Starting a new Hi-Fi audio brand

[Mart Mccall]

Some 2-way's are better than others.
View attachment 3358642

That's a compression driver in the centre, not a dome tweeter. I quite like big Tannoys, but I think JBL do it better.

 

[Mart Mccall]

I know several people with deep pockets who tried to start hi fi related companies. All but one now have much shallower pockets. The kind of successful one was smart enough to stick to one market (China), and build a brand and client base there. Haven't spoken with them in a while, but last time I did they weren't interested in branching out.
If you go ahead then make sure you invest in a good marketing team who understand how to get your product out there. You can have the best gear in the world but if no one knows about it you won't shift much. My China based friend put about 50% of their budget into marketing.

I think you're right on all accounts.

Here's a new British hi-fi brand that's only just launched, be interesting to see how they do:

Fell Audio: Peter Tyson’s New British Hi-Fi Brand Launch

Discover the launch of Fell Audio by Peter Tyson, a new British hi-fi brand inspired by Cumbria’s landscape. Explore high-quality, sustainable amplifiers and CD players designed for audiophiles seekin

petertyson.co.uk

 

[Ken Boyd]

As a new member AK has a level that business subscribe under, you might start there if you would like to use AK to promote your business.

 

[No Money]

I think you're right on all accounts.

Here's a new British hi-fi brand that's only just launched, be interesting to see how they do:

Fell Audio: Peter Tyson’s New British Hi-Fi Brand Launch

Discover the launch of Fell Audio by Peter Tyson, a new British hi-fi brand inspired by Cumbria’s landscape. Explore high-quality, sustainable amplifiers and CD players designed for audiophiles seekin

petertyson.co.uk

I see StereoNet has reviewed the amp. Seems like value for money entry level gear according to them. Be interesting to see how successful they are.

 

[Nulums]

I know several people with deep pockets who tried to start hi fi related companies. All but one now have much shallower pockets. The kind of successful one was smart enough to stick to one market (China), and build a brand and client base there. Haven't spoken with them in a while, but last time I did they weren't interested in branching out.
If you go ahead then make sure you invest in a good marketing team who understand how to get your product out there. You can have the best gear in the world but if no one knows about it you won't shift much. My China based friend put about 50% of their budget into marketing.

Well, it depends on your sales strategy. It would be strange to exclude the US and EU markets if you do affordable direct-sales products. However, if you manufacture expensive high-end products somewhere in China, the local market can be a good option. I'd name Avance loudspeakers as an example, but this is not exactly what I prefer to do.

 

[Nulums]

Given you have NAD, Cyrus, Naim and QUAD, possibly others, all releasing retro products, I think there is a viable market there.

I also think there is a market for retro-style products. Many companies launched loudspeakers of that type in the last decade, but now I see more audio electronics like JBL SA750. A niche within a niche can work out. For example, Transparent Sound has its own small niche.

 

[BluesWalk]

Hi everyone,

I recently came across some old posts in this forum from people thinking about starting their brand in the Hi-Fi audio or loudspeaker industry. Since I have a similar idea, I have made this thread for those still thinking about this. Maybe we can exchange contacts and help each other.

My background as an employee includes 10 years of managing two small-medium-sized Hi-Fi and High-End loudspeaker factories in the EU. So, my core skills are deep knowledge of the market and production nuances.

It doesn't matter what region you are from or what background. If it's different, it might be even better.

It's nice to talk with anyone having the same passion and goals. Is it relevant for someone here?

What are you going to make, interconnects, speaker cables and power cords?

Interesting. What do you mean by a 3-way bookshelf? Something like this?

To get to this point would take more investment capital, years of r & d, dedication to a specific design philosophy and decades of reputation building than you'd ever be capable of on a whim.

I take the view that audio electronics are done, really, and that we know enough about loudspeakers and psychoacoustics to make good speakers without further research.

So my USP would be the combination of 'old school' cosmetics, good ergonomics and realistic pricing.

The last one would mean cost-effective production and direct sales model, so we'd agree there.

So you too can become a "box stuffer" and scam the daylights out of unsuspecting or just stupid online shoppers?

 

[Mart Mccall]

What are you going to make, interconnects, speaker cables and power cords?

To get to this point would take more investment capital, years of r & d, dedication to a specific design philosophy and decades of reputation building than you'd ever be capable of on a whim.

So you too can become a "box stuffer" and scam the daylights out of unsuspecting or just stupid online shoppers?

No. It doesn't take 'Years of R&D' to design a speaker since all that R&D is already done.

I know someone who is bringing a new speaker to market soon. It has been a lot of work but the design has taken just several months, not years. We stand on the shoulders of giants.

I would offer speakers that are an easy load, that means the matching amplifier would not need to be expensive.

As previously stated the emphasis would be on 'old school' appearance and ergonomics (a button or switch for everything, on the fascia, no screens or menus).

That, at a realistic price, would be the selling point. I'd be making equipment that I would want to own myself.

 

[Nulums]

What are you going to make, interconnects, speaker cables and power cords?

Preferably loudspeakers

To get to this point would take more investment capital, years of r & d, dedication to a specific design philosophy and decades of reputation building than you'd ever be capable of on a whim.

That would be a good goal.

 

[BluesWalk]

No. It doesn't take 'Years of R&D' to design a speaker since all that R&D is already done.

I know someone who is bringing a new speaker to market soon. It has been a lot of work but the design has taken just several months, not years. We stand on the shoulders of giants.

I would offer speakers that are an easy load, that means the matching amplifier would not need to be expensive.

As previously stated the emphasis would be on 'old school' appearance and ergonomics (a button or switch for everything, on the fascia, no screens or menus).

That, at a realistic price, would be the selling point. I'd be making equipment that I would want to own myself.

So, you're going to copy existing designs and dress them up in retro looking cosmetics to fool the public? That's intellectual property, patent and copyright infringement if you get caught. Good luck with that!

 

[Mart Mccall]

So, you're going to copy existing designs and dress them up in retro looking cosmetics to fool the public? That's intellectual property, patent and copyright infringement if you get caught. Good luck with that!

It really isn't anything of the sort. How many ways do you think there are to design an amplifier circuit and how many of those are patented, with the patent still live?

Likewise with loudspeakers.

You don't really think of the hundreds of companies making amps and/or speakers, that they all have some proprietary way of doing it that is protected by patents? It is all very old technology.

If a manufacturer makes a big deal of their patent, or worse 'patent pending' it's just a marketing attempt to get people to ditch the perfectly good equipment they have now and buy 'The latest tech' in the hope of some improvement. A scam, in other words.

 

[BluesWalk]

It really isn't anything of the sort. How many ways do you think there are to design an amplifier circuit and how many of those are patented, with the patent still live?

Likewise with loudspeakers.

You don't really think of the hundreds of companies making amps and/or speakers, that they all have some proprietary way of doing it that is protected by patents? It is all very old technology.

If a manufacturer makes a big deal of their patent, or worse 'patent pending' it's just a marketing attempt to get people to ditch the perfectly good equipment they have now and buy 'The latest tech' in the hope of some improvement. A scam, in other words.

Just the fact that you display such a limited imagination on something you know so little about answers that for me!

 

[Mart Mccall]

Just the fact that you display such a limited imagination on something you know so little about answers that for me!

You know, I was thinking the same about you. But I thought I'd just try to explain instead of making it personal.

 

[GChief]

So, you're going to copy existing designs and dress them up in retro looking cosmetics to fool the public? That's intellectual property, patent and copyright infringement if you get caught. Good luck with that!

Just the fact that you display such a limited imagination on something you know so little about answers that for me!

 

[tubelectron]

Hi everyone,

I recently came across some old posts in this forum from people thinking about starting their brand in the Hi-Fi audio or loudspeaker industry. Since I have a similar idea, I have made this thread for those still thinking about this. Maybe we can exchange contacts and help each other.

My background as an employee includes 10 years of managing two small-medium-sized Hi-Fi and High-End loudspeaker factories in the EU. So, my core skills are deep knowledge of the market and production nuances.

It doesn't matter what region you are from or what background. If it's different, it might be even better.

It's nice to talk with anyone having the same passion and goals. Is it relevant for someone here?

Yes @Nulums.

I have my own brand. And even registered it, who knows ?
But it is for the fun, as it's not in any way a commercial business...

https://guilhemamplification.jimdofree.com/



I finally had to clearly state it on my little website, due to the numerous contacts that I had... From all over the world... Amazing !





That said, at a time, I though about going professional, and that's why I answered in your thread...

Over the fact that I do not have the facilities to have any serious production, I am very concerned by the compliance with the EU, US and Int'l norms, and what it implies in terms of responsibilities in a commercial business - especially if it is a small one, like every starting enterprise.

I mean : compliance to the normalization has a cost, non-compliance has a cost too...

Some little builders do not consider this point - by ignorance and/or deliberately - It's their choice. All is well, until a serious problem arise... If it ever arise !

So @Nulums, who is thinking to go ahead : what is your position about this "normative" question ? - if it a sensed question for you, of course ! Feel free to answer or not, OK ?

T

 

[Nulums]

what is your position about this "normative" question ? - if it a sensed question for you, of course ! Feel free to answer or not, OK ?

Compliance is the cost, which doesn't much affect the total budget of a qualitative project. So, if I would make something like active speakers or amplifiers, they must be certified. Manufacturing them in China actually leaves no choice.

 

[tubelectron]

Compliance is the cost, which doesn't much affect the total budget of a qualitative project. So, if I would make something like active speakers or amplifiers, they must be certified. Manufacturing them in China actually leaves no choice.

Then Good Luck @Nulums !

T

 

[mrehorst]

I'm not extremely knowledgeable about the current market, but one thing I haven't seen, at least outside of multi decathousand dollar systems, is a bi or triamplified speaker system with DSP that will adjust frequency response and time align the drivers electronically and automatically at the listening position. I would bet there are many hobbyist systems like this out there using miniDSP and class D amp modules.

 

[No Money]

Well, it depends on your sales strategy. It would be strange to exclude the US and EU markets if you do affordable direct-sales products. However, if you manufacture expensive high-end products somewhere in China, the local market can be a good option.

Some people are happy working in a large market they know well and intimately as opposed to markets they don't. The company is Hong Kong/Guangdong based so its less hassle.

 

[Lux Man]

Just build whatever you want and charge a boat load and call it the best $1,000,000 speakers, $20,000 cables, an amp for $200k. Get the idea? Or wallow around in the swamp with the gators fighting over a few scraps.

Or be a genius and build what the mass market wants but isn't out there yet....but but but call me first when you have it figured out cuz I have a few bucks to invest. I'll be the US sales guy- 45 years experience selling ice cubes to Eskimos.

edit: there is no sarcasm in the above and I am sticking to it.