Outlaw gets into making home speakers.

[Seth=L]

We have already seen their subwoofers designed by Dr. HSU, now they have decided to make speakers.

Outlaw BLS

They are using custom designed tweeters and SEAS drivers for the mid-bass section. They are supposedly designed to pair with the Retro receiver they have, acoustically. I am not sure what that amounts to, but they are not very efficient. I didn't see what the impedance was, but that could be factor as well.

 

[zildjian]

You're right, they aren't the most sensitive speaker, but remember sub 90 sensitivities are more common in bookshelf speakers, largely just due to their smaller size driver arrangement.

 

[Swerd]

Their price is $1,000 a pair. Unlike Outlaw's other stuff, this is no bargain.

Yes, those speakers might be very good, but they won't be much different or better than the similarly priced Van Schweikert VR-1s or Onix Reference 1s.

Speakers like this are why I prefer DIY speakers. The woofer Outlaw describes sounds similar to the very good Seas CA15RLY, available from DIY suppliers for $50 each. They are more vague about the tweeter, but let's assume it is similar to a variety of very good 1" dome tweeters available for about $30 each. The crossover parts should cost about $30-35 each. With the addition of the extra parts and switches for the boundary compensation and tweeter response circuits, it might make the crossovers $50 each. Thats $260 in parts for a pair. Two cabinets might cost $100 to $150 more for nice veneer and hand finishing. Add it all up to $360 to $400 a pair. And these are prices available to the indivdual consumer. A manufacturer can negotiate better prices if they buy in larger quantities.

For that price, you can have a pair of DIY CAOW1 speakers (see my signature below) that have a much superior tweeter and a virtually flat frequency response.

The only advantage I see in those Outlaw speakers might be the switchable boundary compensation and tweeter response circuits. But that is at best a minor advantage.

I also heard the snake oil alarm bells go off in my head when I read about how Outlaw uses only "audiophile grade" components in their crossover.

 

[gene]

Very pricey for what they are giving you in terms of drivers and speaker topology.

 

[j_garcia]

That is exactly what I said when I saw them a few months ago, but if they sound REALLY good, then they may be able to justify it. I don't know anyone who has heard them, and at that price I don't think we will see many jump on them right away, so it is still impossible to say.

 

[emorphien]

Pricy, but it'll be up to someones ears to determine whether they're worth it. 8 Ohms and 87dB isn't horrible.

 

[Tex-amp]

Their price is $1,000 a pair. Unlike Outlaw's other stuff, this is no bargain.

Yes, those speakers might be very good, but they won't be much different or better than the similarly priced Van Schweikert VR-1s or Onix Reference 1s.

Speakers like this are why I prefer DIY speakers. The woofer Outlaw describes sounds similar to the very good Seas CA15RLY, available from DIY suppliers for $50 each. They are more vague about the tweeter, but let's assume it is similar to a variety of very good 1" dome tweeters available for about $30 each. The crossover parts should cost about $30-35 each. With the addition of the extra parts and switches for the boundary compensation and tweeter response circuits, it might make the crossovers $50 each. Thats $260 in parts for a pair. Two cabinets might cost $100 to $150 more for nice veneer and hand finishing. Add it all up to $360 to $400 a pair. And these are prices available to the indivdual consumer. A manufacturer can negotiate better prices if they buy in larger quantities.

For that price, you can have a pair of DIY CAOW1 speakers (see my signature below) that have a much superior tweeter and a virtually flat frequency response.

The only advantage I see in those Outlaw speakers might be the switchable boundary compensation and tweeter response circuits. But that is at best a minor advantage.

I also heard the snake oil alarm bells go off in my head when I read about how Outlaw uses only "audiophile grade" components in their crossover.

And if you don't own any of the tools to build your own speakers what does that cost? Can you carry parts inventory, design and carry shipping boxes, pay employees and your own salaries, payroll taxes, insurance, a warehouse to work out of, utilities, returned product, and still make enough money?

 

[Rob Babcock]

I don't think he's talking about making & selling speakers, Tex-amp, just DIY'ing his own. Obviously not everyone has the skills, knowledge or inclination to build their own but there are some very very fine DIY efforts out there.

I don't want to criticize the Outlaw speakers without hearing them, but at first blush they don't look like all that great a value. I too would be very surprised if they sounded better than similarly priced two-ways from Monitor Audio, Onix, Axiom, Von Schweikert, etc. The $1,ooo two-way bookshelf segment is already pretty crowded; you better have a pretty special model if you're going to distinguish yourself in that company.

 

[Swerd]

Tex-amp - Rob correctly pointed out what I meant to say. Sorry for the confusion.

You can buy nicely built premade cabinets for this design, $65 each. Scroll down to see the 0.375 cubic foot cabinets.

You will have to make the circular cutouts for the drivers. I use a router with a circle cutting jig. If you don't have those, use a jig saw with lots of sandpaper and patience, or find a woodworker friend.

Rob - Thanks for pointing that out.