Townshend Springs under Speakers

I was a little surprised that MC publicly announced my intention to build speakers in the US, in such a manner, a model as yet not designed.

However it is true, that is my intention for the future.
I had never told MC that he was not to mention it, there was no pledge of secrecy, I did not consider a conflict of interest though. As the speakers I currently own, that I built myself, are made of materials that are no longer available, it didn't occur to me to be an issue??

New Zealand company Laminex no longer produces HD3, which is 1.6 times denser than HDF board. Many already know I am trying to find a replacement material much like Panzerholz, and have had help by some Agon members in tracking down good materials for a highly inert enclosure structure.

@three_easy_payments - I cannot deny your sentiments, however, as those particular products have largely provided such good results (not for everyone) for most. I would hope that flaming a good product from a good manufacturer for personal clashes could be shelved?

Despite personal grievances some may have with MC, if indeed there is merit in the talk of MC being a dealer for them? I would hope a quality product should be allowed to flourish that provides benefits to other members of this forum.

@tobes and @rix  I agree with much of what you both said.  A couple of points:

1) I like the Townshend Seismic pods that I bought last year.  I think they perform well and are priced fairly.  In no way have I ever flamed their products but I do know that others have and shouldn't do so if the basis is simply a personal grievance with MC.  

2) While I suspect MC didn't necessarily know or even contemplate a year ago he was going to become a dealer he certainly did know at some point days, weeks, months ago - at which point he should have disclosed this fact amidst all the product gushing.  In my view, once he knew he was becoming a dealer he should have made that ethical disclosure.  I suspect every other dealer of products on this forum would agree.

@rix 

I was a little surprised that MC publicly announced my intention to build speakers in the US, in such a manner, a model as yet not designed.

It was retaliation for providing your honest impressions of what MC's system and speakers sounded like during your visit.  I wasn't surprised.

I mean it’s hard to believe MC was courting this arrangement from his first Townshend post. It would hardly be the first time enthusiasm for a product led to product representation.
I realise how it looks, but is that unethical?

As it applies to Townshend Pods and Townshend Podiums, no.

However, consider Townshend products that followed the pods and podiums and received positive commentary from him: Townshend Audio F1 Fractal Speaker Cables, Townshend F1 interconnects, Townshend Super tweeters.

Seemed at the time like a lot of expensive gear being acquired by someone who espouses low hanging fruit, and bang-for-the-buck products like Tekton Moab and Raven Blackhawk.

Now, it makes more sense.

I agree with Tvad’s comments. Also, we really don’t know when MC started down the road of being a dealer. Being enthusiastic about a product and later working for that same company is really not an issue. It makes sense actually. Being passionate about the quality of a product line is an important part of selling it. The only question that remains is when did he start the process of going from happy customer to rep. Yes, MC detractors will suggest it happened on his first purchase, but that is highly unlikely.