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Bronze Member Username: PetergalbraithRimouski, Quebec Canada Post Number: 89 Registered: Feb-04 | [3 times is the charm. This time I hope I get a good title. Sorry about that!] Does anyone know about these Bic Acoustech speakers: http://www.rtrspeakers.com/banner.htm They are Klipsch lookalikes that I think sell at Costco as a bundle for half the MSRP (at least in the US). Something is a bit fishy. The web site lists quotes from "Rave Reviews and Critical Acclaim" but all the quotes are from one review: http://www.audaud.com/audaud/MAR04/component/comp1.html The author of the review, Calvin Harding Jr., appears to have written a handful of game and movie reviews (see http://www.clarksynthesis.com/home-reviews.php) but not much else if anything in the arena of speaker reviews. The review itself compares the Acoustech speakers to Klipsch Synergy and Klipsch Reference speakers. He finds faults (that we wouldn't tolerate in speakers) with the Klipsch such as "bass was severely lacking" in the Klipsch RF-3II and "boomy and muddy" bass in the Synergy SF-1. But, as if to make us feels he's a good guy, likes them anyway: "The lack of bass problem notwithstanding, the Reference series speakers have exceptional dynamic range." and "Despite its overemphasized bass, the Synergy line of speakers demonstrated very good dynamic range." Of course he loves the Acoustech speakers in comparison. One difference between Klipsch and Acoustech speakers is size and weight; the Klipsch having bigger volume and much more weight to them. Yet the reviewer makes it seem like this is a bad thing. He says this about the Acoustech: "The entire Acoustech line, including the H100 subwoofer, is visually stunning. The main channel towers are streamlined (a space-friendly, 8" cabinet depth) and elegant." and then about the Klipsch: "The Klipsch Synergy line of speakers is average in appearance. [...] The Synergy main channel towers might be a little taxing (13.75" cabinet depth) for those with limited room space." and "The Klipsch RF-3II cabinets are rather bulky with a considerable 16.2" cabinet depth.? It's a strange review, reassuring to neophites wondering about the Acoustech, but puzzling to me. I might have been tempted to try their center speaker if it were available in Canada because I need a high efficiency speaker to match my Klipsch mains, but this leaves a funny taste in my mouth. It's the only review available for that product (that I could find anyway), it's heavily referenced by the manufacturer, yet it's the only speaker review ever written by that reviewer. What do you guys think? |
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Silver Member Username: BilldashillPost Number: 127 Registered: Dec-03 | Chinese knock-offs maybe. Are you sure it's the same BIC America. Perhaps a Chinese company bought them out recently. I would think Klipsch et al are not too happy about the very similar styling. I wouldn't touch them unless I got them at Costco and could return them with no problems. Which Costco sell them? |
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Bronze Member Username: PetergalbraithRimouski, Quebec Canada Post Number: 90 Registered: Feb-04 | I found this link which is encouraging about them: http://forums.audioreview.com/showthread.php?t=3016&page=1 Seems the sub might be a Hsu! I'm puzzled... |
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Silver Member Username: MyrantzPost Number: 704 Registered: Aug-04 | "Something is a bit fishy. " If it feels fishy, looks fishy and smells fishy, it's probably a fish. What you're after is a speaker. Remember, looks mean little compared to getting the sound that pleases you. IMO, it's best to deal with known reputable traders with a return/ exchange policy if possible. |
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Bronze Member Username: PetergalbraithRimouski, Quebec Canada Post Number: 91 Registered: Feb-04 | Jeff, yes it's the same Bic. Visit www.bicamerica.com and find the Acoustech info and link at the bottom of the page. I don't know which Costco would have them; I'm in canada anyway. |
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Silver Member Username: BilldashillPost Number: 128 Registered: Dec-03 | The reviewer posted even had the cahones to compare them "more favorably" to the real Klipschs. I hope no die hard Klipsch fans sees this thread or all hell will break lose! Whos gonna be the one to buy them and report back to us? Not me. Still smells fishy. |
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Unregistered guest | I actually sell both the Klipsch and Acoustech lines. As for specs, the Acoustech speakers are better than the comparable Klipsch. Add in the price difference and the choice becomes rather obvious. In addition, BIC has used HSU for design work on a # of current models. HSU speakers get some of the best reviews in the market today. As for the Klipsch die hards, most of their speakers are no longer made in the USA. The majority are made in China by the same OEM mfrs that make speakers for many other companies. Made In China is on almost every Klipsch speaker today. Need More Proof? Visit this website: http://www.kscind.com/ This company produces a majority of the Klipsch speakers today. Again, combine performance and price the Acoustech is the choice in this price range. |
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Silver Member Username: Rh1Post Number: 317 Registered: Jun-04 | Peter...have you tried the Wharfedale Diamond 8.3s, seems these speakers you mention are $399 a pair. I paid $350 for my diamonds and they are stellar perfomers. Check out What Hi-Fi magazine or do a google search for reviews |
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Silver Member Username: PetergalbraithRimouski, Quebec Canada Post Number: 138 Registered: Feb-04 | Mike, I don't see products ressembling Klipsch on www.kscind.com so I'm not sure that qualifies as proof. Since you sell the Acoustech line over at http://acousticsounddesign.com I'll take your comparison to Klipsch with a grain of salt. Your Klipsch prices are higher than other e-sites so I assume you stand to sell more and make more from the Acoustech line. You also link to the same one and only review. Has anyone else reviewed these speakers? they have been out for a while now... |
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Critical Bill Unregistered guest | Mike, I am curious. Your site is selling the acoustech set for $1199. I've heard that people are buying the complete set at Costco for $699. How are planning on selling against that discount? Critical Bill |
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Silver Member Username: PetergalbraithRimouski, Quebec Canada Post Number: 142 Registered: Feb-04 | Critical Bill, It's possible that they are no longer in Costco. That was reported last spring or so. I do agree that $1199 seems excessive when it sold for nearly half that price! Call Bic if you are interested. As for myself, I think I'd rather buy Klipsch used than Acoustech new. |
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JL@ark.com Unregistered guest | That's false, all Klipsch speakers are made in Hope, Arkansas. They make them at their own factory, no over-seas help is involved. All have Hope, Arkansas USA on them. |
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JL@ark.com Unregistered guest | That's false, all Klipsch speakers are made in Hope, Arkansas. They make them at their own factory, no over-seas help is involved. All have Hope, Arkansas USA on them. |
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ming@sfdbl12.com Unregistered guest | No way is Acoustech better than Klipsch. The Acoustech is cheaper made. I got my complete set at Costco for only $600.00 but compare it to our Klipsch RF-5 quality. I was disappointed. Better sound, no way. The Klipsch RF-5 blow away the cheaper Acoustech speakers. Drivers are not even same. The Klipsch is much much better for music. The Acoustech are ok. but no not better than Klipsch RF line. I not sure about Klipsch snergy line because I never try that one but I doubt it even better than that. I very suspious of that review, it not sound accurate. |
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Klipsch Guy Unregistered guest | The Klipsch Reference line is made in Hope, Arkansas and available in stores now. The Klipsch Heritage line is made in Hope, Arkansas by only two guys there that still build them, so the Heritage line takes about 16 weeks to get it after order. The Klipsch Synergy line is made in China. |
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Klipsch Guy Unregistered guest | The Klipsch Reference line is made in Hope, Arkansas and available in stores now. The Klipsch Heritage line is made in Hope, Arkansas by only two guys there that still build them, so the Heritage line takes about 16 weeks to get it after order. The Klipsch Synergy line is made in China. |
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Reference Series Unregistered guest | All the reviews I've read are from 0 credible sources. Loud does not equate to quality. Comparing these to Klipsch is like comparing JVC to Definitive Technologies. Sure I like my JVC bookshelf system and it will "thump", but there is a reason they are selling these in a department store next to the blenders. |