Could this be good? Klipsch buys out API (Mirage, Energy, Athena Tech.)

[Danny Tse]

Personally, I think API is one of the best speaker manufacturers on the planet....making good sounding speakers from budget models in the Athena Technologies line up to those Energy Veritas speakers. I wonder what would happen to those brands now, given Klipsch's history of dismantling the Mondial/Aragon brands once it was acquired.

Hmmm....more consolidation in the home audio industry.

Announcement on Klipsch's website (http://www.klipsch.com/newscenter/press.aspx?cid=1316)

[fireshoes]

wow.

[mrbigbluelight]

I kid about my Athena AS-P4000 sub, but for $149 it is a steal, IMO.

It will be a shame if Klipsch decides to merely rebadge all those lines with a "Klipsch" nameplate in order to jack up the prices. If it were Bose doing the buyout, that would come as no suprise, but Klipsch has a better rep than that.
From their website, it sounds like they're going to be hands off on API's engineering and design, so ..... it will be interesting.

I'll have to keep an eye on Fry's site to see what affect, if any, this'll have on potential firesales.

[JDOGG]

You guys talk about Klipsch like you hate them. Not like I care though.

[audiobliss]

Interesting.

[steveinaz]

oh crap.

[burdette]

I wouldn't be surprised if Klipsch will use the acquisition - NOT to dismantle or fudge with API - but to come out with a "less Klipschy" line of HT theater speakers, maybe even some marketed more towards refined 2-channel music listening.

Interesting question as to price-point - go after the lower price point to capture the guys wanting the Klipsch name, but who can't afford a current full HT lineup... or go after a higher price point, to catch the guys who have some money to drop, want to stay with the Klipsch name, but want to flaunt their 'more refined' loudspeakers. Heck, why not both? Go with the lower-price HT setup, and a more expensive refined music speaker (of course, with available center and surrounds just in case wifey wants to watch Remains of the Day after supper).

Makes sense for Klipsch...

[Early B.]

Klipsch will probably do what it said in the press release -- leave API alone and perhaps benefit from economies of scale and new innovation.

[Ron Temple]

Klipsch will probably do what it said in the press release -- leave API alone and perhaps benefit from economies of scale and new innovation.Yep...nearfield anyway.

[heiney9]

Yep, happened several years ago in the automobile industry and now it's happening more frequently in the electronics field. It's a shame all these smaller companies get gobbled up by the larger companies. That's when things start to become more generic and the creativity stops because everyline is catering to the same common denominator. It's sad, but it's the Walmartization of the world finally being realized. Speciality will be rare and when it does it exsist it will be out of most of our grasps when it comes to price.

H9

[ND13]

Didn't ya'll know about the Klipsch motto...."Our ultimate goal is to place a horn in every speaker sold in the free world":p

[mantis]

When powered correctly, Klipsch speakers are pretty good. Not for me but they have a colt following.

Dan

[ND13]

I hate the damn double posts.

[ND13]

When powered correctly, Klipsch speakers are pretty good. Not for me but they have a colt following.

Dan

Saddle up!!!! See they're even selling Klipsch speakers to horses, now.

Tube amps seem to be the way to properly power Klipsch speakers. Tubes have the ability to tame the horns, which, imo, are too harsh on sand. I'm sure that many enjoy their Klipsch on sand, it's just not for me.

[Mike682]

Interesting aquisition. I wonder what prompted this

Anyway, I get a kick out of corporate talk...

[marker]

I'm sure that many enjoy their Klipsch on sand, it's just not for me.

What about when on grass? :p

[disneyjoe7]

Interesting, But I fine myself asking this Q why isn't POLK in danger of this buyout world? Is POLK privately owned company?

[KrazyMofo24]

Polk is a pretty big company also...if not as big as Klipsch, with their products being sold in CC, Fry's, and Tweeter.

[disneyjoe7]

So BOSE doesn't have the balls to do it?

I don't like where this world is headed at times.