You read that correctly. eCoustics Vintage Editor, Jeremy Sikora, (@budget_audiophiler) is our resident Ohm Acoustics expert and recently noticed that the Brooklyn-based manufacturer had gone dark on social media.
We learned this morning after discovering a posting on Bizquest.com that the company is for sale.
None of this is really shocking from the perspective that the industry has experienced a softer market in the post-pandemic economy and that consumers have pulled back in specific areas of consumer A/V.
The company does not refresh its lineup on a regular basis and its marketing efforts with so much competition have clearly not delivered the financial results that would make management want to continue operating the company.
Ohm’s current management wishes to retire and very few people are looking to jump into the high-end loudspeaker market in NYC right now. DeVore Fidelity, which is based in the Brooklyn Navy Yards, might be one of the few actually growing in a shrinking market.
Grado Labs has benefitted enormously over the past decade from the resurgence of vinyl and the Head-Fi revolution and wisely chose to not expand out of their modest facilities in Brooklyn that have been owned by the family for almost 100 years. Whilst their business is still growing because of the quality of their products and very wide global distribution, Ohm Acoustics has fallen behind the times.
Might this be the end for the brand? That would be rather unfortunate because it sill has a rather significant following and customers continue to rave about their products.
Ohm History
Ohm Acoustics was founded in 1971 by Marty Gersten, former Chief Engineer at Rectilinear, and four other partners using the exclusive patents held by Lincoln Walsh; the inventor of the “Coherent Wave Transmission Line Driver.”
The Walsh Driver as it is more commonly known. Rectilinear declined to license the Walsh patent and Gersten made a deal with Strohbeen who wanted to sell the new Ohm Acoustics loudspeakers in his stores.
John Strohbeen became president of Ohm Acoustics in 1978; Strohbeen’s career in hi-fi began in his dorm room at MIT where he started Tech HiFi in 1964; one of the first high-end stereo stores where you could purchase Japanese audio equipment.
The Ohm A was their first creation and is still regarded as one of the best loudspeakers ever made. Perhaps not as famous in some circles as the Quad ESLs, but a very unique and innovative design that has plenty of admirers.
In 1999, Ohm Acoustics left the retail market pivoting to direct sales only relying on customer word of mouth and offering a 120-day home trial period. To this day, they still manufacture new loudspeakers and service their legacy loudspeaker lines out of their Brooklyn warehouse.
We’re going to follow this story with great interest because it would be a huge loss if this iconic brand disappeared if a sale does not transpire.
For more information: ohmspeaker.com
Related Reading: Affordable Vintage Loudspeakers
Gregory Begland
August 2, 2023 at 9:49 pm
Something about 1981 didn’t seem right to me as I distinctly remember them being sold in Macy’s electronics section when I was in high school, early 90’s. Ohm’s own website says 1999.
Ian White
August 2, 2023 at 11:32 pm
Greg,
Corrected. Weird because we’ve run 3-4 Ohm articles in the past 2 years that they saw and never corrected. I appreciate the heads up.
Best,
Ian
Juan Cueva, M.D.
August 7, 2023 at 12:38 pm
Just bought a pair of 40 year old Ohm speakers for my 50 year old Fischer 500 tube receiver and absolutely marvel over the superb high fidelity sound obtained from Chicago classical, jazz and rock FM station.
Who would think old electronics could be so good?
Ian White
August 7, 2023 at 2:32 pm
Juan,
Us. Which is why Jeremy has been writing so enthusiastically about it for the past 3 years. We really hope Ohm Acoustics finds a new owner but the current one is retiring and it would be a rather big loss.
Best,
Ian White
Jason
August 7, 2023 at 6:00 pm
Do you know if they are still processing orders? I was able to find a original pair of Ohm Walsh 5 speakers that I would love to get upgraded. I sent an email today but haven’t heard back yet. These sound fantastic but I would imagine the newer cans are even better!
Cheers!
Ian White
August 7, 2023 at 6:34 pm
Jason,
The company is for “sale” and still in business. It’s more an issue of the owner wanting to retire and sell it for that purpose.
Best,
Ian
Peter J Pappas
December 3, 2023 at 1:07 pm
I bought a pair around 1974. Tech HIFI in Boston. Traded in my B+ and $500 for them. I wish I still had them.
Zane Spenser
December 14, 2023 at 12:32 am
John S, owner of Ohm Acoustics, died, unexpectedly, this past Fall of 2023, and the company is up for sale at about $800,000.00 minus its stock
Ian White
December 14, 2023 at 12:51 am
Zane,
It was actually for sale before he passed — which is truly awful news to hear. 2023 has been one kick in the head after another.
Best,
Ian White