In an earlier post I guesstimated there must be 500 or more speaker makers out there. As I’ve done more research, I’m going to double that guesstimate!
“Companies” range from a one man band in a basement or industrial park space to very sophisticated industrial operations. With a thousand or so entities to consider, how do you pick the one that’s right for you?
First of all, every single one of these “companies” has something to offer or they would never sell anything and couldn’t stay in business. Perhaps you would like MANY of the offerings out there. So how can you DECIDE which to actually buy?
Please consider these critical factors.
Warranty
A solid warranty separates the men from the boys. A warranty from a well capitalized company, like Bryston, is very meaningful. Bryston offers a 20 year warranty on its speakers. Nobody else is close.
Five years is generous from the other guys.
You might like a wide array of speakers. But please don’t overlook a 20 year warranty vs something much less. Time flies as we age!
We have learned that even reputable companies only support its models for about ten years.
When your tweeter goes down in a decade, it’s likely you won’t even be able to find an exact replacement. You’ll be faced with installing SOMETHING in the box that won’t match its mate. THAT… doesn’t cut it.
Bryston can support a 20 year warranty due to the extensive details they use in the manufacturing process. For example, Bryston’s tweeter construction is mechanically much more hearty than the other guys. If you care to see the nuts and bolts, please visit the yellow tab at the bottom of our home page called Bryston Speakers.
Bass
Speakers are the most personal of products to shop for. My speakers have to have solid bass. Powerful bass is endemic to live music. Whether you’re listening to a grand piano or a thundering drum kit, ya gotta be able to BRING IT- if it’s part and parcel of the music you’re listening to.
Nobody delivers convincing bass response like Bryston. Just compare the A3 diminutive tower to anything coming from the far east at the same price. It isn’t close!
As you go up the line within the Bryston family, it just gets more muscular, cleaner and tighter. Bryston does not produce one-note bass. Bryston provides foundation moving bass within a musical character.
Timbre
My speakers have to be Steinway Smooth. There are hundreds of piano manufacturers out there. Each brand has its own sonic flavor.
Yet Steinway has earned the reputation of being in favor with most of the top pianists we hear being recorded. As a piano hound first and foremost, I want my speakers to be able to convey the mellow, non glassy flavor of Steinway, vs something more clangorous from another manufacturer. Bryston’s timbre hits the nail on the head for me.
Further, every human voice is unique. I want to hear Ella- right down to the last drop. There’s nobody better!
Bryston
I’m not saying Bryston makes the only good speakers any more than I’m saying Steinway is the only good piano manufacturer.
But when you balance out the pluses and minuses of why you buy one speaker vs another, I think Bryston provides the best investment. Bryston combines superlative musical performance along with the best reliability AND support in the speaker world.
Finally, Brystons are made in Canada. They’re not sourced from a job house half way around the globe.