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In House Manufacturing vs. OEM Sourcing

I've been away from the hobby for quite some time, and my recent search for a new pair of loudspeakers has my head spinning.  I never realized there were so many companies making loudspeakers these days.  I've never heard of 60% of them.

What I do see is that the vast majority are using drivers from OEM manufacturers.  While some claim that the drivers are "made to their specifications," the skeptic in me thinks there's a bit of smoke in the air.  I'm sure someone like Wilson Audio is an exception, but I don't believe that's the case for most of them.

I would imagine that companies that manufacture their own drivers (Focal, Dynaudio, etc.) would have a distinct advantage in developing and voicing a loudspeaker.  I'm not saying there there aren't some exceptional speakers out there that use OEM drivers, but it seems that distinction is limited to the ultra high-end.

Thoughts?
seadweller

Showing 1 response by ejr1953

ejr1953
895 posts
 
Back in the late 70's, early 80's I worked in the audio business and back then there were over 500 loudspeaker manufacturers just in the U.S.  Back then, it was a "high profit margin" part of the audio business, I'm not sure if that's changed or not.

I suspect that most manufacturers either use "off the shelf" or "made to spec" drivers from other firms, and combine those with cabinets, crossover circuits, grills and other components they might make in house, from parts they also purchase from outside suppliers.

Automobile manufacturers have used this model for decades.

I wouldn't claim that a manufacturer who constructs all the components of a speaker is superior to one that does not, on those merits alone.
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