Thread: Magico Pricing

I was checking out Magico the other day and noticed that prices have increased on the A series about $6k since at least the A3 was introduced. I know prices have gone up for many brands not picking on Magico it's just what hit me recently. Although it seems like almost 30%, estimating, is a big jump.

Just being honest for me if I now paid $16k for a speaker I knew used to cost $10k with no changes being made I'd feel...... well not good about it. I personally couldn't do it.

I believe some Levinson electronics have gone up around $5k. So I know it's not just Magico.

Just curious if the inflation as mentioned weighs in on anyone else's purchases, future purchases or do you feel it's just par for the course and blow it off?

I suppose on the other side if you want to sell gear inflations helps with that.

Capitalism = Legal yet Immoral

As long as people keep paying the prices, they will go up

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

I was checking out Magico the other day and noticed that prices have increased on the A series about $6k since at least the A3 was introduced. I know prices have gone up for many brands not picking on Magico it's just what hit me recently. Although it seems like almost 30%, estimating, is a big jump.

Just being honest for me if I now paid $16k for a speaker I knew used to cost $10k with no changes being made I'd feel...... well not good about it. I personally couldn't do it.

I believe some Levinson electronics have gone up around $5k. So I know it's not just Magico.

Just curious if the inflation as mentioned weighs in on anyone else's purchases, future purchases or do you feel it's just par for the course and blow it off?

I suppose on the other side if you want to sell gear inflations helps with that.

In talking with numerous manufacturers, prices on their components have gone through the roof. Many are seeing price increases of 5x or more on prices of the major components to build their gear.

Plus shipping has gone through the roof. UPS drivers are now making $170K a year with benefits as reported by the Wall Street Journal, and gas prices have gone crazy.

Plus energy costs and other costs associated with running businesses have gone nutso high the last 2 years.

All these increases are simply passed along to the consumer.

Originally Posted by MichaelsMinute

In talking with numerous manufacturers, prices on their components have gone through the roof. Many are seeing price increases of 5x or more on prices of the major components to build their gear.

Plus shipping has gone through the roof. UPS drivers are now making $170K a year with benefits as reported by the Wall Street Journal, and gas prices have gone crazy.

Plus energy costs and other costs associated with running businesses have gone nutso high the last 2 years.

All these increases are simply passed along to the consumer.

So what do you think would happen if everyone just said No, not buying it? Would all the companies just fold or drop prices? Hard to find out because unlike Bud Light, not enough people will just stop buying things no matter the price. I know people who will pay more for the same item at a fancy store just for the status of saying it was from Maceys and not Target

Originally Posted by Shadowfax

So what do you think would happen if everyone just said No, not buying it? Would all the companies just fold or drop prices? Hard to find out because unlike Bud Light, not enough people will just stop buying things no matter the price. I know people who will pay more for the same item at a fancy store just for the status of saying it was from Maceys and not Target

Hi Brian - If they price their gear too high people won't buy it and they will go out of business. This is regardless for the REASON they price too high.

If people are buying the items at those prices (regardless of what we think of those prices), then they are not priced too high for the target market.

If companies are unable to lower their prices, they will go out of business as we have seen the inflation over the last two years destroy thousands of businesses due to this very reason.

Who am I to judge and disparage other people because of how or where they choose to spend their money? It's their choice.

Originally Posted by MichaelsMinute

Who am I to judge and disparage other people because of how or where they choose to spend their money? It's their choice.

I agree and defend that position all the time.

I ordered my A3s at the end of May of 2018 with the grills and received them in October that year. I later added the Apods. My local dealer told me if I bought the new S3s he would give me what I paid for the A3s for a trade in. How many things do we buy hold that kind of value. Of course the same A3s today price has increased about 35%. But, I feel pretty good about my early purchase of the A3s.

Of course he and I are still waiting for his first pair of S3s.

Originally Posted by Darrel

How many things do we buy hold that kind of value.

Harleys and Guns are 2 I can think of. Hope you get your speakers soon.

Originally Posted by Darrel

I ordered my A3s at the end of May of 2018 with the grills and received them in October that year. I later added the Apods. My local dealer told me if I bought the new S3s he would give me what I paid for the A3s for a trade in. How many things do we buy hold that kind of value. Of course the same A3s today price has increased about 35%. But, I feel pretty good about my early purchase of the A3s.

Of course he and I are still waiting for his first pair of S3s.

That sounds like a great trade in deal!

I bought Magico M3 shortly after they first came out. If I were to buy M3 today I would be paying double that. I'm very happy about that. My only regret is I didn't buy two pairs.

ditto

Originally Posted by Shadowfax

Capitalism = Legal yet Immoral

As long as people keep paying the prices, they will go up

So what's your preferred alternative to capitalism?

On one hand a trade in program is nice, keeps you from having to sell your item but keep in mind on the other hand there has to be a good amount of profit made initially and after to make a trade worth while.

An after thought, even if the A3 is now $16k, it would still be a viable purchase if it met or exceeded the performance of other speakeres in the same range.

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

On one hand a trade in program is nice, keeps you from having to sell your item but keep in mind on the other hand there has to be a good amount of profit made initially and after to make a trade worth while.

An after thought, even if the A3 is now $16k, it would still be a viable purchase if it met or exceeded the performance of other speakeres in the same range.

I can agree with your thoughts. In my experience over the years. The more expensive, heavier and bigger the stereo piece is. The harder it is to move it out of my system. I have a friend who has bought many of my replaced items. Such as two different Talon speakers. Rotel 1090 and 1095 amps. Stereo and home theater preamp etc. Lately with my current system and upgrades. He dogges coming by to listen to the current system. I think he knows it could be costly to him. So, moving my current Magico speakers considering their value, size and weight. Having a trade-in option to a local dealer makes changing to a bigger, heavier more costly speaker much more of a easy option.

Originally Posted by mep

So what's your preferred alternative to capitalism?

I want Capitalism with a Conscience and Morality. Less Greed.

Originally Posted by Shadowfax

I want Capitalism with a Conscience and Morality. Less Greed.

oh plz, this is the USA and no one is forced to buy anything, if they can sell for X price than good for them, you have NO idea what onayones operating cost etc is, I can say you are overpaid, I'm sure you will take a paycut, it will make me sleep better

Originally Posted by Porsche

oh plz, this is the USA and no one is forced to buy anything, if they can sell for X price than good for them, you have NO idea what onayones operating cost etc is, I can say you are overpaid, I'm sure you will take a paycut, it will make me sleep better

Well said.

Magico are not alone in ripping off customers. Wilson do a dandy job as well, and I own Wilson speakers.

While i understand the frustration some express about the price of some products, I get reminded every time i play a piece of music ,why i payed ,what i payed, for my Magico's. Did I pay too much?... I don,t know,maybe... but frankly, I don't care. I feel totally justified in having made the purchase because I'm having such an enjoyable experience and that's all that matters to me.

Originally Posted by XV-1

Magico are not alone in ripping off customers. Wilson do a dandy job as well, and I own Wilson speakers.

I don't think "ripping off customers" is the correct choice of words when a customer agrees to pay a certain amount for a pair of speakers and they receive the speakers they paid for. If you agreed to a certain amount to pay for a set of speakers and never received them, that would be getting "ripped off."

The same logic would apply to all high end gear purchases and not just speakers.

Originally Posted by XV-1

Magico are not alone in ripping off customers. Wilson do a dandy job as well, and I own Wilson speakers.

the mindset of people amaze me. ripping off, that's absurd, they didn't hold a gun to your hear to buy them did they, there are many many speakers on the market, I'm sure there's something out there for less that you could live with.

are they overpriced in ones opinion, perhaps, but no one made you buy them, an buying a product than stating they ripped you off is asinine an make you not sound to bright

I don't feel I am ripped off as a Magico owner. If I break down the price what I pay, minus the markup of the dealer for his effort, minus taxes, minus the shipping cost, minus the cost of the slabs of Kaiser T6061 and all the other materials, minus the cost of CNC machining and the anodizing, and minus the cost of everything else, accounting for all of that I do see where the money goes.

Originally Posted by brodricj

I don't feel I am ripped off as a Magico owner. If I break down the price what I pay, minus the markup of the dealer for his effort, minus taxes, minus the shipping cost, minus the cost of the slabs of Kaiser T6061 and all the other materials, minus the cost of CNC machining and the anodizing, and minus the cost of everything else, accounting for all of that I do see where the money goes.

Your points are 100% true. However most people are not educated enough to do what you just outlined. It's easier for them to be angry at the big bad evil world. They have NO concept of the expenses of owning and running a business in the high end world with very limited customer base and no real economies of scale.

One only has to look at the facts of the current UAW strike to see your stroking of corporations is a load of BS. There are plenty of other examples of upper management greed other than just the auto companies. Sorry I'll be saving my Kleenex.

Originally Posted by MichaelsMinute

Your points are 100% true. However most people are not educated enough to do what you just outlined. It's easier for them to be angry at the big bad evil world. They have NO concept of the expenses of owning and running a business in the high end world with very limited customer base and no real economies of scale.

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

One only has to look at the facts of the current UAW strike to see your stroking of corporations is a load of BS. There are plenty of other examples of upper management greed other than just the auto companies. Sorry I'll be saving my Kleenex.

Riiiiight....comparing unionized UAW autoworkers to the high end audio industry is so enlightened. #ProfessionalVictimAlert

Once anyone uses the word "greed" to describe a product NO ONE IS FORCED TO BUY yet people keep buying of their own accord, they automatically loose the adult conversation trying to be had.

Don't like how much the evil greedy company is paying you? Find another job. Pretty simple. If their pay is that poor, no one will work for them as no one is forced to work anywhere. Don't like the price of an item as you think it's over priced? Then don't buy it and stop the whining about something you can't afford or choose not to spend the money on. Pretty simple.

GM has already shown the auto industry the model on how to break the union , tried and tested by United before them and will surely be applied again in Bankruptcy court after the next lock down ..!

BTW union heads got bigger increases than Corporate Honcho ‘s ...

Gentlemen - How about staying on topic? Thank you!

Originally Posted by mep

I don't think "ripping off customers" is the correct choice of words when a customer agrees to pay a certain amount for a pair of speakers and they receive the speakers they paid for. If you agreed to a certain amount to pay for a set of speakers and never received them, that would be getting "ripped off."

The same logic would apply to all high end gear purchases and not just speakers.

I beg to differ. Wilson and Magico are two examples.

S5 was released a few years back @ 29k. new S3 is 45K. WTF

the replacements for my Maxx3's are 145k - at 120% increase in price( a lot more in AU), I certainly cannot justify the crazy inflated prices of the new models. I am not alone as many guys I know are not upgrading for this very reason.

when you manufacture stuff, you should get better at it and be able to do it more efficiently and offer better products for similar or even cheaper prices - not expensive speakers or expensve hifi in general it seems it just gets more expensive

So yes, imo we as customers are getting ripped off.

Originally Posted by XV-1

S5 was released a few years back @ 29k. new S3 is 45K. WTF

The new Magico distributor in Australia jacked up prices a lot a few months ago when they took over the brand. They have a different distribution model to the previous distributor. The fact they have S3 and M9 on display in a show room, well, that is a massive investment that needs to be paid for. It will be interesting to see if they shift as many units at these much higher prices.

Originally Posted by XV-1

I beg to differ. Wilson and Magico are two examples.

S5 was released a few years back @ 29k. new S3 is 45K. WTF

the replacements for my Maxx3's are 145k - at 120% increase in price( a lot more in AU), I certainly cannot justify the crazy inflated prices of the new models. I am not alone as many guys I know are not upgrading for this very reason.

when you manufacture stuff, you should get better at it and be able to do it more efficiently and offer better products for similar or even cheaper prices - not expensive speakers or expensve hifi in general it seems it just gets more expensive

So yes, imo we as customers are getting ripped off.

If you aren't buying because of the high prices, you didn't get ripped off. If you decide to buy regardless of the price and agreed to pay it, you didn't get ripped off.

Originally Posted by brodricj

The new Magico distributor in Australia jacked up prices a lot a few months ago when they took over the brand. They have a different distribution model to the previous distributor. The fact they have S3 and M9 on display in a show room, well, that is a massive investment that needs to be paid for. It will be interesting to see if they shift as many units at these much higher prices.

You are wasting your time with them. These people either CHOOSE not to understand reality or are incapable. They prefer to be victims and angry at the world.

Pricing can be a rip off even if you don't put your money down. I wanted to book a flight from Singapore to Perth. One way, economy class. That's a 5 hour flight. Singapore Airlines is charging $5610 for that. That is a rip off. Even the cheapest flight is a rip off.

Screen Shot 2023-09-23 at 08.09.16.png

Originally Posted by puroagave

you're not taking into account uncontrolable costs. Industrial property rents in California have literally doubled in the last five years, its now just as expensive as class-b office space on a PSF basis. Add to that, Magico is in Hayword, one of the most expensive areas to do business in the most expesnive State in the US to be a manufacturer.

People don't understand businesses simply pass higher taxes and the cost of doing business onto the consumers. The consumers are blaming the wrong people.

One indication of un-due markup is to look at the used prices they sell for. If it's low, then most likely it's a so called rip-off. It it remains high then it's probably not.

In this case Magico seem to hold their value better than most other speaker brands.

Originally Posted by the professor

One indication of un-due markup is to look at the used prices they sell for. If it's low, then most likely it's a so called rip-off. It it remains high then it's probably not.

In this case Magico seem to hold their value better than most other speaker brands.

So resale price has nothing to do with supply and demand for that particular item or brand along with perceived value?

Let's take Ideon as an example. Are their resale values low because of it being a "rip off" or because no one really knows about the brand in the US and thus has low demand - new or used?

Still trying to figure out how someone who is clueless about the costs associated with actually bringing an item to market can have any standing to determine if something is a "rip off" which is a purely subjective emotional feeling they are trying to claim is malice on behalf of the company.

It would also be great if these hapless victims of being subject to evil greedy companies could tell us what is the yearly net profit they will allow a company to make before their pricing is declared a rip-off. I'm betting none of them have a clue of a real, hard number that they find acceptable that they are willing to share that an audio company is allowed to make in their acceptably-priced world.

Lets reverse engineer this argument ,

Who here would buy a lesser known and cheaper speaker than what they currently have because it sounded better ..?


The End ...!

I may be the minority but I would for sure.

It's like the $20.00 beer at the ball park, either you buy it or not. Someone might call the pricing a rep off but I don't consider it a rip off as long as there is still a choice to buy it or not.

Originally Posted by a.wayne

Lets reverse engineer this argument ,

Who here would buy a lesser known and cheaper speaker than what they currently have because it sounded better ..?


The End ...!

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

...I don't consider it a rip off as long as there is still a choice to buy it or not.

If Delta was charging $5610 to fly one way from LA to Miami in economy class, that would not be a rip off if another full-service airline was doing it $3000 cheaper?

Originally Posted by brodricj

If Delta was charging $5610 to fly one way from LA to Miami in economy class, that would not be a rip off if another full-service airline was doing it $3000 cheaper?

You do realize that 1) different airlines have different cost structures and 2) airline pricing is highly variable and dynamic on a daily basis based on a variety of factors such as # of seats left, how popular that route is, how many planes they have on that particular route, etc, etc and is not a static price, right?

Everyone knows never simply buy an airline ticket on a whim and you always shop over a period of time as the price can vary by as much as 100% for the same dates because the prices change so dramatically.

The example I gave was for full-service airlines on the same route at the same time as the fair comparison, rather than low cost carrier. I can often fly Perth>Singapore return for less than $1000. One way Singapore>Perth for $5610 is a blatant rip off whether I choose to buy that ticket or not. I don't have an issue with Magico speaker pricing, but the price of MRack is a bit hard to swallow.

Originally Posted by brodricj

The example I gave was for full-service airlines on the same route at the same time as the fair comparison, rather than low cost carrier. I can often fly Perth>Singapore return for less than $1000. One way Singapore>Perth for $5610 is a blatant rip off whether I choose to buy that ticket or not. I don't have an issue with Magico speaker pricing, but the price of MRack is a bit hard to swallow.

You completely missed the point and the explanation.

What is immutable is Singapore Airlines charging five times the price for a one-way ticket compared to the usual price of a return ticket, just because it's the last day of the school holidays, is a rip off. And it's price gouging. I chose to stay home, and I still feel ripped off. I didn't feel ripped off when I bought M3, or today. I now see it as an investment because to buy M3 today will cost me double what I paid four years ago.

Originally Posted by brodricj

The new Magico distributor in Australia jacked up prices a lot a few months ago when they took over the brand. They have a different distribution model to the previous distributor. The fact they have S3 and M9 on display in a show room, well, that is a massive investment that needs to be paid for. It will be interesting to see if they shift as many units at these much higher prices.

Did not realise Boris got punted. He was hardly adding value to the brand, had high retail prices, would sell direct to customers at cheaper prices to undermine any retailers he had and carried no stock - so he was basically an order taker at a great margin.

ADA taking over is interesting, considering with the huge fallout they have had with Naim and Focal - and now selling them for 40% off.
Watch this space. yea, 90K AU for a pair of S3 - pass. Although Class A audio must have some Boris stock selling @ 57k.

Originally Posted by XV-1

Did not realise Boris got punted..

A2A also took Siltech, Crystal Cable and Pillium from him. Against that he's picked up Bladelius. BTW I'm really happy with Bladelius, it's proving to be a very good pairing with M3. Basically the Bladelius ASK has taken over from my seven box Esoteric Grandioso stack.

Yeah, as I said the distribution mode has changed with the new distributor. A2A bought a sea container of everything from Magico, including M9. That must have been a $2M order. Prices went up, despite shipping cost going down (Magico use to be air freighted to order, now by sea freight and one of everything kept in stock).

Originally Posted by XV-1

ADA taking over is interesting, considering with the huge fallout they have had with Naim and Focal - and now selling them for 40% off.
Watch this space.

Naim seems to be having an issue worldwide. Their decision to send a $27K kit to a very popular low-end reviewer here in the US was a spectacular failure and shows how out of touch they have become. Plus there is a lot of talk about their many, many ongoing QC issues.

Seems they have lost their way.

No. In that case economics, competition, should resolve the issue. Who in their right mind would pay $3k more for something than they had to?

In Magico's case it wouldn't be apples to apples, you'd have to decide if their prodict is worth the current price or would you settle or be happy with a lesser expensive product.

Originally Posted by brodricj

If Delta was charging $5610 to fly one way from LA to Miami in economy class, that would not be a rip off if another full-service airline was doing it $3000 cheaper?

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

No. In that case economics, competition, should resolve the issue. Who in their right mind would pay $3k more for something than they had to?

In Magico's case it wouldn't be apples to apples, you'd have to decide if their prodict is worth the current price or would you settle or be happy with a lesser expensive product.

Only those so desparate to have the "it" be it a brand name itself, a specific model, or commodity that they would abandon rational thought and pay it.

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by SCAudiophile

Only those so desparate to have the "it" be it a brand name itself, a specific model, or commodity that they would abandon rational thought and pay it.

And that is there right to pay what ever they want, even if others think they spent too much. Who are we to judge how they spend their own money?

I would't spend $120K on a car when a Honda or Toyota will get people to the same place just as fine. But I don't judge people who for for they choose to spend their money or what makes them happy.

I wouldn't spend $100 for a steak at a steak house when I can cook one just as good and pay $25 for it from Costco. Again, I won't judge them for it or call it a 'rip off'. People sure do waste a lot of time and energy being mad about how other people choose to spend their money (not aimed at you).