Audio Research in Trouble

engie490

https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/whither-audio-research.36751/

Hopefully this doesn’t spell the end for them.

Emlyn

Sounds like it may have been a sale arrangement. A lot of audio companies that started 40 to 50 years ago that managed to remain independent over the decades based on keeping a close relationship with dealers and customers have had to sell their brand as the old timer founders have aged out. Unfortunately, excellent customer service hasn’t always survived when the torch has been passed. But some have benefitted by getting access to capital investment to modernize.

invalid

"Hello, everyone. This is my first post on What's Best because I want you to know what is happening at Audio Research. Some of you know me since I was hire by Bill Johnson at Audio Research in 1989. I left for a few years and returned to ARC in 1996.
We will be posting a statement on the Fans of Audio Research's FB page, and also the company's FB page as this seems the fastest way to get the facts out.
Nathanu's post is correct. What almost no one seems to realize is that Audio Research has been running since the assignment was filed on April 4th, almost four weeks ago. That was a week and a half before AXPONA, where our VP Sales (Allan Haggar) worked with Quintessence Audio (REF10, REFPH10, 160M MkII). We are staffed, with customer service answering the phone, the service department is repairing products, production is building new products, we are receiving parts, our sales department continues to accept orders, and our shipping department is shipping parts and product orders along with service work.
Trent Suggs was relieved of control of Audio Research. We have been working with individuals who want to purchase the company, and I expect that we will have a new owner within the week. There will be continuity as production, engineering, purchasing, service, and critical personnel will remain working for Audio Research. Warren Gehl, too.
I am writing this quickly as there are a lot of things to attend to immediately. Thanks to Mike for sending me this link to this so I could respond”


A quote from someone at Audio Research.

jbreezy5

Isn’t/wasn’t Audio Research owned or affiliated with McIntosh in some fashion?

mhardy6647

jbreezy5 wrote: »

Isn’t/wasn’t Audio Research owned or affiliated with McIntosh in some fashion?

Yes, but only rather briefly (and not all that long ago).
Lots of chatter about this on other forums, too.

Emlyn

Maybe there were legal reasons to say nothing for almost a month because the owner was "relieved of control of Audio Research" but the silence seems to have gathered quite a bit of undesirable negative publicity for the brand.

Maybe they could no longer secure a reliable source of audio grade tubes and have decided to go Class D for all future products instead (joking).

jbreezy5

Emlyn wrote: »

Maybe there were legal reasons to say nothing for almost a month because the owner was "relieved of control of Audio Research" but the silence seems to have gathered quite a bit of undesirable negative publicity for the brand.

Maybe they could no longer secure a reliable source of audio grade tubes and have decided to go Class D for all future products instead (joking).

Lol, but that would seem plausible, as far as the class D part.

xschop

Emlyn wrote: »

Sounds like it may have been a sale arrangement. A lot of audio companies that started 40 to 50 years ago that managed to remain independent over the decades based on keeping a close relationship with dealers and customers have had to sell their brand as the old timer founders have aged out. Unfortunately, excellent customer service hasn’t always survived when the torch has been passed. But some have benefitted by getting access to capital investment to modernize.

The new conglomerate of failures known as Soundbar United.

Look on the brightside, soon you can be the proud owner of a McIntosh soundbar.

VR3

You know there is a market for a surround bar with blue meters that dance to the music

jbreezy5

…and all for only $5k

xschop

You'll feel good about downsizing to save the planet too.

mhardy6647

I mean, there is this already, y'know? Not quite a soundbar, but almost as good.
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-kH08ScDofu8/p_958RS250/McIntosh-RS250.html

VR3

That price..........

Like some rich guys under cabinet kitchen radio

treitz3

Better than Bose....

Well, maybe...

Maybe not. Awe chit son, I'll shut up now.

Tom

Joey_V

I think they’ll be fine

engie490

This does not paint a rosy picture...

https://www.strata-gee.com/minn-bank-asks-court-for-1-5m-judgment-against-audio-research-corp-trent-suggs/

VR3

World of cheap money has come to an end and alot of companies will follow suit I'm afraid.

The unprofitable companies that worked oon constant cash injections and debt are about to be consolidated into a larger umbrella or forgotten