REL is dead. Long live REL

So it will be like buying a RCA, Quasar, Sylvania or GE Television. Just a mass produced clone dressed up to look like the original on the outside.

Sumiko's integrity is not at issue. It is a simple case of marketing. They bought REL and are now starting to sell subwoofers that Richard Lord had nothing to do with. Those who were fans of Mr. Lord are not likely to buy a new model just because of the lettering on the case.

Why not call them Sumiko subwoofers? Because the REL name sells.

They basically bought a brand name as market tool. The same as my TV example. At one time a lot of older American's would not buy a Japanese or Korean TV. They wanted the same brand like Zenith, etc, they always bought. So the asian companies bought up the American names and put those names on their sets. It worked like a charm.

No sooner did Mark Levinson sell out to Harmon International and Mark Levinson branded car stereo suddenly appeared in Lexus automobiles. Probably just a Harmon Kardon car stereo with a fancy name to fit the Lexus high class image.

I don't mean to say there is anything wrong with it per se. Sumiko has a fine reputation. No one would accuse Panasonic of making junk. But all the same, they were the biggest buyer of US nameplates for re-branding (Quasar and Magnavox just to name two). Hitachi bought a few names also.

Julian Richer bought Cambridge Audio and moved production to China. It is still really good gear for the price. Same for Audio Refinement, which is YBA designed gear but made in China. I am sure the quality of those subwoofers will be good. But if Sumiko designed it, then it is not a real REL.

A couple of the Project and Music Hall turntables are the same turntable out of the same factory in eastern europe, with just a few minor changes. Check out the Project Debut and the Music Hall MMF-2. The Project US distributor is also Sumiko BTW