Question Which UK-made speakers?

[Blacksabbath25]

Well did we end up getting a totally UK made speaker then

 

[Sanglier]

Well did we end up getting a totally UK made speaker then

Thanks for asking. I'm still out of the country so no, won't be auditioning/buying until mid-October at the earliest.
Re UK made, the outlook is bleak: it seems that only high end floorstanders are still made in UK by a few manufacturers, and the medium sized standmount speakers (B&W606S3, Acoustic Energy 300/2) I've decided are probably most suitable for my living room (5.36m x 3.8m) seem designed in UK but put together in the PRC. So I'll have to bow to market forces. Depressing, but a fact of life. I assembled my first modest hi-fi setup in the 1970s and it was all UK made, with the possible exception of the cartridge on my SME 3009/II tone arm.
(I was employed in photo/hi-fi retail around 1970 when Black Sabbath started: afraid I didn't like them then, and metal has got even worse since!)
rgds S

 

[RayP]

@Sanglier , Spendor are based in Sheffield and their loudspeakers are home made. Probably explains why they’re so expensive but they are extremely good.

 

[Blacksabbath25]

Thanks for asking. I'm still out of the country so no, won't be auditioning/buying until mid-October at the earliest.
Re UK made, the outlook is bleak: it seems that only high end floorstanders are still made in UK by a few manufacturers, and the medium sized standmount speakers (B&W606S3, Acoustic Energy 300/2) I've decided are probably most suitable for my living room (5.36m x 3.8m) seem designed in UK but put together in the PRC. So I'll have to bow to market forces. Depressing, but a fact of life. I assembled my first modest hi-fi setup in the 1970s and it was all UK made, with the possible exception of the cartridge on my SME 3009/II tone arm.
(I was employed in photo/hi-fi retail around 1970 when Black Sabbath started: afraid I didn't like them then, and metal has got even worse since!)
rgds S

Unfortunately you will be hard pressed to buy a totally 100% made speaker in the UK it maybe constructed here but some of the components would have been sourced outside the UK its just a fact of life now .

And you would be missing out on a good speaker that's made outside the UK so keep your options open .

 

[JoelSim]

I know. It's tragic.

If they were made here then they'd be much more expensive, and therefore wouldn't be cost competitive, meaning B&W would struggle and possibly go out of business.

It is what it is.

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

AlChris Audio.
About as responsibly British as one could ask for.
And sublime too

Similarly, perhaps more so, ATC !

 

[Sanglier]

Unfortunately you will be hard pressed to buy a totally 100% made speaker in the UK it maybe constructed here but some of the components would have been sourced outside the UK its just a fact of life now .

And you would be missing out on a good speaker that's made outside the UK so keep your options open .

Thanks, yes, I'm aware of the pros & cons, and the economic arguments. I'm well travelled, international in outlook, and I've owned a wide variety of kit made outside the UK. I'd just prefer not to buy stuff made in China, though it seems as if I'll probably have to.

 

[RoA]

Thanks for asking. I'm still out of the country so no, won't be auditioning/buying until mid-October at the earliest.
Re UK made, the outlook is bleak: it seems that only high end floorstanders are still made in UK by a few manufacturers, and the medium sized standmount speakers (B&W606S3, Acoustic Energy 300/2) I've decided are probably most suitable for my living room (5.36m x 3.8m) seem designed in UK but put together in the PRC. So I'll have to bow to market forces. Depressing, but a fact of life. I assembled my first modest hi-fi setup in the 1970s and it was all UK made, with the possible exception of the cartridge on my SME 3009/II tone arm.
(I was employed in photo/hi-fi retail around 1970 when Black Sabbath started: afraid I didn't like them then, and metal has got even worse since!)
rgds S

You could do the unthinkable and buy used, all made in the UK.

 

[Blacksabbath25]

Thanks, yes, I'm aware of the pros & cons, and the economic arguments. I'm well travelled, international in outlook, and I've owned a wide variety of kit made outside the UK. I'd just prefer not to buy stuff made in China, though it seems as if I'll probably have to.

Its not all from China i think Dali make the higher end models in house in Denmark like Drivers, Cabinets i would say 80% of the speaker made in that factory . so in house the make the Rubicon which the Rubikore replaced that model Opticon , Menuet , Epicon , Epikore , Kore but very expensive but Dali worth a look .

 

[Jasonovich]

Thanks, yes, I'm aware of the pros & cons, and the economic arguments. I'm well travelled, international in outlook, and I've owned a wide variety of kit made outside the UK. I'd just prefer not to buy stuff made in China, though it seems as if I'll probably have to.

Doing my best to avoid the political connotations.
Yesterday I was at Gates the Ford dealership for annual service and it came as a big surprise, they have a new franchise with BYD.
There's no escaping China, they're everywhere but it is commendable your support for British products. 👍

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

I’ll say it again…..ATC……..

 

[Blacksabbath25]

Doing my best to avoid the political connotations.
Yesterday I was at Gates the Ford dealership for annual service and it came as a big surprise, they have a new franchise with BYD.
There's no escaping China, they're everywhere but it is commendable your support for British products. 👍

Its hard not to hay 🙂

 

[Sanglier]

You could do the unthinkable and buy used, all made in the UK.

Reluctant to buy speakers s/h for the obvious reasons.
S

 

[RayP]

Reluctant to buy speakers s/h for the obvious reasons.
S

There’s very little to go wrong with a loudspeaker. Providing the drive units are in good condition they’ll last a very long time. I had B&W CM4s for 25 years. I was prepared to give them away providing the person made a £50 donation to their favourite charity. The buyer drove up from the midlands.

You should audition them of course.

 

[Jasonovich]

Reluctant to buy speakers s/h for the obvious reasons.
S

Back in the 80s when I was young free and single, I visited a junk shop, I noticed the guy was selling B&W original BBC monitor speakers.
Mate how much?
Tenner
Amazing speakers, what a bargain! Had them for ten years trouble free, gave them to my brother.
Wait doesn't end here.
Next to the speakers were Class A Sudgen integrated amplifier.
How much for the amp?
Ge's sa tenner for those

Happy Days, living the dream! 😎

 

[Cricketbat70]

Late to the part on this topic and only read the first page. I live 8 miles from the town that used to be the home of Castle Speakers. They have been part of a Chinese hifi group (IAG) for a number of years now. Their top of the range Windsor series of speakers are made in the UK at a huge IAG facility in Huntingdon miles away from their original home in Skipton, North Yorkshire. It annoys me that they still use oart of Skipton Castle as an emblem on the speakers, when they have nothing to do with Skipton anymore, petty I know.

 

[Sanglier]

There’s very little to go wrong with a loudspeaker. Providing the drive units are in good condition they’ll last a very long time. I had B&W CM4s for 25 years. I was prepared to give them away providing the person made a £50 donation to their favourite charity. The buyer drove up from the midlands.

You should audition them of course.

I know what you mean. l still have the Mordaunt Short Carnival 2s I bought in 1979, work fine. But you never know how s/h speakers have been treated, and not every seller offers auditioning. Prefer to buy new from a dealer not too far away.
S

 

[RayP]

I know what you mean. l still have the Mordaunt Short Carnival 2s I bought in 1979, work fine. But you never know how s/h speakers have been treated, and not every seller offers auditioning. Prefer to buy new from a dealer not too far away.
S

If you visit the seller it should be relatively easy to judge how the speakers have been treated. A mature adult should be safe. Someone under 30 who demonstrates them with heavy metal thrash is best avoided. 😁

 

[Jasonovich]

If you visit the seller it should be relatively easy to judge how the speakers have been treated. A mature adult should be safe. Someone under 30 who demonstrates them with heavy metal thrash is best avoided. 😁

So true, great observation.

There are sellers on eBay who offer collection only, before parting with your money, you could insist on a home demo.

 

[RayP]

So true, great observation.

There are sellers on eBay who offer collection only, before parting with your money, you could insist on a home demo.

Even a demonstration in the seller’s home would be helpful. That way you not only see and hear the speaker, you can judge the seller too. If I was considering buying second-hand that’s the way I’d go. Money spent on travelling is worth it.

If they say that’s not possible treat that as a red flag unless there’s a genuine reason.

 

[Jasonovich]

Even a demonstration in the seller’s home would be helpful. That way you not only see and hear the speaker, you can judge the seller too. If I was considering buying second-hand that’s the way I’d go. Money spent on travelling is worth it.

If they say that’s not possible treat that as a red flag unless there’s a genuine reason.

Oh sorry I meant Home Demo, sellers place ☺️

Though, thinking about it, a home 'home' demo isn't an unreasonable request.
If seller allows you to return product within 14 days should it not meet your expectations.

 

[RayP]

Oh sorry I meant Home Demo, sellers place ☺️

Though, thinking about it, a home 'home' demo isn't an unreasonable request.
If seller allows you to return product within 14 days should it not meet your expectations.

Ah right. I agree but it’s down to the potential buyer to do their homework. Read lots of reviews and see if the tonal balance suits your kit. My B&W CM4s came out just as the internet was starting so reviews are scarce.

@Sanglier , don’t get too hung up on foreign ASSEMBLED speakers. The clever bit - design- is probably still done in England in the case of B&W. It’s an opportunity to acquire speakers you may never be able to afford new.

And yes, a reasonable seller should allow home demo at your home but you’ll need to leave a deposit.

 

[nopiano]

I’ll say it again…..ATC……..

I mentioned them in post #6. ( But that was before the last Ice Age! 😂)