With the OM 25, Bauer Audio is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its Munich-based manufacturing facility. This compact two-way speaker features a rare driver configuration: the tweeter is positioned classically on the front, while the midrange/woofer driver radiates sound upward.
Many hi-fi enthusiasts associate Bauer Audio primarily with the dps turntable. This classic turntable was introduced more than 25 years ago and is now considered a modern classic among audiophile turntables. Over the years, however, Willi Bauer has also repeatedly developed speakers—mostly with unique ideas that stray from the mainstream. The new Bauer Audio OM 25 fits perfectly into this tradition.
At first glance, the front of this living-room-friendly two-way speaker appears almost confusingly minimalist: all you can see is the tweeter. The midrange/woofer, on the other hand, is mounted on top of the enclosure and fires upward. This design is rare, but not new. As early as the 1960s and 1970s, developers such as Roy Allison at Acoustic Research—and later at Allison Acoustics—were exploring similar concepts.
Sophisticated Radiation Distribution
The manufacturer sees the advantage in the speaker’s unique sound dispersion. The upward-facing midrange/woofer is designed to distribute sound more evenly horizontally and upward. As a result, the Bauer Audio OM 25 is designed to incorporate the listening room more fully into the sound reproduction and create a particularly spacious, realistic soundstage. At the same time, this configuration approaches the ideal of a point source because sound generation begins directly in front of the voice coils, which are positioned very close together inside the OM 25.
Compared to its predecessor, the OM 2, Bauer Audio has revised the anniversary model in two key areas. The new midrange/woofer comes from SB Acoustics’ Satori series and features an uncolored papyrus cone. It is said to be particularly light and rigid, contributing to clean, low-coloration sound reproduction.
The tweeter has also been redesigned. In the OM 25, Bauer Audio uses an aluminum dome from SB Acoustics—custom-made for Willi Bauer—with a cast aluminum front plate. It is designed to deliver even more refined high-frequency reproduction and complement the speaker’s exceptional dispersion design.
The Bauer Audio OM 25 is now available. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is 5,400 euros per pair. The anniversary edition speaker is available in walnut, wild oak, and white finishes. Other finishes are available upon request. The warranty is valid for three years.
Technical Specifications and Prices
Model: Bauer Audio OM 25
Design: Two-way speaker
Special feature: upward-firing midrange/woofer
Midrange/woofer: SB Acoustics Satori with an uncolored papyrus cone
Tweeter: SB Acoustics aluminum dome with cast aluminum front plate
Finishes: Walnut, wild oak, white; others available upon request
Price: 5,400 euros per pair
Warranty: 3 years
Availability: immediately
For more information, visit: www.bauer-audio.de
