Can Polk Audio survive?
treitz3
Posts: 18,987
With the economic downturn causing previously sustainable businesses to collapse and the consumer holding onto seemingly every penny they have, can Polk Audio survive the economic downturn?
I'd like to hear your thoughts as to whether or not Polk Audio has a strong enough presence to be a sustainable entity to make it through these tough times. We all know that Tweeter is closing and that will have a certain percentage of lost sales for Polk Audio. I read a post I]that admittedly I do not know whether or not it is true[/I on this forum that Fry's will be phasing out Polk as well. We all also know about the possible fate of Circuit City as well, filing for bankruptcy protection. This will only further the hurt of Polk Audio sales if they do in fact fold and I'm wondering how this will effect the overall sales and sustainability of the Polk Corporation.
As a longtime fan of Polk Audio and current owner of their products, member of this forum and a fellow audio freak, I am concerned for Polk Audio. I am praying for the best possible outcome for all. I'm also wondering about how this economy will effect the dichotomy of this hobby as well....but I'll save that for another thread.
If you feel that Polk may be one of the companies hit and hit hard by the economy, B]hypothetically speaking[/B what would you do if you were the CEO of Polk to make the company survive during these times?
I'd like to hear your thoughts as to whether or not Polk Audio has a strong enough presence to be a sustainable entity to make it through these tough times. We all know that Tweeter is closing and that will have a certain percentage of lost sales for Polk Audio. I read a post I]that admittedly I do not know whether or not it is true[/I on this forum that Fry's will be phasing out Polk as well. We all also know about the possible fate of Circuit City as well, filing for bankruptcy protection. This will only further the hurt of Polk Audio sales if they do in fact fold and I'm wondering how this will effect the overall sales and sustainability of the Polk Corporation.
As a longtime fan of Polk Audio and current owner of their products, member of this forum and a fellow audio freak, I am concerned for Polk Audio. I am praying for the best possible outcome for all. I'm also wondering about how this economy will effect the dichotomy of this hobby as well....but I'll save that for another thread.
If you feel that Polk may be one of the companies hit and hit hard by the economy, B]hypothetically speaking[/B what would you do if you were the CEO of Polk to make the company survive during these times?
~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
Post edited by treitz3 on
Comments
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if I were a Ceo or somewhere in that comand. I would be out on the Corner Selling the product. Really nothing else you can do.. everyone is taking a hit.- This your Bush?
Pioneer Elite Sc-25
Polk Lsic,15's,9's, PSW1000 -
I think every speaker company is feeling the effects of the economy. I think Polk will survive.
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Everything's an opportunity.
CC is going down, but Best Buy in the not-to-distant past started making Polk a presence in their brick and mortars.
American offers Polk, also.
Ultimate Electronics, I don't know.
But the key is, I believe, with CC out of the picture, efforts can be focused on the other outlets, efforts that were, IMO, wasted at Circuit City.Sal Palooza -
Can Polk Audio survive?
Yes.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
Some businesses might be taking a hit, but those who haven't paid for their inventory or product with credit are living the high life. With demand down for materials, so is cost in many ways. Just my two cents based on experience working in my family construction business. The Good Will for our company's reputation (garnered with years of hard work) keeps us busy with work.
Interestingly, the construction industry was one of the hardest hit in the recent downturn and yet we're still turning a healthy profit while some of the competition is tanking. Why? Because we didn't spend what we didn't have.
Polk will be fine if they have their **** in order (they certainly have the good will). Things are bad. But it's not 1929 -
I dont think DEI has experience growth in the last 5 years...
-CodyMusic is like candy, you have to get rid of the rappers to enjoy it -
YES they canHT setup
Panasonic 50" TH-50PZ80U
Denon DBP-1610
Monster HTS 1650
Carver A400X :cool:
MIT Exp 3 Speaker Wire
Kef 104/2
URC MX-780 Remote
Sonos Play 1
Living Room
63 inch Samsung PN63C800YF
Polk Surroundbar 3000
Samsung BD-C7900 -
If you are concerned - I suggest purchasing some speakers in the near future. It will make both you and Polk feel better.
Either way, they have been through worse than this - I am sure they will be fine..
MichaelMains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms) -
Polk will be fine Tom don't get your panties in a twist.
Speakers
Carver Amazing Fronts
CS400i Center
RT800i's Rears
Sub Paradigm Servo 15
Electronics
Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
Parasound Halo A23
Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
Pioneer 79Avi DVD
Sony CX400 CD changer
Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR -
As long as one SDA owner makes the sacrifice of selling me his Speakers and goes and buys NEW speakers directly from Polk, I think they'll make it....
FBHarman Kardon HK 3490
Stanton STR8-100
Polk SDA SRS 2.3TL (Proud newbie owner!) -
exalted512 wrote: »I dont think DEI has experience growth in the last 5 years...
-Cody
They bought Polk....how is that not growth?CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
Growth, as in $/share.
-CodyMusic is like candy, you have to get rid of the rappers to enjoy it -
Did Gloria Gaynor make it?
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exalted512 wrote: »Growth, as in $/share.
-Cody
Do you think that's specific to DEI stock?CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
Do you think that's specific to DEI stock?
Well, the competitors that Scottrade lists, which all have a bigger market cap, have ALL experienced growth at least once in the last 5 years. DEI is also has had the biggest loss YTD.
So to answer your question, every one of their competitors has a loss YTD, but DEI is the only one consistently losing, and losing more.
-CodyMusic is like candy, you have to get rid of the rappers to enjoy it -
My guess is one of the following:
A: a speaker re-design and a push for higher end Polk back in the
smaller shops.
B: A deal with BB to put the high end stuff in the Magnolia showrooms.
C: Dropping the high end market like some others have done to focus
on high volume retail in the big box stores.
A push for more on line direct sales.
The loss of CC and Tweeter has to hurt the bottom line. Somewhere
there's a bunch of execs planning something. No company can sit tight
while sales outlets are closing up. Every dollar counts. I hope for option
A: myself."The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson -
Matt must have saw the writing on the wall when he sold a couple years back. It's a good time to retire.
BTW -- Polk has tremendous name recognition. They'll be around for a while.HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50 LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub
"God grooves with tubes." -
Matt must have saw the writing on the wall when he sold a couple years back. It's a good time to retire.
BTW -- Polk has tremendous name recognition. They'll be around for a while.
Thats the exact problem right now. 2 many writings on 2 many walls. Remember Polk Paul left to go with Def tech as well. This was not a good sign for me as well as Matt himslf getting out. Maybe it was just time for a change. I realize I don't do well with change lately but if polk went under.... man I don't even want to finish that.Dan
My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time. -
Isn't Def Tech under the same corporate umbrella? I would not exactly consider that abandoning ship. Also, I am pretty sure there were pics of Matt at Polkfest. I would guess he was able to get back to what he loved (building speakers) rather than running a really large company (and the money probably wasn't bad either. )
I am pretty sure you will be able to rock on for quite awhile, for now here is my advice:
1) Pick up head.
2) insert into hole between shoulders.
3) stop running.
MichaelMains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms) -
Polk has some of the best customer service I have ever experinced, along with good quality products, and a good repeat customer base....yeah times are tough but in the end I think Polk will survive and grow as the economy rebounds.
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Can Polk Audio survive?
Yes.
exactly.
Tom, sorry you missed the Fest, heard you have been very busy. Anyway, when you see the folks at HQ you can get your finger on it, the feel, POLK is the strongest part of DEI. This is a company with staff who really pull together, the whole place is energized with people allowed to let there thoughts and work habits cut loose. Although if Matt bought it back sure would not bother me any. Now if Matt ever leaves that could be a problem and then there is Jim Herd, wow, what a team along with the Al's and Suskind.
Matt Polk is an exceptional person.
RT1 -
Polk Audio is diversified enough to survive this down turn in the economy.. so yes they will survive and be fine.PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin: -
Gloom, Despair, & Agony on me...
Deep, Dark Depression
Excessive Misery:rolleyes:
They made it thru Carter."SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE" -
They made it thru Carter.
++
Man, I remember those times. We are nowhere close to that.
Polk will be fine. Bose? Well, we can only hope. -
Yeah, we'll talk when interest rates are 13+% for homes and 21+% for autos....that's for perfect credit."SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE" -
I feel the companies marketing a good quality product and good service in hard times will survive.
The disposable products won't be purchased as much as buyers will concentrate on products that will last longer and give excellent service. I'm sure survival will depend on everyone from top to bottom in any company pulling together to keep strong or at least survive. -
Will Polk survive?...IMO yes. Ted had it right when he talked about the energy and focus of the people that make up Polk. It is that intangible that gives them the edge in tough markets. Will DEI survive?....harder to say. They are in big the auto "accessory" market and even aftermarket auto is affected by the new car sales, so it is hard to say what their future holds. Their HT and speaker markets are luxury items that are really susceptible to a bad economy since they are totally discretionary purchases. IF...DEI doesn't make it...and that is not any kind of prediction...I would anticipate the Polk and DefTech would be sold off intact (probably back to the original owners at a fraction of what DEI paid for it). Polk will survive without Tweeter and Circuit City...although it is not a given that CC is going away. They may be able to restructure and come out ok...just much smaller."Just because youre offended doesnt mean youre right." - Ricky Gervais
"For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase
"Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson -
I believe that they will survive. They are diversified enough. They just have to find another store for their RTI's & LSI's. I say put them in BB Magnolia stores.
If they can get the so called hi end stores to get their noses out of the air, put them in those stores as well.
Do more direct selling on the web. Outlaw, SVS, Emotiva etc. have all been doing ok without the middle man.
Yes it is better to go to a store to actually listen to speakers, but at the rate it's going there aren't going to be any stores to go listen to them in!Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2 -
Guys, Why speculate? Look at the current situation.
I am sure Polk will survive as long as they sell their Brand Spanking New speakers on eBay (as Refurb or B stock or Remanufacture) with less than half of the retails and ppl are buying them. And the main question is how much Polk spent to manufacture their products. As long as it carries some margins or balance out in this tough time, it'll come out OK on the other end.
Hope we all are too to see the end of it.Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin: -
Still feel the same way? *prays*~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~