[bfs21]

Plenty of folks here will be far more capable of commenting on this issue than me, so I'll pose the question and step back for any comments.

An industry professional I know (great guy, reliable) recently told me that the BG patents for the Neo-8 and Neo-10 drivers, subsequently acquired by Christie Digital Systems, are set to expire in September of next year. 

Moreover a Gemini AI search (often not great) suggests that expiration has already happened: "USPTO records indicate this has already lapsed early/expired due to non-payment of maintenance fees or standard lifetime rules." Take that for whatever it's worth.

If the IP were to revert to the public domain, would that potentially pave the way for the return of the Line Force and/or Super 7 models? Obviously GR or another company would have to start producing some version of the drivers, and etc.

Nevertheless it's my impression that both the drivers and these two models were popular and well-loved.

Any future here?

[Phil A]

Don't know about the future but essentially from searches I've done (e.g. https://www.google.com/search?q=bg+neo+8+patent+expiration+date&rlz=1C1HKFL_enUS1204US1204&oq=bg+neo+8+patent+&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgBECEYoAEyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigATIHCAMQIRigATIHCAQQIRigATIHCAUQIRigATIHCAYQIRirAjIHCAcQIRirAjIHCAgQIRiPAjIHCAkQIRiPAtIBCjEwMjYxajBqMTWoAgiwAgHxBbyWRs-Af7dL8QW8lkbPgH-3Sw&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8) you are in the ballpark with the facts.

I certainly think it may be worth it for some companies to explore the idea.  I'm all for it.  In my upstairs bonus room (basically a guest bedroom), I have a pair of N-3s up there (and some info about the model is here - https://www.google.com/search?q=gr+research+n-3+speaker+review&rlz=1C1HKFL_enUS1204US1204&oq=gr+research+n-3+spea&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgCECEYoAEyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigATIHCAMQIRigATIHCAQQIRiPAjIHCAUQIRiPAtIBCjE0MDg4ajBqMTWoAgiwAgHxBSzXBwYefa2R&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

A couple of times a year I'll do search (e.g. via hifishark) for the matching center which was made for the N-3.  I have in a spare downstairs home theater a pair of old B&W P-6s (about 29 years old - original owner) and while I also don't use that system tons, I sometimes think about it. 

The only potential caveat is what would be the cost to make them today (I'm sure it is a decent amout more than what they were before Christie Digital bought them).

[Phil A]

Maybe with the release of film "Disclosure Day," we can hope that aliens will help us?

[tull skull]

Maybe with the release of film "Disclosure Day," we can hope that aliens will help us?

Isn't that how Danny looks after he reads about that guy over at ASR has tested another power cord without plugging it in?

[HAL]

The Radian Audio LM10n, LT2.2 and LT3.2 planars are very interesting replacements for the BG planars. 

They are not drop in replacements, but very close to the same sizes.  Same planar designer as the BG's.

[Phil A]

Isn't that how Danny looks after he reads about that guy over at ASR has tested another power cord without plugging it in?

You might be right but I though that the below pic was what he posted about that stuff?

[BrandonB]

Isn't that how Danny looks after he reads about that guy over at ASR has tested another power cord without plugging it in?

Danny has a moon tan!

[nlitworld]

I would still love to try a set of Super Mini. If these ever become available again, I'm down. Just can't really justify the used market price for a good set of Neo10.

[mkrawcz]

I would still love to try a set of Super Mini. If these ever become available again, I'm down. Just can't really justify the used market price for a good set of Neo10.

Captainhemo is planning to update the Supermini cabinet to better fit the Radian LM10n driver. I’m sure if enough folks are interested, he can do a run. Danny already has a crossover design for it that he did for me. If you already have servo subs, it’s not too much $ to get into it using the subs to crossover. Not ideal, but it’s still a nice setup.

[nlitworld]

Captainhemo is planning to update the Supermini cabinet to better fit the Radian LM10n driver. I’m sure if enough folks are interested, he can do a run. Danny already has a crossover design for it that he did for me. If you already have servo subs, it’s not too much $ to get into it using the subs to crossover. Not ideal, but it’s still a nice setup.

Yep, my Studios are sitting on a pair of F8 Rythmik subs already. Maybe that'd be a Christmas present to myself if some baffles do get produced.

[YEEEEGZ]

Captainhemo is planning to update the Supermini cabinet to better fit the Radian LM10n driver. I’m sure if enough folks are interested, he can do a run. Danny already has a crossover design for it that he did for me. If you already have servo subs, it’s not too much $ to get into it using the subs to crossover. Not ideal, but it’s still a nice setup.

I would def be interested in building them if the flatpack and crossover are available to purchase. I have been looking at your thread for a while and am more than curious! 

[Danny Richie]

The patient issues are non-relevant. They've been out for a while.

If I were to re-launch any of that I would use the Radian LM-10. It is a better all round driver. However, it is a lot more expensive. Last I checked, my cost was about $300 a driver, but I heard that the price was about to go up.

From my experience with doing really high level DIY kits like that is that very few customers want to spend that kind of money to build a kit. People in those price ranges want fully assembled speakers at those price points.

I have also learned not to invest a lot of time and money into something that I have no control over. If the drivers suddenly become unobtainable then a lot of design work and expense is gone before any real return is made. 

[YEEEEGZ]

However, it is a lot more expensive. Last I checked, my cost was about $300 a driver, but I heard that the price was about to go up.

That's true. Every time I look at the page for them they're more expensive than they were before.

Christ, I still wanna build them though. Lord help me.