Anyone heard of BIC America Acoustech Series

[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.

[DerProfi]

erics0531,

How do the fully-assembled front channel towers look? At the Costco I visited today they had them laying on their sides and I noticed two holes drilled in the lacquered base of each tower. I've got hardwood floors and I'm wondering if maybe there's some sort of pad that attaches into those holes to keep the lacquer from just resting directly on the floor.

Also, was the finish in pretty good shape out of the box? The ones I saw today were chipped in a couple of places and I wasn't sure if that was due to Costco or BIC.

(not directed to you erics0531 but to the thread in general)
As for all the comparisons to KLH being tossed around, I don't think that's accurate or fair. I've owned a couple of BIC speakers (my BIC center has an audioreview score of 4.87 with 70 votes) and although made in China as are many other respected speaker brands, they are in a totally different league. Having not even heard the Acoustech system, I challenge anyone to buy the "top-of-the-line" KLH system (if there is such a thing), A/B it with the Acoustech, and say that they're both "entry level" and essentially the same

[erics0531]

erics0531,

How do the fully-assembled front channel towers look? At the Costco I visited today they had them laying on their sides and I noticed two holes drilled in the lacquered base of each tower. I've got hardwood floors and I'm wondering if maybe there's some sort of pad that attaches into those holes to keep the lacquer from just resting directly on the floor.

The towers (really all of the speakers) look fantastic. Those drilled holes in the bottom of the towers puzzled me, as there was nothing in the box to put in them. Curious indeed, especially since there were only two! I put four small felt type pads on the bottom of each speaker as we have laminate flooring where the speakers sit.

Also, was the finish in pretty good shape out of the box? The ones I saw today were chipped in a couple of places and I wasn't sure if that was due to Costco or BIC.

There were no cosmetic issues on any of the speakers I got - I did swap the center channel box that had been strapped to the others in my set for one that looked less abused when I picked mine up. There was a little slip in each box with a number to call regarding any cosmetic damage from shipping - different from the warranty number on the back of the speakers. They were well packed, so I would guess that the ones you saw took some abuse there at Costco.

(not directed to you erics0531 but to the thread in general)
As for all the comparisons to KLH being tossed around, I don't think that's accurate or fair. I've owned a couple of BIC speakers (my BIC center has an audioreview score of 4.87 with 70 votes) and although made in China as are many other respected speaker brands, they are in a totally different league. Having not even heard the Acoustech system, I challenge anyone to buy the "top-of-the-line" KLH system (if there is such a thing), A/B it with the Acoustech, and say that they're both "entry level" and essentially the same

Actually I think I was the one that brought up KLH . BIC does have a line called RtR which proobably *is* pretty close to KLH. Kind of off topic, but what happened with KLH? My dad still has a pair of vintage KLH speakers that must be circa late 50's, haven't heard them recently but I remember they sure still sounded good when I was in college in the late '70s early 80's. Now KLH has the dubious distinction of being sold at Fred Meyer stores (think Target with groceries).