95 pound Speakers. $370 Shipped per pair.

[Macgyversite]

http://www.thingfling.com/

I got the last Unisound Fling Deal and they are excellent speakers for the money.

I can only imagine what these are like.

They wont break your bank but they might break your Joists. lol


This is Hot Deals, not Flame Wars.
Locked.
Hayabusa Rider AnandTech Administrator.

 

[einstein4pres]

Here are some specs:
http://www.altei.cz/doc/vyr/45_UnisoundSP18&SP18B.pdf

90 db (1W@1m)
4 ohm
84 lbs. (probably 95 shipped weight each)

http://translate.google.com/transla...v=/search?q=unisound+sp18&hl=en&sa=N&start=30

There seem to be a large number of Cyrillic-language sites for this, so I'm guessing it's of Russian design.

 

[Thump553]

Not to crap on your post, but nearly all the weight in speakers is from the MDF (medium density fiberboard) the speaker box is made of. MDF is pretty cheap and heavy. While weight can correspond somewhat with cabinet thickness and build quality, its far move the most important factor. The crossover design, crossover parts and speakers used can vary greatly in price and quality and have a much, much greater effect on sound quality than weight ever will.

I note also that these are 4 ohm speakers-make sure your receiver can drive them properly. Most receivers are built to handle 8 ohm speakers. Also, there are no reviews of any Unisound speakers at audioreview.com, definately not a good sign.

Does thingfling allow returns of speakers if you aren't happy with them after auditioning them? All the respectable companies do as speaker sound is a very subjective thing. I wouldn't touch a deal that didn't allow 100% refund, no questions asked-unless I could hear the speakers locally somewhere first.

If I was in the market for speakers I'd look a lot closer at the Model 6 from Cambridge Soundworks. Admittedly a completely different design than these Unisounds (bookshelf style rather than floorstanders). A true classic designed by a great (late) audio legend, Henry Kloss (founder of Kloss speakers, Advent, Cambridge Soundworks and probably a few others I'm forgetting). Currently on sale for roughly $99 that is a great deal-here's the link:

http://www.cambridgesoundworks.com/store/category.cgi?category=spk_bookshelf&item=53CW0115AA000

(use the THANKS35 code mentioned on that webpage for 35% off). Here's a link to some user reviews for the Model 6:
http://www.audioreview.com/cat/spea...el-six-by-henry-kloss/PRD_119256_4290crx.aspx

Again, I don't mean to crap or get involved in an audiophile squabble (which I detest) but I thought a bit more info would be helpful to potential buyers.

 

[blamus]

hahahahahahahahahahah!

ok this is too funny, not to crap on ur post either, but when someone post a pair of $2500 RRP floorstanding 3-way speaker with a silkie tweeter, 5"mid and 2 8"woofers, someone replying with a recommendation of a 8" 2 way bookshelf @ $250 RRP with a cone tweeter is just....... too funny.

The closest example i can think of, is comparing one of those middle eastern branded mercedes G class, (which are really Mercedes engines inside a frame, contracted and built for the army) to a good old honda civic. Both great cars I am sure, but you wouldnt compare the 2 would you?

Unisound is like the off-brand merc because its actually a chinese company, who contracted american crossover designers, using european drivers, and everything assembled in china.

And as far as the weight of a speaker is concerned, ok, it may be a little misleading to most people when using that as the title of the thread to justify that the speakers are good, but if u were in the field, u would know that is generally, very very often the case. Heavy speakers are usually heavy because they need to be. Because they need lots of bracing, thick baffles etc, which suggests very good/powerful drivers etc. Dead cabinets are always good. Sure, someone can make a speaker super heavy with crap drivers just to pretend to be good speakers, but whats the point? You lose money logistically, in transportation, manufacturing, delivery. More over, if a speaker was 100lb heavy, and its not just a flimsy box with bricks inside, the boxes themselves like these ones from unisound here already worth more than $300. Just a quick example:

http://www.madisound.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=178_423

I have personally opened up and looked inside of one of the cheaper unisound models, and yes, the cabs are super well braced, drivers are of high quality, and crossover well designed etc.

For more background info of this company look back into the other threads 2 weeks ago on unisound. The OP and I have posted quite a few independent reviews, even one from audioholics.com

http://www.audioholics.com/news/tra...dspeakers-redesigned-for-improved-performance

there are many other threads about this, just search unisound in the forums.

And onto the cambridge soundworks speakers. Lets just say that if someone is in for some simple bookshelves speakers for the room, I'd recommend a simple TM or MTM design using dome tweeter and 6.5/5.5" woofers, in bass reflex alignment. I'm certainly generalizing here, but there are many design compromises with with 8" 2-ways bookself designs, and many other compromises with using cone tweeters - thats really really old school! I do not doubt that Henry has made the comprimises at the right places and made some very good performing value speakers. But please, he would tell you himself not to compare them to 3-way floorstanders.... especially one that is 90lbs heavy

 

[Thump553]

I agree that weight can have some relationship to the sturdiness of the cabinet, but valuing speakers by weight alone is akin to marketing BS that the audio field is awash with. $370 would buy hundreds of pounds of MDF down at Home Depot.

From reading the purchaser comments on thingfling, one purchaser reports that Unisound went out of business several years ago and he was shipped totally cosmetically mismatched speakers by thingfling's sister company. MSRP in the audio field is frequently a BS figure. Cavaet emptor, these appear suspiously like "white van" speakers to me.

I brought up the Model 6 as an example of a real audio deal and do not purport that a quality bookshelf speaker and a quality floorstander are in the same category. My first set of quality speakers were the (Henry Kloss designed) large Advent two-ways, and in many ways they were my favorite speakers to date.

 

[LikeLinus]

hahahahahahahahahahah!

ok this is too funny, not to crap on ur post either, but when someone post a pair of $2500 RRP floorstanding 3-way speaker with a silkie tweeter, 5"mid and 2 8"woofers, someone replying with a recommendation of a 8" 2 way bookshelf @ $250 RRP with a cone tweeter is just....... too funny.

The closest example i can think of, is comparing one of those middle eastern branded mercedes G class, (which are really Mercedes engines inside a frame, contracted and built for the army) to a good old honda civic. Both great cars I am sure, but you wouldnt compare the 2 would you?

Unisound is like the off-brand merc because its actually a chinese company, who contracted american crossover designers, using european drivers, and everything assembled in china.

And as far as the weight of a speaker is concerned, ok, it may be a little misleading to most people when using that as the title of the thread to justify that the speakers are good, but if u were in the field, u would know that is generally, very very often the case. Heavy speakers are usually heavy because they need to be. Because they need lots of bracing, thick baffles etc, which suggests very good/powerful drivers etc. Dead cabinets are always good. Sure, someone can make a speaker super heavy with crap drivers just to pretend to be good speakers, but whats the point? You lose money logistically, in transportation, manufacturing, delivery. More over, if a speaker was 100lb heavy, and its not just a flimsy box with bricks inside, the boxes themselves like these ones from unisound here already worth more than $300. Just a quick example:

http://www.madisound.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=178_423

I have personally opened up and looked inside of one of the cheaper unisound models, and yes, the cabs are super well braced, drivers are of high quality, and crossover well designed etc.

For more background info of this company look back into the other threads 2 weeks ago on unisound. The OP and I have posted quite a few independent reviews, even one from audioholics.com

http://www.audioholics.com/news/tra...dspeakers-redesigned-for-improved-performance

there are many other threads about this, just search unisound in the forums.

And onto the cambridge soundworks speakers. Lets just say that if someone is in for some simple bookshelves speakers for the room, I'd recommend a simple TM or MTM design using dome tweeter and 6.5/5.5" woofers, in bass reflex alignment. I'm certainly generalizing here, but there are many design compromises with with 8" 2-ways bookself designs, and many other compromises with using cone tweeters - thats really really old school! I do not doubt that Henry has made the comprimises at the right places and made some very good performing value speakers. But please, he would tell you himself not to compare them to 3-way floorstanders.... especially one that is 90lbs heavy

FYI: That was NOT a review. You posted a link about someone going to listen to them. It gave no information and even says "The Unisounds are ready for a formal Audioholics review", It's also from 2007. I cannot find one reputable review site that has a review on these speakers. Care to share the reviews you have found? I'm not talking about forum post from someone who "got in" on the deal, but from an actual review with data???

I've never even heard of this company and doing a search on the web...it seems there's almost no one who knows anything about this company? The link for the deal has a post at the bottom that says the company went out of business 2 years ago?

Sounds like cheap Chinese junk that they are trying to get rid of two year old inventory that no one wants to buy. If they were so great, why are they still around after the company went south 2 years ago?

You and Macgyversite seem to be the only person talking about these speakers in several post here on AT.

 

[einstein4pres]

I agree that weight can have some relationship to the sturdiness of the cabinet, but valuing speakers by weight alone is akin to marketing BS that the audio field is awash with. $370 would buy hundreds of pounds of MDF down at Home Depot.

From reading the purchaser comments on thingfling, one purchaser reports that Unisound went out of business several years ago and he was shipped totally cosmetically mismatched speakers by thingfling's sister company. MSRP in the audio field is frequently a BS figure. Cavaet emptor, these appear suspiously like "white van" speakers to me.

I brought up the Model 6 as an example of a real audio deal and do not purport that a quality bookshelf speaker and a quality floorstander are in the same category. My first set of quality speakers were the (Henry Kloss designed) large Advent two-ways, and in many ways they were my favorite speakers to date.

Although I can't vouch for these speakers, they look nothing like white van speakers. As mentioned before, no white van speaker is going to be this dense or have as nice a cabinet as these.

The previous set claimed to have a vifa tweeter, as opposed to some $0.10 tweeter. Yes, reviews are scarce, and ThingFling's shipping leaves something to be desired. MSRP is <strike>often</strike> usually exaggerated. The company is out of business, so if you blow a driver, you're out of luck. But $370 is a great deal for the cabinets alone (though that's small comfort unless you want to design speakers).

There's definitely a risk factor involved here, between the lack of reviews and ThingFlings (or Unisouds) apparent issues with labelling/shipping boxes, but if you like the looks of the speaker, and are in the market and can stand a little bit of risk, it seems like they could be awesome.

 

[blamus]

Thump553, i understand totally on your view, and it is good to be skeptical about internet speakers. You seem to know your stuff, so I'll leave it to you to decide what these really are with your own research.

I wont disagree that thingfling's shipping department is useless, but their customer support is top notch, I personally got non matching speakers, and that has been resolved.

Likelinus on the other hand can bark however he likes. I don't know why I'm doing this, anyone else can do a little search and come up with some useful info, I guess I'll make people's work easier and open your eyes in the mean time:


discussion on PE tech-talk:

http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?p=1606758#post1606758

in particular, the last post by me with internal pics:

http://s590.photobucket.com/albums/ss343/blamuk/AU265/

a thread here started by OP 2 weeks ago:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2027966&highlight=unisound

in that thread 2links of particular interest:

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/...ce-off-iv/budget-bookshelf-speaker-conclusion

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f21/where-buy-audition-silverline-audio-minuets-334499/

(post no.8)


Just because some company is out of business doesn't mean their product is not good, have you heard of NHT? and thousands other speaker companies just like them that has gone out of business? What it does mean is that you can get audiophile speakers for fraction of the price. Now go park your white van up someone else's......alley!

 

[LikeLinus]

Thump553, i understand totally on your view, and it is good to be skeptical about internet speakers. You seem to know your stuff, so I'll leave it to you to decide what these really are with your own research.

I wont disagree that thingfling's shipping department is useless, but their customer support is top notch, I personally got non matching speakers, and that has been resolved.

Likelinus on the other hand can bark however he likes. I don't know why I'm doing this, anyone else can do a little search and come up with some useful info, I guess I'll make people's work easier and open your eyes in the mean time:


discussion on PE tech-talk:

http://techtalk.parts-express.com/showthread.php?p=1606758#post1606758

in particular, the last post by me with internal pics:

http://s590.photobucket.com/albums/ss343/blamuk/AU265/

a thread here started by OP 2 weeks ago:

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2027966&highlight=unisound

in that thread 2links of particular interest:

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/...ce-off-iv/budget-bookshelf-speaker-conclusion

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f21/where-buy-audition-silverline-audio-minuets-334499/

(post no.8)


Just because some company is out of business doesn't mean their product is not good, have you heard of NHT? and thousands other speaker companies just like them that has gone out of business? What it does mean is that you can get audiophile speakers for fraction of the price. Now go park your white van up someone else's......alley!

I'm barking cause I'm questioning a company that's out of business for 2 years and has no actual reviews out on the internet by a reputable review magazine or web site? Yeah, ok.

You provided NO reviews like I asked. My quote was " I cannot find one reputable review site that has a review on these speakers. Care to share the reviews you have found? I'm not talking about forum post from someone who "got in" on the deal, but from an actual review with data???"

Which you have no provided any in your post. What you posted are forum post (oddly enough one linking directly to a post by you). The one link you posted as a "review" are not even for these speakers.

So basically I'm right. It's not my lack of "google" skills, it's the fact that these speakers are from a defunked company with no reputable reviews other than forum post (mostly by you it appears).

It's also funny that You and Macgyversite are also posting in this thread
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2023287&highlight=

Which Macgyversite buys those speakers too and says they are the "steal of the decade" and they are from the same site. Then einstein4pres chimes in that they are not "white van" speakers..just like he did in here. It's like Deja Vu!

Anyways, I'll just keep barking and feeling that these speakers are cheap junk.

 

[Macgyversite]

Some people in these forums have no clue......

Those who actually bought these because they needed good speakers have a clue.

All we are doing is trying to recommend Great speakers.

Jeez. I have the other speakers from this manufacturer. Blamus has 2 Sets. We have posted pics and reviews. You have sort of have credible sources that dont care whether you buy them or not . We also wont make a buck on what we say.

Blamus and I have pics posted of internals and the speakers themselves and he is way more knowledgable about design than I am. In fact people need to stop posting trash when they actually have no clue about design. Until you have read the "Wood Effect" or other design book and have made your own speakers not from a kit. Read my first sentence in this post.

Even with all that we are trying to post here and before. All we are essentially doing is RECOMMENDING these speakers b/c they are WAY above what most people are used to. The bashers will just go to BB or other mass market retailer and buy some other "Known" brand of marginal quality.

Some people Just Dont Get It. After all. What are these forums for? Hot Deals.......

 

[blamus]

exactly the answer I expected from likelinus, deja Vu indeed! need I say more?

keep shopping lads! dont mind me!

 

[Macgyversite]

I suggest you stop thread crapping likelinus and others...........

What is Deja Vu here is people like you that come in and Bash other peoples threads when they are doing their best to help others out.

These speakers are far from cheap junk. What dont you understand?

Oh yeah. English and Photos.

 

[LikeLinus]

Some people in these forums have no clue......

Those who actually bought these because they needed good speakers have a clue.

All we are doing is trying to recommend Great speakers.

Jeez. I have the other speakers from this manufacturer. Blamus has 2 Sets. We have posted pics and reviews. You have sort of have credible sources that dont care whether you buy them or not . We also wont make a buck on what we say.

Blamus and I have pics posted of internals and the speakers themselves and he is way more knowledgable about design than I am. In fact people need to stop posting trash when they actually have no clue about design. Until you have read the "Wood Effect" or other design book and have made your own speakers not from a kit. Read my first sentence in this post.

Even with all that we are trying to post here and before. All we are essentially doing is RECOMMENDING these speakers b/c they are WAY above what most people are used to. The bashers will just go to BB or other mass market retailer and buy some other "Known" brand of marginal quality.

Some people Just Dont Get It. After all. What are these forums for? Hot Deals.......

I wouldn't call shady speakers from a defunked company a "hot deal". It makes it even more silly when you have Blamus talking about how these are $2500 speakers (Sure) and the post is in regards to the weight of the speaker?? Most of his links are post from him on other forums pimping the speakers. He has a join date of Nov. and it just seems a little odd. While we are all here for hot deals, people also still need to be weary of fly by night companies selling junk from companies with no warranty. If we didn't mention that, people may buy these and not realize that they are not supported by a manufacturer. The same rules that apply to allowing you to post a hot deal apply to people warning people to "buyer beware". It goes both ways and that's part of the forums.

FYI: My first post wasn't thread crapping. I asked for reviews from a reputable company becuase I've never seen or heard of these guys. Google searching turned up nothing other than forum post from people trying to get in on the "hot deal". I'm not going to spend my hard earned money buying things that I don't know about. It's called research and asking questions.

 

[IGBT]

reminds me of the AR9LS. except the AR's had 12" woffers with 8" downfiring subs.

 

[Macgyversite]

If someone posted a hot deal on Bose. You wouldnt have a problem. Bose speakers for the most part are well engineered Junk. Just take them apart and you will see.

We have posted what we can on the speakers in question. We have Pics reviews other threads. There are people that have them and say they are awesome.They totally Outclass most speakers at most B&M's near most people. We cant do any more. What we can do is......try this

Please Post elsewhere if you cant say anything positive towards the deal at hand. In other words. Keep your scepticism to yourself.

 

[LikeLinus]

If someone posted a hot deal on Bose. You wouldnt have a problem. Bose speakers for the most part are well engineered Junk. Just take them apart and you will see.

We have posted what we can on the speakers in question. We have Pics reviews other threads. There are people that have them and say they are awesome.They totally Outclass most speakers at most B&M's near most people. We cant do any more. What we can do is......try this

Please Post elsewhere if you cant say anything positive towards the deal at hand. In other words. Keep your scepticism to yourself.

Bose is a functioning profitable company who provides warranty to their product and their a big name manufacturer. So no, I have no problem with someone posting a deal for their speakers - no matter how I feel about them being junk or not.

And no, I will not keep scepticism to myself. We're allowed to ask questions on an open forum and request information. Ok?

Enjoy your hot deal. I just wondered if anyone had information (Independant - that is not linked to this deal) about these speakers. That's all...it appears not.

If you're not interested in the speakers - move on. The OP has no obligation to post reviews. If you want reviews find them yourself. If you can't and that bothers you - move on. Calling them shady because YOU don't find anything about them is thrreadcrapping. If you don't think it's a deal - move on.

Administrator allisolm

 

[Macgyversite]

Its Bose Not Boss.

You have gone beyond what you have stated.

 

[LikeLinus]

Its Bose Not Boss.

You have gone beyond what you have stated.

No shit it's Bose. It was a simple mistype. Get over yourself.

 

[angry hampster]

Regardless of how they're made or how they sound..they are hideous.


If you don't like the way they look don't buy them - just - move - on.

Administrator allisolm

 

[Jenova314]

If someone posted a hot deal on Bose. You wouldnt have a problem. Bose speakers for the most part are well engineered Junk. Just take them apart and you will see.

We have posted what we can on the speakers in question. We have Pics reviews other threads. There are people that have them and say they are awesome.They totally Outclass most speakers at most B&M's near most people. We cant do any more. What we can do is......try this

Please Post elsewhere if you cant say anything positive towards the deal at hand. In other words. Keep your scepticism to yourself.

I seriously doubt any self-respecting, informed member here would be excited over Bose speakers.

 

[modestninja]

I have to agree with the OP and Blamus here. These seem like a pretty decent (if risky) bargain, especially if like designing speakers since you could always replace the innards with whatever you want.

For the regular buyer, it may not be the greatest deal unless you already have an amp that can decently power 4 ohm speakers. Otherwise, you will have to spend a decent amount more.

 

[blamus]

I seriously doubt any self-respecting, informed member here would be excited over Bose speakers.

The day they go out of business, or maybe 2 years after that, and they are selling off their leftovers for 99&#37; off RRP, then I think I might be............ But then they went out of business, so they must be crap? even though the materials might be 200% of the sale price!!!!!

Oh wait, I do regularly pick up bose subs in goodwill for $5, but then I take out the crap and redesign the sub using new drivers....box building is expensive!!!!

 

[blamus]

LikeLinus, I don't blame you for being ignorant, You don't have the responsibility to know ANYTHING about speakers.

For example I am personally a retard at shopping for guns, I wouldn't know whats a good gun even if you showed be all the internals and design features, which is exactly why I wouldn't go to a hot deals thread for guns and saying that I bet those guns are crap because I can't find reviews, or the company is bust, or for whatever reason, unless, I have had any personal experience with them.

So it is not your fault at all. Just don't step out of your expertise. Because most experienced speaker builders, audiophile etc can probably look at the specs and pics of the finish/craftsmanship and at least have a good idea they are not white van speakers. Now with close up internal pics of the front and backs of the drivers as well as the crossover used any seasoned builder/audiophile can confirm that they are of good quality!

I can show you a back of a woofer and you wouldn't have a slight idea what design features are desirable and how that might affect the sound, or, even, whether it would make any sound at all. But then as I said its not your fault, you just need some education. I learn something new everyday.

If you would like to learn what to look for when buying speakers, do ask! I am willing to help!

 

[LikeLinus]

nevermind not worth it.

 

[blamus]

I do apologize! I had to make some assumptions from what your previous posts seem to convey, that is all. I don't have your resume, but your posts certainly suggested a few things. If I made false assumptions about you, or your knowledge, or any products, or any deals, I am terribly sorry.

But are you?