Townshend Springs under Speakers

@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.

@tvad,
"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."

Agree. If this is a in fact a business endeavor I hope it works out for him.
People do however appreciate upfront disclosure and clarity of motive when repeatedly praising specific products.
Charles