3 ms·

Question to HN community: How much would you really like to see a company that purposely doesn't focus on any of the "smart technology" BS, but just on deliveri

by neya 8y ago

Question to HN community: How much would you really like to see a company that purposely doesn't focus on any of the "smart technology" BS, but just on delivering pure, faithful audio. In other words, a "dumb" speaker company. Because, I think speaker is one of the few industries where you can still add layers of smartness to an existing "dumb" speaker box simply by just connecting it to such a device. With the gradual shift in strategies of companies like Bose and Sonos, to focus more on smart technologies, I think there is a void created which audio companies were originally known for - good, faithful audio without the buzz words. As a personal disclosure, I'm interested in this because building loudspeakers is my passion and I would be more than delighted to get my feet wet.

freddie_mercury 8y ago
I don't see any void. I see Dali, Q Acoustics, Fyne, KEF, Monitor Audio, ATC, Spendor, Acoustic Energy, Roth, Mission, Dynaudio, and Ruark. Every one of those companies had won at least one award for their speakers. The speaker market is so crowded I can't imagine how anyone could begin to say there is a void. Name the market void and I bet I can name 20 companies building exactly the speaker you want.
- neya 8y ago
  Good point. But, I still think some of those are high end, some of those specialize in pro-audio, some of them target audiophiles. What I mean is, someone for everyday use - JBL or Bose, minus the "smart" options. This company's strategy will not include any smartness, just focus on building good quality, good looking speakers. Say, someone like Sony (their bookshelf offerings are quite good), but without any long term plans to include smart assistants or something similar. If you still think it's a crowded space let me know, but nevertheless, it's good feedback.
  - wskinner 8y ago
    I have to agree with GP. As I write this, I am listening to a pair of JBL LSR305 desktop monitors, which are quite affordable and sound really excellent. Nothing fancy, just good quality speakers with integrated amps that I can plug into my computer / smartphone / iPod. There is nothing special about these particular speakers - there are other brands that make essentially the same thing for a similar price.
    - mirimir 8y ago
      So I'm still using a pair of JBL L96s that I bought used in the mid 80s. And they still sound great. I've replaced the bass speaker surrounds twice, I admit. And if I live long enough, I'll probably need to rebuild the crossovers. But hey.
    - SyneRyder 8y ago
      They are a bit fancy! The JBL LSR305s (and the JBL 305P MkII that I have) aren't just desktop speakers, but 5" nearfield studio monitors. Their nearest competitors are the Yamaha HS5 & KRK Rokit 5 G3, which are both common in recording studios. They're all designed to integrate and work with professional studio equipment, which smart speakers certainly aren't. Point is, for the price of just one HomePod, you can get a pair of studio quality speakers instead. And for the price of two/stereo HomePods, you could upgrade to a pair of Genelecs or Dynaudios or Adam monitors. (I have a couple of Google Home devices, but I've barely used them since I got my JBL 305s. I still use the Google Home sometimes for casting podcasts through the house, but not for music. I use my Pebble smartwatch for timers instead.)
  - freddie_mercury 8y ago
    JBL just launched a new (non smart) loudspeaker line at CES in January. Their Arena line was just launched in 2015. A new product line every three years seems like a pretty thriving business. JBL and Bose aren't really any cheaper than the other vendors I mentioned. And both of them have lots of non-smart speakers for sale. I'm guessing they are both big enough companies that they can do more than one thing at a time: release fancy smart speakers and dumb speakers. I guess I'm just always a bit dubious when people think the companies with market research, sales data, and customer interviews are getting it all wrong. Sure, that happens sometimes. But it happens so rarely that we're able to remember and cite the exception to the rule. My guess is that they release a lot more smart speakers because there is just more market growth there. Two years ago you sold some guy an AirPlay speaker and now you're selling the same guy an Alexa-enabled speaker. People normally aren't going to be upgrading their speakers every two years. Dumb speakers just don't advance in quality that fast.
alltakendamned 8y ago
For me not so much audio, but I'd be very interested in a proper dumb TV with a good sized modern panel.
- briandear 8y ago
  Definitely this! I only want the ability to connect an HDMI input and have super picture quality. I don’t need a WiFi “smart” TV. I don’t even want speakers. Basically a really nice monitor at 65”.
TheSpiceIsLife 8y ago
I just buy studio monitors and be done with it. Can speakers possibly sound any better than appropriately sized studio monitors plus maybe a sub?
- mirimir 8y ago
  And at least 100W clean power per channel :) Plus good filter, mixer, etc software.
- thesumofall 8y ago
  Emphasis on appropriately sized as near field monitors might be inadequate for a large room. However, there is anyway no rigid line between studio monitors and regular speakers. Plenty of hifi firms try to optimize for a true representation of the music. Hence, you might actually overpay because you pay for studio “extras” that you might not need at home (e.g., an extra solid build)

by neya 8y ago

freddie_mercury 8y ago

I don't see any void. I see Dali, Q Acoustics, Fyne, KEF, Monitor Audio, ATC, Spendor, Acoustic Energy, Roth, Mission, Dynaudio, and Ruark. Every one of those companies had won at least one award for their speakers. The speaker market is so crowded I can't imagine how anyone could begin to say there is a void. Name the market void and I bet I can name 20 companies building exactly the speaker you want.

neya 8y ago
Good point. But, I still think some of those are high end, some of those specialize in pro-audio, some of them target audiophiles. What I mean is, someone for everyday use - JBL or Bose, minus the "smart" options. This company's strategy will not include any smartness, just focus on building good quality, good looking speakers. Say, someone like Sony (their bookshelf offerings are quite good), but without any long term plans to include smart assistants or something similar. If you still think it's a crowded space let me know, but nevertheless, it's good feedback.
- wskinner 8y ago
  I have to agree with GP. As I write this, I am listening to a pair of JBL LSR305 desktop monitors, which are quite affordable and sound really excellent. Nothing fancy, just good quality speakers with integrated amps that I can plug into my computer / smartphone / iPod. There is nothing special about these particular speakers - there are other brands that make essentially the same thing for a similar price.
  - mirimir 8y ago
    So I'm still using a pair of JBL L96s that I bought used in the mid 80s. And they still sound great. I've replaced the bass speaker surrounds twice, I admit. And if I live long enough, I'll probably need to rebuild the crossovers. But hey.
  - SyneRyder 8y ago
    They are a bit fancy! The JBL LSR305s (and the JBL 305P MkII that I have) aren't just desktop speakers, but 5" nearfield studio monitors. Their nearest competitors are the Yamaha HS5 & KRK Rokit 5 G3, which are both common in recording studios. They're all designed to integrate and work with professional studio equipment, which smart speakers certainly aren't. Point is, for the price of just one HomePod, you can get a pair of studio quality speakers instead. And for the price of two/stereo HomePods, you could upgrade to a pair of Genelecs or Dynaudios or Adam monitors. (I have a couple of Google Home devices, but I've barely used them since I got my JBL 305s. I still use the Google Home sometimes for casting podcasts through the house, but not for music. I use my Pebble smartwatch for timers instead.)
- freddie_mercury 8y ago
  JBL just launched a new (non smart) loudspeaker line at CES in January. Their Arena line was just launched in 2015. A new product line every three years seems like a pretty thriving business. JBL and Bose aren't really any cheaper than the other vendors I mentioned. And both of them have lots of non-smart speakers for sale. I'm guessing they are both big enough companies that they can do more than one thing at a time: release fancy smart speakers and dumb speakers. I guess I'm just always a bit dubious when people think the companies with market research, sales data, and customer interviews are getting it all wrong. Sure, that happens sometimes. But it happens so rarely that we're able to remember and cite the exception to the rule. My guess is that they release a lot more smart speakers because there is just more market growth there. Two years ago you sold some guy an AirPlay speaker and now you're selling the same guy an Alexa-enabled speaker. People normally aren't going to be upgrading their speakers every two years. Dumb speakers just don't advance in quality that fast.

alltakendamned 8y ago

For me not so much audio, but I'd be very interested in a proper dumb TV with a good sized modern panel.

briandear 8y ago
Definitely this! I only want the ability to connect an HDMI input and have super picture quality. I don’t need a WiFi “smart” TV. I don’t even want speakers. Basically a really nice monitor at 65”.

TheSpiceIsLife 8y ago

I just buy studio monitors and be done with it. Can speakers possibly sound any better than appropriately sized studio monitors plus maybe a sub?

mirimir 8y ago
And at least 100W clean power per channel :) Plus good filter, mixer, etc software.
thesumofall 8y ago
Emphasis on appropriately sized as near field monitors might be inadequate for a large room. However, there is anyway no rigid line between studio monitors and regular speakers. Plenty of hifi firms try to optimize for a true representation of the music. Hence, you might actually overpay because you pay for studio “extras” that you might not need at home (e.g., an extra solid build)