Death of another Independent

Technosound Milton Keynes closed their doors going into voluntary liquidation several weeks ago.

This was the last remaining independent in the Milton Keynes area and the last of several stores Technosound have run over the years (previously having sites in Luton, Dunstable and multiple sites in Milton Keynes).

Admitedly they had really centered their business around AV and home automation to keep the business running but they still had a love of music systems and you could often find a bargain on the shelves.

Personally I had bought several pieces of Meridian equipment over the years from them at great prices and it was often a pleasure to stop by every now and then to see what they had kicking around.

Talking to another excellent independent in Aylesbury it seems that others have fallen by the wayside too of late.

 

Sad news indeed, but a sign of the times.

It seems the last refuge for the retailer is at the super-budget Richer Sounds end and the ultra high end where components cost about the same as a decent car.
There isn't a complete wipeout and a few of the very best dealers with survive, but not good for the rest.

 

It's not just the best dealers who will survive, it's the lucky ones. I do wonder what things will be like in 10 years time.

 

Good grief, I grew up in south Beds and recognise all of those store sites. Sad they've gone under.

'I do wonder what things will be like in 10 years time.'

In part I see Audio going back where it was in the early/mid 80s in a way - a very small number of specialist outlets. The preponderance of the highstreet 'audio' market, such as it may be, will be byproduct in mass-market stores (likely Amazon rather than Laskys). 'Discerning' bods between those two extremes in budget / judgement/etc will probably choose to buy direct from manufacturer - at any scale, because both the small-scale maunfacturer and teh consumer win in terms of margin - avoiding being 'middled'.

It's probably the hifi 'press' that need to reinvent themselves to address these terms - i.e. when neither end of the chain may support a vested interest in an 'industry' press. I see the current proliferation of illinformed, technically ignorant and hilariously outre subjective-tasting audio websites as a very slow shaking-out in this process. I'm not so sure they'll carry such self-importance in 10yrs time.

 

Sad, but inevitable. There will be more failures like this.

The computer industry has changed audio out of all recognition.

What is left for the traditional HiFi manufacturer and dealer? The high quality domestic loudspeaker.

Resistance is futile. Active speakers in all sizes, to suit all domestic styles, and all pockets: that is where the need and the opportunity is.

We have seen what quality can come out of a even an iPhone. Users know what clarity is possible with decent ear buds or headphones. They have to be encouraged to appreciate what can happen if their favourite electronics drives quality boxes that fill a room with sound.

Vinyl and CD spinning will continue for a very small minority; but the majority need to be shown products that better the already high standard available from mainstream stores.

 

Dreadful news. The multiples have much to answer to.