Question Which UK-made speakers?

[Sanglier]

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

Is this an issue? I'm English plus some Welsh, and spend half my year in France. Hope that's ok.

 

[RoA]

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;

In that case you won't have any issues. Plenty to choose from. You may have to be more specific so that folks can give advise ie. preferences, your system, your room etc.

 

[nopiano]

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.

They’re excellent, and all made in China. I have a pair of 3020i, but there’s no way they’d be £250 if made here. The boxes would be close to that alone!

 

[nopiano]

PS. Over night I remembered that Stirling Broadcast are closing down, and you can still get the classic/iconic British mini monitor called the LS3/5a, in their v2 version, for under a grand. As British as you can get, except for a few crossover components no doubt. 7% for direct sales.

More here…https://www.stirlingbroadcast.com/sales/

 

[Jasonovich]

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.

Kudos to you!
You appear to be addressing and responding to all the posters comments 👍
Just to add Q Acoustics, if you can extend your budget to £1,199 there's the excellent Concept 50 series, worth considering also.

Q Acoustics Concept 50 Floorstanding Speaker (Pair), Gloss White at AV.com

Q Acoustics Concept 50 Floorstanding Speaker (Pair), Gloss White at AV.com

www.av.com

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

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

Morning. Just so you know, forum rules forbid politics so best not to go too far down that road.

 

[Jasonovich]

They’re excellent, and all made in China. I have a pair of 3020i, but there’s no way they’d be £250 if made here. The boxes would be close to that alone!

I only have the Q Acoustic 3090ci in my lounge set up, like you say, the quality of the construction is first class and sound quality also.

 

[daytona600]

General rule if nothing is ever stated the product is made in PRC

It will be clearly stated in huge text , Flags , Banners if Not made in PRC
Made in the UK , Japan , Germany etc

Only a tiny amount of goods clearly state made in PRC

 

[Gray]

General rule if nothing is ever stated the product is made in PRC

It will be clearly stated in huge text , Flags , Banners if Not made in PRC
Made in the UK , Japan , Germany etc

Only a tiny amount of goods clearly state made in PRC

Yes, my latest Cyrus displays a UK flag during power up.
(My cynical brain sees it and thinks, "Yep, that's why I paid more than necessary").

 

[Jasonovich]

Yes, my latest Cyrus displays a UK flag during power up.
(My cynical brain sees it and thinks, "Yep, that's why I paid more than necessary").

Ha ha!
Not cheap being British!

 

[ToppingSMSL]

If I was upgrading my speakers currently I'd go for the South Korean brand Ascilab.

 

[record_spot]

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...

No worries. Worth mentioning too that Richer Sounds (if you're in the UK) currently have the Fyne Audio F501s available to members of their VIP loyalty programme for just £499 new.

 

[Sanglier]

Thanks - a Scottish brand, made in UK? I've bought from Richer in the past (AKG headphones) and there's a branch in Plymouth; consulted their site, and the speakers you mention are a lot more than £499! But since I'd prefer to buy from a dealer, after inspection & demo, I'll visit RS anyway.

 

[record_spot]

Thanks - a Scottish brand, made in UK? I've bought from Richer in the past (AKG headphones) and there's a branch in Plymouth; consulted their site, and the speakers you mention are a lot more than £499! But since I'd prefer to buy from a dealer, after inspection & demo, I'll visit RS anyway.

These are probably assembled in Indonesia. You're going to have to make some compromises for some of these speakers - Fyne Audio make their high end models in Scotland entirely. The models further down will be designed at Fyne's Scottish centre, but assembled overseas. Here's the Richer Sounds link and you'll see the VIP Member price further down. Turns out, they're £479...

Fyne Audio F501 (Piano Gloss Black)

Shop for Fyne Audio F501 (Piano Gloss Black) Speaker Pair with Richer Sounds for expert advice and lowest prices guaranteed

www.richersounds.com

 

[jjbomber]

Thanks - a Scottish brand, made in UK? I've bought from Richer in the past (AKG headphones) and there's a branch in Plymouth; consulted their site, and the speakers you mention are a lot more than £499! But since I'd prefer to buy from a dealer, after inspection & demo, I'll visit RS anyway.

I'm also getting £479 VIP member price, £799 non-member. It's free to join anyway.

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

ATC also handmade in Britain. Drivers and tweeters too. Not bought in.
I’d still buy AlChris though.
My TX9 are on a different level to pretty much everything I’ve ever heard up to around £10k.
I’m similar to the OP in that I like modest equipment that offers highest value without diminishing returns.
The TX9s mated to the Cambridge EX is as good as it gets at price point. £6k ish
It compares to NAIM 300 series played through SCM40s of which I listen too occasionally. £25k ish

 

[Shrek]

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.

B & W are still made in the UK maybe look at ex demo or SH they are very well built but so are the 12.3 that i also have and are well built and sound brilliant.
Food for thought on your budget .

 

[manicm]

B & W are still made in the UK maybe look at ex demo or SH they are very well built but so are the 12.3 that i also have and are well built and sound brilliant.
Food for thought on your budget .

Only the very high end B&W speakers are made in UK

 

[daytona600]

£1000 NVA

NVA Cube 3 Sealed Box Bookshelf or Standmount Speakers (pair) choice of 2 colours

Relax...it's hi-fi for real life! The NVA Cube 3 speakers offer a remarkably large soundstage from an appealingly neat and compact package, while being easy to place in almost any room. Bundle with AP20 integrated amplifier and LS3 speaker cables available here. Handmade in Great Britain Priced...

nvahifi.co.uk

 

[nopiano]

If I was upgrading my speakers currently I'd go for the South Korean brand Ascilab.

Well, at least you can buy them in the UK now with dealer support.

 

[RoA]

£1000 NVA

NVA Cube 3 Sealed Box Bookshelf or Standmount Speakers (pair) choice of 2 colours

Relax...it's hi-fi for real life! The NVA Cube 3 speakers offer a remarkably large soundstage from an appealingly neat and compact package, while being easy to place in almost any room. Bundle with AP20 integrated amplifier and LS3 speaker cables available here. Handmade in Great Britain Priced...

nvahifi.co.uk

View attachment 9488

Not wanting to s*** on NVA, they are decent brand with a very decent owner but ...

most very small speakers throw a 'remarkably large soundstage' to a greater or slightly lesser extent (but still large one). It's what they do best. The surprise factor when we first listen to these tiny speakers comes into it too. We just don't expect that whereas we do with large speakers. It's a preconceived perception thing.

What they often lack though is an ability to portray real dynamics at volume and effortless bass. The former is not so important if you only ever listen quietly and the latter can solved with a sub but you are adding cost.