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Forsythe Audio Systems (commonly referred to as Forsythe Audio) was an American manufacturer of professional audio equipment specifically, loudspeakers systems offering extremely high reliability and high-fidelity for sound reinforcement professionals. All their designs were by Kenton Forsythe. It was located in Watertown, Massachusetts.
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The company was owned by Forsythe and Lewis Freedman, who previously started K&L Sound. The company initially operated out of Kenton's house and shop in Quincy then moved to a dedicated manufacturing and distribution building in Watertown.
Milestones
1975: Forsythe Audio Systems was formed to sell the Kenton Forsythe's SR215 dual 15 inch bass horn design originally developed by Kenton at dB Engineering In Quincy, Massachusetts. The SR215 was the first bass horn in its class to be optimized to fit through a 30 inch door and is possibly the first to incorporate a phase plug between the 15 inch drivers.
1976: Forsythe moved to a dedicated facility in Watertown, Massachusetts and added the SR115 single 15 inch bass horn to the line along with the addition of distribution through dealers outside the New England area including Quantum Audio in NYC and Sound Genesis in San Francisco.
1977: Forsythe added two way compact systems and vented subwoofer systems with a unique interchangeable tube venting system such the enclosure could be field re-configured for use with various drivers from JBL Professional, Gauss Loudspeakers, Altec and EV.
1978: Forsythe became the US distributor for ATC loudspeakers from the UK.
Key People At Forsythe Audio
Kenton Forsythe, founder and chief engineer he later moved to Eastern Acoustic Works (EAW) after Forsythe was wound down in 1978.
Ken Berger, National Sales Manager was responsible for setting Forsythe Audio Systems worldwide distribution – moved to from Eastern Acoustic Works in 1978 and in 2012 founded a new pro audio company "VUE Audiotechnik" http://www.vueaudio.com
Gary Shea, worked building the Forsythe Product in addition to performing as a musician in leading Boston area bands including being a founding member of the band New England - left to pursue a full-time career in music. http://www.garyshea.net
Ben Wisch also worked at Forsythe Audio building systems and crossover assemblies while performing throughout the north east, and went on to become a very successful Grammy Award winning player, producer and engineer. www.myspace.com/benwisch http://www.benwisch.com/
Lewis Freedman, was the co- founder of K&L Sound and co-founder along with Kenton of Forsythe Audio, he provided the funding and administrative controls to the company.