"JustMe" wrote in message
...
I believe the following speaker 'names' are now *owned* by the Chinese:

Wharfedale
Quad
Rogers
KEF
Celestion

Is this correct?

Also, I know they certainly manufacture various or all of the models in
the
various ranges, but does anybody know if they are actually designed in
China
now?

Also, does anyone know of any other 'names' (speakers or other equipment)
now in the hands of the Chinese? (Not just manufactured there - that's
almost everybody now, from what I can see....)

I believe that IAG (International Audio Group) own Wharfedale & Quad
together. They also now own Tag and all that comes with that. The owners
are
Chinese, the products are manufactured in China (excluding the Quads
Electrostatics which, I believe, are still built in the UK) but all the
design is carried out in the UK.

Kef and Celestion are under one roof (and have been for a few years) but I
don't know in whose hands they lie.

Don't know about Rogers.


Yes, Rogers are AFAIK....


Is this a crisis?


Not to me, I'm a big fan of Chinese audio gear - low on 'bull**** factor' if
nothing else.


Politically you may despair for the oppressed people of China and may
consider that they are being used as a cheap labour force by the West.


Absolutely not - I'm delighted for the Chinese.


You
may be concerned at a loss of jobs in the UK.


Nope.



But, in absolute hifi terms, I believe that the latest speakers from
Wharfedale and Quad (looking at the Quad "L" and the Wharfedale
"Evolution"
ranges) are outstanding value for money, are beautifully built and
finished
with incredible attention to detail, sound superb and outstrip the
competition at the price.


Tell me about it - I bought a pair of Wharfedale 8.2s just to try them out
for myself and they are quite stunning and have been in and out of use ever
since. My latest Chinese purchase is a valve amp for under £250 and it's
excellent - 'no-frills' EL34 that jumps pumps the music out without any fuss
whatsoever and sounds splendid on a pair of old DM2As.....



Of course that's just my subjective opinion, but they would cost a lot
more
to buy if manufactured in the UK and I don't believe that the QC would be
any better.


Agreed on both counts.