Anyone heard of BIC America Acoustech Series

[Matthus]

I have found only one review
http://audaud.com/audaud/MAR04/component/comp1.html

They came out this year and Costco has the whole set for $699

[markw]

Started in the early 70's as importers of British goods such as Wharfedale speakers and I believe Garrard changers. I know there were other brands, but their names escape me.

Later in the 70's, they stopped importing and came out with products their own products under the BIC brand. I distinctly hearing their "BIC Venturi" speakers back then. Simply another variation of a ported design which didn't impress me too much. I believe they also had record changers and, if I recall correctly, a two speed cassette deck back then.

Can't say I've heard much of that brand since then. Bot to say thay haven't been around but who knows the name of the company that owns McIntosh, Marantz, Denon Clarion and a bunch of other famous brands?

I've never heard them so I can'y say yea or nay though. That does look like a lot of speaker. Compared to the "suggest list price" in the article, this is almost a 50% savings. I can't really recall seeing that deep a cut on current merchandise.

There are other speakers out there but, on sheer quantity alone, few can rival that package.

Good luck if you take the leap. Let us know what you think.

[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

[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.

[Debbi]

Cant find them anywhere....let us know when the have a site and where to look at them and listen

[Matthus]

Cant find them anywhere....let us know when the have a site and where to look at them and listen

I found them at Costco

[Matt F]

Hello all...

I am working for a company that is going to be conducting demos of the Acoustech HT speakers at select Costcos all weekend (April 3rd & 4th).

I will be at the Kirkland, WA Costco and have just completed setting up my area and can say that these speakers are a bargain at $1199, not to mention $699. They have a boutique quality fit & finish, audiophile performance and the $699 price tag is.....well, stupid.

The sub was designed & engineeded by Dr. Hsu (of HSU Reaserch), who has a doctorate from MIT and has been selling his award winning subs on the internet for years.

The horn tweeters (a key feature of these speakers) were designed by a PhD from Stanford who had Paul Klipsch as a student.

I invite anyone interested in this system in the Seattle area to come by for a listen this weekend. I might mention that this was a 'special buy' that Costco has made and they will not likely return to Costco once inventories are gone.

[Debbi]

..if the PHD at Stanford had Paul Klipsch as a student....Paul died at about age 98 so his mentor would have to be about 125 years old today.....(I assume Paul taught him)...in any event, let us know when and if these things come to all Costco outlets...Im in Fla...Thanks

[Matt F]

...I'll get clarity on this, but I guess his name is Dr. Bruce Edgar (of Edgarhorn). Who's Titan horn loudspeakers are recognized as a very high quality, low distortion horn. Distortion has long been an issue with horn style speakers, but Dr. Edgar has changed all that and his speakers are known for their wide dynamic range and ability to convey the power of musical instruments.

Well, I'm off to Costco to move these beauties into the marketplace.

[DerProfi]

..if the PHD at Stanford had Paul Klipsch as a student....Paul died at about age 98 so his mentor would have to be about 125 years old today.....(I assume Paul taught him)...in any event, let us know when and if these things come to all Costco outlets...Im in Fla...Thanks

Yeah, I read "who had Paul Klipsch as a student" as "who studied with Paul Klipsch as a student."

[DerProfi]

I picked up a set yesterday and wanted to pass along a little info.

1. Costco is selling these out fast and I don't think they're getting more.
The Costco I visited in Fairfax, VA only had 2 sets left + the display. As Matt F said, this past weekend some Costcos had marketers in the store to answer questions and give demonstrations. I asked if the store manager if the reps would be back sometime and when they expected to get more speakers in, and I was told "not" and "never", respectively. If people want to try these out, you'd better grab a set before the $699 price is gone.

2. Hsu Sub
For what it's worth, the plate amp on the Acoustech sub is a twin of the one on the Hsu STF-1, the only difference being that it doens't say "HSU" on it.

3. Sound
Mine are still breaking in with my $200 Panasonic SA-XR25, but so far I'm very impressed for the price.

[Matthus]

I got them last night. I have not heard any thing for under three times the money that I liked better. They are not as bright as the Klipsch...but that is a good thing....If you are on a budget I say go for them