The modern loudspeaker tends to be an aggregate of component parts from specialist companies each concentrating on one aspect – magnets, voice-coils, surrounds, and so on.
Michail Barabasz and his company Lorantz Audio is one clear exception.
Audio pioneer Dr. Neville Thiele once described Michail Brabasz as ‘the best single source of electromagnetic loudspeaker driver knowledge he knew’.
Michail understands the detail of the interplay between all the component parts contributing to the overall performance, and then extends this to the design and optimisation of the production manufacturing process. A rare gift indeed.
Michail and his wife Hazel run Lorantz Audio based in Dandenong Victoria where they manufacture the complete loudspeaker. Michail has embraced and applied modern analysis and design tools to produce world-class loudspeakers well sought after on the world market.
In the AES Oral History project, Michail shares his views and experiences, offering some insights into the essence of a good loudspeaker, and how to reliably make it.
Michail describes his initial training as part of a migrant family and his work at Plessey Rola designing such legendary drivers as the 12 inch Plessey Rola 12P, and industry workhorse dual cone models such as the 12UX and the C8MX, configurations remaining popular today.
One aspect critical to the performance of the loudspeaker is the shape and construction of the cone. Michail worked with a local research organisation to analyse and optimise the shape and materials of the humble loudspeaker cone, creating new felting processes and fibre mixtures with optimised acoustic properties. This introduced Eucalypt-softwood pulp blends and their manufacturing processes to the world.
A pivotal event was the closure of Plessey Rola’s Australian operations and factories. Michail (and his workmate Bill Woodman amongst others) believed in the loudspeaker industry.
Michail used his severance capital to purchase factory equipment and establish his own manufacturing company in Dandenong.
Billy Woodman would go on to establish the ATC loudspeaker company in England.
Loudspeaker design does not just stop at the cone.
Cabinetry, crossovers and amplifiers all contribute to the overall result.
Michail explains that the key to product manufacture is the Design-Test process. The results of testing then need to feed back into design and this requires a stable documented process. Next is the need for fresh, objective design and test processes.
Lorantz has encouraged co-operations with local research and development and with educational institutions, always with direction based on the overall product design process. Michail explains the risks and rewards associated with this.
Component sourcing has always been an issue. Michail sees the key to success is to be involved in the supplier processes and not just to assume purchase of their existing catalogue lines. This will influence the choice of supplier.
Of equal importance is then the need to liaise closely with the customer base. As Michail states “Orders come from fixing problems”. Industry liaison is also important and beneficial with appropriate management. Lorantz has worked with collaborators and competitors alike over the years, always to promote the loudspeaker industry.
The AES awarded Michail and Hazel the Service to Industry Achievement Award in 1995.
Michail has continued his association with the AES, and the Melbourne Section, serving for some time on the Committee and presenting on loudspeaker topics on two recent occasions.
Reports on those presentations are available here:
Distortion Control in High Powered Woofers – https://aesmelbourne.org.au/meeting-report-feb-2012/
and
Loudspeaker Power Ratings – https://aesmelbourne.org.au/mtg-rep-dec2021/
Recently Michail reflected on his life and career with AES Committee member Dr Rodney Staples in a wide-ranging video interview as part of our Oral History project. In this 10 minute extract from the interview (full interview link at the end of this document), Michail recalls how his time at Plessey Rola shaped his career.
You can view this video directly on YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv3-BSf_sis
Rodney’s full video (1hr duration) is a more extensive view of Michail’s journey that can be viewed on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/oEJtt8RD9hg
Graeme Huon – August 2024