Leon Speakers is already one of the most popular makers of custom loudspeakers for home-technology professionals. Now the company is acquiring Terra Speakers, a like-minded manufacturer focused on custom-made audio for outdoor and commercial applications, including speakers with integrated lighting.
Leon wants to be nothing less than the top provider of “hand-made American speakers,” according to CEO Noah Kaplan. The Terra acquisition gives the company a sprawling empire of U.S. factories from Maine to Michigan – Terra’s in Brunswick, and Leon’s in Ann Arbor.
Leon and Terra have collaborated for at least a decade. Terra’s All Climate FIVE line of all-weather loudspeakers was designed in partnership with Kaplan, and Leon’s Boundary Series outdoor speakers are made with Terra
drivers.
What gets Kaplan especially excited is Terra’s LuminSound Outdoor audio products with integrated lighting for landscape applications.
In this Terra series, Kaplan say, “The speaker is a light. It’s not just a speaker that looks like a light. It is true convergence of lighting and audio.”
Kaplan is a bit of a nut for lighting, because he’s crazy about art and design. His sound sculptures in the past have incorporated lighting as an integral element, and a brand new line of products will put lighting front-and-center.
In an interview with CE Pro on the eve of Lightfair 2018 (May 8-10 in Chicago), Kaplan says we can expect Leon to “create a brand new category” in lighting and sound that plays with the same themes of “custom” and “hand-made” that have always been the hallmarks of Leon and Terra.
The companies will be meeting with new lighting vendors at the show.
Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Terra president James Banfield will continue to run the Terra brand under Leon, focusing on outdoor and commercial products. He will also contribute heavily to new product development across all lines, Kaplan says.
Nearly five years ago, Leon acquired Media Décor, developer of motorized art pieces for hiding TVs and other unsightly objects.
At the time, Kaplan articulated his passion for “blending art with audio, design with technology.”
The Terra acquisition fits the mold.
