First heard about "British Sound" in the '70's, relative to Kef, Bowers and Wilkins, et al. I always thought that the phrase referred to their popular (in Britain) 2 way systems that were (usually) pretty tonally nuetral but lacked deep bass (relative to the 3 way systems - from JBL, Altec, et al - popular in the US at the time).
I'd note that the whole concept was emerging with the appearence of pricier hifi gear as an alternative to the mass produced Japanese equipment that flooded the market thru the '60s (a phenomenon later dubbed "high end audio"). The British brands focused first on their domestic market which featured less discretionary income than the US market - likely dictating simpler designs than the US market might support (although, once these products got here and were marked up for import, they slated nicely as US luxury goods). Also, British homes usually have smaller rooms than US homes - two good reasons that these 2 way designs probably came to dominate the British product offerings.
Marty
PS The Kef Corelli was my first "high end" purchase.
I'd note that the whole concept was emerging with the appearence of pricier hifi gear as an alternative to the mass produced Japanese equipment that flooded the market thru the '60s (a phenomenon later dubbed "high end audio"). The British brands focused first on their domestic market which featured less discretionary income than the US market - likely dictating simpler designs than the US market might support (although, once these products got here and were marked up for import, they slated nicely as US luxury goods). Also, British homes usually have smaller rooms than US homes - two good reasons that these 2 way designs probably came to dominate the British product offerings.
Marty
PS The Kef Corelli was my first "high end" purchase.