Anyone heard of BIC America Acoustech Series

[Worf101]

but BIC America sells speakers designed here but manufactured in China. They make decent entry level stuff, but nothing to kill anyone over...

Da Worfster

[Matthus]

I was just supprised that this reviewer picked them over the Klipsch Reference line...

[erics0531]

OK, I'll fess up - I bought a set of these.

I'd been looking at speaker packages in the $750 price range, but hadn't seen anything that made me pull the trigger yet (I've been using a pieced together collection of JBL stuff that has been adequate, so I wasn't in any great hurry). Saw these at Costco last weekend, Googled the name and found the review you cited. But I was suspicious that there wasn't anything on the BIC site. So on Monday I called BIC and talked to their customer service person. I told her I read that review, and she said they are still in the process of setting up distribution, things should be ready in April (more on this in a bit).

Knowing that they were at least a legit BIC product I went back to Costo and piced up a set. Obviously you can't audtion stuff in a warehouse, but Costco's return policy is unmatched. I've had to return three laptops there in the past year, and never had the slightest problem - even on one that was over 4 months old.

Now I don't claim to be an audiophile (can't afford to be one!), but I'm a music and movie fanatic and I can tell the difference between good speakers and dreck. These speakers are not dreck. They are indeed made in China, but nothing about the construction says "cheap". They don't have those little flexy clips for the speaker wire connections, but have nice solid binding posts. As the reviewer noted the tops and bottoms of the cabinets are a beautiful lacquered finish. And they do sound very good. For $750 I think they're a bargain.

Now, why Costco and why such a discount off the list price? This is pure speculation, but based on what BIC said about having distribution set up in April I'm guessing that manufacturing got ahead of marketing here, and rather than pay the cost of warehousing these until their distribution arrangments were complete, they passed these on to Costco instead. Costco's buyers are notorius for taking advantage of those kinds of situations.

Anyway, given Costco's return policy I'd say go grab a set and audition them at home for a week or two. If you don't like them, box 'em up and take 'em back.

[Worf101]

I just use it in my secondary, bedroom system... where I'm not looking for musical or sonic fidelity. I use there small surrounds and 53CLR center on my bedroom system... Not bad gear just nothing to write to Congress about. If it fits your budget and ears... that's all I care about... good listening..

Da Worfster

[erics0531]

I just use it in my secondary, bedroom system... where I'm not looking for musical or sonic fidelity. I use there small surrounds and 53CLR center on my bedroom system... Not bad gear just nothing to write to Congress about. If it fits your budget and ears... that's all I care about... good listening..

Da Worfster

Yeah, I would agree that BIC are clearly in the entry level category, although maybe a notch above some others like KLH and what not. Actually they have a line called RtR which would be their lower end stuff, maybe they are trying to have an entry more towards the mid-range with this new Acoustech line.

[markw]

OK, I'll fess up - I bought a set of these....

Now I don't claim to be an audiophile (can't afford to be one!), but I'm a music and movie fanatic and I can tell the difference between good speakers and dreck. These speakers are not dreck. They are indeed made in China, but nothing about the construction says "cheap". .... And they do sound very good. For $750 I think they're a bargain.
...

Anyway, given Costco's return policy I'd say go grab a set and audition them at home for a week or two. If you don't like them, box 'em up and take 'em back.

I'm glad someone had the cojones to actually try these buggers. I was curious. Construction seems fairly solid? Good sign.. ...can't tell by pictures y'know.

All we were doing was babbling on and going on pure speculation.

I'm glad you like 'em. You don't have to be an awdeeofile to know what you like.

Oh, and thanks for taking the plunge and sharing. Let us know what's up after the honeymoon is over. good luck...

P.S.. your last sentence is pure gold. That goes for ANY speaker.

[erics0531]

I'm glad someone had the cojones to actually try these buggers. I was curious. Construction seems fairly solid? Good sign.. ...can't tell by pictures y'know.

Yes, they do seem quite solid. If I have the time I may unscrew one of the drivers today and check it out. Or I might just listen to a Pat Metheny DVD instead

[Matthus]

Yes, they do seem quite solid. If I have the time I may unscrew one of the drivers today and check it out. Or I might just listen to a Pat Metheny DVD instead

I have a good sized room...how is the sub from a bass perspective?

[erics0531]

I have a good sized room...how is the sub from a bass perspective?

The bass is pretty decent. What I particularly like about it is the absense of boominess, it's got a nice under control sound to it compared to some subs I've heard. Haven't really gone for the whack you upside the head volume test with it, although my wife cranked up Blue Crush pretty loud the other night (a little too loud in point of fact) and you could definitely feel the bass in the chest as the waves were breaking.

For reference our room is about 17' x 17', and the back wall is open from about 4.5 ft up into the kitchen level. I've got the sub about 1.5' away from the front wall, and about 4' from the nearest side wall.