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where are all the posts/reviews about Prana, Philharmonic and others?

Unlike a certain relatively inexpensive brand of speaker, other highly-regarded manufacturers hardly get a mention on the 'gon.  Prana and Philharmonic come to mind.  Also, Selah, Salk, even Daedalus. I'm sure you can think of others. What gives?
128x128twoleftears
7 responses Add your response
kdude66
1,200 posts
 
I could add another brand to your list,if you don’t mind,and that would be Vaughn Loudspeakers especially models with the Dukane plasma tweeter.

I have Jim Jordan’s speakers at the top of my list to inquire about and possibly seek a demo from his system.This will have to wait a little while because Jim has retired from his main Gig and is presently moving.

I would enjoy anybody’s thoughts on these speakers that owns them or has heard them.

Salk is another very fine speaker manufacturer but all of Jim’s offerings are to similar to what I already have,and I’m looking for something different and unique for my 3rd set.

I’m glad you started this thread,
Kenny.
seanheis1
624 posts
 
Those companies that you mention aren't really brands or manufactures. Half of them stuff drivers into Dayton boxes from Parts Express and most if not all of them buy off the shelf woofers and tweeters from Parts Express types of places. 

That doesn't mean that they aren't voiced nicely and the upper lines have nice custom cabinets and finishes. These types of small companies are popular on the audiocircle forums, as they offer excellent value and personal service from the designers. 

Tekton and Zu separated from the pack by doing something different and promoting the hell out of themselves, which includes being at industry events. 
tutetibiimperes
202 posts
 
Salk shows up at events, they had three sets of speakers at AXPONA.  Daedalus was in at least two rooms.  Prana was in one.  Dennis Murphy who runs Philharmonic has been at Capital Audio Fest and some of the other shows in the past, but he's essentially a one-man operation and it's a lot of work to prepare for a big show.  

Dennis uses Parts Express cabinets for some of his speakers, and off-the-shelf drivers, but designs his own crossovers, which is what he's really known for (he's developed them for many of Salk's speakers as well) and does offer custom cabinets for those who want to pay the difference. 

Some of the Parts Express cabinets are well-built and well-finished, so I don't fault a company for using them, especially if it allows for a lower cost for the buyer or more money to go into quality drivers and crossover components.  

Salk's Song3As at Axpona paired up with Schitt electronics sounded incredible, one of the best sounding rooms at the show when value is included in the equation.  
jperry
2,448 posts
 
@twoleftears,

You should write a review if you own one of these speakers. I would like to hear about them too.

Best Regards,

Jim Perry
seanheis1
624 posts
 
Dennis uses Parts Express cabinets for some of his speakers, and off-the-shelf drivers, but designs his own crossovers, which is what he’s really known for (he’s developed them for many of Salk’s speakers as well) and does offer custom cabinets for those who want to pay the difference.
Dennis offers incredible value, even uncompromising with some of his driver selections. He probably hopes that more people don’t buy his speakers. Why buy a nice kit speaker when you can have something nicer for less?

Salk, Selah, Fritz, etc use very nice quality drivers and they are rightfully proud of this and advertise this on their better offerings.

In contrast, there are other small shops (and even larger) who pretend that their drivers are custom, as they don’t want you to do the math on their driver to cost ratio. These types of shops often times will use higher value drivers and spend money differentiating their product in other ways.
facten
2,878 posts
 
seanheis1

Daedalus is in fact a company/brand built by Lou Hinckley with outstanding craftsmanship

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O13gJXZJfSg&feature=youtu.be
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears OP
5,318 posts
 

@seanheis1 Have you looked at the cabinets manufactured by Daedalus and Salk?  Dayton cabinets--yeah right?  The Philharmonic 3 cabinet.  Off the shelf--clearly!

Vaughn, and I'm going to add Chapman Audio.  Plenty others.

I'm trying to get at a bigger issue here.  Are the different audio fora characterized by users who prefer a limited range of speakers over others.  Visiting ACircle and then Agon suggests two very different transducer worlds out there.

Or let's try this.  What's the most recommended brand on the 'gon.  My unscientific vote goes to Vandersteen. Runner-ups, in no particular order: Revel, B&W, Focal, Harbeth, Monitor Audio, and others I'm not thinking of right now...

I'm trying to list some of the most overlooked.

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