Question Which UK-made speakers?

[Sanglier]

Assembled my first outfit in the 70s, had Monitor Audio speakers , my hi-fi interest has been reawakened (hi-res files via Qobuz, A&K SR35 and good headphones), now thinking of getting some new kit. Fancy the new Quad 3, liked its 33/303 predecessors. To my horror I find that the well regarded Wharfedale 12.3 is made in China: is nothing sacred? Would like recommendations for reasonably good speakers £500-£1000 that are made in UK. Thanks.

 

[Gray]

Assembled my first outfit in the 70s, had Monitor Audio speakers , my hi-fi interest has been reawakened (hi-res files via Qobuz, A&K SR35 and good headphones), now thinking of getting some new kit. Fancy the new Quad 3, liked its 33/303 predecessors. To my horror I find that the well regarded Wharfedale 12.3 is made in China: is nothing sacred? Would like recommendations for reasonably good speakers £500-£1000 that are made in UK. Thanks.

I've only ever owned English made speakers including old Wharfedale Glendales (and I briefly worked at Monitor Audio).
However, a mate speaks highly of his 12.3 (not least because he got them new for £450).
I wouldn't be writing them off if I were you.

PS I also own English-made Quad.
But don't be shocked to find your new amp from them is not made in England👍

 

[RoA]

I don't think there is a huge choice for your budget. Rega do some small ones which are under a grand. You may be able to get one of ATC’s toddlers for it with a good dealer discount.

S/h you have more.

 

[daytona600]

Quad is made in China
£500 UK made speakers you need to get a used pair

 

[jjbomber]

New kid on the block

F500S Bookshelf Speaker | Hi-Fi | Home Theatre - FYNE AUDIO

The F500S bookshelf speaker features the next evolution 6" IsoFlare point source driver, ideal for audiophiles and movie lovers where space is at a premium.

www.fyneaudio.com

 

[nopiano]

Assembled my first outfit in the 70s, had Monitor Audio speakers , my hi-fi interest has been reawakened (hi-res files via Qobuz, A&K SR35 and good headphones), now thinking of getting some new kit. Fancy the new Quad 3, liked its 33/303 predecessors. To my horror I find that the well regarded Wharfedale 12.3 is made in China: is nothing sacred? Would like recommendations for reasonably good speakers £500-£1000 that are made in UK. Thanks.

Welcome to the WHF forum!

It’s not a case of anything being sacred, it’s about economics of manufacturing. There’s no way you can make a British speaker for under a grand unless using a direct sales model, without dealer demo and support.

In the nicest way, you’ve obviously lost touch with the Hifi market!

Most Quad is made in PRC, as are many brands you will remember, like Leak, KEF, B&W, and Wharfedale. Sometimes the top ranges are made here, like KEF’s Reference series.

You might enjoy assembling a second hand system of British kit, not hard with a bit of homework. As for speakers, the only British made brand I can think of with a model under £1,000 is the direct sales Alchris, very much a husband and wife business. https://alchrisaudio.co.uk/product-range

Happy if others can add more.

The little ATCs, made in Gloucestershire, mentioning above are the SCM7, now just a shade over a grand, RRP £1,095.

 

[Al ears]

Quad is made in China
£500 UK made speakers you need to get a used pair

Indeed. My old Quad 11's were actually made in UK as were my EB Acoustic EB2's.
I wouldn't avoid speakers that were not made, or indeed simply assembled in the UK though as you're missing out on so much......

 

[Jasonovich]

You really can't do wrong with these excellent British Speakers from Q Acoustics. Check Richer Sounds link below. Do ensure to join their VIP membership (It's free) to secure these for £499 🙂

Q Acoustics 3050i (Black)

Shop for Q Acoustics Q3050i Black Speaker Pair with Richer Sounds for a 6 Year Guarantee, expert advice and Lowest Prices Guaranteed

www.richersounds.com

 

[jjbomber]

You really can't do wrong with these excellent British Speakers from Q Acoustics. Check Richer Sounds link below. Do ensure to join their VIP membership (It's free) to secure these for £499 🙂

Q Acoustics 3050i (Black)

Shop for Q Acoustics Q3050i Black Speaker Pair with Richer Sounds for a 6 Year Guarantee, expert advice and Lowest Prices Guaranteed

www.richersounds.com

Made in China. Fell as the first hurdle!

 

[Jasonovich]

Made in China. Fell as the first hurdle!

Yeah but Yeah but, like you said in the Car thread, once he buys it, it will be British owned 🤣 😏

 

[Revolutions]

New kid on the block

F500S Bookshelf Speaker | Hi-Fi | Home Theatre - FYNE AUDIO

The F500S bookshelf speaker features the next evolution 6" IsoFlare point source driver, ideal for audiophiles and movie lovers where space is at a premium.

www.fyneaudio.com

Ooh, these look cool. Has anyone heard them?

 

[record_spot]

Assembled my first outfit in the 70s, had Monitor Audio speakers , my hi-fi interest has been reawakened (hi-res files via Qobuz, A&K SR35 and good headphones), now thinking of getting some new kit. Fancy the new Quad 3, liked its 33/303 predecessors. To my horror I find that the well regarded Wharfedale 12.3 is made in China: is nothing sacred? Would like recommendations for reasonably good speakers £500-£1000 that are made in UK. Thanks.

If you can save and stretch the budget, Alchris Audio TX5 floorstanders at around £1700 are well worth considering. Heard them last weekend and was very impressed.

Neat Iota 2 at £1100 also Acoustic Energy AE1s at around the same price. Both stand mounts. Not sure if they are built in the UK or designed here and assembled elsewhere.

 

[Vincent Kars]

A bit like the great British motorcycles?

 

[Al ears]

Yeah but Yeah but, like you said in the Car thread, once he buys it, it will be British owned 🤣 😏

You are assuming he is British. Bad move....

 

[Jasonovich]

You are assuming he is British. Bad move....

I'm from Svee den, gerdy gerdy. 😄

 

[Gray]

If you can add £250 to your £1000 budget, PMC Prodigy 1 standmounts would be worth checking out.
(You really need stands for any standmount option though).

 

[daytona600]

Q Acoustics. made in PRC

 

[jjbomber]

Ooh, these look cool. Has anyone heard them?

Fyne Audio's mid-range F500S speakers aim for serious increases in sonic performance, not price

Fyne launches its next-gen F500S Series

www.whathifi.com

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

If you can stretch, AlChris Audio TX1. £1250…. An absolute steal……..
Wipes the floor with the PMC Prodigy 1.
Fantastic build, craftsmanship and crossover component selection you will not get from major manufacturers at the same price point.
In the right environment they will have punch, transparency and fantastic dynamic range.

 

[Sanglier]

I've only ever owned English made speakers including old Wharfedale Glendales (and I briefly worked at Monitor Audio).
However, a mate speaks highly of his 12.3 (not least because he got them new for £450).
I wouldn't be writing them off if I were you.

PS I also own English-made Quad.
But don't be shocked to find your new amp from them is not made in England👍

Thanks - I was interested in the 12.3 speakers because of a glowing review on this site. I wouldn't write off their sonic qualities - just the fact that they're made in China. Like many others I'm working at eliminating an over dependence on stuff made in the PRC.

 

[Sanglier]

Welcome to the WHF forum!

It’s not a case of anything being sacred, it’s about economics of manufacturing. There’s no way you can make a British speaker for under a grand unless using a direct sales model, without dealer demo and support.

In the nicest way, you’ve obviously lost touch with the Hifi market!

Most Quad is made in PRC, as are many brands you will remember, like Leak, KEF, B&W, and Wharfedale. Sometimes the top ranges are made here, like KEF’s Reference series.

You might enjoy assembling a second hand system of British kit, not hard with a bit of homework. As for speakers, the only British made brand I can think of with a model under £1,000 is the direct sales Alchris, very much a husband and wife business. https://alchrisaudio.co.uk/product-range

Happy if others can add more.

The little ATCs, made in Gloucestershire, mentioning above are the SCM7, now just a shade over a grand, RRP £1,095.

Thanks, but I'm well informed, not least about economics: I was already pretty sick at seeing Chinese battery cars with the MG badge, and Lotus is another iconic Brit brand now owned by the Chinese. I prefer not to support the economy of the totalitarian PRC.
But since, as you say, I'm considerably out of touch with hi-fi, I had no idea that long established Brit hi-fi firms were now manufacturing in China. It's depressing and humiliating. (If even Quad is now made there, I might as well just say sod it and get a Rotel.)

 

[Sanglier]

Indeed. My old Quad 11's were actually made in UK as were my EB Acoustic EB2's.
I wouldn't avoid speakers that were not made, or indeed simply assembled in the UK though as you're missing out on so much......

Thanks. I don't avoid foreign made stuff on principle, but just as I wouldn't buy stuff made in Russia I prefer not to buy the products of the PRC. My watch is made in Switzerland, my walking boots in Germany, my fishing rods in New Zealand, fishing reels in Sweden and Japan...

 

[Sanglier]

You really can't do wrong with these excellent British Speakers from Q Acoustics. Check Richer Sounds link below. Do ensure to join their VIP membership (It's free) to secure these for £499 🙂

View attachment 9479
View attachment 9480

Q Acoustics 3050i (Black)

Shop for Q Acoustics Q3050i Black Speaker Pair with Richer Sounds for a 6 Year Guarantee, expert advice and Lowest Prices Guaranteed

www.richersounds.com

Thanks - I hadn't known about this marque but am already investigating - and the company site tells me its products are sold by Severn AV, which has a branch in Exeter. In France for a while yet but will visit Severn AV when in Devon again. The speaker you highlight seems well reviewed by this site.

 

[Sanglier]

Yeah but Yeah but, like you said in the Car thread, once he buys it, it will be British owned 🤣 😏

Clearly, I won't be buying it. I leave it to others to support the dangerous, expansionist PRC.

 

[Sanglier]

If you can save and stretch the budget, Alchris Audio TX5 floorstanders at around £1700 are well worth considering. Heard them last weekend and was very impressed.

Neat Iota 2 at £1100 also Acoustic Energy AE1s at around the same price. Both stand mounts. Not sure if they are built in the UK or designed here and assembled elsewhere.

Thanks for these tips. My provisional figure of up to a grand isn't my limit, and I could pay a few thousand for speakers if necessary; but in the 70s & 80s, I preferred to buy more modest hi-fi since I wasn't sure I'd derive any benefit from high end kit. Always ready to buy the best in certain circumstances - I still feel wistful at the memory of my SM 3009/II tone arm, lovely bit of kit, paired with a top Shure cartridge...