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View Full Version : A sad day for Kralk Audio



Jac Hawk
12-08-2020, 19:05
And another one bites the dust, it’s a pity, bellow is a statement from their website:

https://kralkaudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Kralk_logo_wide-300x172.pngWhat's happening with Kralk Audio Limited?



Kralk Audio Limited is not trading at this time, and hasn’t been for the past few months.Kralk Audio began 8 years ago with Alan Clark, a man with a passion for creating great loudspeakers that many could afford and enjoy, all on his own in his small workshop at home. Unfortunately, success is a demanding mistress; great workmanship and quality engineering are not enough. Business requires more than that. The start of the COVID-19 pandemic triggered various latent issues, which had been building up. Core processes quickly deteriorated to the point of failure, leading to a complete production stop.This is when Mike Harlington and Nicolas Will came on-board in March 2020. Both are just as passionate about audio as Alan is and they recognised the value of Kralk Audio and all the pre-existing efforts put into making high-value loudspeakers with a fantastic market recognition. Both were willing to bring what was missing: successful entrepreneurship track record, industry recognition, management and commercialisation excellence, finances, marketing and sales experience.Kralk Audio Limited was born, with the goal of reaching the next level of deserved success, while preserving its acquired legacy, through significant financial and time investments, improved engineering and commercialisation processes as well as new manufacturing capabilities. Alan was given the engineering/quality reins (the heart of all Kralk Audio products), a majority stake holding in the new company and a guaranteed income: peace of mind for him and his family once the busy transition was achieved.Unfortunately, transitioning proved to be a mountain too high to climb; major gaps in understanding the very basics of business management, communications difficulties and a failure to establish trust, compounded by the lockdown, multiplied the challenges, ultimately leading to the complete breakdown of the already stressed partnership.This is a sad tale of passions and positive intentions that have regretfully failed to align and meet the expected success. There were signs out there to be seen, but hindsight is 20:20…There are open options for Kralk Audio Limited to have a future, either with Alan or with Mike and Nicolas. We’re hoping to find the best way forward, for everyone, regardless of our differences. Until that way is found, everything related to Kralk Audio Limited, including the intellectual property and assets (both material and financial), is on hold. Alan is still a director and shareholder of Kralk Audio Limited, even if he’s not a salaried employee anymore.Mike Harlington and Nicolas Will can be reached by email or other well-known means. They welcome and encourage any request for further information.

hifinutt
12-08-2020, 19:08
very sad day

MarginWalker
12-08-2020, 19:41
Hopefully something can be salvaged from it. I really liked the sound of Kralk speakers

southall-1998_mk2
15-08-2020, 13:15
I've exchanged a few emails and facebook messages with Alan in the past. Alan's communication has always been quick and informative.

I wish Alan well.

S.

alfaati
15-08-2020, 13:36
This is really sad indeed. Heard them 2 times on hi-fi show. I have loved what I heard. They also have that classic look what I like.

Jac Hawk
17-08-2020, 19:53
Well from the way the statement has been written he’s had a parting of the ways with his financial backing, my thinking is that if Kralk Audio begins production again it’s likely not going to involve Alan so not Kralk, I guess it all depends on the legal red tape they are wrapped in

Floyddroid
18-08-2020, 04:43
Sounds to me like Alan was shafted! When he gets back on is feet and at the helm i think the cognisenti will be right behind him.

CrillboBaggins
28-08-2020, 08:28
Very sad indeed

I’d heard great things about Alan’s speakers

Floyddroid
28-08-2020, 16:20
Very sad indeed

I’d heard great things about Alan’s speakers

Rightly so

Jason P
04-09-2020, 11:49
A search on the characters involved in this indicates some degree of form for creating these situations. I feel very sorry for the founder in these circumstances. I'm sure he entered into things with the best intentions and wanted to expand and evolve. I doubt that will happen now.

VanDerGraaf
04-09-2020, 13:44
A search on the characters involved in this indicates some degree of form for creating these situations. I feel very sorry for the founder in these circumstances. I'm sure he entered into things with the best intentions and wanted to expand and evolve. I doubt that will happen now.

I didn't want to be judgemental when I first read that statement a few weeks back.....but I have to admit I did think "wanker NewSpeak alert" when I did. Good luck to Alan with his future in audio- I never heard any Kralk speakers but they evidently had a firm following and good reviews.

Theadmans
05-09-2020, 15:57
I had never heard of Kralk before reading this thread...

...a shame that they have gone out of business - the small BC30 looks very interesting.

Does anyone know the last price the BC30 retailed for?

Also can anyone say how the BC30 would compare with my current speakers - AVI Neutron IV?

Due to lack of space in my listening room I would have to mount the speakers on a bookshelf (either side of a Victorian fireplace)...

I see the BC30s are sealed designs. On my bookshelves they would just fit depth wise - with a little room for the speaker sockets. So they would be hard up against the rear wall...

...any thoughts from those that know these speakers?

I will be using them with a Creek 50A Amp and Creek 50CD CD Player.

Macca
05-09-2020, 16:09
According to the brochure in this old sales thread £1050 to £1100 https://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?68366-FS-Kralk-Audio-BC-30-MkII-speakers

Theadmans
05-09-2020, 16:59
Thanks for that - also interesting that according to the brochure the depth is only 200mm (another spec I saw said the depth was 280mm)...

...this means I will have plenty of room on my bookshelves for these.

I was looking to upgrade to Proac Tablette 10s - but someone on Steve Hoffman said the Proacs don't suit near back wall placement.

Were these Kralks only sold direct from the company?

Macca
05-09-2020, 17:06
Yes I think so. I heard the big ones (TDB12) at a show and they were very good especially at the price.

That BC30 ad is for the mark 2 there was also a mark one so that may explain the size difference. The Mark one BC30 were £429 new in 2015.

Theadmans
05-09-2020, 17:47
Thanks mate - I'll look out for used examples (unless the company gets going again).