Richard Allan CG12 Woofer

Richard Allan Loudspeakers emerged in 1949 as Richard Allan Radio Limited, founded by a group of friends in Batley, West Yorkshire, UK. The brand name cleverly combined the forenames of the sons of two key founders—Richard, son of Jack Garfield, and Allan—rather than honoring a single individual. Evolving through the decades, it transitioned to Richard Allan Audio Limited in the 1990s and later integrated into the Magnum group of companies, preserving a legacy now spanning over 75 years with ongoing repair facilities for its products.

The company focused primarily on loudspeakers, producing a range of models from compact bookshelf designs like the RA8 to floorstanding towers such as the Dimension Five series. Early offerings emphasized robust cabinet construction, as detailed in their 1960s leaflets, while later models incorporated custom amplifiers sourced from specialists. Speakers dominated their catalog, with distribution extending to markets like Australia via partners such as Radio Parts.

Richard Allan occupies a niche in the vintage hi-fi collector's domain, prized for affordable British engineering from the mid-20th century. Models like the RA8, once retailed at £369 but discounted to £229 direct, earned praise for value in period reviews. Today, they appeal to enthusiasts seeking characterful, repairable classics rather than cutting-edge high-end gear, though detailed performance data remains scarce online.