April 5, 1999
Industry: Canadian loudspeaker manufacturer Audio Specialiste broadens its marketing horizons

Québec, Canada.. Speaker manufacturer Audio Specialiste is well established in its home market, commanding a strong market share in the province of Québec after just five years in business. The company currently offers 32 models ranging from modest bookshelf units all the way up to high-end audiophile systems.

Now the company is mounting a push into the US and international markets. Lee Lareau, formerly with NEAR Speakers, has been hired as VP sales & marketing, US and International. "Audio Specialiste has a great deal of creative talent and successful business experience. A great combination. We also like to have fun," stated Lareau.

The company is led by Denis Guerette, who has previously owned and operated large successful multi-million dollar organizations. Speakers are designed by Martin Galarneau, who has incorporated a number of innovations into the Audio Specialiste line.

There are four series of products: the Virtuel, Dimension, Crescendo, and Propheti lines, each including subwoofers, center-channel units, and surround speakers, as well as floor-standing main speakers. Full home theater systems including powered sub woofer ranging from $1,249 up to $34,900 (US).

The Virtuel and Dimension series are aimed at the standard consumer market, with speaker pairs starting at $259 (US) and all individual units priced below $1,000 (US). The entry level powered subwoofer is priced at $499 (US), and it features a 225W high current twin MOSFET amplifier capable of delivering an impressive 112db spl.

Audio Specialiste's middle range is filled by the Crescendo series, priced from $750 to $2,400 (US) per speaker. At the top end, the Propheti speakers range from $12,000 to $30,000 (US) each.

Audio Specialiste offers more than 40 optional wood finishes; any color is available in custom finishes. The company builds it's own wood and vinyl cabinets in house, as well as their own subwoofer amplifiers.

Web Site: Audio Specialiste

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