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The proverbial "giant killer"

As I research a new pair of speakers, I was intrigued to read about loudspeakers from companies like Triangle (France) and Swans (China). These companies seem to be offering exceptional technology at fair prices. They all manufacture their own drivers, so they are not buying standard, third-party production units and installing them in furniture grade cabinets. I’m beginning to think there are some practical explanations for their ability to offer what might be considered high-end products at a reasonable cost, one of which has a big impact; namely economies of scale.

I work for a high-end manufacturer of PC components, so amortization of costs based on production forecasts is not new to me. I also have a custom cabinetmaker as a neighbor, so I have a good idea what it would cost to construct a nice, well braced, furniture grade cabinet. I believe a big part of the reason that a small floor-standing, 2-way speaker would cost $20K is that there is a tremendous amount of research and development expenses being amortized into a very low forecast of sales. As sales volumes rise, the price of the system falls. A company like Swans, on the other hand, with massive manufacturing and sales capacity, could offer similar technology for 1/10th the price.

The reason I raise this point is that I’m curious about companies like Triangle and Swans…..Swans, for example, seems to offer “high end” products, and they even manufacture their own drivers, but their economies of scale evidently allow them to offer products at very, very competitive prices. I read where someone actually dissected a pair of Swans Diva 6.1 speakers clad in genuine rosewood, and found the parts quality (driver, crossover, cabinet construction, etc.) to be as good as the typical $20K system. Are these products overlooked by audiophiles because of their origin? Is it their low prices?

My question is, are speakers from the likes of Swans and Triangle truly “giant killer” products that are being overlooked by audiophiles for unjustified reasons?
seadweller
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sogood51
2,157 posts
 
One answer...have a listen. If (you) think that, "that" speaker system has the sound you are looking for....buy it.

This ain't rocket science, or..."economies of scale". It's about design and implementation. Once you get it home...say "hello room"....I hope we can work together.

My system is made up of mostly older components, however...each component was chosen "by me"... and is very close to what, I as a listener want "that" component to contribute in sound quality, ie...low freq's...mid freq's...hi freq's.

There is no "The proverbial "giant killer"....if it sounds good...it is good.

Dave
boa2's avatar
boa2
1,551 posts
 
Giant Killers are actually Giants purchased used.
Bingo. A bargain, as it were.
gdoodle
113 posts
 
I have no comments about this particular company but in general I continue to hear a number of problems with piracy and stealing of intellectual property when dealing with chinese electronics makers. I spoke to the head of a well known speaker maker at a recent industry event who related the story of how a MAJOR speaker maker outsourced production to china. audits revealed that tens of thousands of units were being billed to the US speaker manufacturer but were actually being sold out the back door to the chinese market - local factory pocketing all proceeds. Then the factory trademarked the US makers name in china and continues to sell those speakers in china under the US name - having paid nothing for R+D or licensing or all the other US costs such as retirement/benefits, etc.

Then you have a company like APEX (low end chinese stereos) which was charged with never paying licensing fees for technologies used in its products.

So in addition to a wage differential, I beleive china is not always competing on a level playing field - if they do not recognize the validity of US intellectual property law, trademarks, patents, etc.

I've recently bought a few chinese items and have been happy with them. but there is one item in which the licensing of the technology is in dispute and this troubles me. I do not want to steal from hardworking americans (or anyone for that matter.)
jeff_jones
418 posts
 
When you consider how quickly you get into diminishing gains in this hobby, and when you figure out that satisfaction is typically much more about personal preference than any other factor, giant killers become more abundant than actual giants. It is a long road though to really understanding what you want in the long haul, and you've got to get past the psychological things that push you to associate cost with quality or care what someone else thinks when they ask about your system.
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