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Good, UK based speaker company?

post #1 of 12
7/8/10 at 9:00pm
Thread Starter 

I've been itching to buy a new pair of speakers, and I want to see what's out there, but at the same time it's important that it's a UK based company. For many reasons, mostly my dislike from ordering from overseas though and the drastic differences in prices. (Not to mention customs here are far too good at their jobs, seriously)

 

I only know of wharfedale and cambridge, and I'm not sure if either are even any good. I noticed Cambridge uses a lot of snake-oil terms and that alone makes me wary of them. "Bi-wirable" etc.

 

Suggestions?

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post #2 of 12
7/8/10 at 9:10pm

Harbeth & PMC, just to name a couple (both of these two brands are very reputable and well known).

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post #3 of 12
7/8/10 at 11:32pm

Biwireable isnt a snake oil term it just mees you can amp the woofer and the tweeter separately

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post #4 of 12
7/9/10 at 2:14am

The UK has an abundance of highly regarded loudspeaker manufacturers. In addition to Harbeth and PMC already mentioned, the following have stood the test of time:

 

Spendor, KEF, Bowers&Wilkins, Monitor Audio, Mordaunt Short, Tannoy. I'm only naming ones that specialise in speakers. If you add multi component companies' like Quad, there's loads more.

 

I agree with MichaelAngelo that biwire is not necessarily snake oil. Don't worry about what the feature count is, just go to a dealer who will allow you to listen to a selection and then choose the one that looks and sounds the best to you. Such dealers still exist - even in Scotland!

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post #5 of 12
7/9/10 at 5:00am

depending on what budget you were thinking the uk makes a vast array of speakers, Tannoy are just along the road from you (coatbridge) but to hear most things will probably involve a trip to glasgow.  richersounds for the cheaper stuff and heres some others

 

http://www.stereo-stereo.com/

 

http://www.hificorner.co.uk/

 

http://www.sevenoakssoundandvision.co.uk/home.aspx

 

http://www.glasgowaudio.com/

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post #6 of 12
7/9/10 at 9:53am

 

My setup: MacBook Pro-->iBasso D10 (Preamp)-->NAD 3130-->Arcam Muso

 

Put them in the right position and you're in for a delight. Any good sounding monitors would do the same. But I had a superb deal on Arcam ones and I couldn't resist. I've sort of checked and compared with similarly priced Monitor Audio ones. For resolution, clarity, detail, mids and top end Arcams were clear winners. They don't have a deep bass but given their size and my circumstances I don't need more bass as of now.

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post #7 of 12
7/9/10 at 10:29am

 

I don't quite follow your reason(s) for wanting to buy from a UK based company, if it's because of what you mentioned - i.e., if you buy a SONY TV you don't order it from Japan, but from a UK dealer. all of my gear aren't UK based, but I bought it mostly in the UK. do i make sense or am completely frigging lost?
 
like mark2410 mentioned depending on the budget - Sevenoaks has  quite a few low-budget hi-fi  gear (mostly from UK). these Tannoy F1 seem a good deal  for starting a low-budget system (and they're Scottish!).
 
if you're looking for high-end systems check The Music Room in Glasgow. 
 
personally i avoid UK products at all cost.  two main reasons: overpriced, overhyped (imo).  but if that's what you want, be my guest.
 
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post #8 of 12
7/9/10 at 10:36am

wow, so you went for the Muso. I was meant to reply to your post because I knew a UK dealer that was selling a pair of ex demo speakers, but I forgot about it. may I ask how much they went for?
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by vkvedam View Post

 

My setup: MacBook Pro-->iBasso D10 (Preamp)-->NAD 3130-->Arcam Muso

 

Put them in the right position and you're in for a delight. Any good sounding monitors would do the same. But I had a superb deal on Arcam ones and I couldn't resist. I've sort of checked and compared with similarly priced Monitor Audio ones. For resolution, clarity, detail, mids and top end Arcams were clear winners. They don't have a deep bass but given their size and my circumstances I don't need more bass as of now.


Edited by Lenni - 7/9/10 at 10:55am
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post #9 of 12
7/9/10 at 11:20am

I have a pair of Onix speakers, which are supposedly English. :) Very nice.

 

Jack

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post #10 of 12
7/9/10 at 11:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lenni View Post

wow, so you went for the Muso. I was meant to reply to your post because I knew a UK dealer that was selling a pair of ex demo speakers, but I forgot about it. may I ask how much they went for?
 


 

Yup! Half the normal retail price. GBP100 each. And I picked up this 1987 NAD for GBP57.
 

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post #11 of 12
7/20/10 at 7:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MichealAngelo View Post

Biwireable isnt a snake oil term it just mees you can amp the woofer and the tweeter separately


Wrong, that's bi-amping.

Bi-wiring is snake oil term.

 

http://www.audioforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14401


Edited by Dalamar - 7/20/10 at 7:40pm
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post #12 of 12
7/21/10 at 12:23am

Bowers & Wilkins

They make excellent speakers, both sound and looks wise. Imo that is.

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