Audio Technology was founded by Ejvind and Per Skaaning in 1990 based on an idea of building small series of speaker drivers for customers that wanted to have some degree of influence regarding electrical and mechanical parameters, as well as appearance and design of the loudspeaker. The history —
In 1990, Ejvind and Per Skaaning founded Audio Technology. The basic idea behind Audio Technology was to build the drivers in a way that previous mistakes were avoided, such as problems with bottoming out and compression caused by ventilation problems. Only the finest raw-materials were to be used. Cone geometry should be refined to the best possible response. This would naturally mean a product at a considerable price level, but this was of no concern. The people behind Audio Technology are enthusiasts and want only the best.
Iconic products —
6” driver with 3” voice coil. First driver developed by Audio Technology was the 6” driver. Audio Technology names its Flexunits drivers after the emissive cone diameter, because they operate with lots of different front ring diameters and shapes. Front rings can vary several centimeters, despite using the same cone diameter. The physical shape of the drivers was quickly established and because it would not be limited by physical dimensions, like heights, etc. it was decided, the driver chassis should consist of two rings – a front ring and a middle ring, connected by spacers and bolted together. A very flexible construction, that led directly to the name – Flexunits. 6” Flexunits was finished with regards to the physical construction, but the shape
of the cone was still to be developed. It was done according to the ‘Trial and error’ principle and went on for month. Lots of tests, measurements and discarded cones saw the day of light. Fortunately, this brought a lot of experience and the process of finding
6” Flexunits - Sonus Faber version
Facts —
the right geometry of the cone got easier for the drivers to come. Sonus Faber (Italian speaker manufacturer) was already interested in such a driver, so turnover and sales was guaranteed from start. The driver, used in Sonus Faber EXTREMA, was hereby the first commercially used driver of Audio Technology. It was produced with the Sonus Faber logo on the special shaped front as well as an individual designed cone by the ideas of Franco Serblin. About 2000 Extrema mid-woofers have been produced, and the sales of these drivers, have contributed importantly to the ongoing foundation and development of Audio Technology. Next newcomer was a 10“ unit, also with 3” voice coil, but here development was somewhat faster. The physical design
Company name Audio Technology ApS Head office Stilling, Denmark Established in year 1990
Flexunits with 3” voice coil.
Established by Ejvind and Per Skaaning
Main audio product types Midrange and woofer loudspeaker drivers Main markets All continents Number of employees 6
The Danish loudspeaker 100 year anniversary — 39