Japanese Audio

The low listening level comment is great. I hadn't thought about the need for larger speakers for lower listening levels. I'm curious if there are local companies that make high efficiency smaller speakers that would be  competitive with Cube or Devore or any of the dozens of companies that specialize in "smaller" high efficiency speakers? 

yes

small listening areas

legacy of better japanese brands stem from making the music sound beautiful 

listeners value refinement in sound over volume capability (the japanese value refinement in just about everything)

listeners listen to vocals chamber music jazz pop more than louder genres

+1, larryi & jjss49

Add Shindo and Audio Note to your esteem list of Japanese Audio. They all seems to share a common philosophy, “Enrich Life through Technology”. Music is soothing, exciting, exhilarating and Japanese designers have mastered the art of invoking emotions through their musical instruments (electronics).

Having worked and lived in Japan off and on over the last 25 years or so. To me it fits the culture... supremely considerate, conforming, traditional, and meticulous in iterative in pursuit of perfection. Crafting the essence of the music not slapping you in the face with slam and noise. I wish I could justify another audio system, I would love to put together a Shinto system.
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I am starting to feel like going back to Japan for a while. Just thinking about it relaxes me.

Most brands in audio are born out of necessity or solving particular problems.