PreSonus has announced the acquisition of loudspeaker manufacturer WorxAudio Technologies, which designs and manufactures a range of line array, point-source, sub-bass, stage monitor, and related loudspeaker systems and accessories that are utilized in churches, professional touring and corporate AV.
Based in Greensboro, NC, WorxAudio was founded in 1979 by CEO and director of engineering Hugh Sarvis, who is taking a leadership role in the new direction. With the acquisition, WorxAudio will significantly augment core elements of PreSonus’ professional loudspeaker development efforts, including drivers, system and mechanical design, system tuning, and rigging system design.
In addition, WorxAudio’s experience with the commercial sound and portable/touring markets will help PreSonus develop the infrastructure required to support the specific requirements of those customers. With PreSonus’s technical, software, distribution, and financial resources and WorxAudio’s technical, domain, and production expertise, the resulting collaboration—led by Hugh Sarvis—creates a formidable entity in the live sound loudspeaker market.
“This is a logical move for us,” states PreSonus CEO Jim Mack. “Our StudioLive AI series loudspeakers are great for small to medium-sized venues, but the advanced DSP platform utilized in the AI speaker line, including the optional Dante networking capability, is extremely valuable for systems designed for much larger venues and environments.
“The acquisition of WorxAudio significantly extends our product line to provide advanced networked loudspeaker systems to a much larger audience,” he continues. “Further, this acquisition brings us extremely valuable engineering system design expertise and technology, as well as loudspeaker manufacturing expertise.”
Recently, WorxAudio was the first company to implement AFMG’s advanced FIRMaker technology. AFMG managing director Stefan Feistel notes that, “WorxAudio is a premium example of a long-lasting, very positive business relationship for AFMG. WorxAudio is the first FIRmaker licensee to actually deliver two very impressive installs employing this revolutionary technology. Congratulations!”
PreSonus has a well-established worldwide sales channel and, in recent years, has significantly expanded its operations, marketing and branding, testing facilities, and technical/customer support. The combined companies are expected to develop a broad range of loudspeakers for studio and stage, from low-cost, high-value products for musicians to advanced systems for mid-sized rental touring companies and systems integrators.
“Like WorxAudio, PreSonus is engineering-driven,” Sarvis states. “We’re excited about combining our engineering know-how with PreSonus’ networking, software, and signal-processing technology to develop groundbreaking and highly competitive new professional audio products.”
