Wow!!
What a day
When I arrived back in LA from the meeting last night, I found that there were already several postings about it.
First, I have to say that these two gentlemen create an enjoyable, comfortable and solid partnership, with the ingredients to offer the HT and Audio enthusiasts some incredible performance capabilities, new technologies, and beautiful aesthetics in the same product.
Mark, the consumate gentleman and businessman, and Brian, the Sonic Sorcerer, and Designer Extrordinaire, have things in store for you that at this time have to remain "under wraps".
But what we can say is, there is a commitment, by all parties, which will begin with the production of the RM40 cabinets. These cabinets will be offered in Rosewood and "real" Piano Black.
Although I have not seen the actual cabinets, I have seen Mark's work and it is flawless.
So what does this mean?
Well more than anything else, once this is "in place" Brian will not be at the mercy of somewhat unreliable (read flacky) cabinet makers and speaker production and shipping can be much more regular.
Cabinets will be more perfectly consitant and of course beautiful to look at.
Performance should be equal too or even better, since M&B discussed ideas for future cabinets, cabinet improvements and manufacturing/woodworking abilities.
But don't look for any "speaker exotica" in the near term, or at least until the marriage is consumated and the bouquet has hit the floor (first cabinets have landed).
So what will happen in the "mean time"?
Brian and I have discussed what to do with the current cabinet stock and what is already ordered (beleive it or not Brian pays "in advance" for most of these products???)
Yes we are looking at some kind of "special" pricing for these beauties which by most standards are excellent cabinets. So if you have ever thought about buying VMPS, now might be the time to get your bargain.
Once Brian and I establish just how this will work you can check with Brian, myself, or your local VMPS dealer, and the details will be explained.
So the anchor that has been weighing down VMPS for years (cabinet makers) has now been weighed and it is "full steam ahead".
So what else does this merging and co-op partnership mean?
Well much of it is "TOP SECRET", but I can say this. The speaker technology that was discussed for the future, is as exciting as anything I have ever heard about.
There are things that Brian has come up with and that Mark has developed that will not only produce better sound, but will change things in such a way as to "open" previously "unthinkable" utilizations, and make sytem set up and design much easier and more effective.
I see musical and multi-channel audio/HT applications and technologies that will blow you away.
Get ready for great product, good and fair pricing (no high end snobby rip off gouging) unbeleivable performance and all from two of the greatest minds in the Bizness. (not to mention truly nice and dedicated gentlemen)
When will this all take place? Well the bad news is it won't be next week, so don't sit on your hands waiting. But, the wheels are in motion and the principles are hard at work (as I type) putting this into play.
Between CES this year and CES of next year (2005) many of you will have probably already been enjoying "some" of the sonic morsels of which I speak.
The front end of these will be the RM40 cabinets and the SOCS that Mark has poised and ready to go. (would have loved to have heard more about that, but only so much can be discussed in 3 hours)
I count myself lucky to have the proximity to this project I do, and too have been involved and able to help a bit.
I can't impress upon you enough that the world of reproduced SOUND has just changed.
Even today, as Mark is introducing his SOCS (Speaker Only Correction Software of which you can read more about at AV123 forum) things are at work that will address many of the known deficiencies of what we currently call "audiophile" sound reproduction.
As close as we now think we are to the "Absolute Sound" (sorry HP) the future (as I have been privy to) is as exciting and defined as it has ever been.
No reason to stop what your doing right now and wait, as I said before, since it will take time to bring these improvements and technologies to you, and taking advantage of some of these transitional pricings will help many reach a level of product that was previously out of reach.
Please keep in mind that these are only my impressions from the whirlwind that we were in yesterday and anything could be changed or adjusted as we all sort through this mountain of potential and forge the path to most effectivly put everything into play.
But rest assured, if you love music and HT like I do, you are in for one wild ride
Stay Tuned... (Hmmm, I like that expression)
