Acoustat Company History
Historical overview
1962 Jim Strickland began experimenting with electrostatic panel construction and direct drive amplifiers
1972 Acoustat is incorporated. Research continues
1976 Introduction of Acoustat's first loudspeaker, the Model X. This speaker included a built-in direct-drive, vacuum tube sen/ocharge amplifier
1977 Monitor Three and Monitor Four. Cosmetically reconfigured versions of the original X, these models were initially available only with the servocharge amplifier.
1978 Introduction of the MRP (Modular Referenc Preamplifier), as a companion to the servocharge amplifier. Very limited qualltities produced.
1980 Invention of the Magne-Kinetic (MK) interace, allowing the use of any high quality amplifier with the speakers. For a short period, the Monitor series was available with either the servo-charge amplifier or trasformer interface. Introduction of the RP-2 preamplifier, a simpler version of the MRP.
1981 Introduction of the Slimline Series: Model Two, Model Three and Model Four. These model were available with trasformer interfaces only.
1982 Introduction of Acoustat's Trans Nova line of electronics, the TNT200 amplifier, and the TNP preamplifier. Introduction of the taller models 2+2, Six and Eight.
1983 Introduction of MH (Modular Hybrid) Series: 2 MH and 3 MH. These models were available as full-range electrostats, or as limited range electrostats with dynamic woofers built-in to the base of the speaker, TNT-120 amplifier added to the Trans-Nova line of electronics
1984 Introduction of the Model 1+1. Initially available either as full range (using MK121 interface), or with companion woofers cube (using MK131 interface), known as 1+1S. Bankruptcy temporarily halts production the second half of the year.
1985 Acquisition of Acoustat by the David Hafler Company. Introduction of Medallion Transformers and the single panel Model One. 1+1 available only as full range.
1986 Introduction of the �C� version and new conductive coating for the panels.
1987 Development of the variable-area Spectra series: Spectra 2, 3, 22 and 33. Acquisition late in the year by the Rockford Corporation.
1988 Relocation of the factory from Florida to Arizona. Introduction of the Spectra SPW-1 woofer module.
1989 Introduction of Spectra 11, 44, 66 and low voltage input ultrasonic bias supply.
1990 Introduction of Spectra 1100, 2200, 3300, 4400 and 6600.
1992 Acquisition late in the year by Audio Physics
1993 Relocation of the factory from USA to Italy, where Acoustat is produced in two factories: Udine (construction of panels and engineering) and Milano (assembling and studies on design)
1994 Introduction of the new model Spectra 1200, cosmetically reconfigured version of the original Spectra 1100 and Spectre 11, based on American technology and Italian design. Research starts with the goal of drastically reduce the dimension of the loudspeakers.
1995 Invention of the new panel, that allows reduced dimension with a better response in frequency. Late in the year, starts the production of the new models Spectra 1300 (hybrid system) and Spectra 1400 (full range speakers), based on this new technology.
1999 Acoustat appoints Twinstatic Audio as distributer for the Netherlands
2002 Audio Physics ceases production in Milano
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