Not by a long shot. Some are so designated in an effort to be included in the next category up. There is no requirement to use this, or any other title. The only restrictions would be using trade, or registered titles - IEEE or so.
The companies with it in their titles are the same. However, Reference 3a, for example, is most definitely a true audiophile speaker manufacturer
Take it under advisement if anything is positioned as "reference" quality. In reference to what, is what I always ask. What are the independant criteria for this? What standards committee is this backed by?
Regards,
BBIBH
