speakerpeeper2 posts01-27-2018 11:47amI vote for a pair of speakers hand crafted by Fritz Heiler. Why pay to support a large company's glitz and overhead when you could be using your purchasing power to get the same top of the line drivers used in the "big box" speakers, superior series crossovers, and hand made, expertly veneered cabinets for much less? Fritz is a one man army. He built me a custom pair with the same configuration as his Rev 7 model but with the 4 ohm 7" Scanspeak Revelator mid-bass driver instead of the 8 ohm, which adds more robust bass and quicker overall response. The teakwood boxes are flawless and look amazing. Fritz takes a personal interest in each customer and will help you choose the best model for your system. Check out the many reviews available online, most of which are linked to on his website.
I haven't heard any of his speakers, but I hear folks say 'why support a large company' all the time. What is large to you? Most audio only companies are not large by any means. This is such a cottage industry so most companies never get that large. What you will get with a company that isn't under 5 people is more stability when you need help in the future. Many have been burned by companies that are 'small'. What a company does have if they produce enough is economy of scale. They also have much better R&D and most often can produce a better product as the same cost. I have purchased a lot of stuff from a one person company and will continue to do so, but I purchase with some risk also.
I've yet to hear any of the speakers that are one to three man shops sound better than a great pair of Vandersteen's. Not taking anything away from Fritz's speakers as I haven't heard them that I know of. I just don't feel that he is giving you better sound because he's a one man shop. Also, you mention personal interest with customers, you have a shop where you can audition speakers adn they take a personal interest for sure and love building life long relationships. Most companies I purchase from also will let you get in touch and care when you have questions your dealer can't help with. Heck, Richard Vandersteen even has a board on his site where he personally answers the questions and if you call there, you can most often get in touch with him. Lot's of great companies out here.