How a $300,000 Speaker is Made

TL;DR

Oswalds Mill Audio creates high-end speakers with exceptional sound quality.

Transcript

My name is Jonathan Weiss, I am the founder and CEO of Oswalds Mill Audio As known as OMA and we're in our Dumbo, Brooklyn showroom surrounded by all of our products We're really an outlier in the high end audio world we make everything from the signal source in terms of analog, that's record players which we make out of solid slate We make our ow... Read More

Key Insights

• Oswalds Mill Audio is a unique company in the high-end audio industry, creating all components of their products from scratch to ensure unparalleled sound quality.
• The company uses soft slate, which dissipates vibrations better than harder slate, for its analog record players, enhancing acoustic performance.
• OMA is the only company making conical horn-loaded loudspeakers for home use, ensuring control over sound quality and product uniqueness.
• The manufacturing process includes using cast metal, which is molten and poured into sand molds, followed by welding, edge treatment, and powder coating for durability.
• Pennsylvania hardwoods, known for their tonal quality, are used in speaker enclosures, employing meticulous hand-done joinery to accommodate wood expansion and contraction.
• The company’s reference listening space, the mill, serves as a laboratory to test and evaluate new products and technologies.
• OMA prioritizes sound quality over convenience, size, and cost, producing large, high-quality equipment that cannot be miniaturized due to the physics of sound waves.
• The final assembly and installation of equipment occur at a central facility, ensuring that the sound system reproduces audio with such precision that it feels lifelike.

Questions & Answers

Q: What materials does Oswalds Mill Audio use for their products?

Oswalds Mill Audio uses a variety of high-quality materials for their audio products. These include soft slate, which is used for its excellent vibration-dissipating properties, Pennsylvania hardwoods like ash, cherry, and walnut for their tonal quality, and cast metal for durability. The combination of these materials ensures superior sound quality and product longevity.

Q: What makes OMA's loudspeakers unique in the audio industry?

OMA's loudspeakers are unique because they are the only conical horn-loaded loudspeakers made for high-end home use. This design allows for superior sound quality. Additionally, the use of solid wood joinery in their construction is a rare and meticulous process that ensures durability and enhances the acoustic properties of the speakers.

Q: How does OMA ensure the durability of their products?

OMA ensures the durability of their products through a meticulous manufacturing process. This includes using high-quality materials like soft slate and Pennsylvania hardwoods, cast metal components, and a powder coating process that provides a durable finish. The careful construction and attention to detail in joinery and assembly further enhance the longevity of their audio equipment.

Q: Why does OMA prioritize sound quality over convenience and cost?

OMA prioritizes sound quality over convenience and cost because their mission is to create the best possible audio experience. They believe that true sound quality cannot be compromised for the sake of size, convenience, or price. Their equipment, though large and expensive, provides a lifelike audio experience that smaller, more convenient systems cannot match due to the physics of sound waves.

Q: What role does the mill play in OMA's product development?

The mill serves as OMA's laboratory and reference listening space, where they test and evaluate new products and technologies. This space allows them to combine new and old elements, listen to them, and decide on the direction for future products. It's an essential part of their commitment to maintaining high sound quality standards.

Q: How does OMA's use of Pennsylvania hardwoods benefit their products?

OMA's use of Pennsylvania hardwoods benefits their products by providing exceptional tonal quality and durability. These woods are also used by top acoustic guitar manufacturers, ensuring they are acoustically excellent. The meticulous joinery used in constructing the speaker enclosures allows for natural wood expansion and contraction, enhancing the longevity and performance of the products.

Q: What is the significance of using soft slate in OMA's products?

The use of soft slate in OMA's products is significant because it dissipates vibrations and resonances better than harder slate, enhancing acoustic performance. This property makes it an ideal material for analog record players, where minimizing vibrations is crucial for achieving high sound quality. The careful quarrying and processing of this slate ensure it meets OMA's high standards.

Q: How does OMA's product installation enhance the audio experience?

OMA's product installation enhances the audio experience by ensuring the equipment is perfectly integrated into the client's home environment. This attention to detail in installation ensures that the sound system reproduces audio with such precision that it feels lifelike, creating an immersive experience that makes listeners feel as if the performer is present, even if they have been deceased for years.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Oswalds Mill Audio (OMA) specializes in high-end audio equipment, crafting every component in-house to achieve superior sound quality. Their unique approach includes using soft slate for record players and conical horn-loaded loudspeakers, ensuring unparalleled acoustic performance.

• OMA uses Pennsylvania hardwoods and meticulous joinery for speaker enclosures, ensuring durability and tonal excellence. The manufacturing process involves casting metals, welding, and powder coating, emphasizing durability and aesthetic appeal.

• The company's dedication to sound quality over convenience and cost is evident in their large equipment, which cannot be miniaturized due to the physics of sound. Their products provide a lifelike audio experience, making listeners feel as if the performer is present.