Ryan Speakers: "Handcrafted in California"

An enterprise founded by brothers Trevor and Todd Ryan (left to right), Ryan Speakers proudly proclaims that their loudspeakers are "handcrafted in California." Looking at the Ryan 630 ($5000/pair), I remarked on the presence of felt around the tweeter, a technique pioneered by the late John Dunlavy. "Oh, yes," said Todd Ryan, "felt around the tweeter, offset mounting drivers; we use all the old tricks."

Reading the product literature, and listening to the well-balanced sound of the Ryan 630, it's obvious that these speakers involve a lot more than old tricks: drivers designed in house, featuring laminated Nomex cones, crossovers utilizing copper binding posts, air core inductors, Mundorf metal oxide resistors, etc. The cabinets have extensive internal bracing to eliminate panel resonances.

COMMENTS
Anton's picture

Didn't the Acoustic Research AR-9 and AR-90 precede Dunlavy's felt-work?

The AR-9 was felted in 1978, not sure if Dunlavy was involved or producing at the time. Did he work for AR?

In fact, inverted AR-9's should get royalties from Dunlavy for looks alone!

John Atkinson's picture
Anton wrote:
Didn't the Acoustic Research AR-9 and AR-90 precede Dunlavy's felt-work?

John always used to insist that his use of felt around a tweeter dated from the early 1970s, before the AR9 and '90 and even before the BBC used it in the LS3/5A in 1975.

John Atkinson
Editor, Stereophile

Allen Fant's picture

Thanks! for sharing. Hopefully someone at Stereophile will get a pair for review this year.

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