If Von Schweikert, one would have to factor in the $30,000 dollar, "I'll keep your money and not ship." that Albert Von Schweikert factors in for customers. Larry R. Staples
"How many American Made drivers are there? Besides Magnepan, I mean?"
The HHR TLS-I and TLS-II are handmade in Parma, Ohio. They are based on the original Ohm F and Ohm A designs- but more efficient, better frequency extension and higher SPL, among other refeniements.
Magnepan - My favorite was the Tympani IV but required very carefully setup. Haven't heard the 20s yet.
Rockport - Much more musical speakers than Magico or YG Acoustics.
Ridge Street Audio Design Sason - Best 2-way I've ever heard including the Magico Minis.
Martin Logan - Only there full range design CLS, haven't heard the CLX yet. All their hybrids have a bothersome discontinuity I can't get past.
Wisdom Audio - Heard the Adrenaline around $40-50k at the time. One of the few speakers made of US made driver (BG planar magetic push pull "ribbon" driver) besides Magnepan. But too expensive and too complex.
Defunct Apogee - Now copied in technogy and looks by several companies. One of the most transparent sound equal to electrostats but with more body and subastance. Could approach the dynamic bass impact of cone speakers better than Magnepan or any electrostatic designs I've heard.
Acoustat - Another defunct company but it was the first electrostatic I've ever heard. Amazingly transparent. I heard the models with the direct drive OTL tube amps build in are quite remarkable. Heard the defunct Beveridge but it was all midrange with no real extension.
Unfortunately some of the most innovative US speaker makers have long disappeared.
High Emotion Audio could qualify for the best USA made monitor system. They make their own drivers and cabinets. If you consider most American made speakers are using imported drivers the actual number of 100% American made is very small.
I vote for the Zu Druids as the best USA speaker. For my preferences in sound, they bettered my B&Ws, Dalis and Dynaudios. I haven't heard the Zu Soul yet.
I've been a fan of Classic Audio Reproductions for a long time- 20Hz-45KHz response, 16 ohms, 97 db. The field-coil powered drivers have the resolution of the best ESLs with dynamic range that is hard to beat, all in a package that sets up even in smaller rooms very easily.
The MG20.1 has always struck me as a best buy. Full range response with plenty of resolution, not too hard to drive either.
1. Magnepan 2. Ridgestreet Audio 3. Merlin 4. Soundlab 5. Green Mountain Audio 6. Joseph Audio 7. Nola 8. Magico 9. Wilson 10.Aerial
*Honorable mention (too new to really know at this point) - YG Acoustics ** Vandersteen would have made my list just a few years ago but progress by other companies has me dropping this fine company from my "top ten"
Your post made me wonder about them. There was a big buzz about the Gilmore speakers three years back, and I heard them at CES with Abe playing bass through the Model 2. From their web site:
Model 2: was $19,950/pair - now $12,950/pair
I guess their strange looks never gathered many converts.
I own Vandersteen 5A's. If you read their literature, the design is such that the driving amp is absolutely loafing because it only operates the mids and highs. The lows are handled by the built in 1000 watt dedicated amps. There is also the ability to equalize the speakers for accomodation to the room itself. The bottom line is that it sounds like music.
"What ever happened to the Escalante Design Fremont (made in Utah)? Only a couple of years ago, they were being touted as the best loudspeaker manufactured. Today, there's almost no discussion about them..."
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