T+A Solitaire P planar magnetostatic

[Ciggavelli]

That's a ****in grand on top of the old price.
I seriously wonder how these ridiculous increases will affect the (hifi) industry as a whole

At some point people are gonna put their hands up and not buy the product, no matter how good it is. People already pay crazy prices for audio equipment (myself included), so maybe the companies think they can charge more and it will be okay. I'm not sure what the line is for the average TOTL-focused consumer is, but I think we're probably getting close(r) to it. We shall see. Yes, everything costs more, but a thousand dollar increase is kinda crazy on the TCs

 

[ufospls2]

At some point people are gonna put their hands up and not buy the product, no matter how good it is. People already pay crazy prices for audio equipment (myself included), so maybe the companies think they can charge more and it will be okay. I'm not sure what the line is for the average TOTL-focused consumer is, but I think we're probably getting close(r) to it. We shall see. Yes, everything costs more, but a thousand dollar increase is kinda crazy on the TCs

I'll admit, I'm struggling a bit with the $1000 increase on the TC's. I remember Joe made an offhand comment (a couple years ago) that he should have priced the TC higher when they originally released them. I understand aluminum and all material prices have skyrocketed, but from other manufacturers you are seeing maybe $100 extra here, $200 there. With Abyss, $1000USD on their TOTL can. I get the feeling it is partly to cover costs, partly just pricing them to reflect the MSRP of other headphones in the TOTL arena. The thing is, the street price of those other cans is much lower than their MSRP, Abyss - Not so much.

Makes me wonder what the next Abyss flagship will be? $8000, $10,000???

 

[DarginMahkum]

I'll admit, I'm struggling a bit with the $1000 increase on the TC's. I remember Joe made an offhand comment (a couple years ago) that he should have priced the TC higher when they originally released them. I understand aluminum and all material prices have skyrocketed, but from other manufacturers you are seeing maybe $100 extra here, $200 there. With Abyss, $1000USD on their TOTL can. I get the feeling it is partly to cover costs, partly just pricing them to reflect the MSRP of other headphones in the TOTL arena. The thing is, the street price of those other cans is much lower than their MSRP, Abyss - Not so much.

Makes me wonder what the next Abyss flagship will be? $8000, $10,000???

Their Diana TC that looks like a toy HP with the worst build ever costs €5000 here, which is nearly $6000. That is ridiculous.

 

[ufospls2]

Their Diana TC that looks like a toy HP with the worst build ever costs €5000 here, which is nearly $6000. That is ridiculous.

Well, pricing aside, I don't agree that the Diana TC looks like a toy, and think it has some of the best build quality around.

This is the Solitaire P thread though so I'll be quiet.

 

[ObjectiveSubjectivist]

This price bump is TC is just...
Good luck to them.

 

[jlbrach]

At some point people are gonna put their hands up and not buy the product, no matter how good it is. People already pay crazy prices for audio equipment (myself included), so maybe the companies think they can charge more and it will be okay. I'm not sure what the line is for the average TOTL-focused consumer is, but I think we're probably getting close(r) to it. We shall see. Yes, everything costs more, but a thousand dollar increase is kinda crazy on the TCs

I agree, as much as audiophiles are insane...I know I am one...we are reaching a point where these prices are getting to be insane...a 20% cost increase on an item which is now several years old is really pushing things and I LOVE the TC and the sol P....both are now blasting through sanity...we shall see I guess..it is one thing when the cost of milk and eggs and meat got through the roof because people have to eat but people do not HAVE to buy 6 or 7 K headphones..meanwhile the best bargain in all of this insanity is the sr1a with a jotr...I have seen the combo offered used for 2500 and relative to everything else it is a steal because IMHO it is the most unique and maybe best HP option in the market....I hope I dont give them any pricing ideas lol

 

[brams]

Although I agree with all that has been said we cannot ignore that most people would laugh at the thought that those who willingly bought headphones for more than $5000 are now complaining that the price has now been unreasonably increased to over $6000 ...

While we have every right to complain, manufacturers will continue to do this nonsense as long as we keep buying their product at the crazy prices. As far as they are concerned if you can afford to pay $5k, although you might grumble, you will pay $6k and so on and so on. If at some point they lose a few customers to compensate they will simple increase the price to those still willing to buy. And don't forget the excuses of "diminishing returns" and "musical" tuning if one questions the value proposition. Such is the way for luxury, non essential items.

Whether we like it or not, unfortunately headphones are heading the way of two channel hifi with all that entails.

 

[allenwong]

I tried tc many times, I don’t like the tones. P still the best for me. So I don’t care the price go up. If one day I buy the tc, only because they are financing product.

 

[jlbrach]

Although I agree with all that has been said we cannot ignore that most people would laugh at the thought that those who willingly bought headphones for more than $5000 are now complaining that the price has now been unreasonably increased to over $6000 ...

While we have every right to complain, manufacturers will continue to do this nonsense as long as we keep buying their product at the crazy prices. As far as they are concerned if you can afford to pay $5k, although you might grumble, you will pay $6k and so on and so on. If at some point they lose a few customers to compensate they will simple increase the price to those still willing to buy. And don't forget the excuses of "diminishing returns" and "musical" tuning if one questions the value proposition. Such is the way for luxury, non essential items.

Whether we like it or not, unfortunately headphones are heading the way of two channel hifi with all that entails.

because people pay 5k doesnt mean they will pay 6k and more...some will others wont and what will determine things going forward is the breakdown of these 2 groups going forward..I say this as one who loves the abyss product line and the sol p

 

[ThanatosVI]

Although I agree with all that has been said we cannot ignore that most people would laugh at the thought that those who willingly bought headphones for more than $5000 are now complaining that the price has now been unreasonably increased to over $6000 ...

While we have every right to complain, manufacturers will continue to do this nonsense as long as we keep buying their product at the crazy prices. As far as they are concerned if you can afford to pay $5k, although you might grumble, you will pay $6k and so on and so on. If at some point they lose a few customers to compensate they will simple increase the price to those still willing to buy. And don't forget the excuses of "diminishing returns" and "musical" tuning if one questions the value proposition. Such is the way for luxury, non essential items.

Whether we like it or not, unfortunately headphones are heading the way of two channel hifi with all that entails.

I share your opinion.
However, for me personally this is the tipping point between buying the headphone and not buying them anymore.

There are really good headphones available in the 4k Segment.

I already own the Solitaire P, therefore I am unaffected by this increase.
What convinced me back then Was partially the low price in Europe. It used to be cheaper than most of the other flagships in europe.
The other convincing part Was the tonality which landef right up my alles.

The Abyss 1266TC Was on my audition list previously but certainly won't be at 6600€ anymore.

 

[brams]

I wonder if they will now include more accessories for free? Given how well these perform with some DAPs a short cable should definitely be supplied as a standard.

On the plus side our resale values just went up by almost $1000 ... Yeah!

At this rate I'll soon be able to get more on resale than I paid ...

 

[offtherecord]

That's a ****in grand on top of the old price.
I seriously wonder how these ridiculous increases will affect the (hifi) industry as a whole

Greedy B******s, simple

 

[jlbrach]

not as simple as that as inflation is creating havoc everywhere but that said it does seem we are approaching levels that are going to bite

 

[OneEyedHito]

Just jumping into this party.......I had a set of P in house for a few weeks thanks to a kind member here and they are officially my favorite headphone for EDM (preferably Ambient or Chill not Oakenfold per say). The Soundstage and impact was as good as the 1266 TC to me but the fitment offered me some of the same issues as the 1266, they just don't fit my head very well.......I would still buy a set at a good price though, really enjoyed them!

 

[treebug]

Just jumping into this party.......I had a set of P in house for a few weeks thanks to a kind member here and they are officially my favorite headphone for EDM (preferably Ambient or Chill not Oakenfold per say). The Soundstage and impact was as good as the 1266 TC to me but the fitment offered me some of the same issues as the 1266, they just don't fit my head very well.......I would still buy a set at a good price though, really enjoyed them!

I find the fit of the P excellent around the ears, HD800 comfort level. Only problem I have is with the headband which creates a little too much pressure during long listening sessions (2 hours plus).