The RADIPOTAR
an audiovisual masterpiece
Discover the captivating story behind the Radipotar, from its inception to its transformation into a masterpiece of design and engineering. Join me as I explore the collaborative efforts that brought Radipotar to life and delve into the meticulous process of designing and manufacturing this extraordinary speaker. Experience the fusion of artistry and technology as I unveil the passion and craftsmanship behind the Radipotar.
Are you eager to experience the Radipotar’s exceptional sound in person?
The history of Klaus Leesemann and the Radipotar
My journey into the realm of high-fidelity audio began in the vibrant music scene of the 1970s, where I, as a student, first experienced the captivating allure of sound. It was during this time that I embarked on my maiden voyage into speaker craftsmanship, undertaking the ambitious task of replicating the iconic Klipschorn speaker using ACR Fostex components sourced from Zurich, powered by the Eumig M-1000 tower amplifier - a project that laid the foundation for my lifelong passion.
As fate would have it, my path intersected with that of a music critic in Innsbruck, whose invitation to countless listening sessions opened my ears to the nuances of sonic intricacies. Despite eventually parting ways with those early Klipschorn speakers upon my return to Carinthia and before my wedding, their memory lingered, resurfacing years later when I reunited with them. It was then that the seed of innovation was planted, leading me to transform them into radial horns, positioned at the heart of a room to envelop listeners in a symphony of dynamic sound.
Driven by a desire to bring the authentic essence of recorded soundscapes into living spaces, I delved deeper into the realm of HiFi optimization. Recognizing the pivotal role of room acoustics in shaping auditory experiences, I sought solutions that seamlessly integrated with domestic environments, leading me to forge partnerships with industry leaders like Trinnov and Lyngdorf. With their advanced DSP technologies, I embarked on a journey of experimentation, meticulously simulating, calculating, and testing various speaker configurations, each iteration bringing me closer to realizing my vision of a speaker that not only sounded exquisite but also exuded visual elegance - a challenge that culminated in the birth of Radipotar, a conceptual masterpiece protected by design patents, with myriad innovations waiting in the wings.
For me, the ultimate speaker had to be fully DSP-controlled, and infinitely adaptable, capable of harmonizing with room acoustics without imposing structural overhauls. After all, the pursuit of sonic excellence is rooted in achieving harmony between sound and space.
In photography, a white balance ensures true color representation. In music, however, the issue of tonal accuracy remains elusive. Electronic room correction emerges as a beacon of hope, indispensable for achieving not only faithful audio reproduction but also enhancing speech intelligibility - a necessity in an era where the amalgamation of distinct room acoustics, playback devices, and personal listening spaces presents a formidable challenge, yet also an opportunity for innovation.
In my quest for sonic perfection, I seek to emulate the principles of photography's white balance, albeit in a different guise - an endeavor to realize the most objective audio reproduction possible which then leads to the perfect subjective audio reproduction in the end.
From vision to reality
The journey of bringing Radipotar to life commenced during a construction course at Makerspace Carinthia in 2020. I enrolled in a course led by Christoph Haidinger, aiming to learn Autodesk Fusion 360 to translate my vision of Radipotar into a tangible design. The task proved more challenging than anticipated, prompting me to enlist Christoph Haidinger and subsequently his founded company, Hammer-Hai GmbH, as reliable partners in the development of Radipotar.
Through collaborative construction sessions, we refined the design of Radipotar, ensuring it was both manufacturable and affordable for customers, while still embodying all the nuances that define a high-end speaker in my eyes. The expertise and dedication of Christoph Haidinger and the team at Hammer-Hai GmbH were instrumental in overcoming hurdles and transforming my vision into reality.
Masterful manufacturing by premier partners
The selection of my manufacturing partners was the result of a meticulous supplier search and evaluation process to ensure collaboration with only the best. We scrutinized potential partners not only for their technical capabilities but also for their experience, creativity, and reliability. Through this careful selection process, we ensured that our partners not only met our technical requirements but also shared a common vision for quality and excellence.
The realization of this project would not have been possible without our premier manufacturers. One partner is 3D Print Austria, founded by Nils Gödde and Philipp Lerchbaumer. Their support extended beyond mere 3D printing to include brainstorming sessions on structural details, finishing techniques, and addressing print-specific challenges. They were particularly responsible for 3D printing the struts using HP Multijet Fusion technology, followed by a special black dyeing process that added aesthetic depth to the parts.
The second phase of manufacturing was undertaken by SFK, an experienced carpentry firm from Upper Austria known for its successful execution of numerous exceptional projects. SFK took on the demanding task of manufacturing the speaker chassis and cones, including numerous 5-axis milling operations. The result: truly impressive speakers, perfectly crafted prototypes.
The collaborative partnership with these premier manufacturers was instrumental in the success of this ambitious project, characterized by excellent communication and mutual respect.
gallery from my partner SFK
Unlock the ultimate sound experience with Radipotar: Hear the revolution!
The journey of the Radipotar has reached its pinnacle, and now, you have the chance to experience it firsthand. This revolutionary speaker, the result of years of passion, innovation, and collaboration, is ready to transform your auditory world.
Come and listen to the Radipotar for yourself. Immerse yourself in its unparalleled depth, precision, and lifelike sound. Sign up for an exclusive listening session and be part of the future of high-fidelity audio.
POTAR.AT leesemann’s GOAL for the 360° radipotar speakers: HOLOGRAPHIC SOUNDSTAGE, STABIL, ACCURATE, IMMERSIVE, ULTRAREALISTIC, LIKE YOU WERE THERE! And - SO CLOSE to the music! Two (2) wider sweetspots or better “sweetareas”, one on each side of the speakers! A speakerconstruction in CAD (fusion 360) that enables the maximum correction with a dsp and guaranties a really impressive natural soudreproduction - that transforms a stainway concert grand piano, a selmer tenorsax or your favorite musisian … right now into your room. Sounds realistic, as if the are there. A sensible attitude through the flexible adapted crossovers, with perfectly and harmonic filteradjustments. Butterworth, linkwitz-realy or Bessel and many other things, Driver per driver adjustments supporting a professional room corretion. All that is combined with a unique, fully functional and extrordinary sound- and speakerdesign. The perfect soundintegration with this awesome sculpturlike speaker will create the astonishing virtiutal stage fitting perfectly in your room. We reached our Target - Enjoy your dream with the RADIOPOTAR 360°!
Special Thanks to all my partners!
A thank you to Hammer-Hai GmbH for their invaluable assistance throughout the Radipotar project. From aiding in the construction on Autodesk Fusion 360 to guiding the selection of manufacturers, providing manufacturing support, assisting in setting up the new homepage, logos and parts of the marketing, and addressing all the minor details that arose during the project.
We extend our gratitude to SFK for their essential role in the Radipotar project. From assembling the entire Radipotar to manufacturing numerous milled parts, SFK’s expertise and collaboration were invaluable. Thank you for your contribution and professionalism throughout the project.
From manufacturing the 3D printed parts to their meticulous finishing through dip coating, 3D Print Austria's dedication was exemplary. We also appreciate their excellent support and guidance, especially in ensuring the manufacturability of the parts. Thank you for your attentive assistance throughout the process.
Your state-of-the-art measurement technology has been instrumental in achieving a level of sound quality beyond imagination. I deeply appreciate our longstanding collaboration, which has not only facilitated the project but has also enriched my understanding of sound. Thank you for your unwavering support and expertise throughout our journey together.
Your facility provided me with the opportunity to attend courses and establish relationships. It was through your support that this project gained momentum. Thank you for being instrumental in the realization of my vision.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Mr. DI Harald Kern and his esteemed Technical Office in Klagenfurt, Carinthia, for their invaluable contributions to research and development. Mr. Kern, a childhood friend, has been a guiding light since my earliest days, offering assistance during my first speaker assembly and fostering our enduring friendship built on shared passion and visionary pursuits. Together, we embarked on pioneering ventures, crafting the first Moniskiers, and collaborating on the revolutionary Radipotar cone.
DI Harry STERZ
I also extend my heartfelt gratitude to another childhood friend, Mr. DI Harry Sterz, whose companionship and constructive criticism have been invaluable. As a sparring partner in idea exchange, Mr. Sterz has consistently offered insightful feedback, enriching our collaborative efforts.
I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to Tischler Albin Wank for his invaluable contribution to my product development journey. His expertise in crafting development boxes for testing drivers, insulation, and interior construction has been instrumental in my research and development endeavors.
KAFKAPUREAUDIO
I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Markus Kafka of KAFKAPUREAUDIO. Through numerous collaborative projects, we have forged an inspiring partnership, and it's always a pleasure to work together. Markus's expertise and passion have been instrumental in bringing our visions to life.
I would like to express my thanks to Master Wood Turner Alfred Krainer for crafting my first cones from Zirbenholz (stone pine). Your expertise and craftsmanship have contributed significantly to the early stages of the Radipotar project.
PU1TEC
I also would like to express my thanks to the Managing Director and Owner of PU1TEC Mr. Ing. Wolfgang Christian Prandl for his nice support to produce the adjusted and perfect fitting parts for my testing equipment to develope the radipotar loudspeakers!