American Made Audio Unveils New Site For Made in USA Components
American Made Audio - Sharing my new site dedicated to companies that manufacture in the United States - both Made in America and Assembled in America.
http://americanmadeaudio.com
Well over 100 companies in the United States manufacture some of the best equipment for audiophiles and cinephiles in the world. But until now there was no one place on the web to find American audio brands.
The main feature of American Made Audio is “The List” – a master listing of all companies that manufacture relevant products in the United States, shown alphabetically. Additional pages show manufacturers by product type, such as amplifiers, speakers, turntables, cables, audiophile music labels, and more, letting customers easily find brands that manufacture in America.
http://americanmadeaudio.com
Well over 100 companies in the United States manufacture some of the best equipment for audiophiles and cinephiles in the world. But until now there was no one place on the web to find American audio brands.
The main feature of American Made Audio is “The List” – a master listing of all companies that manufacture relevant products in the United States, shown alphabetically. Additional pages show manufacturers by product type, such as amplifiers, speakers, turntables, cables, audiophile music labels, and more, letting customers easily find brands that manufacture in America.
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darkj, a couple more recommendations of US manuf: * Sanders Sound Systems - Roger Sanders used to design ESL speakers at Innersound until there was a rift between him & the owner(s). He started Sanders Sound Systems in Conifer, CO. Roger makes it a point to use local artisans for his speaker frames & cabinets. He has demo’d several times at RMAF & the sonics are always really good. Roger is a real stand-up guy & always fun to talk to. http://www.sanderssoundsystems.com/ * Galibier Designs - design & manuf of turntables. Saw his gear & met Thom Mackris at RMAF 2007 but haven't heard much from him lately. Rather low key but very good sounding TTs. http://galibierdesign.com/ |
I think that it is great to have such a site. I only wish you would have included some Canadians as well. We are only 10% of your population and insofar as audio is concerned we carry our weight when it comes to innovation and quality products. Here's one of those innovators who is disturbing the status quo on why Idler Wheel [ old technology ] is superior to belt drive which is garnering much interest in the high end turntable venue. Check out turntables by Jean Nantais |
It's become apparent to me that audio companies aren't always 100% up to speed with "Made in USA" claims. So I took a deep dive into what "Made in USA" or "Assembled in USA" really means and when you can say it. It's not a short answer, but I think the issues become pretty clear. The results make me admire companies who create "Made in USA" products even more than I did before, and more appreciative of those who designate their products as "Assembled in USA." For details, see the article I just wrote on this: http://americanmadeaudio.com/2016/06/25/made-usa-standard-guidelines-audio-equipment-manufacturers-c... |
What’s needed next is a series of Hi-Fi Shows, organized by a Board representing all the U.S. Hi-Fi companies, displaying and demonstrating the products of the companies. It could also serve as a replacement for the Las Vegas CES for the U.S. companies (see the Editorial in this months Stereophile). |
@bdp24 That is an amazing idea. I will say that I went to Newport expecting it to be easy to cover American brands. When I started, I was only aware of about 90. I now have over 150 on my list.... but per my post above, I do think I have a fair bit of culling or organizing to do to identify companies within "Made in USA" and "Assembled in USA" and... well, other. An interim step might be to have certain rooms at all the popular shows certified as "American Made Audio" rooms. |
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@joecasey There are fabulous products manufactured all over the world. Indeed, so many that it is worth considering additional factors, provenance being one of them. International trade is part of a healthy global economy, creating a silo is not a goal of this site. Rather, it is to help consumers and manufacturers gain a better understanding of how the products we love came into being. Bringing clarity to a topic that is murky in the industry will help both manufacturers and consumers. The idea for the site came about because I had a small list of American products mentioned on a page on my music blog. That page got a lot of traffic -people are searching for things like "american made speakers" or "made in usa tube amps" - but there was no other site that provided that info. Now there is. |
danielinvermont3 posts06-25-2016 5:46amGreat idea, but where is American audio legend Mark Levinson? Madrigal Labs isn't anymore Mark Levinson. |
http://americanmadeaudio.com/2016/06/25/made-usa-standard-guidelines-audio-equipment-manufacturers-consumers/ This article can help you understand what kinds of claims a company can make. There are five types of claims that the FTC recognizes: - Made in USA (Expressed or Implied) - Made in USA (Qualified: e.g. "of imported parts") - Assembled in USA (Unqualified) - U.S. origin claims for specific processes or parts - Comparative Claims There are very few true "Made in USA" products because that requires that "all or virtually all" of the components be sourced from the USA. There are many more that are "Made in USA of imported parts" and several that are "Assembled in USA. |
@acastos Which Polk products are assembled in the USA? @geoffkait Are any Oppo products assembled in the USA? I’ve been to their HQ in northern California, and it looked like design and marketing only. They don’t claim to make anything here." Let me look into it. Their customer service and manuals etc. don’t appear to be foreign produced. You could knock me over with a feather. Here's the Oppo wiki page: "OPPO Electronics Corp. is a Chinese electronics manufacturer based in Dongguan, Guangdong. Its major product lines include smartphones, Blu-ray players and other electronic devices.[1] Globally registered in 2016 and founded in 2004, the company has registered the OPPO brand name in many parts of the world." |
@geoffkait Oppo Digital is somehow slightly separate. I'm guessing that they use the name to market here, and they use Oppo Electronics to manufacture, but they are a US-owned company, at least in part? They do design and market here, and I'm a proud owner of the 105D, but they don't make anything here, to my knowledge. |
darkj, another audiophile + professional brand manuf that manuf in the USA: Lavry Engineering. http://www.lavryengineering.com/ on the top left you can select between 'pro audio' or 'hi fi'. Their Lavry Black DA10 D/A & their current DA924 & DA11 are very well regarded in the audiophile world. |
Still no Mark Levinson? Where's the love? MADE IN THE USA Like all Mark Levinson amplifiers, preamplifiers, and music players, the № 536 is proudly designed and handcrafted in the USA. A dedicated Engineering Center of Excellence in Shelton, CT houses Mark Levinson engineering and product development, just a state away from small-batch production at Mack Technologies in Westford, MA by a team of craftsmen who bring all Mark Levinson equipment to life. http://www.georgemeyer-av.com/mark-levinson-products/ |
@mitch2 @danielinvermont - I have about 35 companies that people have suggested or who have written in requesting a listing. I will do a basic online review to evaluate whether it seems likely that their products are made or assembled in the US. At this point, I consider almost all listings to be provisional. The next big step for The List is to work with the manufacturers to determine their products qualify appropriately. The goal is to have the list have a high level of accuracy. If there's anything I've learned so far, it is that companies are confused about the FTC guidelines regarding labeling. I know of one company who claims "Made in USA" - a standard that requires all or virtually all of the value of the product to be made here - but whose products are best described as "Made in USA of 90% imported parts" or "Assembled in USA." I have kept that company off the list because their particular claim is misleading. I list other companies who assemble their products here of foreign parts because they are correctly claiming "Assembled in USA" or not claiming anything at all, but if you ask them they will tell you. "Assembled in the USA" does not require that any of the components be sourced from here, only that they are assembled here in more than a "screwdriver assembly" (that is an FTC term meaning that the components do not undergo any substantial transformation.) In the end, consider The List a really useful guide and place to start. But because keeping up with the supply chain of well over 140 companies, each with many products, is outside the scope of this project, consumers will need to verify claims with the manufacturer. |
darkj, I understand how much work this is for you and was not challenging the list, just providing information. Pretty sure Merrill meets the "Assembled in USA" criterion but not "Made in USA." That doesn't make them anything less than a well-regarded company who manufacturers well-regarded products, just not "Made in USA." I believe the other company you are speaking of may be a speaker manufacturer that either misunderstood, or disregarded, the requirements for labeling goods as "Made in USA," depending on one's viewpoint. They have taken a lot of heat for the mis-labeling, particularly on one website from one outspoken east coast AV dealer and, from what I have read, they have owned up to the "misunderstanding." That company, and its owner, have a long-standing reputation for excellent products and outstanding customer service and they have never been known for anything but great-sounding, high-quality products, particularly for the cost. That may beg the question, what is the point of looking at this. I am more interested in who manufacturers excellent products, stands behind those products, and offers its customers excellent communication and responsive service. However, I am also interested in who manufactures and assembles products in USA, particularly considering the state of our economy and the loss of manufacturing in USA, and I appreciate your efforts. You have received some recommendations of excellent "Made in USA" companies from the folks here, like my Clayton Audio and SMc Audio recommendations, and you will likely continue to receive recommendations and feedback. I am sure it will take some work to get everything sorted out and wish you luck in that endeavor. |
@mitch2 - Thanks for the reply. I wrote a long thoughtful answere which for some reason didn't post here. Here's a short version. Based on my assumptions Merrill (and most other companies listed) fall under "Assembled in USA." No one should hold that against them. I wasn't talking about Aerial Acoustics, who make some terrific speakers out of imported parts. They used to say "Made in USA" but now correctly say "Designed and Assembled in USA." I'm talking about another company who I am not listing until they make accurate claims. Regarding "what is the point" - I can only answer for myself - and for me, I obsess over every detail of my system, including provenance. Others may have other reasons. It's an international world, for the better, and provenance is only one thing to consider, but for me it is very interesting and I know others care about it too. There was no good way to find American makers, now there is. I could see someone doing similarly for SET amps, or Lowther drivers, or some other point of interest. Look at the success of Head-Fi - just headphone coverage. I really appreciate all the recommendations! I didn't know how much I didn't know. It's also clear that most manufacturers don't understand the FTC guidelines - I think my work will help them with that, even if not all manufacturers may like it. But a better educated audiophile is good for the industry, in my view. |
Hi and happy Fourth of July to all. Thanks for adding Mark Levinson. Here is another suggestion: Wyred 4 Sound: https://wyred4sound.com/history |
With the notable exception of the television, which belongs to the Russians.Nope. Philo Farnsworth, born in Utah, is generally credited with having invented electronic television. And the primitive mechanically scanned systems which preceded it were not Russian inventions either. Also, the Russian Vladimir Zworykin, the other major pioneer in the early development of electronic television, did that work in the USA. Regards, -- Al |
John Dark came by our room at T.H.E. Show Newport 2016 and we really enjoyed meeting him and showing him the US made Acoustic Zen Maestro speakers and Verastarr Grand Illusion Statement cables in our system. John seems like a classy guy. The High End Zone family all wish him the very best of success with the site. A lot of great gear is made in the US. If you haven't already done so, please take a swing by his site, American Made Audio Or go straight to The List of companies that make their audio gear in the US. Happy Independence Day John, and to all the other Audiophiles out there. Our thanks and appreciation go out to all those who have served and to their families. |
@stuartk Thanks Stuart - Free listings are pretty basic (you can imagine how much time it takes to create 150 listings. Premium listings include things like photos, fuller descriptions, and a link. I was sure to include enough information so that anyone could find the company online. In the meantime, Just added a new feature that lets people find all the companies in their state. http://americanmadeaudio.com/the-map/ |
