16 INSIDE VIEW
KV2 Audio George Jr and George Krampera, the CEO and founder of KV2.
KV2 AUDIO Founded in 2002, KV2 Audio (KV2) is a company that is considered to be a dark horse in the audiovisual industry. Having sound at the heart of everything it does, KV2 continues to push boundaries with its innovative technologies that focus on the development of large-scale sound reinforcement across many fixed installations and live events worldwide. A company located in the also inconspicuous, small town of Milevsko, Czech Republic, it is starting to be recognised for its unique approach to loudspeaker design. www.kv2audio.com Founder of the company, George Krampera, originally started the KV2 business in a cottage no bigger than a school classroom. After a childhood immersed in the audio business, with his father starting the original Czech Republic radio, it was inevitable that George would find himself on the same path. “I was 10 years old when I first started experimenting with the valves and components my Dad had,” said George. “Yes, I got a few shocks, but I had built my very first radio amplifier when I was very young and that set the path for me.” In his early days, George hung out with some of the most exciting new bands in Czech and soon began building power amplifiers and other equipment for their touring days. It was this strong connection with the local music scene that allowed him to develop his in-depth, practical knowledge and what got him to where he is today. George’s son, George Jr is also affiliated with the company, in the current position of CEO, and with a strong work ethic like his father, the KV2 business is developing vastly. “My father works seven days a week in his lab here at our headquarters,” said George Jr. “He is constantly redeveloping and pushing the company and I am always inspired by his drive, I think everyone
who works here is.” Being hailed as an ‘audio pioneer of modern times’, even after 50 years in the industry, George’s vision has remained unchanged - to eliminate distortion and loss of information in the loudspeaker signal path, therefore providing sound reproduction that has true dynamic range and representation of the source. George’s drive and passion for his work has now been mirrored by the team at KV2 who are continuing his legacy and ensuring his vision will continue on into the future. “We do this because we have a passion and belief in what George does. I think it would be hard for any of us to work for another manufacturer in the industry because we follow such a truth here, and we love what we do,” said David Croxton, Director of Sales at KV2. KV2’s facilities in Milevsko have come a long way from the small shed where it all began. The four-floor building is the heart of the company and every part of the manufacturing process is carried out from this quirky corner of Czech Republic. From the sturdy wooden frameworks that become the base of its products, to the final tests carried out in the incredible demonstration rooms and anechoic chamber, KV2 is at a huge advantage with its innovative space that allows www.mondodr.com
the company to grow, experiment and test its new ideas. Across the years, KV2 has manufactured and created an array of state-of-the-art products. Used across theatres, houses of worship, restaurants, hotels and bars, KV2 are well-known across the world in establishments that crave a quality sound system. One of the company’s more recent and exciting products is the VHD 5.0 point source loudspeaker array, which according to KV2 is something completely unique to the industry. The VHD 5.0 took over five years to develop and brings the benefits of point source technology to large-scale sound reinforcements. The three-way enclosure handles low frequency, mid frequency and high frequency over a range from 45Hz through to 20kHz. It incorporates eight front loaded 10-inch low mid drivers, six horn loaded eight-inch mid-range drivers and three threeinch NVPD (nitrate vapour particle deposition) titanium compression drivers on a custom designed, manifold horn assembly with summing waveguide. One of KV2’s more mammoth projects, The Brooklyn Mirage Club in New York, is equipped with the VHD 5.0s. The architecturally ambitious
