance, qualities, warranty, and recognition needed already.
I have no experience with any of the speakers originally offered other than the MBQuart. I am impressed with them but have heard from people with opinions I highly respect about AVI (Dave Oakley) and Macrom (James Chevrette) that the performance of their speakers are phenomenal. I have not had the pleasure yet of a demo from James or Dave in their respective neons. <hint><hint>
BTW whats with these top SQ guys using Neons? am I not part of the club 'till I get one or are NissanGuy and I the only "blacksheep" SQ truck guys?
Speakers by all intents and purposes are an audio device. Close your eyes & shut your mouth and open your ears.
Who makes it? how it looks? should all be secondary or tertiary decision factors. How it sounds should be THE single most important factor. How it sounds in real life. Not on paper.
Bottom line is: Have multiple lines in store and compare speaker to speaker. Brand X could very likely "blow the doors off" the NameBrand speaker. I have sold relatively unknown brand name speakers by their performance alone.
Although inherintly a recognized name brand usually has the performance, qualities, warranty, and recognition needed already.
I have no experience with any of the speakers originally offered other than the MBQuart. I am impressed with them but have heard from people with opinions I highly respect about AVI (Dave Oakley) and Macrom (James Chevrette) that the performance of their speakers are phenomenal. I have not had the pleasure yet of a demo from James or Dave in their respective neons. <hint><hint>
BTW whats with these top SQ guys using Neons? am I not part of the club 'till I get one or are NissanGuy and I the only "blacksheep" SQ truck guys?
01-14-2005, 09:27 PM
#26
Guest
Posts: n/a
Well, I like the idea of a high end only shop. A place like Langley could support it as well. In Medicine Hat you would definately need a sub $400 set.
I think Tim would do best with Macrom, AVI and to a lesser extent BA. If you want to be high end you have to sell high end. And for me Quart just doesn't have the "exclusivity" factor that a high end shop should. I know Tim will be doing run of the mill installs, but that shouldn't be his focus, as people can get that anywhere nowadays. Eventually you want to have a clientele similar to JBondoX from the Carsound forum, they have money and are willing to spend it for quality work.
Lifetime warranty on drivers would seal it for me, now is it over the counter exchange? [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]
I think Tim would do best with Macrom, AVI and to a lesser extent BA. If you want to be high end you have to sell high end. And for me Quart just doesn't have the "exclusivity" factor that a high end shop should. I know Tim will be doing run of the mill installs, but that shouldn't be his focus, as people can get that anywhere nowadays. Eventually you want to have a clientele similar to JBondoX from the Carsound forum, they have money and are willing to spend it for quality work.
Lifetime warranty on drivers would seal it for me, now is it over the counter exchange? [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]
01-15-2005, 12:03 AM
#27
I have been around for a bit and I cannot recall seeing Macrom in any store the past 8 years or so....but then again I was not looking for it.
Of the brands listed in the original post Quart has the most brand awarness and a good story....
AVI seems to have a bit of a cult following in the West as the company is based in BC...
Is AVI manufactured in BC? or is it just the importer that is in BC?
Kevin
Of the brands listed in the original post Quart has the most brand awarness and a good story....
AVI seems to have a bit of a cult following in the West as the company is based in BC...
Is AVI manufactured in BC? or is it just the importer that is in BC?
Kevin
01-15-2005, 06:49 AM
#28
0 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 3
Macrom left my shopping list when they discontinued the "Made by Morel UK" speakers.
Even Xtant and DLS (but DLS keept the orgin off the labels) sold these.
DLS did continue with similar drivers but stopped buying them from Morel "cough plag Cough iat cough"!
[ January 15, 2005, 07:50 AM: Message edited by: FE3T ]
Even Xtant and DLS (but DLS keept the orgin off the labels) sold these.
DLS did continue with similar drivers but stopped buying them from Morel "cough plag Cough iat cough"!
[ January 15, 2005, 07:50 AM: Message edited by: FE3T ]
01-15-2005, 07:40 AM
#30
1000 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,783
Tim, I'll be as direct as possible.
MB Quart:
1.)I know the name, mostly from mid 90's comp. presence.
2.)Quality wise, they are german, and I've never had issues with product from there.
3.)The brand perception is of quality, but somewhat bright sounding tweeters. Known for SQ is what I get from other peoples comments.
4.)I'm not familiar with any of their product specifically.
5.)As mentioned above, brighter tweeters, and decent mids. Never heard much bad about them.
AVI:
1.)Before CCA, I'd never heard of them. Most of my exposure to the name is through Defro's comments.
2.)So far so good, I haven't heard of any quality issues, but again a relitively unknow brand for me.
3.)My overall percption of AVI is of a small company with their eye on quality, and controlled product exposure.
4.)I'm famliar with the BSM series, they look good, and spec good, but I've never heard them.
5.)I've heard wildly overexaggerated price tags from people that own them. But, on the other hand, people seem to enjoy something that's hand made in canada, and sounds decent.
Macrom:
1.)Yes I know the name, it's hard not to on this forum.
2.)I think the quality is the best of the group of 4 that you've mentioned. This brand offers what I'd call flagship level product. It looks the part.
3.)Unforutunately, only enthusiasts know of the brand. This is a niche product that caters to being something different.
4.)Tweeters, they have kick a$$ tweeters. And the European demo cars are incredible.
5.)I have heard nothing bad about them. Despite people slagging about where they are made, I think the lifetime warrantee speaks for itself. Last time I checked, Italy makes awesome audio products...by HAND!(Think Audison, Sinfoni, Hertz and more)
I have so little exposure to Boston Acoustics, I really shouldn't mention anything about them. Their magazine adds look nice though.
MB Quart:
1.)I know the name, mostly from mid 90's comp. presence.
2.)Quality wise, they are german, and I've never had issues with product from there.
3.)The brand perception is of quality, but somewhat bright sounding tweeters. Known for SQ is what I get from other peoples comments.
4.)I'm not familiar with any of their product specifically.
5.)As mentioned above, brighter tweeters, and decent mids. Never heard much bad about them.
AVI:
1.)Before CCA, I'd never heard of them. Most of my exposure to the name is through Defro's comments.
2.)So far so good, I haven't heard of any quality issues, but again a relitively unknow brand for me.
3.)My overall percption of AVI is of a small company with their eye on quality, and controlled product exposure.
4.)I'm famliar with the BSM series, they look good, and spec good, but I've never heard them.
5.)I've heard wildly overexaggerated price tags from people that own them. But, on the other hand, people seem to enjoy something that's hand made in canada, and sounds decent.
Macrom:
1.)Yes I know the name, it's hard not to on this forum.
2.)I think the quality is the best of the group of 4 that you've mentioned. This brand offers what I'd call flagship level product. It looks the part.
3.)Unforutunately, only enthusiasts know of the brand. This is a niche product that caters to being something different.
4.)Tweeters, they have kick a$$ tweeters. And the European demo cars are incredible.
5.)I have heard nothing bad about them. Despite people slagging about where they are made, I think the lifetime warrantee speaks for itself. Last time I checked, Italy makes awesome audio products...by HAND!(Think Audison, Sinfoni, Hertz and more)
I have so little exposure to Boston Acoustics, I really shouldn't mention anything about them. Their magazine adds look nice though.
