Tariff Wars...

[MDKrinkles]

Consider it an opportunity to enjoy what you've already got!

Absolutely! I work second shift so I get home late and I love turning on my tube amp, doing whatever I need to get done that night, then just sitting in my little listening space and relaxing.

But I also think being able to afford to pursue a hobby is what imo separates working to live vs working to survive.

 

[Seyley]

Noted,

but...

American workers and American companies have to consider two main issues from the impeding 'trade war(s)'. That countries raise their tariffs for all, OR, raise their tariffs on America only.
If the latter happens then America has a big problem, especially from Canada, China, Japan, the middle and far east in general. Hence the reasons for the Dow Jones Industrial Average litterally wetting their pants on Thursday (3rd April).

The lost of Trillions of dollars from the American markets (yesterday) will lead to job losses in the short term as companies find financial restraints suddenly being imposed by investors.

As many people have pointed out in this thread, the Hi-Fi industry may take a big hit as buying items will be less of a priority. To repeat myself, I think the phone industry with it's all in one-solution, may be for some, the only solution for their every day music needs, (music not Hi-Fi)

The music streaming sites may have a grin on their faces.

 

[2leftears]

Reading all of this I do have to wonder: how often do you guys buy new audio equipment ?

For me these things are a once in 15-20 year expenditure and written off over that many years not really a big chunk of my disposable income.

Inflation resulting from these trade wars are a worry, but audio equipment inflation is hardly at the top of my list of worries there. I'm more concerned about food and energy prices and short-term real-rates staying negative for much longer.

Maybe it helps being more interested in music rather than the equipment.

 

[Daiyama]

This is a forum of mainly heavy buyer and seller users.

It will be interesting to see if for the first time Chinese goods will be cheaper in Europe as in the US.

 

[XTF1]

The positive attitude IMHO…
If you guys are worry about tariffs and their consequences, buy music instead of audio gear: no tariffs, and some of your money is actually going where it should—the Artists!

PD: And I know we all have enough (good) gear to listen to music for years…

 

[Seyley]

The positive attitude IMHO…
If you guys are worry about tariffs and their consequences, buy music instead of audio gear: no tariffs, and some of your money is actually going where it should—the Artists!

PD: And I know we all have enough (good) gear to listen to music for years…

....let's review!
Music rather than gear you say? So the new singer or band may have to purchase new kit for future recordings, from Violin strings to Drumsticks, reeds for wind instruments and CIEMs for the group or singer (as an example). The material for these items will be subject to increased tariffs. There will be tariffs attached to the recording studios for spares and mechanical maintenance. Not everone will go down the Streaming route. Vynyl, CDs, supporting merchandise, a possible increase. Just an observation.

I do subscribe to the thinking that Manufacturers of Hi-Fi gear, need to retain existing skilled personnel to push R & D and innovation. I may not buy a certain piece of kit, but I do appreciate the skills that have been into it, which will be enjoyed by the end purchaser.

Tariffs may make a dent in Hi-Fi equipment manufacturing and that would stunt our 'hobby' in a negative way.

 

[2leftears]

....let's review!
Music rather than gear you say? So the new singer or band may have to purchase new kit for future recordings, from Violin strings to Drumsticks, reeds for wind instruments and CIEMs for the group or singer (as an example). The material for these items will be subject to increased tariffs. There will be tariffs attached to the recording studios for spares and mechanical maintenance. Not everone will go down the Streaming route. Vynyl, CDs, supporting merchandise, a possible increase. Just an observation.

I do subscribe to the thinking that Manufacturers of Hi-Fi gear, need to retain existing skilled personnel to push R & D and innovation. I may not buy a certain piece of kit, but I do appreciate the skills that have been into it, which will be enjoyed by the end purchaser.

Tariffs may make a dent in Hi-Fi equipment manufacturing and that would stunt our 'hobby' in a negative way.

Sure, musicians may (or will) face some higher operating costs as well, that will be unavoidable, and they will have to pass this on to the consumer.

But the ultimate cost increase passed on to the consumer of audio equipment will be more than the cost increase passed on to the consumer of the music business. Musicians don't need to buy a new guitar for every new song (unless they see Pete Townshend as their role model maybe ), whereas the cost increase for every new consumer audio item produced will be potentially significant under the new tariffs regime.

What @XTF1 tried to say (I think, correct me if I'm wrong XTF1) is that given the relative sizes of the increased costs in the consumer audio business vs. those in the music business, and all this ultimately being about enjoying music, you as a consumer of both audio equipment and music have agency. You can rebalance your choice as to how you spend your money: away from a high audio equipment turnover towards more music purchases.

A dent in the Hi-Fi equipment manufacturing may not necessarily be considered a bad thing, depending on one's view re. the current state of the consumer/audiophile audio & marketing business (and music business practices). YMMV, but for me there is a big difference between being willing to pay a bit more for a music download or CD to cover the higher production cost (incl. new violin strings, reeds, or effect pedals for the musician) vs. paying more to switch from a single-ended headphone amp & cable to a balanced setup because someone told (sold!) you that it sounds better. Again, as a consumer you have agency here. Given how much money gets spent on audio yet at the same time seeing how brilliant budding artists struggle to make ends meet with smaller live venues closing all over the place, there is something very wrong in the whole audio vs. music business structure seeing the end goal is to enjoy brilliant music.

Of course if you are in the consumer audio business, this is all bad news.

 

[raymondlin]

Noted,

but...

American workers and American companies have to consider two main issues from the impeding 'trade war(s)'. That countries raise their tariffs for all, OR, raise their tariffs on America only.
If the latter happens then America has a big problem, especially from Canada, China, Japan, the middle and far east in general. Hence the reasons for the Dow Jones Industrial Average litterally wetting their pants on Thursday (3rd April).

The lost of Trillions of dollars from the American markets (yesterday) will lead to job losses in the short term as companies find financial restraints suddenly being imposed by investors.

As many people have pointed out in this thread, the Hi-Fi industry may take a big hit as buying items will be less of a priority. To repeat myself, I think the phone industry with it's all in one-solution, may be for some, the only solution for their every day music needs, (music not Hi-Fi)

The music streaming sites may have a grin on their faces.

I live in the UK, people are only talking about what we can do TO AMERICA, rather than tariff the world.

Nobody are talking about tariffing other countries (why would they? It would be stupid to), we are all talking about what to do to America in return. The smarter, nicer countries will do a scalpel approach and put tariffs on product that are made in the Republican majority states. The not so nice response would be target everything and ban exports of things that the US wanted and needed. Much like cut off one's own nose to spite them.

But nobody are talking about putting a tariff on an island with only penguins living there that's for sure.

There is also a movement outside Canada, outside Americas to boycott as much USA made products as possible. Due to the intertwined nature of our society, it would be impossible to, like we can't stop using the internet as it is run on AWS but things like Coke Cola, Gibson Guitars, even guitar strings, people are looking for alternatives now.

 

[g4ndr1k]

It’s a good time to enjoy music and worry less about buying or upgrading gear.

 

[Daiyama]

If tariffs continue to climb as they are now, nobody will be able to afford anything from anywhere in 2 weeks' time.....

 

[Shane D]

Reading all of this I do have to wonder: how often do you guys buy new audio equipment ?

For me these things are a once in 15-20 year expenditure and written off over that many years not really a big chunk of my disposable income.

Inflation resulting from these trade wars are a worry, but audio equipment inflation is hardly at the top of my list of worries there. I'm more concerned about food and energy prices and short-term real-rates staying negative for much longer.

Maybe it helps being more interested in music rather than the equipment.

While I have slowed down recently, I would think that I would buy a few items per year (amp or headphone), if something interested me or the price was right. Be it a big sale or a used item.

I am in Canada so the exchange rate is turning me off already, so I can't see making any American purchases in the near future. And add tarrifs on top of that.
I am hopeful that Asian and European pricing (tarrifs) won't affect us much.

But as the experts keep saying, NO ONE wins a trade war.

 

[lairpost]

But as the experts keep saying, NO ONE wins a trade war.

There is one winner in all of this, the billionaires that are able to buy up all the 'lost' properties, 'valuables', etc. of the masses that are going to struggle to keep a roof over their families heads, put food on the table, etc. And for what, subjectively every billionaire already has more than they can practically spend. It's greed. It's power. It's evil.

'They've' been buying up all the US agricultural land for some time now. The rest will be purchased at a severe discount in the coming year or so. Then they will completely control the food chain too. Next we'll be 'issued' Neuralink, most likely for 'free' and the Matrix will be fully realized. One dystopian saving grace coming is when artificial general intelligence quickly realizes our species is nothing more than an impediment to progress.

I've been rewatching Battlestar Galactica when I'm not listening to music. Parting comment; red onions are clearly purple

 

[Shane D]

There is one winner in all of this, the billionaires that are able to buy up all the 'lost' properties, 'valuables', etc. of the masses that are going to struggle to keep a roof over their families heads, put food on the table, etc. And for what, subjectively every billionaire already has more than they can practically spend. It's greed. It's power. It's evil.

'They've' been buying up all the US agricultural land for some time now. The rest will be purchased at a severe discount in the coming year or so. Then they will completely control the food chain too. Next we'll be 'issued' Neuralink, most likely for 'free' and the Matrix will be fully realized. One dystopian saving grace coming is when artificial general intelligence quickly realizes our species is nothing more than an impendment to progress.

I've been rewatching Battlestar Galactica when I'm not listening to music. Parting comment; red onions are clearly purple

The billionaires will make out like bandits in the market chaos. But it has always been that way.

The biggest difference is that the top one percent has become the top twenty percent. And they will have 90 percent of everything.

 

[Whazzzup]

I loaded up in early 2024, bigly

 

[MDR7506Mike]

Glad to see a lot more realistic viewpoints here than another (majority American) forum I used to frequent.

I'm Canadian and really unsure how all of this will end up affecting prices of electronics and audio equipment from overseas? I'm still using a 5 year old LG v60 as my daily phone and will eventually have to replace it. I will likely buy used but I don't see the deals I used to, at least locally.