HEGEL - Is it really made in Norway ?

"09-18-15: Sabai
If I may interrupt this discussion -- getting back to the O.P., I imagine the cost of production in China is pretty low. How can a company like Hegel ethically justify charging such high prices?"

Prices are relative, and in most cases, subjective. I think the practice of deceiving customers on the country of origin is not ethical. I don't think that automatically makes the price of their goods unethically high. I think in most cases, companies move production overseas in an attempt to not have to raise prices, or at the very least, lower the increase. If you look at the prices of all goods being sold in the global market in recent years, inflation is up on just about everything. Its hard to find a decent cat for under 30k.

Also, with regards to Helel, if we remove the comments made on this thread, they seem to have a pretty good reputation overall. Most people seem to be happy with the products they buy from Hegel. To me, this would suggest their prices are not unethically high. That said, I think moving forward, Hegel should clearly disclose where their products are made, and be more selective in who they allow to become dealers.

Quality products from any nation cost $$$. The Hegel products I have seen, seemed to be well made. I purchased an Integrated amp for my son and though it did not have enough power to run my speakers, I thought it was good. It sounds very good with my sons more efficient speakers.

They should have said, if they didn't, that they were making their products in China. It would not matter to me, but it obviously does to others.

China makes products to a price point, and cost are going up as wages begin to rise. Companies are now looking at moving to less costly places, like Vietnam and the Philippines. One of the reasons they devalued their money was the cost were getting higher, and they needed to maintain an edge until they create their own consumer class.

Opera Audio / Consonance, who produces Hegel products, has some of the highest (if not the highest) product costs in China.

How does that compare with North American manufacturing? They've historically come in lower, though the long march of increases has eroded that advantage. When shipping costs get factored into the equation, Consonance pricing has more or less achieved parity with the more economical domestic marques.

"How does that compare with North American manufacturing? They've historically come in lower, though the long march of increases has eroded that advantage. When shipping costs get factored into the equation, Consonance pricing has more or less achieved parity with the more economical domestic marques.
Trelja (Threads | Answers | This Thread)"

It's a plausible suggestion, but I think in most cases, its not true. If American companies could build the same products at, or close to what it would cost to use China, they would just build over here. I don't see that happening. Companies would love to put Made in USA on all their products. It would be good for sales.

Also, shipping is not as high as you think. Everything goes into big containers and put on a boat. Its not that expensive to ship that way. Its slower but cheaper.

Made in the USA .... A friend who owns a factory in China has a listening room the size of my closet in his Hong Kong home. He can't listen very loud because of his neighbors, but he is very proud of his "Made in the USA" Mcintosh gear.