Loudspeakers

Mike Adams was a sound designer and engineer who began servicing SouthernCalifornia's audio needs in the 1970s. Seeing the need for sound reinforcement during changing times, he left his band to join Silverfish Audio which was founded in Rochester, New York, in 1971 and isnow known as Sound Image located in Escondido, California. Mike worked as a front-of-house engineer for the likes of Jimmy Buffett and helped form many other audio companies such as Audio Composite and Vue Audio. Mike also collaborated with companies like JBL, Yamaha, and QSC on various design projects.

Barry Andrews has seen it all. Barry helped take a fledgling amp company, Quilter Sound Things, from a small shop to one of the most successful companies in the music industry, QSC. Along the way Barry’s focus on quality has helped found the basis for the company. Starting in the shop building amps with Pat Quilter, Barry took on the role of CEO while driving sales, first through their own retail shop, then moving onto the wholesale side as the business grew. Directing the company through its exponential growth, Barry helped create a company culture that thrives on innovation whil

John Andrews, along with his brother Barry and co-found Pat Quilter, formed the core that grew QSC into an incredibly successful company. Barry brought John into the business in the early days where he first began running the front office. Moving quickly into the role of Operations and finance, John’s leadership in scaling up the company’s manufacturing capabilities was crucial to the success of the business. John then transitioned into the co-CEO role with Barry as the company grew. Recently, John has stepped away from the day-to-day management of the company, but still actively

Tony Andrews is one of the world’s most influential loudspeaker designers as well as a founding figure of the modern pro audio industry. His childhood devotion to audio led to the creation of Turbosound, one of the world’s most successful touring sound brands. Having provided sound reinforcement for Roger Water's The Wall in Berlin, one of the biggest concerts in history, he now helms Funktion One, with whom he has helped to define the sound of modern dance music.

David Angress has spent his career in the technology and specialty products markets, holding several senior executive positions in retail, manufacturing and installation segments at companies including Guitar Center, Harman, and Sound Genesis. Angress was an essential member of the core group of senior executives at Guitar Center during its most significant growth period, which launched the company to its current position as the largest pro audio and musical instrument retailer in the U.S.  He played a pivotal role in the development of its merchandising, marketing and private lab

George Augspurger is the award-winning studio designer who began his career as a product engineer. George was hired by JBL in 1958 and served as Technical Service Manager and later as Manager of the newly formed Professional Products Division. Over the years he worked with several leading recording studios in the Los Angeles area including Capitol and Disney. In 1970 he formed Perception Inc and focused on designing recording studios. He has taught several classes at the university level on topics including loudspeaker system design as well as studio acoustics.

Dr. Leo Beranek is considered by many to be the father of concert hall acoustics. His amazing career has not only traced the growth of acoustic measurement but has documented it in a series of articles and books. His first book, Acoustics, was published in 1954 and is considered the bible for the field. Much of his later research was based on projects he led within the company he co-created: Bolt, Beranek and Newman. Among the most noted projects he was involved with for BBN was designing the general assembly room for the UN buildings in New York. Dr. Beranek was then interested i

Miki Cappello grew up immersed in music, thanks to her mother, who taught her piano and encouraged her to take up the saxophone. Miki played through middle and high school, even picking up the trumpet for marching band. Meanwhile, her father established Acry-Tech Coatings, a company known for providing specialized paint for speaker cabinets and road cases. Miki’s introduction to the music products industry came when she worked at the company during the launch of the Dura Tex products. She has attended the NAMM Show since 2017 and began exhibiting there in 2025, bringing her family

John Carpanini worked side by side with Robert Wilson at Sound Technology for just over 18 years. Perhaps considered a baptism of fire? The job was John’s introduction to the industry and one that grew with love and passion for music. John is a talented guitar player and has studied music for many years. His second position was at Soundcraft where he helped grow the product line as well as the company’s dealer base, especially to export markets. He was later hired by Dr Sidney Harman to serve as Vice President of Sales, working closely with Mark Terry, before moving on to work as

Perry Celia is known for his successful career in the sales representative field of the music industry. Early in his career, he worked with Don Griffin during the day at West LA Music, while pursuing his musical career by night. After West LA Music, he worked as sales director for Alesis. He later worked for JBL Professional as the Eastern Sales Director. In 2008, he was hired to work as Director of Sales for the West Coast at QSC. Celia rose through the ranks quickly working as Director of Sales for the U.S., Director of Sales for North America, and currently working as the Senio

Connie Czerwinski was the president of Cerwin-Vega, the company her father established in 1954 and worked with her father and the team he assembled, which provided many innovations in pro audio. Among the products the company became known for were speakers, the world's first solid-state  "Electronic amplifier," folded bass subwoofers and sound reinforcement.  The company was key in the development of sensurround technology beginning in the late 1960s, which was used in the motion picture industry.  Connie provided a wonderful background on her father, who passed in 2010 and the en

Chuck Davies is the founder of American DJ, which provides a long list of innovative products, many of which Chuck designed and engineered. He opened his own audio store in 1979 selling Hi-Fi equipment, which has since branched out to include six locations in Southern California. By 1982, it was clear to Chuck that he could provide the type of speakers his customers were requesting. He was among the first industry leaders to travel to China and form relationships with manufacturers in building new products, which soon included effects lighting and professional audio. 

Raul del Trejo often reflects back on the many lessons his father taught him about music and business. His father was a roadie for many local and traveling bands in Brazil. His motto was to offer his help in any way that was needed, which led to him repairing broken gear when needed. Soon he developed ways of making gear that was more durable and reliable. He established Staner Audioamerica with a focus on loudspeakers and Line Arrays. Raul grew up in the business and some of the long-term employees still recall watching him running around the factory as a kid.

Chahoud Dergham was born in Syria, but as he fondly recalls, a woman led him to move to Sāo Paulo Brazil, his future wife! Once in Brazil, Chahoud began working for an audio retail company specializing in high-end automobile sound systems. In 2003, he took a bold step and opened his own store, which quickly flourished and expanded into multiple locations. By 2010, his business had grown to 13 stores, now offering a wide range of musical instruments and accessories. His relentless dedication and entrepreneurial spirit inspired his son, Michel, who joined the family business.

Michel Dergham grew up immersed in the world of pro audio and musical instruments, watching his father, Chahoud, build a successful retail chain in Sāo Paulo. By the time Michel officially joined the business 16 years later, he had already developed an in-depth knowledge of their products and a strong connection with their customers. With a keen eye for innovation, Michel focused on enhancing the company’s marketing strategies and strengthening relationships with leading brands such as Yamaha, Harman, and Fender.

DJ Ken Heath grew up in a very musical family and was always encouraged to follow his passion for music. His mother and uncles performed on the radio over the years and Ken dreamed of performing for others. While developing his career as a DJ, Ken endorsed a number of products such as speakers and pro lighting, which gave him a front-row seat to the developing technologies that have been a key element to the craft of spinning records. Over the years Ken proudly has become friends with several of his musical heroes including studio drummer Hal Blaine.

Howard Durbin was hired by RCA following World War II and worked within the engineering department on improving the phonograph record.  He was assigned to the team that addressed unbreakable 78s and later on the team that developed the 45 record and still later the Red Seal LP.  He attended the NAMM Show during those years, which often showcased performers from top record companies, such as RCA, who were selling to the same dealers who were selling musical instruments.  The stand-alone record store was a rare thing to find in those days, so most records especially in smaller towns

Will Eggleston was always interested in how the music he heard on the radio as a kid was recorded. He was fascinated by the process and was determined to learn all he could. When he worked at Dirty Don's PA Palace (Atlanta, GA) in the recording department, he often found himself in the position of recording the bands that would come in at night. This led to his career with a number of studios and his deeper understanding and appreciation for pro audio equipment. While working for Lexicon, he met his future wife and partner, Lisa Kaufmann.

Dave Firestone joined the pro audio industry, thanks to his friend Greg Mackie.  Greg asked Dave to help him with his mixer products and in fact was on the ground floor of Mackie Designs and helped launch the innovative products that resulted in the Mackie name being recognized around the world.  In recent years Dave has been working within marketing for Tectonic Audio Labs, the creators of flat panel sound reinforcement loudspeakers.  

Mark Gander is the resident historian for JBL and for good reason. Mark has worked for the company for over 40 years, including a long period as Vice President of Marketing for JBL Professional under Sidney Harman. Mark's main focus has been product development and engineering. In fact, he worked on several noted products for the company over the years including designs of the Bi-Radial horns; the E Series, 2225 and other SFG woofers; series of studio monitors; the VRX line array; and JBL's ScreenArray cinema systems. Mark was on hand in 2017 when NAMM presented JBL with the 70 Ye

Henry Goldansky remembers very clearly his father recording his mother singing Opera. The concept of preserving sound was fascinating to young Henry and he soon joined a Hi Fi Club and began an intense study of loud speakers. He worked for Cerwin-Vega for over sixteen years, helping to build speakers in China and later worked in the automotive segment of Pioneer before joining the JBL team in 2007.

Paul Hanoud always enjoyed providing the audio equipment for live concerts. While studying to become an electrician, Paul worked in a hi-fi store deepening his knowledge of the gear and the companies that developed and manufactured the equipment, especially loudspeakers. In 1976 he and his wife Nancy established their own rep firm, covering stores and venues mostly in New England. Ten years later they became the rep firm for JBL. Meanwhile, Paul became an expert on installation and enjoyed the challenges of perfectly placing the equipment in each space to maximize the sound and th

Les Harrison is the president of Hollywood Sound Systems in Hollywood, California.  The company provides sound system and designs both to purchase and to rent and has been an innovator in the field since 1960.  The company has provided systems for recording studios, the film industry and for television as well as live events.  Along the way, Les became a collector and an expert on microphones.  His knowledge and collection have been used for several movies and TV programs over the years and a who’s who of musicians!  His passion and love for the industry may be the only things tha

Bob Heil received his first break into the pro audio market when the Grateful Dead’s sound system was not available for a concert date. Bob’s own powerful system was used, and a new name for speakers and microphones was born into the world. Several of his innovative products, including sound systems, control units, and amplifiers, have forever changed the quality of audio products. His books on sound systems and lighting are used as field guides for a generation of techies and roadies.

Harro Heinz was born in Germany and educated in electrical engineering before he was brought to the United States by Mr. Fisher of Fisher Radio in the early 1950s. After working for several radio and electronic companies, Harro felt it was time to form his own loudspeaker company. He began the company with a partner, Mr. Renkus, but later bought him out to run the company on his own. The company was formed in 1979 and has since produced a line of innovative projects including the award winning Iconyx series of digitally steerable column loudspeakers.

Klaus Heinz, the CEO of ADAM Audio, grew up with a strong interest in engineering and speaker technology.  In 1999, he teamed with Roland Stenz and established ADAM Audio in Berlin.  The company has gained a strong reputation for products based on the development of the ART (Accelerating Ribbon Technology) tweeter by Klaus which is based on the 1960's invention of the Air Motion Transformer by Oskar Heil, who was largely responsible for the company’s founding. This newly developed tweeter design became the embodiment of a highly defined and authentic sound that is among the most d

Bruce Howze is the founder of Community Professional Loudspeakers, which he established in 1968 after being asked to provide sound for such venues as the Electric Factory in Philadelphia. Bruce designed the first midrange sound system and later toured with rock and roll bands to test out his loudspeakers. The company produced some iconic products during the MI boom of the 1970s and 80s, such as their NC12 and CSX lines.  Later they would focus on the installation market with indoor/outdoor loudspeakers like the R SERIES and I SERIES families.  Bruce remains active in the company t

Anssi Hyvönen grew up in Finland where he developed a great love of recorded music and the gear to play it on. This gradually led to establishing Amphion as a hifi company in 1998. As an audiophile the playback side of the music chain was always familiar to him. To understand  the whole recording – playback chain, he started learning about the role of loudspeakers in audio engineering. As his interest and knowledge in loudspeakers grew, Anssi and his team outlined ideas for improving the existing products. 2014 Amphion started offering a series of power amplifiers and loudspeakers

Markus Jahnel, COO of Adam Hall started out working for the company when he was 15 years old. After 30 years working closely with David Kirby he is now a partner since 2013 overseeing the day to day operations of the business. Markus talks about the early days of product development at Adam Hall and his experiences at trade shows.   

Paul Jameson was a pioneer in audio wholesaling as the founder of Custom Products, located in Magnolia, Arkansas.  His company was among the first to sell microphones, PA systems and speakers to music stores.  Over the years the company expanded their product line to include amps, mixers and consoles among other pro audio gear.  For those record buffs, the name Custom Products was based on the label and studio Paul had in Tyler, Texas, called Custom Records.  Both companies use the same logo of a man holding a megaphone, the world's first PA.

Steve Johnson played saxophone in high school and in college while earning his electrical engineering degree. He was able to apply both passions when he joined the pro audio industry working for companies such as Shure and Harman, and also while serving as CEO of Community Professional Loudspeakers. Over the years, he helped guide the industry in the role of president of the Pro Audio Manufacturers Alliance (PAMA), which was formed by Paul Gallo. Steve continues to focus on his passion as he seeks to expand the products and customer base of Community Loudspeakers.

Wayne Jones is a well-known smooth jazz bassist who has recorded and performed with an impressive list of artists over the years before he focused on recording smooth jazz. All throughout his playing career Wayne was always looking for a way to improve on the sound of his instruments, first building his own bass amp at a young age. He has since established Wayne Jones Audio in Melbourne, Australia, with a focus on studio monitors, bass amps and his own six-string bass guitar called the Monarch Elite.