What is Sunship Audio?
Sunship Audio is a passion project started in 2013, dedicated to building custom, no-compromise two-way horn-loaded loudspeakers. The design is built around TAD-Pioneer TD-4001 2-inch compression drivers and TL-1601 15-inch woofers — drivers the author first encountered on the Paris DIY audio scene in the late 1990s.
The loudspeakers are not a commercial product line; they represent a personal pursuit of an impeccable horn-loaded system, with every element — cabinets, horns, and crossovers — designed and built from the ground up.
Why TAD-Pioneer drivers?
TAD (Technical Audio Devices) compression drivers and woofers have long been regarded as reference-grade components in high-end audio. The TD-4001 compression driver, with its beryllium diaphragm, offers exceptional clarity, dynamics, and bandwidth. Paired with the TL-1601 woofer, the combination delivers the speed, tonal accuracy, and effortless scale that horn-loaded designs demand.
The author discovered TAD through the Paris DIY community in the late 1990s and spent years refining a system around these specific drivers.
What were the biggest design challenges?
Two challenges stood above the rest:
- The bi-radial wood horn. The horn and compression driver must be designed as one integrated piece. The multi-cellular throat with vertical fins controls diaphragm behaviour, suppresses resonances, and delivers wide, even dispersion — what the author calls a "four-seater" soundstage rather than a narrow sweet spot.
- The time-aligned crossover. A complex, high-order passive design was required to achieve flat response to monitoring standards while ensuring seamless driver transition. Every component is paired within 0.5%, with point-to-point wiring on 12 mm plywood boards using Mundorf Supreme silver/gold solder.
What amplifier works best with these speakers?
The crossover's low-frequency section is designed to control woofer impedance, making the loudspeakers compatible with low-power tube amplifiers as well as solid-state designs. In the Berlin listening room, the primary amplifier is an ASR Emitter I. Other equipment used includes a Bryston 4B3 and various phono stages such as the Nagra BPS and ASR Mini Basis.
The speakers are revealing enough to expose the character of any amplifier, so the "best" choice depends on personal taste and listening priorities.
What does the name and logo mean?
The name "Sunship" reflects a personal connection to music, warmth, and the idea of a vessel for sound. The logo draws on clean, understated typography — in keeping with the project's no-compromise, function-first ethos.
Are the horns or crossovers sold separately?
No. The horns and crossovers are designed specifically for the Sunship loudspeaker system and are not offered as standalone products.
Do you have an Instagram or social media presence?
The Sunship Audio Instagram account was discontinued in March 2023. The author prefers a screen-free listening environment and has stepped away from social media platforms. A Pinterest account (pinterest.com/sunshipaudio) was also maintained but is no longer actively updated.
Is there an owner's manual?
Yes. An Owner's Manual was published in November 2019 for Sunship loudspeaker owners. It covers setup, placement, and care guidance specific to these custom-built speakers.
How can I get in touch?
You can reach Sunship Audio by email at sunshipaudio at gmail dot com. The listening and demonstration room is located in Berlin.