Sonodyne, are they value for money at their current price?

[akhilkhanuja]

From your signature i see that you have planned to get Sonodyne Sonus 2504 & Sonus C2401.. I think Sonus C2401 is discontinued model & replaced with Sonus C 2501...

Yes i will be getting a C2501

 

[akhilkhanuja]

When I enquired at the Sonodyne showroom at South City Mall, Kolkata about C2401, they said that 2401 is discontinued and the new one available is 2501 centre. However, both these centre speakers are available at hifimart now.

And I also think the showroom guys said that 2504 is also a discontinued model (but I don't exactly remember his statement now)

______

Yesterday only i asked the sales guy at mani square mall abt 2504 fs but he never mentioned anything abt it getting obsolete

 

[Premblr]

Since this thread is now active again, I need to paste this feedback here for views from both sides.

Hi everybody, this post has taken a turn towards a comparison of brands, specially comparing Sonodyne with others, I guess I could've put a better subject line. I had listened to Sonodyne when I was 10 years old, I had never heard something so good. I knew that Uranus didn't just mean a planet in the solar system. Budget constraints (always tagged along) made me buy Creative Inspire 2100, Altec VS 4121 etc. and I was always happy with my purchase. Last year my uncle gave me his Marantz SR 5200 and I needed to do justice to the AV receiver. After making technical compatibility checks I planned to test Sonus 2504. I had to test Sonodyne, I always dreamt of buying Sonodyne. Last saturday when I went to their store in M Sqr mall, Calcutta, to my utter disappointment I found that they didn't sound good. This phrase 'sound good' is a function of the following things - a. matching with my amp b. my preferences. I did not want to buy Polk, a $250 product costing 28K here, I was sure I would be happy with Sonodyne. But I finally decided to test Polk, and I kind of liked TSX 330T. This is the first proper audio set up I got (many of you won't agree with the use of 'proper') and my ears are still not trained, and there are loads of brands I haven't tried. But it sounded good and I finally bought them. I still wish Sonodyne matched. But I surely have one thing to say, the sales person at Sonodyne lacked enthusiasm and interest, he had no suggestions. Where as at Pro FX I was given a demo with mupltiple speakers, I finally liked the product and went over my budget and bought the speakers.
Sorry, this is a longish post, but I wanted to clearly state why I chose one over the other. Nothing against Indian brands.

 

[Premblr]

Here is some food for thought, if a company can set 26% and 20% fixed discounts during one particular period every year, don't you think they will lose customers on the other months?

What may be the dealer margins on this case? I do agree that Business and dealers should have profits to stay focused on the game but not at the cost of fleecing consumers by huge margins.

 

[ghatgepatil]

Here is some food for thought, if a company can set 26% and 20% fixed discounts during one particular period every year, don't you think they will lose customers on the other months?

What may be the dealer margins on this case? I do agree that Business and dealers should have profits to stay focused on the game but not at the cost of fleecing consumers by huge margins.

That's a business decision. A buyer is not entitled to pass a verdict on the kind of 'margins' made by a seller. It is always the buyer's decision whether to buy or not.

Does'nt the 'clothings' majors such as Arrow, Levis, etc etc come up with 40-50% off on MRP just after the change of each season? They do it to clear off their old stocks (maybe at or below their cost, or extremely curtailed profit) to usher in 'new stocks'. Factories are not expected to stop production, maybe slow down, yes. Everyone has to meet their minimum 'fixed' costs ... staff salaries, rentals, electricity etc during lean periods.

During Dusshera sale, a lot of old stocks get liquidated. Its high volume low margin type of sale ... keeping in view the mass market's buying mentality.

 

[Premblr]

Agree about the buyer having no say about the profits made by a seller. It is how much street smart the seller is... but that may also amount to what is called fleecing.

An informed buyer may be able to make an informed choice about the kind of margins from this kind of sales strategy.

Comparing with clothing may not be the right comparison as they have a shelf life, fashion and patterns change, so they need to liquidate.

Do other speaker/ automobile/ electronic companies offer 20% and 26% discounts across their entire product range during one season?

That's a business decision. A buyer is not entitled to pass a verdict on the kind of 'margins' made by a seller. It is always the buyer's decision whether to buy or not.

Does'nt the 'clothings' majors such as Arrow, Levis, etc etc come up with 40-50% off on MRP just after the change of each season? They do it to clear off their old stocks (maybe at or below their cost, or extremely curtailed profit) to usher in 'new stocks'. Factories are not expected to stop production, maybe slow down, yes. Everyone has to meet their minimum 'fixed' costs ... staff salaries, rentals, electricity etc during lean periods.

During Dusshera sale, a lot of old stocks get liquidated. Its high volume low margin type of sale ... keeping in view the mass market's buying mentality.

 

[krishnakanth_590]

Here is some food for thought, if a company can set 26% and 20% fixed discounts during one particular period every year, don't you think they will lose customers on the other months?

What may be the dealer margins on this case? I do agree that Business and dealers should have profits to stay focused on the game but not at the cost of fleecing consumers by huge margins.

Agree !

But, the offer is applicable only in Calcutta (Correct me if I am wrong). So, customers staying in the rest of India will not be bothered much about the offer as they are not eligible anyway. hyeah:

 

[ghatgepatil]

This product still appeals to the higher echelons or more-informed of the mass-market. Daresay, Sonodyne might be out-selling most of the foreign brands by quite a number, even with the mediocre publicity around.

The product is good, if not the highest grade. What they lose out is on the marketing front and the inability of their staff to cater to the (usual) finickiness of a to-be/audiophile. A moderate investment on manpower and suitable hearing-rooms could do wonders.

I am not brow-beating any community here, but Bengalis 'mostly' do not fit in the role of good salesmen. If they are good, they usually are the best or else ..... :indifferent14:

 

[Premblr]

No, the offers are available across India. You need to pay some 600 odd Rupees as shipping charges. There are FMs who have brought by doing so...

Agree !

But, the offer is applicable only in Calcutta (Correct me if I am wrong). So, customers staying in the rest of India will not be bothered much about the offer as they are not eligible anyway. hyeah:

 

[RMCWS]

Here is some food for thought, if a company can set 26% and 20% fixed discounts during one particular period every year, don't you think they will lose customers on the other months?

Even I am planning to get a bs/ fs from sonodyne. But haven't yet finalised. But considering the 26% discount, I sometimes think that I should wait for next Jan to buy the top FS.

Agree !

But, the offer is applicable only in Calcutta (Correct me if I am wrong). So, customers staying in the rest of India will not be bothered much about the offer as they are not eligible anyway. hyeah:

Are you sure that the offer is only available in Calcutta? Can't it be ordered from outside and delivered? As far as I remember, someone in this forum mentioned that they transferred the money to HDFC bank account of sonodyne and the product was sent through courier. Discount offered was 26% but some shipping cost was charged.

 

[elangoas]

No, the offers are available across India. You need to pay some 600 odd Rupees as shipping charges. There are FMs who have brought by doing so...

It is a Kolkatta only sale... If other are interested in that offer from other cities, may be they take the shipping charge alone as extra....

 

[akhilkhanuja]

hi ppl the sale starts on 20th and i am going ahead with the purchase of the budget FS sonuz 2504. Have auditioned for with with the denon avr at their shop in mani sq mall in kolkata and was satisfied. Just as a thought, would any of u recommend me buying n pairing a sonus 2605 with my denon 1312? Just got this last minute idea....i can afford it since the sale is on but will it work with my 1312??

 

[elangoas]

hi ppl the sale starts on 20th and i am going ahead with the purchase of the budget FS sonuz 2504. Have auditioned for with with the denon avr at their shop in mani sq mall in kolkata and was satisfied. Just as a thought, would any of u recommend me buying n pairing a sonus 2605 with my denon 1312? Just got this last minute idea....i can afford it since the sale is on but will it work with my 1312??

Yes get the Sonus 2605 only if you plan to upgrade your AVR @ a later point of time....

Denon 1312 being the entry model can drive Sonus 2605...But will not able to do justice as a higher powered AVR can do....

If you plan to use subwoofer also, then look @ Sonus 1501 BS rather than Sonus 2504...

 

[vnmathur57]

Instead of a sub, plan for a more powerful amp/AVR. 2605 is fantastic but 1312 is not powerful enough for it. Also, if you are more into music then you may like listening more in`direct' & 2-channel mode. At that time, a sub will be only a burden. Otherwise, for 1312, Sonus 2504 is ok IMO.

 

[akhilkhanuja]

Instead of a sub, plan for a more powerful amp/AVR. 2605 is fantastic but 1312 is not powerful enough for it. Also, if you are more into music then you may like listening more in`direct' & 2-channel mode. At that time, a sub will be only a burden. Otherwise, for 1312, Sonus 2504 is ok IMO.

---
Thanks bro. 2504 seemed the logical choice for all the reasons mentioned by you. Still asked theq question about 2605 as they really are awesome. But i dont have the plan to upgrade the avr any time soon. So 2504 fits the need and the budget.

Sale starts tomorrow n im going for the purchase on day after. Super excited!!

 

[Premblr]

Duty-free TV import ban: Sony, Samsung see boost in sales...

May be they can lobby Govt to ban speakers, sales of Sonodynes will jump...

Duty-free TV import ban: Sony, Samsung see boost in sales - Times Of India

 

[vnmathur57]

On another note, KEF,Polk, Wharf etc will setup manufacturing facility in India. Just like Sony,Pana,Samsung ( they also are phoren brands)

 

[mukti1684]

so has the sale of sonodyne started in kolkata?

 

[akhilkhanuja]

Yes today onwards.

 

[mukti1684]

for everyone's benefit, can you share the details of the sale like discount %, availability for people outside kolkata, shipping charges and any other details of the sale.....
i am interested in the rear speakers from Sonodyne sonus rears v3.....