posted
hmmm ... bottom line, while I don't agree with Mr. Brownstone's outlook on the long-term survival of the high-end car amp market or brands associated with that niche, I have no problem with him personally - despite him thinking our old amp line was fugly. That's kind of his prerogative, when it comes down to it. Although, starting threads that mention other people on a different forum where you know they don't hang is kinda shady.
But, I DO have $20 bucks that says his prediction of death of those brands (or of Directed and Viper Audio) in 3 years is completely wrong, as is his prediction that nobody will buy these larger new amps. Also, the comment that PPI killed their entry line isn't true, they rolled a lot of that line into the current smaller Powerclass models.
As for the claim that you can buy the same power for $1100 from Memphis, here's some early test numbers for these new amps: 2631 watts into 2 ohm, 1% THD+N, 14.4V supply. Mr. B, if you think that isn't going to result in a hugely audible and measurable output level compared to the Memphis 1500 watt model, you ARE on crack :-)
JD
[ 01-28-2002: Message edited by: JD ]
Posts: 752 | From: San Diego | Registered: Jan 2000
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posted
I agree, I'm on crack to believe that average 16-22 yr old consumers will be able to afford either product.
JD
You & I disagree on the marketing strategy. I have no qualms about the quality of DEI's products, and never have. Personally, I don't believe that DEI will fold in 3 years, especially since Spring Breaks continue to grow--there should be plenty of Banana boat sales to pull the company through.
My argument is that you will give up on the high end market with 4 brands, and scale back to 1 or 2 good lines. I can only assume that's the reason for Viper & Dei lines--to eliminate the PPI, Orion, ADS lines only to retain their stores/dealers. That would be an excellent plan, unlike maintaining 3 brands until they bleed the company dry.
Good luck in 2002, 3, and 2004. I've always admired the features, reliability of DEIs alarms. The amplifiers have proven to be everything they say from a technical standpoint.
OH, and PS, I'm willing to make it $100, not $20 that there'll be less than 5 lines of DEI car audio in 3 years.
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posted
We do appear to disagree on several things. I think the a/d/s/ and PPI brands are in a good position to build some share in what we've loosely been calling "high end", you don't. I think that niche of a niche (which is the right way to look at it, you're right on that) has long-term survival written all over it, you see it eroding. As to our brands surviving, that has more to do with our skills at making good decisions about product and servicing our dealers better than anyone in the 12V business - I think at the end of the day those will prove more significant than ups and downs of the market segments. I'm happy to make the 5 brands surviving (thriving, even) for $20 an offical bet if you want. One caveat though, I would only pay off if I'm still involved in the process here (which is my expectation) - if someone else comes in and screws it up, I take no responsibility :-)
JD
P.S. We already had thousands of retail dealers and even more storefronts covered, without the ADST acquisition. The number of new dealers that deal brought in is relatively insignificant, and we could have simply targeted to add them or add the same qty. without spending what it cost to acquire ADST. The value was (is) in the combination of those accounts and their ability to sell good amounts of ADST products, plus gaining the expertise of the people in Phoenix at brand marketing and product knowledge.
[ 01-30-2002: Message edited by: JD ]
Posts: 752 | From: San Diego | Registered: Jan 2000
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