Originally Posted by esteban (Post 715364)

I'm sure these will be more popular and successful than the Venere and Chameleon lines combined.

Originally Posted by Venere (Post 715398)

Unlikely, in my opinion. I have no idea how successful their entry level speaker lines have been (or will be in the future) but I doubt these phones will have much impact in the consumer market. While I like the way they look, I cant help but think that for most buyers they might be seen as a little too precious. Also, for most non-audiophiles $495 is a bit much when they can get their beloved Beats at Best Buy for much less. As for the reception in the audiophile world...we shall see. Hard to get folks away from Sennheiser, Audeze, HiFi Man, etc. Such a saturated industry segment now. I wish them luck. BTW ... If the traditional high-end SF fans hated the Venere line (which most did) they must be apoplectic over SF entering the consumer headphone market. Further brand dilution awaits. Its simply the modern business model.

Originally Posted by metaphacts (Post 715403)

First, Beats, the sales leader in the headphone category, dwarfs sales of all high end audio combined. Not high end audio headphones - high end audio in its entirety. Second, Beats was ridiculously expensive for the consumer category when they first debuted. They seemed to do ok. AQ just introduced a headphone more expensive than Sf. As a far more mainstream company than Sf, AQ doesn't seem at all concerned with price acceptance. Third, Headphones continue to be a growth segment in the market. It is far from saturated. See AQ above. Fourth, Venere had a tough acceptance row to hoe because it was made in China. (I remember it well - I was with FineSounds at the time.) It certainly wasn't price dilution - Sonus faber had models available in Venere's price ranges in the last century! The Sf headphone is made in Italy. I suspect it is the connection to the luxury market outside of audio that may concern Sf traditionalists more than Sf's entry into the headphone market. YMMV

Originally Posted by metaphacts (Post 715403)

First, Beats, the sales leader in the headphone category, dwarfs sales of all high end audio combined. Not high end audio headphones - high end audio in its entirety. Second, Beats was ridiculously expensive for the consumer category when first debuted. They seemed to do ok. AQ just introduced a headphone more expensive than Sf. As a far more mainstream company than Sf, AQ doesn't seem at all concerned with price acceptance. Third, Headphones continue to be a growth segment in the market. It is far from saturated. See AQ above. Fourth, Venere had a tough acceptance row to hoe because it was made in China. (I remember it well - I was with FineSounds at the time.) It certainly wasn't price dilution - Sonus faber had models available in Venere's price ranges in the last century! The Sf headphone is made in Italy. I suspect it is the connection to the luxury market outside of audio that may concern Sf traditionalists more than Sf's entry into the headphone market. YMMV

Originally Posted by Venere (Post 715506)

You know what Bill? Everything you said makes perfect sense, as always. I love SF so I hope the Pryma is very successful. I guess it all depends on what kind of sales volume constitutes a success to the manufacturer. Just out of curiosity, prior to you leaving Fine Sounds was the Venere line considered a sales success or not? I have no idea what level of sales defines profitability for a company like SF.