TOWER BUILDINGS IN CORK [MUNSTER SOUNDS HI-FI CEASED TRADING]

It is sad to see an other Audio Specialist go out of business.

1&2 1&2 Tower Buildings, Lower Glanmire Road, Cork, Co. Cork, Montenotte, Cork, Lower Glanmire Road, Cork, Co. Cork, Montenotte, Cork

In the late 70s and early 80s I operated my own business importing and installing HI-FI equipment. When I started in business some dealers had more than 100% markup and then there was 40% VAT [10% on importation and an additional 30% when sold] on anything that included a tuner [radio] or a record deck.

The Japanese brands began to capture the market and then hi-fi equipment became a commodity with some dealers in the UK and Ireland making less than 10% on a sale. Equipment became so good and reliable that it was no longer really necessary to pay big money for audio or home cinema equipment. The need for audio experts may have continued but dealers were unwilling to pay to have such expertise in house.

Today I have an amazing system but I do not really use it anymore. I now listen to music on my iPad … the quality may not be great but it is good enough to meet my requirements at present.

I have a feeling that HI-FI is still a hobby in the US [and possibly the UK to a lesser extent] but the equipment is highly specialised and very expensive.

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