What is this affinity of audiophiles to know where the specifics of where and what type of people made their equipment? Why does that matter if the end product is of superb quality? Some manufacturers even go to the extent of hiding where their products are manufactured ie REL, Hegel hides their country of origin.
This is a question i asked the comments section of stereophile in their monitor audio review. They were actively discussing these speakers are no longer made in the UK. The way i see it realistically, you just say you want it made by white dudes come on…
I draw a hard line - all my audio stuff has to be made on planet earth. No Jovian gas moon speakers for me. No way.
Seriously, there is some great gear made in every country. So then why do I have a preference wrt country of origin? Couple of reasons.
Worker exploitation and human rights. Why should I support a country like China that has an abysmal human rights record? Not historically. But today, right now. Dissidents and their families are disappearing. Uyghurs are being detained in state-sponsored camps, government policies have included forced labor, suppression of Uyghur religious practices, political indoctrination, forced sterilization, forced contraception, and forced abortion.
Intellectual property theft. There are a lot of ‘derivative’ designs out there that are close copies of gear designed and produced by established companies. These copies trade on the goodwill established over years and years. It’s not ok to buy them to save a buck.
Product support is very important to me, and I want a local in-country support presence ir I won’t buy the product.
All good points.