Chapter V: Breakthrough

The Key to the Market

The Avanti – Audio Physic’s breakthrough: from a “nobody” to a respected high-end loudspeaker manufacturer.

This success is largely owed to the dedication of Joachim Gerhard, who boldly and determinedly built contacts in the United States. His efforts ultimately led to the Avanti being awarded a full-length review in the renowned high-end magazine The Absolute Sound – a publication considered worldwide to be the “hi-fi bible.” The article spanned nearly ten pages and focused not only on the Avanti’s exceptional design and remarkable sonic qualities, but also on the philosophy and craftsmanship behind Audio Physic.

The Avanti set new standards through its innovative construction. Its exceptionally slim floorstanding cabinet – crafted with utmost precision – featured a completely isolated mid-tweeter module. One particularly controversial element, then and now, was the side-mounted bass drivers. This configuration not only enabled the loudspeaker’s extremely slender form but also allowed for a groundbreaking acoustic concept: two exactly opposing woofers operating in a push-push configuration.

Their membranes moved in perfect synchrony, canceling out the reactive forces they generated – a revolutionary solution that astonished the high-end community.

To this day, Audio Physic regularly explains why it makes little difference whether a woofer is mounted on the front, rear, or side of a cabinet. Bass frequencies spread omnidirectionally – like a pulsating sphere – which means they have no directional behavior and therefore no sonic disadvantage in any mounting position.

Many of today’s Audio Physic models feature internal bass units that radiate downward or against a spaced floor plate through a defined opening – a proven concept originating from the Avanti’s development.

The review in The Absolute Sound changed everything and catapulted Audio Physic onto the global stage. Every hi-fi enthusiast read that magazine – including German hi-fi journalists. Not long before, Audio Physic was virtually unknown; suddenly, German specialist magazines flooded the company with requests for review samples.

From that moment on, Audio Physic was no longer a best-kept secret – but an established name in the world of high-end audio.

The story of Audio Physic