[spence]

Is it possible to get a weekly update of some kind to keep us informed about the progress of the company? It seems like things go dead here for long periods of time with relatively few updates. Something basic that would keep us at bay while we wait would be fine. It wouldn't have to be a thread where we all start asking them questions and want them to reply, as that would be hard for SP to keep up with and would take time away from building our speakers. Just a weekly "statement" from the company to let us know how things are going. I dunno, maybe it's a bad idea, but I'm getting bored.

[Aether Audio]

spence,

We're still in business and busy building speakers.

-Bob

[spence]

Well, I guess that says it all, but could you be a bit more detailed or do I have to wait untill next week's statement???!!!

[konut]

spence,

We're still in business and busy building speakers.

-Bob

LOL! Good one! I have been loathe to call or email for fear of interrupting. The last time I talked with you (early December?), I was given an estimate of delivery of late Jan. Well, that has come and gone. Don't get me wrong, I'm not upset. Would just like to get a general idea of when to expect delivery. Although I am curious as to how many Minis were ordered at the intro price, I realise that info might not be available for public consumption. How about this: % of Minis delivered, % "in process", % remaining to be started.  As I think I am one of the last, if not THE last, to get in on the special, this would give us a general idea as to where we stand. Waddiya think?

[Wind Chaser]

How about a manifest so everyone can see where they are in cue?  It would answer a lot of questions and take very little maintenance to keep it up to date.

[Goosepond]

Well, my deposit bought me one TP mini and I'm figuring Bob's going to have it ready soon. 

Gene

[Aether Audio]

Guys,

Those are some good ideas but a bit difficult to implement.  We have other customers that don't frequent AC so it's hard to communicate it all.  Instead, we prefer to deal with each customer independently via phone or e-mail.  A public posting could be misleading and on my end, pretty time consuming to sort out.  Besides, we do have competition you know and it's not our intent to advertise just how much business we really have.  Better to keep them guessing. You may not realize it but there are a number of other manufacturers that poke their noses in here from time to time.  Usually they aren't logged into the server so as to remain anonymous.

Spence, as far as your TPs go, Bill Baker just sent me an e-mail regarding the time table and I responded yesterday.  I had assumed he passed the info on but I guess not.  For everyone else, just drop me an e-mail and I'll give you an update.

On another note, we've had speakers go out recently that no postings have been made about here.  For one reason or another these folks aren't either into or ready at this time to share anything.  Oh... one enclosure just came back because apparently UPS did their number on it, so I have to fix it and send it back to the owner.  That gentleman may post once he has a chance to actually hear a stereo pair.

Obviously, if you buy a pair of speakers there are no "strings" attached such that you are obligated to post.  In that, we certainly don't ever expect it or bug people about it.  That being the case, you guys may be under the perception that no speakers are being delivered.  Since everyone is entitled to privacy, we never share publicly who our customers are.  Unless they post publicly themselves, you would never know.  Sorry, but I believe it unethical to share names and I'm not going to share sales information regarding quantities either.

So... the direct contact method is all we're going to offer at the present time.  I have posted pics of part "batches" in the past but as far as anybody knows, that's just one batch.  That may be the "only" batch or it may not.  Certain other entities have no business knowing one way or the other and cannot tell by looking at a picture.  That's the way we want to keep it.

I'm sure you guys understand where we're coming from.  Just drop me a line and I'll get back to you ASAP.  Thanks for understanding and...

Take care,
-Bob

[Aether Audio]

Guys,

I will add this.  February is designated "catch up" month.  Now that Tim has completely taken over Mini enclosure assembly and finishing (at an off-site location), we are freed up to work here on all of the other orders that pertain to other models.  We have new orders coming in from Europe such that if we don't catch up soon, we never will and we'll be sunk.  So... things are now accelerating much more quickly.

As a side note about "waiting," you all do know that to this day I have never owned a pair of my own speakers...don't you?  That's because every pair is bought and paid for and must be completed before anything else is built that doesn't bring in money - i.e., a pair for Bob.  Since the day that we have actually "caught up" has never arrived, Bob still has never owned a pair of his own speakers.  I figure if irony plays out just right, I'll go to my grave never having owned a pair.  Screw me...that would be "poetically" perfect - don't you think?

Have a nice day all!
-Bob

[BrianM]

Well, then what speakers are you using at home in lieu of SP Tech?

[Aether Audio]

BrianM,

Well, then what speakers are you using at home in lieu of SP Tech?

 

The joke's on you.  I don't have a stereo at home.  I have a nice little TEAC type jambox thingy that has a built-in radio and plays CDs.  What equipment I did have years ago has either died or is being used in my analysis set up.  Essentially, that's nothing more than a couple of Crown amps.  In fact, even if I had a decent stereo I have no place to put it as my house is torn apart for remodeling - has been for at least 3 years now.

It's a long story but the bottom line is that I started the remodeling job on this old "fixer upper" as a way to generate some lost equity that found it's way into the ex-wife's pocket.  Well, I no more than started than..."yippee!"  "The opportunity of lifetime" came along and made it possible for me to work full time in my own speaker business. Well, ever since then it's been... "work on the house in my spare time."  Funny thing is, a new business is a lot like a new baby.  How much "spare time" time does a new mother have?

So... the house sits pretty much the same as it did in 2004 when I started, with rafters showing and one little room where the TV is that we basically live out of.  And I keep lying and telling my new wife that it will "only be a little bit longer honey."  (I married a saint by the way.)  One other bad thing about it all is that I live in town where the house would be easy to find and the area is zoned commercial.  If I had a listening area set up I could have probably sold a bunch of speakers locally by now.  Alas, such is not the case though.

Fortunately we have an area here in the shop where I can "critique" the designs.  I can listen as much as I like except for the fact that if I get carried away, no work gets done.  In the end I leave the serious critiquing up to Karsten.  He has better equipment and more time for that than I do anyway.  I mean c'mon... I build speakers for a living.  Do I have to listen to them too?  

-Bob

[Christof]

A plumbers pipes always leak

[phoenix_rising]

BrianM,

Well, then what speakers are you using at home in lieu of SP Tech?

It's a long story but the bottom line is that I started the remodeling job on this old "fixer upper" as a way to generate some lost equity that found it's way into the ex-wife's pocket.  Well, I no more than started than..."yippee!"  "The opportunity of lifetime" came along and made it possible for me to work full time in my own speaker business. Well, ever since then it's been... "work on the house in my spare time."  Funny thing is, a new business is a lot like a new baby.  How much "spare time" time does a new mother have?


-Bob

Hi Bob,

It is not an elite club unfortunately. Having 2 ex wives myself. The funniest thing is that when I was really interested in women it was always hard working finding suitable ones, now that I have no interest in them I get heaps of offers which now just get rejected. Go figure.

It takes about 4-5 years to get a business going but once it is up and running it is a joy to behold and because you created it is a great source of pleasure.

Phoenix

[Aether Audio]

Phoenix,

It takes about 4-5 years to get a business going but once it is up and running it is a joy to behold and because you created it is a great source of pleasure.

It takes about 4-5 years to get a business going but once it is up and running it is a joy to behold and because you created it is a great source of pleasure.

It takes about 4-5 years to get a business going but once it is up and running it is a joy to behold and because you created it is a great source of pleasure.

If I keep repeating that often enough, will it become true?  I've been trying to hold on to that data for a long time now but the ROM memory cells in my brain that are responsible for retaining that information are quickly loosing their ability to refresh.  Maybe I need to replace the CMOS battery.   Ooops, I'm an obsolete model - no batteries available.  Looks like the only hope is that the above happens before the "blue screen of death appears."

Keep your fingers crossed for me, will ya?  Thanks.
-Bob

[phoenix_rising]

Bob,

You will get there, the first few years are by far the worst. The subsequent years are just as hard but you don't mind when you have lots of orders. The hardest thing to do is relinquish control of the menial stuff to others so that the business can become successful. The more volume the more reliance on others, you will get your fair share of bad suppliers but will also find the good ones that you can count on and you will find out what works and what doesn't. Never stop trying different things.

When it comes time to advertise find your most successful competitor and track where they spend their advertising dollars, if you don't know how, when the time comes drop me a line and I will tell you.

Just don't stress so much and enjoy it. Most of all concentrate of sales and marketing, you already have the products, now is the time to expose more people to them.

cheers
Phoenix

[yo2tup]

i have tracking numbers.....mini's are coming my way!! 

[IronLion]

i have tracking numbers.....mini's are coming my way!! 

SWEET!  That means mine are closer to being built...when do you get them? 

[Double Ugly]

i have tracking numbers.....mini's are coming my way!! 

SWEET!  That means mine are closer to being built...when do you get them? 

It sounds like the promised production increase is becoming a reality.  Tim's arrival is finally paying dividends, and the recent addition of a cabinet vendor should mean the time between order and ship dates will continue to decrease! 

Congrats, fellas.  Be sure to drop back by sometime after they're delivered and let us know what you think.

[ooheadsoo]

These are exciting times, having so many active forum members getting SP Techs, and being able to sample the various feedback.  Those of you who got in on the mini special lucked out BIG time!

[phoenix_rising]

These are exciting times, having so many active forum members getting SP Techs, and being able to sample the various feedback.  Those of you who got in on the mini special lucked out BIG time!

I think that Bob will be paid back big time for the special as many people are taking the time to report back on what they are like as a thank you for the special, if you paid full ticket and are busy mostly you just don't take the time. So I think it was a very good marketing move by Bob that will pay a lot of dividends in the future.

From the feedback the Mini is worth full ticket and then some. In my case they are a tide over until I can afford a new house with a dedicated theater and then I will buy the Revelations Grand Masters and I will be paying full ticket for them. While I have to move around I need something that is easy to move with me.

[bbchem]

  Hello again, I guess I was one of the first lucky ones to both receive the Minis and get the introductory price. I will tell those who paid the new rate, that having a world class and so far unbeatable to my ears monitor/like a floorstander is worth the extra time. I have again thanked Bob. I have about 150 hours as I only have had a little time recently to use them. The sound continues to defy normal acoustic enclosures and satisfy me on a new musical plain way out in the stratosphere. I only wish I lived near Bob and could work with him on building all his I am sure wonderful speakers. Again, I have no patience and waited a long time from inception and its is worth the wait. Again, I have no itsy bitsy feeling to sell them and listen to something else. Although as posted before, If I hit the lottery I would buy the top of the line from Bob.

Regards. Bill