Foxears Audio makes a limited number of high quality loudspeakers in small batches. Although we claim a BBC heritage (see Ethos), our loudspeakers are clean-sheet designs and differ significantly from legacy BBC designs. The cabinets and the customized drivers from Volt Loudspeakers are made in the UK, with plans to sell through a limited dealer network in the UK and USA.

Foxears is a collaboration between Michael Gordon (Mr. Foxears) and Derek Hughes. Derek is an ex-BBC audio engineer and one of the UKʼs most distinguished loudspeaker designers, known for his critically acclaimed loudspeaker designs for companies including Spendor Audio, Stirling Broadcast, and Graham Audio. A few notable examples of his work include the Spendor SP1/2, Spendor S3/5, and the revived BBC LS5/9. An informative interview with Derek can be found here.

Whereas Derek is the technical designer, Michael is the owner and and managing director, pitching his many ideas to Derek. A California Yankee, Michael is a music lover, amateur musician and loudspeaker builder. Michael was given the nickname “foxears” by his mother for his large ears and ability to overhear his parents’ private conversations. Michael had long admired Derek’s work and contacted Derek for technical assistance. Foxears Audio was started to offer new loudspeaker design patterns that may include active bass, and which are rooted in the BBC heritage of natural, honest sound.

Michael and Derek each bring a personal heritage from their parents to Foxears Audio. Derek’s father, Spencer, was a key member of the loudspeaker team at the BBC and the co-founder of Spendor Audio (together with Derek’s mother, Dorothy). For Michael, it is the heritage of his father, Stanley, an electrical engineer who worked for many years at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, and who fostered Michael’s interests in science, engineering, and hi-fi audio.