Japanese Audio

at least in the international scene, there are notably fewer well known tippy top japanese speakers compared to the many excellent top tier brands of electronics

yamaha sony pioneer all have had some well known speakers over time in various price categories, and of course audio note (japan and uk branches) have made some excellent high priced ones - but just not that many - dunno what buyers in the japan domestic market typically buy - i do know there is quite a large following in japan for british monitor speakers... these of course are revered and used by audiophiles world wide for many years

@boomerbillione, 
I do not doubt that Japanese music lovers desire authentic reproduction of indigenous music and instruments. Jazz is highly popular in Japan so I suspect that they also crave authentic reproduction of trumpets, saxophones, drum kits and piano as well 😊.

Charles

@todd_segal,
Given your observation, sounds as though conformity runs quite deep in the Japanese culture.
Charles

Thank you to everyone who has posted here, this is a wonderful thought provoking, insightful thread, so many great comments.

I built Onken speakers from info a friend directed me to and info I found on the net. Jean Hiraga who is mentioned above was the author for the articles I found. It surprised me that given the size of homes in Japan that the Onkens are so big. I used Altec 416-8A drivers and Altec 811 horns with Altec 806A drivers which are crossed at 800 hz using crossovers I built.

I use Audio Note Kit 300B mono block amps and their Mentor preamp.

A lot of what has been mentioned here applies to my system, great resolution at low levels, non fatiguing, wonderful sound that draws me back for more. 

I also have several SS systems that I also enjoy.

Again I find this a wonderful thread that many of the posters I have not seen post before.

The pursuit of perfection is why. Try living on an island for several thousand years. Not sure what happened to the Irish though.

As I see it they are the leaders in electronics.

Question is why are they seeming not as good in the speaker world? 

As I see it.