The Kaiser Acoustics project

Over the last year, Vertex AQ Ltd and Kaiser Acoustics GmbH of Germany have been looking at the potential for joint technology development and possible joint product development opportunities. Steve Elford of Vertex AQ, visited the Bavarian company twice in 2010, visiting both the Kaiser Acoustics showroom in Regensburg, and their manufacturing facilities in Passau. Also the 2 German principles, Rainer Weber and Hans-Jürgen Kaiser had several meetings with Steve Elford at the 2010 RMAF in Denver.

At the end of their last visit to Passau (also attended by Jeremy Baldwin of The Right Note), the parties agreed to go ahead with the launch of a set of Vertex AQ upgrade options for the Kawero and Vivace speakers that the German company build. The upgrade option for the Vivace comes in the form of an alternate internal crossover unit, which has extensive Vertex technology applied to it. For the Kawero! it is a complete stand-alone outboard crossover unit. Listening tests have proven that the Vertex upgrade options provides massive sound quality improvements for both speakers. The Vivace speakers, with the Vertex crossover, will next be on demonstration at the Silverstone Show, Whittlebury Hall, 24-25 Sep 11 in the Copse Suite.

For UK customers, the Kaiser speakers are going to be imported by The Right Note, based in Bath. They took delivery of their first pair of Vivace speakers (with the Vertex option fitted), in early March 2011.

The reasons why Vertex AQ and Kaiser Acoustics have decided to work together may not, initially, be that obvious. So perhaps we should explain. Vertex AQ of course has a long history of research and design in the area of acoustics in materials - it is these principles that have contributed so effectively to the success of the Vertex products over the years. Equally, Kaiser Acoustics have a hugely successful track record in the field of acoustic installations in some of the worlds biggest and most prestigious public buildings, private yachts, recording studios, conference rooms, and so on. The company also consults and designs acoustic solutions for Mercedes, BMW and Airbus. So within the 2 companies there was a huge amount of complementary knowledge, and in particular, combining the expertise of Steve Elford (defence background) and Rainer Weber (a world leader in automotive and aircraft acoustic solutions) was an opportunity too good to miss.

The application of Kaiser Acoustics' knowledge and skills into the Kawero and Vivace speakers has already produced superlative products, which clearly have a world leading performance - rich and transparent, with a body of sound that seems near impossible given the relatively compact proportions of the speakers. The Vertex upgrade options merely add even more to this trick, bringing further resolving power, particularly for tonal detail and instrumental timbre.

The selection of crossover components, and the choice of drivers is excellent, with the employment of the latest offerings from companies such as RAAL and Duelund. But perhaps one of the most significant thing about both the Kawero and Vivace, is that the cabinets are constructed from 'tankwood' - an incredibly strong wood ply and resin material, which is pressed and baked to form composite structures which have incredibly low levels of flexure and resonance, are very well damped throughout the audio band, yet are hard enough to cut threaded holes directly into the material for steel bolts!

One of the other very exiting things to talk about with these product is simply the quality of workmanship and finish. There is undoubtedly a huge sense of pride within this company, based on the classic Bavarian love of beautiful materials and exquisite craftsmanship.

We think that ownership of a pair of Kawero or Vivace speakers is going to be pure joy in every respect.

For more information see the Kaiser Acoustic website here.