Originally Posted By Mojo
I may be just a dumb electrical engineer

Electronics and computer systems engineer here!

Originally Posted By Mojo
who assumed audio gear is designed with the same thought and care as the industrial control products I've worked on. I suppose in audio no one is gonna sue if it sounds bad as opposed to controls which can kill people. There are no regulatory bodies either.

Consumer electronics is a cut throat business and compromises have to be made to hit price points. The majority of the consumers in the audio business want cheap and function rich, which explains HTIB. You are correct on the lack of governing bodies and standards