Michaels HiFi
Well-known member
- Thread Author
- #1
So... anyone else noticing what's going on at Rhythm Distribution?
Let’s rewind the tape.
We were introduced to Rhythm about a year ago — just as they took over the Tannoy distributorship in the U.S. from Upscale. “Took over” is the polite version (rumor is something much more detailed with some shady dealings involved) as Craig quit working at Upscale to open his own company and Tannoy jumped ship with him. And what did Rhythm do next? They hopped onto my Tannoy YouTube video, boldly declaring that what I said was misinformation and incorrect about where Tannoy was made (along with some idiot forum members).
Well, thanks to the former heads of Tannoy and industry insiders who quickly and publicly stepped in to set the record straight and confirm what I was saying was true, the record was quickly set straight.
And guess what? Rhythm disappeared from the conversation faster than a crappy Class D amp in a SET shootout.
Oh…and we won’t even get into how they were banned from the forum over at What Hi-fi for their behavior (yes of course I have screen shots that can prove everything I am saying).
Fast forward to a few weeks ago: news breaks that Rhythm is no longer the Tannoy distributor. Ouch. Was it the terrible U.S. sales that caused them to drop Tannoy? Was it the reality that you can still get sealed-box Tannoy speakers at 50% off from Upscale Audio? Was it the fact that Tannoy shipped all their product from the U.K. BACK to China where it was originally mfg’d when they lost their building in the U.K. and fired the remaining 5 employees they had working there with the facade crumbling?
Then came the big February announcement — Rhythm proudly proclaimed that John Pravel had joined their team. John’s a respected name in the industry, so it raised some eyebrows. But now? Just a few months later… even he’s gone.
And several dealers who've tried to deal with Rhythm regarding the Luxman line have all reported the same outcome - seriously contemplating dropping Luxman so they don't need to deal with the way Rhythm treated them.
Interesting days for sure....
Let’s rewind the tape.
We were introduced to Rhythm about a year ago — just as they took over the Tannoy distributorship in the U.S. from Upscale. “Took over” is the polite version (rumor is something much more detailed with some shady dealings involved) as Craig quit working at Upscale to open his own company and Tannoy jumped ship with him. And what did Rhythm do next? They hopped onto my Tannoy YouTube video, boldly declaring that what I said was misinformation and incorrect about where Tannoy was made (along with some idiot forum members).
Well, thanks to the former heads of Tannoy and industry insiders who quickly and publicly stepped in to set the record straight and confirm what I was saying was true, the record was quickly set straight.
And guess what? Rhythm disappeared from the conversation faster than a crappy Class D amp in a SET shootout.
Oh…and we won’t even get into how they were banned from the forum over at What Hi-fi for their behavior (yes of course I have screen shots that can prove everything I am saying).
Fast forward to a few weeks ago: news breaks that Rhythm is no longer the Tannoy distributor. Ouch. Was it the terrible U.S. sales that caused them to drop Tannoy? Was it the reality that you can still get sealed-box Tannoy speakers at 50% off from Upscale Audio? Was it the fact that Tannoy shipped all their product from the U.K. BACK to China where it was originally mfg’d when they lost their building in the U.K. and fired the remaining 5 employees they had working there with the facade crumbling?
Then came the big February announcement — Rhythm proudly proclaimed that John Pravel had joined their team. John’s a respected name in the industry, so it raised some eyebrows. But now? Just a few months later… even he’s gone.
And several dealers who've tried to deal with Rhythm regarding the Luxman line have all reported the same outcome - seriously contemplating dropping Luxman so they don't need to deal with the way Rhythm treated them.
Interesting days for sure....
