Wrexham Glyndŵr University Chancellor, Colin Jackson CBE, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive Professor, Maria Hinfelaar. Present two Honorary Fellowships during the final day of Wrexham Glyndŵr University’s 2019 graduation ceremonies.
One was awarded to Tony Andrews. A designer and manufacturer of high-quality loudspeaker systems. He is responsible for founding two professional loudspeaker companies: Turbosound and Funktion-One. Funcktion-One also works out of Glyndŵr TV Studio in Wrexham.
Firstly, as part of his acceptance speech. Mr Andrews said: “Amongst the qualities essential for progress and achievement are application and perseverance. Which today’s graduating students have amply demonstrated by successfully completing their studies.
“I consider myself fortunate that I have been able to make a living pursuing what intrigues and stimulates me. This is a driving force that, much to my amazement, has persisted for over 50 years now.
“Keep in mind that there is great soul expression in going after the things you are passionate about. Most of the interesting stuff in life happens at frontiers and boundaries. The status quo is merely a temporary condition on the way to truth”.
Colin Heron, Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology Associate Dean for Student Engagement, also said: “Our honorary fellowships are for people who have made a significant difference in a field and Tony’s work in sound-system design and development matches that description.
Tony’s Approach
Moreover, Tony has been a source of advice and guidance for our students. Advice which draws upon the decades of experience he has had at the cutting edge of his industry.
“Also important to the University is Tony’s approach to empirical research in the development of his technology. Rather than following current trends, his approach is to question everything. Including his own past products and this in turns leads to innovation and world-class products. This is inspirational to our students, who are encouraged to adopt the same approach with their own studies.
Heron also added: “It was a delight to be able to welcome Tony back to the University, to see him bestowed with an Honorary Fellowship. An award he so richly deserves.”
Andrews’ landmark developments include: the hugely successful Turbosound TMS3, Flashlight and Floodlight systems. Alos, the critically acclaimed Funktion-One Resolution Series, Evolution Series and Vero.
After leaving a geology degree course at the University of London in 1969 to become a roadie for Piblokto. Andrews soon realised that the sound quality of public-address systems was a long way short of his homebuilt hi-fi. This was the beginning of a decade-spanning career in loudspeaker development. By 1976, he applied for his first loudspeaker enclosure patent.
Horn-loading techniques
The focus of his work has been on horn-loading techniques for both bass and mid-range. Motivated by the pursuit of efficiency and coherency. His mid-high waveguide designs have proved innovative and very low distortion. Alternative to the ubiquitous compression driver. The amount of well-defined bass he can also achieve from a small, horn-loaded enclosure is extremely unique.
Finally, Andrews’ fundamental motive is to achieve the best sound quality possible. His free and unrelenting approach to innovation has kept him at the forefront of the professional audio industry for almost 50 years.
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