What are some component sellers?

[windsorcastl]

what are some reasonable, or great component sellers. You know, the corporations that dont sell full speakers, but rather the components. I just started a business, and im in the market to manufacture and sell speakers. I have capabilities of custom boxes because i have an employer who is a cabinet builder. I just need a supply of components, high end, low end, capacitors.. i guess that doesnt really fit in this category, but what i really need is a variety of woofers, because the rest of it is easy to find.

[HipoFutura]

JBL Pro division. www.jblpro.com

Best there is; in my opinion. Don

[windsorcastl]

i was hoping for just a list of companies i can go to, high quality or cheap, because im going for the whole spectrum of production.... does jbl sell the components though? i thought it was just the finished goods...

[Cloth Ears]

Most of us here aren't in the manufacturing caper, we're in it for the 'love' (or should that be "the Luurve"), so we buy very small amounts from retailers to use on our personal projects.

I'd recommend that you let your fingers do the walking. Search some of the site that people in here mention to find out where we get our stuff. But you're then going to have to track down the manufacturers and work out deals with them to get the best price. You'll probably have to find some retailers looking for something to fill their empty shelves as well.

And, unless you're going really high-end (with an initial client base) I'd be looking at a run of at least a thousand units to be able to lose a few demo units along the way.

Good luck! I'll test one of your units for free down here in Aus if you decide to jump the pond!

[Apex Jr]

I'm a one man operation with speaker parts and some
speakers and a good deal..
Have some high quality popyprop caps not listed on my website.

www.apexjr.com

You can contact me with your requests
steve.apexjr@prodigy.net

Steve

[anatech]

Hi windsorcastl,
I've moved your thread to the loudspeaker forum where it will be seen by more interested parties.

-Chris

[GRollins]

On the one hand, you say you've just started a company manufacturing speakers.
On the other, you aren't sure where to buy parts...or even what parts you'll need.
What's wrong with this picture?
I would suggest that you come up with a product first. You'll find that the R&D facet of the speaker building business is a little more complicated and difficult than you seem to believe. Until you have a product, all the cabinet making facilities in the world will be of no more use than a box full of moldy feathers.
And the first step towards having a product is to get some basic knowledge. You might be better off seeking recommendations for books on speaker design.

Grey

[Cloth Ears]

Originally posted by GRollins
You'll find that the R&D facet of the speaker building business is a little more complicated and difficult than you seem to believe. Until you have a product, all the cabinet making facilities in the world will be of no more use than a box full of moldy feathers.

Would have to agree with your whole post there, Grey. He has, however, come to the right place for advice. I think that the amount of advice that we give tends to be dependant on the amount of effort that (we perceive) the 'advicee' is willing to put in.

So, windsorcastl, you'll have to show a bit of "get up and go" with regards to finding out information and a bit of direction with regards to what you're actually looking at building before you can expect any real help here.

If you're designing down to a price point, then you probably won't find us much help - but if you're designing up to a standard then you may. But work out what you want to do first. Then ask.

[anatech]

Hi windsorcastl,
Heed the advice given. I have to agree with them on all counts.

"It is impossible to build a fool proof system; because fools are so ingenious."

How can anyone disagree with that??

-Chris

[Dave Bullet]

... and identifying a product means you need to have first identified a target market. Either a target market as a niche (gap) or one you think you could do better in (competitive analysis).

How will you retail or distribute your product?
How will you market your offering?
What about after sales service and support?

All of the above come before the design and manufacture part of the venture (well - a pilot run can put a reality check on the numbers for your business case).

If you have external investors - they must certainly what to see the above to mitigate risks with their investment.

Anyway.. back to your question.... when you have your product in mind and margin targets, you will be able to narrow down the T/S specs of drivers that will suit the application (and the $ you can afford to spend per item - don't forget production tooling !!!). This in turn will help narrow down driver / component manufacturers that fit the constraints.

If you can't find any... www.miscospeakers.com might be able to craft drivers to your requirements.

Assuming you have some manufacturers fitting the constraints, then I'd deal directly with them.

Go to somewhere like www.madisound.com for a list driver / component manufacturers.

Cheers,
David.