A couple of new audio start up companies

JLM · « **on:** 8 Jan 2006, 12:52 pm »

These are one man shops, good guys that I know, have tons of intigerity, and aren't into blowing their own horns.

http://hawthorneaudio.com/index.html

Darrel and Diana Hawthorne live in Marshall Michigan and work together restoring the town's historic homes that Marshall is noted for. I've not heard his current speakers (but "need" to). The first couple of speaker he built were impressive. His open baffle Mini Solo and Duet use high quality parts at very agressive pricing.

http://www.vaughnaudio.com/

Eddie is a very witty Razorback and really knows his stuff. His Carina amp seems most promising.

Hogg · « **Reply #1 on:** 9 Jan 2006, 04:15 pm »

Interesting products. Have you heard them? If so, what is your opinion? Thanks.

Jim

JLM · « **Reply #2 on:** 10 Jan 2006, 12:00 am »

Jim,

I've heard open baffles that Darrel built using similarly sized coaxial driver before he went commercial with the Silver Iris drivers. They developed as much bass as I suppose you can expect from open baffles, were efficient (we were running 2 wpc in a 4,000 cu. ft. room), and offered incredibly flexible positioning options (for yucks he even tried them laying down on the floor firing straight up). Frankly open baffle is so simple, like Darrel states, that its really just a matter of finding the right drivers. So why pay more?

Although I've met Eddie Vaughn and exchanged a few posts, I've never heard one of his creations, but search the Decware Forum for his sage advice and the magic he has performed on other amps.

Darrel lives about a two hour drive away. Visiting him is definitely on my wish list.

BTW, hope I haven't offended anyone by posting this (here?).

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #3 on:** 10 Jan 2006, 01:00 am »

I do not know if specs tell all, but the prices for the open baffles, they are dirt cheap.

I have been seeing more and more of these coaxial drivers being used or being sold alone...how good are they, in contrast to other big shot brands as Tannoy or even PHY? If they do sound balanced and not tilted anywhere and are point source, I wonder why more of them are not being sold.

JLM · « **Reply #4 on:** 10 Jan 2006, 10:57 am »

IMO coaxial drivers (or active speakers for that matter) make too much sense for general audiophile acceptance. Somehow most have it in their heads that dedicated/separate components perform better or that they can match up components better than a manufacturer.