2. speakers
  3. 151226-114930

Where subwoofers are manufactured

I'm shopping for a new subwoofer or two and have done some research online about where various brands and models are manufactured. It appears that while several popular brands are designed in the US, only JL Audio is actually assembled in the US (and yes, I know that they use parts from elsewhere). In looking at photos of control panels, I have noticed that some seem to omit the country of origin (or perhaps the photos have been altered). Besides, JL Audio, can anyone point me toward other US-made subwoofer brands? In Europe, I believe that MJ Acoustics products are made in the UK, Focal are made in France, Dynaudio are made in Denmark, and Canton are made in Germany. Are there other European-made brands that I have overlooked? Are there Japanese-made subwoofers that include 120V components? I am assuming that, based on price, the direct-marketed brands such as SVS and Rythmik are Chinese-made, although I haven't been able to confirm that based on information posted on their websites. If a Chinese-made sub turns out to be my best option, I'll buy one. First, though, I'd like to consider all available options that are assembled in countries that pay their workers competitive wages. Thanks in advance for your replies. 
conlad
catcher10's avatar
catcher10
77 posts
 
Pretty much all your electronics in your home are made overseas. Usually the design, engineering and assembly process is regulated by the US company. These companies have people usually living overseas or at least visit often to check QC, in a lot of cases the plant GM is a US person, the general labor is local.
Not sure that makes anyone feel better about buying something assembled in China but most products are this way. The guts of amps (wires, PSU, boards, IC or such) are made overseas.........Like verdantaudio details, unless you want to pay dbl or triple or more, companies will continue to use SE Asia assembly plants.
conlad OP
36 posts
 
Just to report back, I decided to buy a pair of Rythmik Audio F8's, which I began setting up last evening, perched on a pair of Auralex Subdude II's to limit vibrations in my basement. These subs were assembled in Austin, Texas, and while I'm sure that they contain components from beyond North America, at least my dollars were spent on some American labor in the process. Now, I have to figure out the best solution to a wiring issue, which means a new forum thread.
Thanks to all who replied earlier for sharing your tips and leads on subwoofer manufacuturers and assemblers in North America, Europe, and elsewhere.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,443 posts
 

Excellent choicer, @conlad! More important that where a sub woofer (or any component, for that matter) is manufactured (or assembled), is who designed it. Brian Ding of Rythmik is a very smart guy (PhD in physics, I believe) and subwoofer designer, and his subs really good. Sealed, Ported, Open Baffle. 8", 12", 15", 18" woofers, all with his own servo-feedback system. Even better than the servo woofers in the Infinity RS-1b I owned for a few years.

The Rythmik woofers themselves are manufactured by TC Sounds, by the guy (I have forgotten his name) who designed and made the legendary LMS woofer ALL the monster sub DIY’ers were using when that $1,000 driver was aviailable. Very high quality woofers.

Jim Salk likes the Rythmik subs so much he offers them built in to some of his speaker models. Jim also builds really nice enclosures into which he installs the DIY kit version of the 12" and 15" Rythmiks, those enclosures having the most incredible bracing I’ve ever seen. It looks like the honeycomb pattern seen in beehives! Beautiful real wood veneers too.

sarel75's avatar
sarel75
4 posts
 

Check it out Legacy Audio.  Hand made in Springfield Illinois. 

More to discover