The Genesis of the ADIMS Baffle Architecture
The search began fifteen years ago: could a speaker capture the efficiency of a horn without its directional limitations? Years of testing and refinement led to the ADIMS baffle.
The Search for Better Dispersion
Fifteen years ago, the search began for an optimal baffle design for the tweeter. The live sound and efficiency of horns was appealing, but horns can be highly directional and introduce distortion. Through 3D printing, dozens of shapes were tested, measured, and refined.
The result was a parabola rotated around a saddle shape — a design that provides some of the impedance-loading benefits of a horn while significantly improving horizontal dispersion. When applied to the enclosure, the shape created an unexpected resemblance to a penguin. That is how the Rockhopper got its name.
The Rockhopper badge was designed to be as carefully crafted as the speaker itself. The technical requirements of the ADIMS baffle led to a distinctive shape. When applied to the speaker enclosure, the form created an unexpected resemblance to a penguin. That unexpected detail became the inspiration for the Rockhopper name.
Phase 1: From Idea to Bronze
The penguin became the foundation for the Rockhopper badge. The goal was to create a small bronze sculpture that reflected the craftsmanship built into the speaker itself.
Phase 2: Digital Sculpture and Casting
The badge was designed digitally in Blender, where its organic shapes could be refined down to the smallest detail. The design was then printed in wax and cast in real bronze using the lost-wax casting process.
Phase 3: Finished by Hand
Each bronze casting is machined, shaped, and polished by hand. A chemical patina adds depth, while a light coat of clear lacquer protects the finish. The result is a small bronze sculpture as carefully made as the speaker it adorns.