Crutchfield Turnaround. Audiophiles too.

Igo

OK. 25 years ago in rural South Georgia before the internet when I thought I was the only guy who thought there was a better way to listen to music (even tho I didn't know exactly what that way was); I found a magazine/catalog on a table in a gas station and that catalog was Crutchfield. Though today we consider Crutchfield to be very basic, at the time I only barely had any idea that such a wealth of fine audio equipment existed. Yet! When MP3 and satellite radio came on the scene and, for a moment, threatened to destroy the high end audio industry (grin) with a 45 year set-back in audio quality, who was the first to jump all over this, for the dollar? Crutchfield.
Now to the point...
Have you seen the new catalog? Splattered from cover to cover: "Hi-Fi 2.0" and subtle condemnation of the iPod and MP3. OMG. Check it out. Is this Crutchfield? Who else here thinks that when Crutchfield and others jumped on the MP3 and iPod bandwagon that they cut their noses off despite their faces? Did they really think that such horn blowing for losey compression was going to be the avenue for growth in future sales? And now do we detect that maybe they very abruptly discovered that coveting crap recording processes does not sale high dollar audio equipment? Take a look at this new catalog then tell us what you think?

Toxis

haven't actually seen a Crutchfield in at least 6 years... probably way more.

Igo

Well I bought my A6 surrounds with them for the free subwoofer thingy so I guess I'm on their list again.

F1nut

It's a start in the right direction.

manman

Well, I was never really that into crutchfield, was the problem that they embraced mp3 and similar technology /at all/ or was it that they turned away from the hi-fi market to do it? I would think that as much as audiophiles think mp3 is crappy that it would still be a good move on their part to have embraced it- just as far as making money goes... most of the world is fine with mp3 quality since they can download all their music for free online instead of paying for CD's. With all those ipods and mp3's floating around that's just easy money for them.

BlueFox

Crutchfield stills sells plenty of high-end equipment. Just go to their web-site. I just recevied their latest catalog and they have the LSi series in this issue. I bought my 4 LSi15s, 2 LSi7s, LSiC, and PSW1000 from them. Also bought a Sony STR-3000ES, Denon 3805, and Sony 3100ES DVd/SACD player.

The biggest problem with Crtuchfield is they charge list price. However, they usually have free shipping. Their biggest plus the is piece of mind they provide. They have a very liberal return policy, and even provide pre-paid shipping labels for returns. Granted, I have been using other on-line vendors lately for lower prices, but I still check their site to see what is available.

I can't believe they are selling Theil 3.7 speakers at only $13,000 a pair.

vonnie123

Picked up my Polk FXi3 surrounds there. The Crutchfield service and delivery were excellent.

Igo

manman wrote: »

Well, I was never really that into crutchfield, was the problem that they embraced mp3 and similar technology /at all/ or was it that they turned away from the hi-fi market to do it? I would think that as much as audiophiles think mp3 is crappy that it would still be a good move on their part to have embraced it- just as far as making money goes... most of the world is fine with mp3 quality since they can download all their music for free online instead of paying for CD's. With all those ipods and mp3's floating around that's just easy money for them.

My thinking is that they found out that once somebody bought an MP3 player and maybe a loading staion that was the end of their shopping. Now Crutchfield wants to tell the world that MP3 is not the way to go but rather HiFi is. It's logical but a major about face.

Grimster74

For me, I order alot of things from Crutchfield if I can't find it locally. I'm a very impatient person when it comes to purchases so I want it right then and there. For the most part, 99.9% of the time, if I order before 5 p.m., I have it before 10 a.m. the next day. If I find I can get it WAY cheaper elsewhere, most of the time I'll order from elsewhere, but if the price is close, I always order from Crutchfield.

dorokusai

If Crutchfield told the world anything, it's that homegrown hi-fidelity is dead once they started selling Thiel loudspeakers.

wingnut4772

I bought a TV from Crutchfield before. Excellent experience.

jflail2

I live 10 minutes from their home store, so I have the advantage of fishing through their close out sales/ tent sales from time to time. Customer service at the store is top notch, and they actually take the time to learn their products...

And I can't really blame Crutchfield for hopping on the ipod craze for a while there. They are a business, not a speaker, receiver/amp shrine.

Oddly enough, there seems to be a bit of a push for high end audio everywhere now. I am seeing records in stores like Bestbuy for the first time, which blew my mind when I was there last.

mhardy6647

Crutchfield built a significant business by providing excellent customer service and support (albeit at relatively high prices). I think (???) that companies like Audio Advisor (and even some of the higher-end catalog emporia such as Acoustic Sounds or Music Direct) have tried to emulate the Crutchfield model.

BTW, the expression used by the original poster is generally rendered as "to cut off one's nose to spite one's face". :-P

zingo

Well, it is nice to see that Hi-Fi 2.0 splash on their front page. They even have the Wadia 170iTransport...

Igo

dorokusai wrote: »

If Crutchfield told the world anything, it's that homegrown hi-fidelity is dead once they started selling Thiel loudspeakers.

I'm not really sure what you are saying here but I don't think I'd be entirely off base if I said that I think If Crutchfield told the world anything, it's that homegrown hi-fidelity is dead once they started telling the world that highly compressed audio was the way of the future' that I'd be saying pretty much the same thing. Did I say that?! Could I say it twice in a row?!
I do beleive that if Crutchfield starts telling the world that iPod docking stations are out and 2-channel hi-fi is in that there may be at least a little bit of impact. Now if they could just go to the Hoods and tell people that flat frequency responces are the new In.

Igo

mhardy6647 wrote: »

Crutchfield built a significant business by providing excellent customer service and support (albeit at relatively high prices). I think (???) that companies like Audio Advisor (and even some of the higher-end catalog emporia such as Acoustic Sounds or Music Direct) have tried to emulate the Crutchfield model.

BTW, the expression used by the original poster is generally rendered as "to cut off one's nose to spite one's face". :-P

True on both accounts. Me bad.

nadams

Crutchfield did what they had to do to keep the business coming in. A company like that cannot survive on top-of-the-line gear alone. While they may have been touting their mp3 docks and the like, they continued selling the same "hi fi" gear in the background.

Personally, I think Crutchfield runs an excellent business. The one time I had to return something, it was a car audio amp that I probably blew up, myself, while hooking up. I even admitted that I had let out the magic smoke. The CS rep looked up the amp, said, "well, I could replace it, but I don't have any more in the warehouse. So, I'll just send you the next step up". The "next step up" was over double the power output rating, and is actually still alive, though not in use. This was... 6 years ago...

Igo

nadams wrote: »

Crutchfield did what they had to do to keep the business coming in. A company like that cannot survive on top-of-the-line gear alone. While they may have been touting their mp3 docks and the like, they continued selling the same "hi fi" gear in the background.

Personally, I think Crutchfield runs an excellent business. The one time I had to return something, it was a car audio amp that I probably blew up, myself, while hooking up. I even admitted that I had let out the magic smoke. The CS rep looked up the amp, said, "well, I could replace it, but I don't have any more in the warehouse. So, I'll just send you the next step up". The "next step up" was over double the power output rating, and is actually still alive, though not in use. This was... 6 years ago...

Oh absolutely on all accounts. They are an exceptional business. I do look have tools like consumer affairs and CNET and forums like this along with a wealth of other resources to help me make an informed and responcible purchasing decision but Crutchfield will always have a chance with me. I've had good audio in my car since 1974 or 75 with a Creg Powerplay and I've used Crutchfield for my cars since I discovered them 25 years ago. How many of us remember how valuable it was to have somebody tell us how NOT to distroy our body pannels or what sized speakers we had cut-outs for before we had the internet. They ask top dollar but they are as class an act as there is in mass marketing.

obieone

mhardy6647 wrote: »

BTW, the expression used by the original poster is generally rendered as "to cut off one's nose to spite one's face". :-P

Dammit, you beat me to it!:D
No, I DON'T have anything better to do than play Grammar teacher on this forum:eek:
(because of reduced hours:()

Igo

obieone wrote: »

Dammit, you beat me to it!:D
No, I DON'T have anything better to do than play Grammar teacher on this forum:eek:
(because of reduced hours:()

Then we can keep each other entertained 'cause I'm out having dental implants and I went to school in rural Georgia. HAhahhaha

mhardy6647

Well, technically, we're talking about idiomatic expressions rather than grammar per se.
(and, also, of course, about Crutchfield)