ralph waters Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 Hi everyone, Although I started Richter Acoustics in 1985, I still get people asking about my speakers, so I thought that I would join up and respond to any queries in that regard. I am well out of the industry now with my ow food manufacturing company and also involved with industrial design. I have attached a photo of my daughter Alexia delivering a knockout blow to Brad Serhan of Orpheus loudspeakers... 7 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djb Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 Greetings nice of you to offer your expertise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steam Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 (edited) First speakers I ever bought and still going. I had to save a long time from my part time job to get the $2500. Friends thought I was nuts. But couldn't find anything better at the price at the time. Have had a few repairs but doing duty now as rear surrounds. Yes I need to vac the cat fur and give em a wipe down. Edited August 13, 2017 by Steam 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerav Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 Hi Ralph, welcome. I am infamous for chopping and changing my audio gear but the one thing that has remain constant is my Richter Wizard Mk4's and Unicorn centre. Would love to see Richter go back to that Mk4 styling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wimbo Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 Welcome Ralph. I once won a pair of the original Wizards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralph waters Posted August 13, 2017 Author Share Posted August 13, 2017 It is gratifying to see these speakers still in service after decades of enjoyment. Great encouragement. Thanks fellas 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralph waters Posted August 13, 2017 Author Share Posted August 13, 2017 I am truly not sure what expertise I can offer, but I will try to offer an opinion ( hopefully enlightened), if asked 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty boop Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 Welcome Ralph ! we still have our original richter set. Harlequins, unicorn, hydra abd mk1 thor all still going strong and like new when I got for my first 5.1 av setup about 20+ ? Years ago i don't think richter today is a patch on the old stuff which is sad ps I still have your original flyers on each one of our Richter's explaining their designs intersting to hear in food industry ! And in industrial design to things I've been involved with all my working life 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerav Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 2 minutes ago, al said: i don't think richter today is a patch on the old stuff which is sad Is that a stab at me or are you referring to the mark 5 stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digitalhome Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 My first 5.1 pack was the Richter precious metal serious with an upgrade to the Richter Thor subwoofer. Was a great bit of kit. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrRogers Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 Welcome Ralph. Great to have you here.http://www.homeentertainment.com.au/speakers.htmlSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralph waters Posted August 13, 2017 Author Share Posted August 13, 2017 Well I am really surprised that anyone would actually remember me. It is just so good that there are many people enjoying their original investment. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rantan Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 Welcome Ralph. You shouldn't be surprised that people remember you. It goes without saying that you are an Australian legend and icon in audio. I have owned several of your original designs over the years and I have also sold your speakers at some retail stores when I was in the audio trade for many years. The customer reaction to your speaker was outstanding and I have sold many pairs to people who I still know and they are mostly still in daily use. Regrettably the new Richter speakers are a poor imitation of your designs and would sell mainly due to the Richter label. Yourself and Brad are indeed icons in the industry and if you ever decide to make more speakers I would love to hear them. I am sure your expertise and reputation will serve you very well here. Cheers 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralph waters Posted August 13, 2017 Author Share Posted August 13, 2017 Dear Rantan, I am very touched by your kind remarks. I am very aware that there are were some tremendous designers in my era. Brad Serhan and Scott Krix are two that come to mind immediately, but there were many more. It was an era of great fun. And most are still around today making first class speakers. I think the sheer excitement of the industry at that time was adrenaline for me. I always looked forward to each day as a fresh 'play in the sandpit'. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rantan Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 2 minutes ago, ralph waters said: Dear Rantan, I am very touched by your kind remarks. I am very aware that there are were some tremendous designers in my era. Brad Serhan and Scott Krix are two that come to mind immediately, but there were many more. It was an era of great fun. And most are still around today making first class speakers. I think the sheer excitement of the industry at that time was adrenaline for me. I always looked forward to each day as a fresh 'play in the sandpit'. Hi Ralph. It was indeed an era of great fun. Everything was new and there was a wealth of new products emerging. I vividly remember buying some of Brad's Orpheus speakers when he was building them in his bedroom at his parents house at Lillyfield. I should have kept them and your Wizards. I'm not so sure that the industry is fun anymore, maybe its just me getting old, but I doubt it 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cafad Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 3 hours ago, powerav said: Hi Ralph, welcome. I am infamous for chopping and changing my audio gear but the one thing that has remain constant is my Richter Wizard Mk4's and Unicorn centre. Would love to see Richter go back to that Mk4 styling. The Mk4's had the curved cabinets yes? I have no idea if they sounded better than the Mk3s or Mk5s but they certainly looked the goods IMO. Loved those curves! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rantan Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 3 minutes ago, powerav said: Why are people saying the newer models are poor, I just need to understand. Mate, with respect, this is a welcome thread for Ralph. If you have opinions maybe it is better in another thread yeah? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Full Range Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 1 minute ago, powerav said: Why are people saying the newer models are poor, I just need to understand. I will take a stab at an answer Let me say upfront that I haven't owned any old or present product But this can be an answer to sum up any product that has changed over time Build quality - Against build at a price point Made for Stereo - Against made for surround sound Target market - has changed so what is produced may be perfect for that - but not suitable for HiFi stereo ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wimbo Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 45 minutes ago, ralph waters said: Well I am really surprised that anyone would actually remember me. It is just so good that there are many people enjoying their original investment. Ahh, I remember sitting in front of the Paladins with you, thinking crossovers etc. Damn, I've done that with Brad too. Good times. New Aussie HiFi back then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Muon N' Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 Welcome, Ralph My first speakers were Richter Harlequin Mkll's, a mate still has a pair of the same and loves them. Good to have you here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Muon N' Posted August 13, 2017 Share Posted August 13, 2017 @ralph waters I have a question that has bugged me for years, the tweeter in the Mk11 Harlequin's I never worked out what it was...make ect'. Do you recall that tweeter, Ralph? Loved the Audax mid-woofers in them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty boop Posted August 14, 2017 Share Posted August 14, 2017 @ralph waters I thought I'd dig out some of the material you included with our Richter Harlequinn which we still have, its an amazing amount of material and extremely informative. and what a speaker the harlequin is, as one of the reviews reading back said its amazing that a speaker like this sold for $799 ! when would expect to pay some $1400 to $1700 a pair. I dont know how you did it ! such and ingenious speaker and certainly they were the pick for me back then and looking back wow it was 25 ! years ago I got them. You mention in one of the flyers that these speakers should be just fine 20 years from now given the high quality components used, well your reputation is testament to that in 25+ years later they still are like new ps while they were handed up to my parents eventually when I upgraded to some missions, I needed to spend some 2.5-3x what the richters cost which is really saying something, 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralph waters Posted August 14, 2017 Author Share Posted August 14, 2017 Hi fellers, I tis great that the old speakers are still going strong...each speaker model had a number of iterations, but I am pretty sure that the MkII Harlequin had a Audax silk domed tweeter. I could be certain if you took a photo close up and posted it. I spent a lot of time listening to components 'in the raw' before deciding which devices would go on to be tested. It was a pretty easy test as most tweeters sounded pretty ordinary. After sifting through maybe a dozen or so devices you usually come across one which is a stand out winner. I recently conducted a series of listening tests on a number of Vifa tweeters. Each tweeter had very similar response curves. For some reason, one of them sounded vastly better than the others. Now I find that remarkable.. The other tweeters were very competent, but for one reason one model just stood out. I think the essence in good speaker design is to start with the most sensitive and discerning test instruments available. They are located each side of your head and I found they came in very handy!! Oh thanks for posting the Richter literature. I have almost nothing from that era, but it is a pleasure to revisit this material. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Muon N' Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 Thanks, Ralph. I'll try and get a pic of the tweeters in my friends pair next time I'm over there. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty boop Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 6 hours ago, ralph waters said: Oh thanks for posting the Richter literature. I have almost nothing from that era, but it is a pleasure to revisit this material. i'll post some more of it that i have lying around from other model richters we have Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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