Beyond Boutique Speakers

Defining "boutique" is like defining "craft" in many other industries. Given the nature of the products, they all have to be produced using "hand-crafted" methods. Most companies aren’t public so unless you get a D&B on them, sales are unclear.

I like the idea of "having a personal relationship with your speaker maker" as a defining characteristic.

Incidentally, by any measure I am pretty sure my company fits (not sure if that is good or bad) so please add Verdant Audio to your list.

verdantaudio.com

Tyler Acoustics has many great reviews by owners but very little mention, and by that I mean no mention,  by the big hitter reviewers. He uses Seas drivers and his cabinets look great. I guess I’m going to have to drive to Kentucky and give them a listen!

I don't believe Louis Chochos of Omega Speaker Systems has ever had a dedicated review in Stereophile.  And, as far as I know, he pretty much continues to build every pair himself to order, although he may well have some part-time help now.  Seems to me the very definition of a boutique/craft operation.

https://omegaloudspeakers.com/

The definition of "boutique" implies a small, exclusive business that specializes on their specific product or style of products and that offers customized service.  Any small business specializing in making speakers should meet the definition of "boutique" but few of those would get many (if any) reviews in publications such as Stereophile.  However, I suspect there is latitude with respect to the definition of "small."

Other related terms we sometimes hear are "bespoke" which means the product is custom-made for the buyer, artisanal which implies a distinctive product made by an "artisan," typically in small quantities, and usually by hand crafting and/or by using traditional methods, and "craftsman" which is a person who is skilled in a particular craft.  In our hi-fi world, it is not uncommon for boutique businesses to be run by an artisan who makes bespoke products for their clients/buyers. 

PTA doesn’t count! I originally said Stereophile, but maybe I should have said "has to have a paper magazine."

This way we exclude anything fully reviewed in What and HiFi+ as well to keep those naughty EU /Brits out.

But look gang, this is meant to be a fun survey of really small makers. Like, smaller than Joseph Audio. So small they are practically direct only.  I don't want to play police here.  If you put in a link to a Joseph Audio size brand, sure put it in and lets move on.

It's also not meant to be a discussion about any one brand, more of a listing.  If you want to be a fanboy (and who doesn't?) Of a big brand from The Netherlands, nothing stops you from putting out your own thread.