The 2024 edition of the Loudspeaker Industry Sourcebook (LIS) is now available, refreshing the renowned annual industry supply chain reference publication. In the new edition we include the latest updated listings of key audio industry suppliers, vendors, and service providers, and we also offer a valuable overview of the State of the Speaker Industry, including some of the speaker designs that stand out in 2024. We also offer series of must-read Industry Features, including an op-ed article from Audio & Loudspeaker Technologies International (ALTI) encouraging industry innovation, and the perspectives of the Professional Audio Manufacturers Alliance (PAMA) discussing trends in immersive audio for public address. This edition of LIS also celebrates multiple industry milestones, including the 100th anniversary of Celestion, 25 years of Wharfedale Pro, 45 years of Genelec, 45 years of Meyer Sound, and 50 years of Charcroft. Plus, our traditional questions and answers with a select audio industry panel.The Loudspeaker Industry Sourcebook (LIS) has been published every year for the past 28 years, and more industry professionals are now familiar with LIS and its online directory format (www.loudspeakerindustrysourcebook.com). For everyone working in R&D, manufacturing, sourcing, product management, technical support, marketing, and sales in the loudspeaker and related industries, LIS is a permanent reference tool, as we learn to better appreciate our partnerships and suppliers, and understand how interconnected we are.
The listings submitted online are compiled annually to generate the printed edition, but the LIS publication and website also contain must-read articles, interviews with audio professionals on trending industry topics, and an annual report about the state of the industry. And new articles are published every year with each issue of LIS.
In our 2024 edition, you don't want to miss the State of the Speaker Industry overview by J. Martins. The speaker industry is growing. Moderately but consistently. In most product categories and application segments, speaker companies are seeing decent volumes. An unusual number of acquisitions, and surprising designs are also good indicators of the dynamics that move this key segment of the audio industry. The 2023/2024 market analysis summarizes these trends and highlights some of the most outstanding speakers of the year.
Following current market trends closely, this edition of LIS includes an op-ed article by Barry Vogel, CEO of Audio & Loudspeaker Technologies International (ALTI). Encouraging industry members to continue to seek out innovation, his article explores the significant transformations the loudspeaker industry has undergone in recent years, detailing some significant milestones.
The edition of LIS also provides an interesting feature article prepared by an expert team at Analog Devices, focused on exploring the evolution and gains of digital signal processing when applied to loudspeakers. Titled "What’s to Gain from DSP?", Phenix Nunlee, with the support of Ryan Boyle, Matthew Tyler, and David Thibodeau - all from Analog Devices - detail the benefits and tradeoffs of designing loudspeaker systems with DSP compared to the classical analog approach. The article is complemented by a complete set of measurements and analysis in hopes of providing a transparent and data-driven summary of DSP-based implementations.
Next up, Jennifer Shockley, Executive Director of the Professional Audio Manufacturers Alliance (PAMA) asked representatives from its member companies to address one of the hottest topics in audio right now, which is immersive and spatial audio. Seen from the perspective of professional audio companies who are fostering the creative possibilities of immersive audio productions, Chris Hansen (Harman International), Gary Boss (Audio-Technica US), David Fuller (QSC), and Marc Lopez (d&b audiotechnik) assess the impact of the burgeoning immersive audio movement on their product development and business.
And LIS 2024 highlights more loudspeaker industry milestones as we celebrate some of the businesses that have contributed to the success of audio and continue to explore new ventures. In a special section of the Loudspeaker Industry Sourcebook, Celestion, this edition's cover sponsor revisits its rich legacy and milestones as it celebrates "100 Years of Success." Also in this spirit, read about Wharfedale Pro, which commemorates 25 years; Genelec as it continues its success story for 45 years and counting; and the same year count for Meyer SoundMeyer Sound Celebrates 45 Years with New Logo and Reaffirmed Investment in the Future of Sound, which continues its unwavering commitment to great sound. Finally, UK's renowned manufacturer of audio-grade capacitors, Charcroft celebrates 50 years.
A tradition of every Loudspeaker Industry Sourcebook is our list of questions that we send out to several notable industry professionals, which always offer a valuable sampling of multiple perspectives of the industry. This year's responses provide a broad overview in multiple industry verticals, with contributions submitted by Kit Chan (GAIT), Daniel Knighten (Audio Precision), René Christensen (Acculution), Lorenzo De Poi (K-Array and KGear), Marcos Simon (Audioscenic), Roger Tall (ClarityCap and Charcroft), Steve Temme (Listen), Martin Turesson (Composite Sound), and Roger Shively (Shively Acoustics International).
As this issue of the Loudspeaker Industry Sourcebook (LIS) 2024 serves to show, current sourcing dynamics are making an industry directory into an even more valuable resource. All is reflected in the pages of this industry publication and its directories. Please enjoy the 2024 edition of LIS! www.gotomylis.com
About the Cover Sponsor
Founded in 1924, Celestion has been building transducers for commercial applications for 100 years and has grown to become one of the leading manufacturers of professional audio loudspeakers for fixed installation and touring sound reinforcement. The LIS 2024 cover celebrates Celestion's latest Ten2 (Ten Squared) Series, born out of a specialist development program at Celestion's UK-based R&D facility. These cast-aluminum frame, neodymium magnet low-frequency pro audio drivers are designed to deliver consistently superior levels of performance in the most demanding professional sound reinforcement applications, even after hundreds of hours of use.
