I agree with Mrtennis. Your post reads like an ad and says nothing at all really. I'm amazed that it was even posted by the censors who discard so many of my comments.
I heard the Ridge Street Audio Sason's at the Audiokharma show in Detroit and then later at a private listening session in an owner's home. Absolutely incredible sounding speakers, the most natural sounding I've ever heard. All of the audiophile buzz words apply while still maintaining an incredibly musical presentation. A MUST listen if you get the opportunity.
KCS offers a few models with all US sourced parts. Loudspeakers are designed and constructed in WI USA. We do offer models with some imported parts but when a US suppler is available we always opt for US unless performance would suffer. I do know many US manufacters have product built in China or at least the cabinets. Keep in mind its a world market somethings are just not available from US sources...
I love the sound of "full-range" single-driver speakers ... have had Cains and now using Almarro M33A's ... and KCS speakers ... just no way to go wrong, especially if using tube amplification
What difference should it make if speakers are made in the united states, the only things that matter are sound/build quality.
PS- I get a kick out of USA direct sale companies like Salk saying of their HT3s, that: "Normally, speakers of this quality retail from $12000.00 to $20,000.00 or more per pair."
or Ridge Street Audio Designs saying their the Sason Ltd should retail for $14295.00/Pr
07-10-08: Kana813 What difference should it make if speakers are made in the united states, the only things that matter are sound/build quality.
PS- I get a kick out of USA direct sale companies like Salk saying of their HT3s, that: "Normally, speakers of this quality retail from $12000.00 to $20,000.00 or more per pair."
MAYBE the original poster is an American that wants to buy American speakers. There are some left that approach purchase that way and it is THEIR priority. People are answering the question he asked and not why he asked it. As far as direct sales like Salk, I know they consider the HT-3's as direct competitors to the Joseph Audio Pearl which sells for more than $20,000. Whether that is a valid comparison I can't say as I have not heard the Pearls. As far as the Sasons go, I heard several speakers that cost more than $15,000 at the Audiokharma show that IMO did not hold a candle to the Sasons. I've heard 15 to 20 speakers that are more than the RSA's asking price and at least half of them are more than the MSRP listed on their site. From what I've heard, the Sason's would be my choice hands down. They would still be my choice if they were $14,000 a pair and money were not a consideration. Their sound and build quality are unmatched in my somewhat limited experience, built in the USA or not. It is a bonus that they are indeed built in the USA.
"What ever happened to the Escalante Design Fremont (made in Utah)? Only a couple of years ago, they were being touted as the best loudspeaker manufactured. Today, there's almost no discussion about them..."
I own Vandersteen 5A's. If you read their literature, the design is such that the driving amp is absolutely loafing because it only operates the mids and highs. The lows are handled by the built in 1000 watt dedicated amps. There is also the ability to equalize the speakers for accomodation to the room itself. The bottom line is that it sounds like music.
Your post made me wonder about them. There was a big buzz about the Gilmore speakers three years back, and I heard them at CES with Abe playing bass through the Model 2. From their web site:
Model 2: was $19,950/pair - now $12,950/pair
I guess their strange looks never gathered many converts.
1. Magnepan 2. Ridgestreet Audio 3. Merlin 4. Soundlab 5. Green Mountain Audio 6. Joseph Audio 7. Nola 8. Magico 9. Wilson 10.Aerial
*Honorable mention (too new to really know at this point) - YG Acoustics ** Vandersteen would have made my list just a few years ago but progress by other companies has me dropping this fine company from my "top ten"
I've been a fan of Classic Audio Reproductions for a long time- 20Hz-45KHz response, 16 ohms, 97 db. The field-coil powered drivers have the resolution of the best ESLs with dynamic range that is hard to beat, all in a package that sets up even in smaller rooms very easily.
The MG20.1 has always struck me as a best buy. Full range response with plenty of resolution, not too hard to drive either.
I vote for the Zu Druids as the best USA speaker. For my preferences in sound, they bettered my B&Ws, Dalis and Dynaudios. I haven't heard the Zu Soul yet.
High Emotion Audio could qualify for the best USA made monitor system. They make their own drivers and cabinets. If you consider most American made speakers are using imported drivers the actual number of 100% American made is very small.
Magnepan - My favorite was the Tympani IV but required very carefully setup. Haven't heard the 20s yet.
Rockport - Much more musical speakers than Magico or YG Acoustics.
Ridge Street Audio Design Sason - Best 2-way I've ever heard including the Magico Minis.
Martin Logan - Only there full range design CLS, haven't heard the CLX yet. All their hybrids have a bothersome discontinuity I can't get past.
Wisdom Audio - Heard the Adrenaline around $40-50k at the time. One of the few speakers made of US made driver (BG planar magetic push pull "ribbon" driver) besides Magnepan. But too expensive and too complex.
Defunct Apogee - Now copied in technogy and looks by several companies. One of the most transparent sound equal to electrostats but with more body and subastance. Could approach the dynamic bass impact of cone speakers better than Magnepan or any electrostatic designs I've heard.
Acoustat - Another defunct company but it was the first electrostatic I've ever heard. Amazingly transparent. I heard the models with the direct drive OTL tube amps build in are quite remarkable. Heard the defunct Beveridge but it was all midrange with no real extension.
Unfortunately some of the most innovative US speaker makers have long disappeared.
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