Re: Carvin Line Array In Stock
go Lexus... I find reliability of all cars have dramatically improved in recent decades, mainly IMO due to technology advances. but can they remove the human element from the design process?
All things equal? A $10 US made driver vs a $10 Chinese made driver, I suspect you get more speaker for $10 from China.
As Ivan mentioned some manufacturers make the exact same designs on production lines in China and in western factories. We rarely get an opportunity to make strict A/B comparisons, but years ago back at my old day job, a lame purchasing manager ordered a container load of 230v product for US delivery (duh). We had an opportunity to do 100% inspection, close and personal, as we tore down all of them to swap out the power transformer and line cords for domestic voltage. All I can say is the US factory workers were suitably disappointed by how well built the Chinese assembled units were. They apparently shared Tim's prejudices and low expectations.
I have long argued that what most people try to define as "quality" is mostly features that are designed and priced into a product. Some professional customers will willingly pay for the features of increased robustness, higher duty cycle, power handling(?), etc. While the vast unwashed consumers are rarely willing to pay up for features that aren't readily apparent at POS.
Often much less in the esoteric audiophool world, in professional sound reinforcement it is harder to phool entire stadiums full of people, so there is slightly less phoolish behavior, but it still creeps in.
Serious professional loudspeaker systems cost more to make, the higher price is a simple consequence if using better components and construction methods. Some value brands can't attract customers willing to pay the full toll, so are destined to exist in medium performance land.
I have seen this behavior in audiophool circles, with some very expensive products that weren't even flat frequency response. Some people never notice the king's new clothes are missing. Not so much in professional sound reinforcement (again it's harder to fool stadiums full of people).
I'm shocked.
Perhaps you should start a guild with existing sound companies, to prevent new competitors from entering your market. Perhaps make them pass a test to get a license to mix sound. (I'm trying to be sarcastic).
Lower cost gear (that doesn't suck) is good for the industry (IMO). This will be even better as technology marches forward...
JR
