Speakercraft AVRs

[pzaur]

I just came across these in my brother-in-laws installer magazine. Anyone have any experience with them? Are they clones of something else?

I have no interest in purchasing. Just curious.

-pat

 

[Seth=L]

I just came across these in my brother-in-laws installer magazine. Anyone have any experience with them? Are they clones of something else?

I have no interest in purchasing. Just curious.

-pat

I believe H/K makes the OEM.

 

[M Code]

I believe H/K makes the OEM.

Close but no cigar..
The AVRs are assembled in the same China factory for Denon, Marantz, Yamaha and HK...

Just my $0.00...

 

[pzaur]

Close but no cigar..
The AVRs are assembled in the same China factory for Denon, Marantz, Yamaha and HK...

Just my $0.00...

Which company does Speakercraft share parts/guts with? I doubt they did R&D on these things.

-pat

 

[walter duque]

I just came across these in my brother-in-laws installer magazine. Anyone have any experience with them? Are they clones of something else?

-pat

Seems to me that it's designed by Sherwood Newcastle and then farmed out to East Tech.

 

[Seth=L]

Given that I've said before that H/K receivers appear to be in whole or part made by Sherwood I think I'm a little better than close, since Sherwood is also known to make Pioneer's lower end models as well as Denon's.

I do find it difficult to believe that the Yamahas are made in Sherwood's factory, given they are nothing alike under the hood and they use a different selection of parts. Seems like more trouble than what it would be worth to do such a thing. Although, I am aware that Sherwood will make just about anything to a manufacturer's specifications. Marantz is more believable, given that it's another D&M Holding's division (now Bain Capitol). Given that takeover there's been an obvious change in Denon's product lines as well as Marantz.

I guess I'm wondering what validity there is to Yamaha and Marantz being made in a Sherwood factory, and if you have any information that would support this fact.

 

[Seth=L]

Which company does Speakercraft share parts/guts with? I doubt they did R&D on these things.

-pat

I was only told this by a dealer, that they are basically H/K receivers that say Speakercraft on them. Given the features and overall layout of controls and connections it seems like that it is likely they share more with Harman Kardon than anyone else.

Harman Kardon 3490

Speakercraft SCR710

http://www.avhifi.com/shop/popup_image.php?type=D&id=16984&title=&page=2

Sorry, no jpeg, it's some .gif that just won't hotlink.

It basically appears the SCR710 is the same as the H/K 3490 without the extra iPod features and digital connections, making the H/K a far better value.

Get this, the catalog claims that the SCR910, a 7.1 receiver that delivers 130 watts per channel weighs 31 pounds, and the SCR710, a stereo receiver rated 80 watts per channel also weighs 31 pounds. The H/K 3490 weighs 23 pounds and claims an output wattage of 120 watts per channel and 150 at 4 ohms. Looks like someone messed up.

 

[M Code]

Given that I've said before that H/K receivers appear to be in whole or part made by Sherwood I think I'm a little better than close, since Sherwood is also known to make Pioneer's lower end models as well as Denon's.

I do find it difficult to believe that the Yamahas are made in Sherwood's factory, given they are nothing alike under the hood and they use a different selection of parts. Seems like more trouble than what it would be worth to do such a thing. Although, I am aware that Sherwood will make just about anything to a manufacturer's specifications. Marantz is more believable, given that it's another D&M Holding's division (now Bain Capitol). Given that takeover there's been an obvious change in Denon's product lines as well as Marantz.

I guess I'm wondering what validity there is to Yamaha and Marantz being made in a Sherwood factory, and if you have any information that would support this fact.

Sherwood/Inkel in their Shenzen joint venture does build a couple of promotional HK AVRs (133/134) but these are sold outside the USA in UAE, India & China..
The primary assembling factory for HK AVRs is not Inkel and builds Denon, Marantz, Yamaha and others..

Just my $0.00..

 

[Seth=L]

Sherwood/Inkel in their Shenzen joint venture does build a couple of promotional HK AVRs (133/134) but these are sold outside the USA in UAE, India & China..
The primary assembling factory for HK AVRs is not Inkel and builds Denon, Marantz, Yamaha and others..

Just my $0.00..

Are you able to elaborate further on that? It's interesting to know where this stuff comes from. I know only the base models of most of these companies are made by Sherwood, who's making the rest?

Also, what about Onkyo? Are the solely in house?

 

[M Code]

Are you able to elaborate further on that? It's interesting to know where this stuff comes from. I know only the base models of most of these companies are made by Sherwood, who's making the rest?

Also, what about Onkyo? Are the solely in house?

There are only a few sources capable of building HDMI AVR products under multiple brands. And now the primary Japanese brands are starting to source their entry levels models outside of their own manufacturing systems as market pricing has been decreased to commodity levels...

The AVR design teams are located outside of China largely in Korea. However China does have a couple of AVR design teams but they are slow to adopt the newest techologies. Also since China tries to avoid paying certain royalties, the IP holders do not cooperate/support them very strongly.

Regarding Onkyo, their design teams are in Korea and Japan, Korea designs the lower models (SRP < $999) and Japan (Osaka) designs the higher end models. The Korean design team for the last several years did all of the HK AVRs as well. For assembly, Onkyo has 2 factories in Malaysia, the 2nd factory was added last year as they bought the Sharp audio factory in Roxy.

Just my $0.00..