On track for a winner
MADE for the world’s music lovers, British audio brand Meters Music is rocking the sound industry with headphones and technology designed to take the pleasures of listening to new levels.
The manufacturer’s latest product, the OV-1-B-Connect, featuring its signature style with external meters displaying the volume, offers wireless, high definition, active noise cancelling audio with an app to tailor the sound frequencies.
Born out of Ashdown Engineering and with an A-list clientele (Stevie Wonder is a fan), Meters’ latest innovation is a feast for geeks and musicians, and promises deep, dynamic revelations for connoisseur and mainstream consumers, says founder and managing director Mark Gooday.
“Our 48 kHz sampling rates provide incredible and superior detail. The quality of the sound transmitted – its range – is not lost or compromised because of being streamed wirelessly,” he explains.
“With our Connect app and the headphones, the music can be truly personalised and the meters are calibrated to European safety levels. This showcases to others how loud the music being played is, which can help protect hearing.
“That is proving handy for parents or guardians of children or those with disabilities such as autism because they can easily check too.”
The company’s adventures in sound take place in rural Essex where over 25 years family firm Ashdown has become the go-to guitar and bass amps manufacturer for stars such as Sir Paul McCartney and the Foo Fighters.
Seeing how the live music scene was changing, armed with protected IP in 2016 it diversified into headphones, a global market that has acquired a designer cachet akin to trainers and is now worth more than £10 billion.
Gooday’s son Dan is the marketing director of the business, which has 12 staff and sells in 50 countries. It is forecasting a £20million turnover by 2025 as it releases a product stream boosted by a £500,000 Balder Capital investment, with more raises planned.
The flagship £324.99 headphones will be available from July, to be followed by the Level Up design for gamers and a smaller, Bluetooth on-ear model released later this year.
“We have invested in the app because it gives customers the chance to choose a sound setting from their favourite artists and we have the freedom to produce updates and build a global brand,” says Gooday.
“This will keep Meters at the forefront of a very competitive market.”
Gooday pays tribute to the support they have received from trade body the Music Industries Association.
“Our look is distinctive,” he adds, “but ultimately it is our sound that sets us apart.”