gray Posted April 2, 2012 Posted April 2, 2012 We seem to have a healthy (?) compliment of speaker manufacturers here in Australia. I find it hard to ascertain where they fit in the overall scheme of things. Are our products as good as the best from o/s? How do they compare for value, quality and performance ? Is there a future for our industry, or will all speakers be made in the far east one day? I have some VAF Signature i33 speakers which I purchased because of reputation and the fact that VAF is around 3km from where I live. Of course, Phillip is a good salesman as well. I would say that I am very happy with my speakers but I have limited experience of listening to other speakers in the i33's price range. Gray
gainphile Posted April 2, 2012 Posted April 2, 2012 Few local brands came to mind during Melbourne hifi show. SGR, VAF, Equinox. They were all excellent. And what about Kyron... out of this world! Sonus Faber on the other hand, was quite dissapointing sonically and how they were presented. But a real eye candy!
Drizt Posted April 2, 2012 Posted April 2, 2012 Up there with the very best in my opinion. Some represent excellent value for money others not so much.
Juicester Posted April 2, 2012 Posted April 2, 2012 Up there with the very best in my opinion. Some represent excellent value for money others not so much. yep definitely a mixed bag. In the active space, SGR represents real value and performance. I've always been a fan of whatmough speakers too. 1
houdinifangs Posted April 2, 2012 Posted April 2, 2012 I think there will always be a market for quality hand crafted items that represent artisan values.
mikey d Posted April 2, 2012 Posted April 2, 2012 http://tcloudspeakers.com/index_files/DanielSpecial4_As.JPG Hand crafted Aussie loudspeakers.
gray Posted April 2, 2012 Author Posted April 2, 2012 Is the current strength of the Aussie Dollar making life difficult for the home grown product ? There would be some cost savings as Aussie speakers are full of foreign components, but is this enough to offset the increased competitiveness and affordability of the imported brands of speaker ? Gray
warren2503 Posted April 2, 2012 Posted April 2, 2012 I think you would need to look at the segment in the speaker market and understand the dynamics in each segment in order to understand the competitive position of Australian speakers For instance the bottom end of the market involves high volume mass produced products put together my cheap labour , in this segment product out of Asia Mexico etc have the advantage In the mid market it would appear that the most globally successful speakers are made by relatively large companies that have high end products and relatively large overheads To meet the market they manufacture a low mid component product that whilst it has volume still have to wear considerable overhead . Typically these products are bulky and heavy , shipping costs Are high . In this instance Australians can compete and supply a product that is equal or in a lot of case better at a similar price If you look at Australian speaker manufacturers they are mostly small operation run with very low overhead , because of the cost of shipping and the overhead being worn by OS product the oz manufacture can up the include components spec A good example would be comparing the lower end focal product agains similar priced Australian product and compare the parts specs At the high end the OS product were large R&D and cooperate overheads along with high costs of advertising In australia it is not unusual to find that a very high calibre engineer is the CEO, designer and builder this leads to very low overhead , additionally at the high end the spend on advertising is very in comparison Yes. I think there is a future , the current dollar doesn't help , but if these companies stay small, focus on the australian market and are driven by hands on technically excellent people they will continue
bhobba Posted April 2, 2012 Posted April 2, 2012 Up there with the best in the world - easy. Thanks Bill
planet10 Posted April 3, 2012 Posted April 3, 2012 (edited) Typically these products are bulky and heavy , shipping costs Are high . In this instance Australians can compete and supply a product that is equal or in a lot of case better at a similar price If you look at Australian speaker manufacturers they are mostly small operation run with very low overhead , because of the cost of shipping and the overhead being worn by OS product the oz manufacture can up the include components spec A good example would be comparing the lower end focal product agains similar priced Australian product and compare the parts specs As a manufacturer of Frugel-Horn Mk3 flatpaks i can speak directly to this. The cost of shipping a flat-pak overseas is essentially the same as the bare flat-pak. Mind you that is one at a time. The cost of shipping has spawned local cottage industry in Australia (Ben @ Sound with Style), UK and Europe (Netherlands). This points to an advantage of buying direct from the manufacturer (he will assemble them for you), in that you save a couple more layers of profit. FH3 resondably compete in the 1-5k price bracket (to pick up a thread from an earlier post, the local hifi emporium sells some 7k Sonus Fabers that i don't think compete. This design is also a cameleon, being capable of supporting a wide range of drivers that allow you to change the personaility of the speaker. Each using only 1 small driver, the cost of its shipping from overseas has minimal impact. Other small, local manufacturers should also have the same advantages. I am a big supporter of buying "locally" direct from the manufacturer. I'm even a greater supporter of you being the manufacturer. dave Edited April 3, 2012 by planet10
RockandorRoll Posted April 3, 2012 Posted April 3, 2012 I love my I-33's i think there is such a step up as soon as you go to the Signature series. I didnt care for my DC -7's at all. They were easily bested by $500 Focal bookshelves imo. I also have the Lenehan ML1's. the kind of speaker that you just sit down and go "damn these are good" they continually surprise me, always responding well to changes in the system, the reward with better electronics imo. Ive also had a pair of Krix Equinox's which were so well made, they looked like a piecie of furniture. The wood was beautiful, and the sound was pretty damn good. I was very very impressed with my B&W 683's when i had them, its the first time i owned a speaker that could do good bass. Big fan of the house sound and was really nothing wrong with them at all. Could have lived with them forever. I think its just a case of suck it and see. Ive owned more Aussie speakers than international designs. The only speaker ive actually been disapointed with was the DC7. But the best speaker ive owned is also the I33 - so go figure?
DoggieHowser Posted April 3, 2012 Posted April 3, 2012 First time I heard the Lenehan ML1s, I just couldn't believe how good it sounded. I think it compares favourably to Dynaudio speakers about double its price. The only other small speaker I've heard that has a similar scale to the music it reproduces at the same price point is the Nola Boxers. When I heard the ML2PlusR+ (Bill's custom unit with Dueland bypass), it really blew me away. Working in Singapore, I had the opportunity to listen to many speaker brands from the US and Europe and I'd say the ML2PlusR+s easily competed with more expensive brands from the other continents. I am hesitant to say "better" because speaker manufacturers have different presentation styles and sound signatures so some might prefer a more warm sound like say Sonus Fabers or mid bass heavy B&W. But the Lenehan ML2s have that very engaging, fast and dynamic signature which I find very addictive. It's a bit similar to my Thiels but the Thiels can sound a bit lean in the low end.
b.d Posted April 3, 2012 Posted April 3, 2012 I dont believe Australian speakers are on the whole any better or worse per se. But I think loudspeakers are a personal, idiosyncratic choice and like finding a wife you can live 60 years with the odds are pretty evenly stacked against it happening one finding that special someone. The fact that there are lets say 10 times more non-Australian loudspeakers than Australian suggests that 9/10 times the single most 'right' speaker is not going to come from Australia. Maybe you do live happily ever after with a girl from down the road, but if I had a son I'd tell him to see the world and sleep with as many exotic woman as he could. 2
Drizt Posted April 3, 2012 Posted April 3, 2012 but if I had a son I'd tell him to see the world and sleep with as many exotic woman as he could. Sig worthy
Guest yamaha_man Posted April 4, 2012 Posted April 4, 2012 First time I heard the Lenehan ML1s, I just couldn't believe how good it sounded. I think it compares favourably to Dynaudio speakers about double its price. The only other small speaker I've heard that has a similar scale to the music it reproduces at the same price point is the Nola Boxers. When I heard the ML2PlusR+ (Bill's custom unit with Dueland bypass), it really blew me away. Working in Singapore, I had the opportunity to listen to many speaker brands from the US and Europe and I'd say the ML2PlusR+s easily competed with more expensive brands from the other continents. I am hesitant to say "better" because speaker manufacturers have different presentation styles and sound signatures so some might prefer a more warm sound like say Sonus Fabers or mid bass heavy B&W. But the Lenehan ML2s have that very engaging, fast and dynamic signature which I find very addictive. It's a bit similar to my Thiels but the Thiels can sound a bit lean in the low end. I must be the only person who the ML2's didn't impress.
DoggieHowser Posted April 4, 2012 Posted April 4, 2012 If your preference for speakers run towards Sonus Fabers, I doubt you'd like Lenehans.
Drizt Posted April 4, 2012 Posted April 4, 2012 I must be the only person who the ML2's didn't impress. Where did you get a chance to hear the ML2's? I have heard the ML1's and the ML3's and wouldn't mind hearing the ML2's. I thought the ML1's and ML3's were capable speakers and I can see why some would like them but they didn't really blow me a way either. Personally I think there are better value for money options out there.
houdinifangs Posted April 4, 2012 Posted April 4, 2012 I was very impressed with Osborn room at the Melbourne HiFi show but pretty bored with his international competitors. Although he was playing Tom Waits and they played...somehow forgot... Also thought the Aaron room, although totally understated and mostly over looked was solid too.
Guest yamaha_man Posted April 4, 2012 Posted April 4, 2012 (edited) Where did you get a chance to hear the ML2's? I have heard the ML1's and the ML3's and wouldn't mind hearing the ML2's. I thought the ML1's and ML3's were capable speakers and I can see why some would like them but they didn't really blow me a way either. Personally I think there are better value for money options out there. Cheekyboy was the middleman for a pair for sale a while ago. They did absolutely nothing for me, I sat there thinking what the hell is all the talk/hype about. Sorry if people don't like my view but with me a spade is a spade. Come to think of it, they may have been ML1's. Edited April 4, 2012 by yamaha_man
Drizt Posted April 4, 2012 Posted April 4, 2012 Cheekyboy was the middleman for a pair for sale a while ago. They did absolutely nothing for me, I sat there thinking what the hell is all the talk/hype about. Sorry if people don't like my view but with me a spade is a spade. Ah, cheers. The ML2 is the one in the range that interests me the most.
Guest dingo Posted April 4, 2012 Posted April 4, 2012 (edited) I run a pair of Duntech Viscounts, now 19 years old. Continual enjoyment, and capable of dealing with the improvements as my ear has advanced the amplification cause.(Currently Vincent V-60) My mate runs a pair of Duntech Barons. Again, enormously enjoyable. Cannot vouch for the current Duntech line. Two thoughts- performance for dollar at any given price point, Aussie wins hands down. So why not support the local industry, our country, and your ears. - If you cannot find something in the ranges from Whatmough, VAF, Krix I would be very surprised. happy shopping. dingo. Edited April 4, 2012 by dingo
firefly0071 Posted April 4, 2012 Posted April 4, 2012 I would say a local manufacturer allows for a level of customistion such as colour, wood veneer etc. I have benefited from a small customisation without additional costs.
b.d Posted April 4, 2012 Posted April 4, 2012 - If you cannot find something in the ranges from Whatmough, VAF, Krix I would be very surprised. happy shopping. dingo. Cept there aren't any Ozzies making horns, ready-to-go pannels or single driver speakers as far as I know.
Drizt Posted April 4, 2012 Posted April 4, 2012 Cept there aren't any Ozzies making horns, ready-to-go pannels or single driver speakers as far as I know. Krix make horns -> http://www.krix.com.au/Product/Detail.aspx?p=97&id=76
bhobba Posted April 4, 2012 Posted April 4, 2012 (edited) I must be the only person who the ML2's didn't impress. Can I ask where you heard them? There are only two in existence right now - I have one and there is another on the Gold Coast. Mine (that now belongs to my friend) is in Canberra right now and I had them over at another place for a while where people could here them and at that venue they were less than impressive for some reason. They are now at my friends place in Canberra to be set up as rears but because of what was heard at the other venue we will be checking them out as mains. Quite a few have heard them while they were up in Queensland, and last I heard at least 6 pairs were ordered - I know because my new pair is one of them - since my friend got my old ones - and because of that my pair is delayed a bit in being built. Cheekyboy was the middleman for a pair for sale a while ago. They did absolutely nothing for me, I sat there thinking what the hell is all the talk/hype about. Sorry if people don't like my view but with me a spade is a spade.Come to think of it, they may have been ML1's. Thanks for clarifying that - I am pretty sure it was ML1's. There is no need to be sorry - I think your view is 100% valid - in fact I love seeing posts from people that don't like them that much since it allows everyone to get balanced view. Also you might like to hear the ML2's since the other guy that has a pair is in love with them and didn't much like the ML1's. He did a long post about it which you may be able to dig up. Thanks Bill Edited April 4, 2012 by bhobba
Recommended Posts