spending on consumer electronics which resulted in lower Component revenue of $870,000 offset slightly by higher Consumer Audio Product revenue of $84,000, when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
Gross Profit and Operating Expenses
Gross Profit (Deficit)
Gross deficit for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was ($1,669,000) a decrease of $1,799,000, compared to $130,000 gross profit for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The gross margin (deficit) as a percent of sales was (217%) for the three months ended September 30, 2023, compared to 14% for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease in gross profit and gross margin as a percent of sales is mainly attributable to a $1.4 million increase in inventory reserves primarily attributable to our semiconductor chips, lower sales volumes in relation to the fixed portion of costs and lower pricing of our Consumer Audio Products.
Gross deficit for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was ($3,123,000), a decrease of $3,503,000 compared to $380,000 gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The gross margin (deficit) as a percent of sales was (188%) for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, compared to 16% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease in gross profit and gross margin as a percent of sales is mainly attributable to a $2.8 million increase in inventory reserves primarily attributable to our semiconductor chips, lower sales volumes in relation to the fixed portion of costs and lower pricing of our Consumer Audio Products.
Research and Development
Research and development expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2023 were $1,838,000, a decrease of $101,000, compared to the research and development expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2022 of $1,939,000. The decrease in research and development expenses is primarily related to decreased salary and benefit expenses of $71,000 and consulting expenses, which includes outside engineering expenses of $52,000.
Research and development expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 were $5,664,000, an increase of $305,000 compared to the research and development expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 of $5,359,000. The increase in research and development expenses is primarily related to increased consulting expenses, which includes outside engineering and direct materials used in research and development of $292,000 and $48,000, respectively, partially offset by reduced recruiting fees of $128,000.
Sales and Marketing
Sales and marketing expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2023 were $1,404,000, a decrease of $135,000, compared to the sales and marketing expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2022 of $1,539,000. The decrease in sales and marketing expenses is primarily related to lower website development and advertising fees of $96,000 and $61,000, respectively, partially offset by increased consulting fees of $31,000.
Sales and marketing expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 were $3,787,000 a decrease of $378,000, compared to the sales and marketing expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 of $4,165,000. The decrease in sales and marketing expenses is primarily related to lower advertising expenses and website expenses of $191,000 and $160,000, respectively.
General and Administrative
General and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2023 were $1,428,000, an increase of $28,000, compared to the general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2022 of $1,400,000. The increase in general and administrative expenses is primarily related to increased investor relations expenses of $173,000, offset partially by reduced legal fees of $107,000.
General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 were $4,260,000, an increase of $652,000, compared to the general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 of $3,608,000. The increase in general and administrative expenses is primarily related to increased investor relations expenses, accounting fees and legal fees of $465,000, $100,000 and $61,000, respectively.