Modern digital backed audio systems are composed of several key parts. The speakers and their acoustics, digital amplifier with DSP equalizer, electronics to select the audio source which includes the wireless connectivity like Bluetooth, computer to playback the digital content either streaming or stored audio, embedded software, internet software and mobile app. And of course, there is the business and marketing side of it (modern - selling directly online or the old way - through resellers).
With the accelerated trend of mergers and acquisitions of consumer brands, high end audio companies are now part of giant holdings. Buying companies and collecting them inside a shopping cart like in a supermarket is not that profitable. Unless, you buy brands so that they create synergy among them. Five thumbs don’t make a hand. A hand needs index finger, middle finger, ring finger and pinky finger besides the thumb.
I am a Klipsch fan. Reading bad reviews of their failed high end active speakers, made me write this article. Speakers are not perfect due to laws of physics. Therefore, combining them with any external amplifier would not yield perfect flat sound reproduction. On the other hand, coupling the speakers with onboard digital amplifiers that perfect the sound output using specially programmed DSP equalizers would give perfect flat response. This also reduces the overall cost of the hi-fi system and increases the convenience of the product which is important for many non-audiophile listeners like me.
Klipsch’s high-end Heritage active speakers are designed for this purpose. However, their electronics fail after a year or two which is unacceptable for a high-end product. Klipsch has know-how on speakers and acoustics, and not so much on the other things I stated at the beginning of my article. Ideally, the holding which bought Klipsch should have bought other companies to fill this gap to create perfect products. That is one of the reasons I keep emphasizing the importance of vertical and horizontal integration on product design. Modern technology requires more know-how for a perfect product. Unfortunately, the current trend is just the make sales without designing anything. Companies just place a badge of a brand from their portfolio on a Chinese product and sell the product as if it was designed by that brand.
With so much junk on the market, there are opportunities for the companies which develop their products properly; market and service them accordingly.









































