DRACONIAN Posted February 14, 2003 Share Posted February 14, 2003 SOUND ADVICE should still carry Klipsch, they would fall under a audio/video specialty store. As far as my local SOUND ADVICE they tell me only Tweeter will be loosing the line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skonopa Posted February 14, 2003 Share Posted February 14, 2003 ---------------- On 2/14/2003 12:21:16 PM mace wrote: One major concern I'd have with the new distribution channel is matching up the Klipsch to the amps and receivers they carry at Circuit City and Best Buy. Pure ear bleed. (I can't comment on Tweeter's receiver selection as there are none in my area). Mace ---------------- Tweeter actually has some pretty nice stuff in thier stores. I know they have Denon and B&K (both recievers and seperates) for sure. I think they also carry Sunfire and Bryston, but I did not see any at the local store and I could be mistaken. They also carry alot of the high-end Sony stuff (ES line) as well as the high-end Yamaha (RX-Z series and the higher end RX-V series (1300 and up). It is higher-end than what Best Buy has. The highest end reciever I saw at Best Buy is the Yamaha HTR-5590, which goes for around $800 (basically the same as an RX-V800). I almost bought that until I figured that I could get the much better Denon AVR3802 off the internet for the same price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Joshua Ryan Hall Posted February 14, 2003 Share Posted February 14, 2003 Dear Forum Members: Wow! News DOES travel fast. First and foremost, I want each and every one of our Forum members to know that we did not intend to leave you out of the loop or be secretive about our brand strategy and distribution changes. As you can imagine, we had an obligation to notify our dealer partners immediately. The logistics of communicating a complex issue to over 1,000 dealers and their employees in 48 hours is a daunting task, and we were unable to get the information posted in the Forum until today. As a few members have already communicated from having seen the official news release from Business Wire, Klipsch has discontinued its relationships with Magnolia Hi-Fi and the Tweeter Home Entertainment Group and its subsidiaries. We will work with both of these retailers on transition plans that will address issues you may have, such as parts and service needs. Additionally, Klipsch will begin selling a limited line of award-winning Synergy Series loudspeakers at Best Buy stores across the country on Memorial Day weekend this May. This limited line excludes the Synergy in-wall, in-ceiling and outdoor models. The Reference Series, Klipschs flagship line of high-performance loudspeakers, will continue to be sold exclusively through audio/video specialists nationwide. As you may already know, Klipsch introduced 14 new Reference Series models at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this January, including 4 new bookshelf speakers that start at $299, and three new floorstanding speakers that start at $599. These new models along with any new Reference Series loudspeakers will remain exclusively available from the A/V specialists, and new A/V specialist partners will be added in areas where the Reference Series is under-represented due to the discontinued relationships. The full press release is now posted in the NewsCenter. Bob G. and I, along with many others will be closely following the questions that come up regarding these major distribution changes, and we will do our best to address every one of your concerns. --Joshua Ryan Hall joshua.hall@klipsch.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougdrake Posted February 14, 2003 Share Posted February 14, 2003 ---------------- On 2/14/2003 1:54:44 PM erdric wrote: Actually, I didn't know this. Weird. How did an unrelated guy with the same name get control of the company, especially if PWK didn't get along with him? ---------------- Just to clarify, Fred is not unrelated, just a distant relative who was unaware of the connection. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out. The thinking may be that just as the ProMedia brought a lot of people to the Home Audio line that never would have known about it, maybe the Synergy series in Best Buy will bring a lot of people to the Reference series as they upgrade, or wonder "What else does Klipsch have to offer?" Best Buy's listening environment IS horrendous, though. But, OTOH, it DOES give the masses the ability to hear both Bose and Klipsch in close proximity to each other. Anyhow, happy with my "classics." DD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phips25 Posted February 14, 2003 Share Posted February 14, 2003 I have a question what is a person like me suppose to do. When I pull up the dealer search it take a 50-mile radius to get a non-Tweeter dealer. Now I have to go waste my gas if I want to even look at the new klipsch line. Correct me if I am wrong but I stop in my local tweeter today (which is great) and my salesperson told me that Best Buy is owned by Magnolia Hi-Fi. Am I misinformed? If not that sound a little strange dont you think. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Disappointed -Phips Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erdric Posted February 14, 2003 Share Posted February 14, 2003 >>Just to clarify, Fred is not unrelated, just a distant relative who was unaware of the connection.<< Doh! Sorry Doug. I read the post quickly while I was at work. I should have re-read it before posting. I'll edit it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prodj101 Posted February 14, 2003 Share Posted February 14, 2003 wtf? I finally think I have a high end system going here, and than it's availible at best buy. whoevers in charge of this dcision should be shot. if this is all true, and the reference line someday ends up at best buy, screw klipsch, I can find something else, or else just do all DIY. sure, this sounds cheap, because you're really "buying the sound" but there is something to be said about maintaining an image. selling to best buy is like getting head from the school slu#. might feel good at the time (equivilant of the mucho money klipsch would gain) but after everyone heard of it and you loose your friends because you are now considered a bottom feeder (best buy products) you realize that it really wasn't a smart thing to do. (and no, this hasn't happend to me, offered, but didn't happen, though it did happen to a friend of mine). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lincolns_wax Posted February 14, 2003 Share Posted February 14, 2003 I checked my location as well, only SA, I called my salesman and he said that they haven't received official word yet, but unofficially, it looks like they'll be dropping the line there. I will not take a two hour trip to hear speakers, if this is the way Klipsch wants to treat their customers, fine. Those of us who are only serviced by tweeter owned stores are simply SOL. Klipsch's new "Flagship" stores cover the central and western states, those of use stuck elsewhere are simply SOL. I honestly don't see more mom-n-pop stores signing up to carry klipsch, I'm pretty sure the ones in my area wouldn't they're used to brands like Monitor, Thiel, Dynaudio, Paradigm, and I know it sounds sorry and snobbish, but selling out to Best Buy isn't going to win any favor higher-end audio shops. I'm sure there's a metric buttload of money involved here, and it is a business afterall, but this amounts to nothing more than turning their backs on us. I'm happy to know that Fred's idea of "eliminating regional conflict" consists of leaving portions of people stranded. I was so excited about getting this whole new system of mine setup, but with this glorious reorganization, I'm now having serious doubts about giving more money to a company that's only concern truly seems to be the profit potential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prodj101 Posted February 14, 2003 Share Posted February 14, 2003 nice one klipsch, you just lost alot of people as a customer. If I'd have seen this coming, when I sent in my warranty sheet I wouldn't have put "highly likely" in the "are you considering klipsch for your next purchase" box. Instead it would be a big X right in the "very unlikely". you have sold out to best buy, and you are no better than jbl anymore. fuc# this shi^, I should sell my RF-5's while I still can. I have just lost all respect in them. Anyone up for a weiner roast, I'll supply the lumber Klipsch, you selfish SOB's. suddenly the millions you're already making just isn't enough. please don't take me lightly when I say I will get rid of my current klipsch speakers. Honestly I just can't enjoy them anymore, knowing the damn things are being sold like bose in a cheapo appliance/video game/cd/tv/dvd/audio/video/computer/peice of **** speaker stroe. you can count me out for future products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMcGoo Posted February 14, 2003 Share Posted February 14, 2003 I suspect that there are several reasons for the changes with the Reference line. High end shops may alow for better profit margins on the Reference line. Magnolia has allowed me discounts on Klipsch- nothing major, but enough to make a difference. Discounting may run contrary to Klipsch's pricing strategy as well as the immage that they are trying to build. I have never been in a Tweeter store. Are they high end enough for Klipsch? What is your view? Another point that I do not understand is droping Magnolia while adding BestBuy for the Synergy line. BB owns Magnolia which is a relatively recent acquisition for BB. BB is mass market; Magnolia is high end. As many people have already noted, I will not drive long distances to listen to Klipsch. If prices escalate too much, I will buy used or switch brands. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minn_male42 Posted February 14, 2003 Share Posted February 14, 2003 wow! it's amazing that some people feel that this "business decision" is a personal attack on them.... if it makes klipsch a more profitable company than it is a good thing....not to mention the fact that literally thousands of people who never have heard of klipsch will now be considering them as an option... will it cause problems for some current customers?...obviously....but come on folks we're talking about speakers here....and unless i'm mistaken, most of us in this forum already own klipsch speakers of some sort.... russ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruinsrme Posted February 14, 2003 Share Posted February 14, 2003 I wonder if one of the reasons Klipsch is pulling out of the East Coast region is to kill their Grey market popularity. With a large number of these unauthorized dealers being in NY and NJ this could be one way to break the chain. Moving into Best Buy might be a great move on paper, but now you are asking your customer to deal with the mall menatality in shopping for your product. There is nothing better than being greeted by some associate who rather be talking to their buddy than give you the time of day. What product line will Klipsch be putting in BJ's, Costco's and Sams Club? Sad day in audio. I am very disappointed and will be heading out to my local Tweeter and seeing if I can pick up a pair of RF7s while I can still get them. I hope we don't see the same disappointment in quality and reliability in the home audio sector as we are seeing in the PM sector. Disappointed Customer, Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lincolns_wax Posted February 14, 2003 Share Posted February 14, 2003 Tweeter offers some pretty neat stuff, Sonus Faber online, at Sound Advice, they carried B&W up until a month or two ago, now they carry Monitor. They're also a big Martin Logan seller. They offer B&K and Krell audio equipment and have an impressive array of visual electronics. They aren't quite as high-end as some retailers, but they do a decent job considering that they have so many locations. I don't hate Klipsch now, or anything close to it. If they believe they can maintain both a low end and a high end? Go for it, but I'm afraid they'll be proven wrong. Best Buy isn't the worst place in the world, if more people find that they like Klipsch, great, but this is where the whole growing pains thing comes in. As supply etches forward to meet the ever-growing demand, quality will suffer. I'm not going to lie and say that Klipsch has the best QA practices. One look into the ProMedia area and you'll see plenty of people who were let down, repeatedly. The RC-7 I just received had a nut that came off or wasn't tightened properly during assembly and one of the binding posts was about to fall off. No huge deal, I opened it and fixed it myself, but it was a hell of a buzzkill for my "new speaker bliss" and certainly not the kind of thing I'd expect from them. Like I said, the main reason I'm upset is because I won't have anywhere to buy Klipsch products, you know, except for the stuff they'll be selling at BB. And lots of people on the east coast will be going through the same thing. If they think they can get their "flagship stores" to expand over here? Fine, but Washington state is a hell of a long ways from north florida. If I decide to keep my RC-7 and build the system, it may very well be my last Klipsch system. Not because I left them, because they left me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruinsrme Posted February 14, 2003 Share Posted February 14, 2003 Russ, This is a major disappointment for people living in the Northeast region. Tweeter is the most convenient Klipsch outlet. There are a couple of other stores but do not support Klipsch as well as Tweeter did. There will be very few consumers whom would have considered Klipsch willing to travel 40 to 60 miles to travel into Boston to hear Klipsch. Tweeter was the only major consumer outlet Klipsch has in MA, NH, ME, RI and CT. Pulling their high end line from over 100 stores can't possibly help the bottom line. That seems to be a lot of Flagship speakers not being sold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minn_male42 Posted February 14, 2003 Share Posted February 14, 2003 bruinsrme, i sympathize with your situation, but it comes down to business....obviously klipsch believes that best buy can sell more speakers than tweeter could.... russ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erdric Posted February 14, 2003 Share Posted February 14, 2003 >>nice one klipsch, you just lost alot of people as a customer. If I'd have seen this coming, when I sent in my warranty sheet I wouldn't have put "highly likely" in the "are you considering klipsch for your next purchase" box. Instead it would be a big X right in the "very unlikely". you have sold out to best buy, and you are no better than jbl anymore. fuc# this shi^, I should sell my RF-5's while I still can. I have just lost all respect in them. Anyone up for a weiner roast, I'll supply the lumber Klipsch, you selfish SOB's. suddenly the millions you're already making just isn't enough. please don't take me lightly when I say I will get rid of my current klipsch speakers. Honestly I just can't enjoy them anymore, knowing the damn things are being sold like bose in a cheapo appliance/video game/cd/tv/dvd/audio/video/computer/peice of **** speaker stroe. you can count me out for future products<< Don't you think this is going a bit too far? How can you say you don't enjoy the speakers anymore? Did you buy them for the sound or the cache that comes with owning a 'high-end' speaker? I sure hope it was for the sound. I'm just guessing, but I suspect they sound the same tonight as they did two days ago. I know you're pissed and I can understand why but this turn of events doesn't affect the music coming out of your speakers. If you like the Klipsch sound, buy from Ebay. You won't be giving money to Klipsch LLC, which might be important to you, and you'll still get amazing speakers. If you won't buy them because people wil think you have Best Buy speakers, well, I guess that's your prerogative. I care about the sound (and I'm sure you do too). Please don't mistake my tone, I'm not attacking you. I'm just trying to interject some perspective. I'm disappointed by this decision as much as the next person but my Forte II's still sound phenomenal and that won't change when the Synergy line hits BB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Webmaster Posted February 15, 2003 Share Posted February 15, 2003 One thing to keep in mind is that with Tweeter gone, there will be many more smaller specialty audio companies to pick up the slack in the Northeast. As I understand it, there have been many smaller companies over the years up there that would not carry Klipsch speakers because of our relationship with Tweeter so with Tweeter gone, they will more than likely want to carry our product now. As for Best Buy, my opinion is that it seems like a good idea. I've noticed over the past year that Best Buy has been getting better, higher-end product in their stores. They carry Mitsubishi TV's and Yamaha receivers, so with the addition of Klipsch speakers, the average consumer will have the opportunity to put together a pretty decent home theater now. Another to keep in mind is that we aren't going to be making cheaper speakers for this thing. They are going to be the same Synergy speakers that we've been selling for years now so instead of retiring the line, we are going to continue to produce them, but sell them through Best Buy. Our focus is still very much on making high-quality speakers, as it should be. As with any business decision, not everyone is going to be happy about it. Overall though, I think this is going to be a great thing for the company and a great thing for the Klipsch Community. That's my ¢.02. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erdric Posted February 15, 2003 Share Posted February 15, 2003 >>I've noticed over the past year that Best Buy has been getting better, higher-end product in their stores. << This is absolutely true. My fear is how the speakers will be presented by the rather unknowledgeable sales people at BB along with the setup and equipment used to demo them. Throwing them on a typical BB speaker display (a shelf with the two speakers set 1" apart) is not going to show off Klipsch imaging, clarity, etc. IMO. Now add the 17 year old that doesn't know or care about what he's selling. It's not a pretty picture. Even if Klipsch gets the 'Bose treatment' (an endcap display) it's not a good way to audition speakers. Also, how on earth are SS-1's going to be set up for listening? It's not like a WDST speaker can be properly evaluated when stacked on top of each other or side by side. Hey Klipsch, I know a way you could make it up to your loyal customers. Re-institute a full, non-limited edition line of Heritage. Throw in some Chorus III, Forte III and Academy II and you would have us driving all over the friggin country to get them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenratboy Posted February 15, 2003 Share Posted February 15, 2003 I think Klipsch is going to need to do some damage control to keep us from bringing burning torches to the factory Personally, as long as they do not start making crappy stuff, I don't really care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoe11 Posted February 15, 2003 Share Posted February 15, 2003 Well I went ahead and finished off my Klipsch setup today with Tweeter due to this upcoming change. Sadly I had wanted to look into the new 75 series bookshelf, but that's now not going to be possible. I was looking forward to being continually able to take advantage of Tweeter's 12 month speaker upgrade policy so that I could hopefully keep the newest Klipsch gear in my home. It was cool to know that they could at least order KHorns and other Heritage models available even if it would take forever to get them. So no RF-8, 9's or whatever they'll be called. I had planned to continually support Klipsch with new upgrade purchases, but I can't anymore. I understand that Klipsch is in the business to make money and by allowing Best Buy to carry the Synergy line I'm sure this will help the company's bottom line, but I think the disheartening thing for the dedicated Klipsch customer is that this is seen as a cheapening of the brand. My pride in ownership has taken a hit. In retrospect, I should have seen this coming. Look at the flood of 14 bastardized Synergy models dressed up with the Reference name affixed to them. The only model that would even remotely interest me would be the 75 bookshelf model. I really want the Klipsch brand to improve and while this will bring in more money for the company, to many dedicated Klipsch owners I think this is a step in the wrong direction. When I went to get my RF-7's, I came very close to buying the Sonus Grand Pianos, but I stayed with Klipsch as I felt loyalty towards the brand. I don't anymore. I love my current Klipsch speakers, and I don't know that I'll ever get rid of them, but I am disappointed with this decision. Some of my comments will come off poorly and for that I apologize. I can't upgrade my Klipsch anymore and I'm unhappy about it. ~shoe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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