About the company
History
Frede Kristensen started Classic Audio in 1999 on Venø outside Struer. The ambition was to offer refurbished examples of Bang & Olufsen Audio products from the 60s and 70s. Even then, the focus was on recreating the sound of these devices as they sounded when they were new. In addition, Frede offered to renovate the exterior of the units, also to a level as close to the original it was possible.
Frede is a helpful gentleman and many of us have received advice and help from him. Can he find the answer to a question, you can be sure to get a correct answer.
The specialty over the years became Bang & Olufsen's 60s flagship, the system that contains Beolab and Beomaster 5000. Frede refined the process and was able to offer, among other things refurbished aluminum panels and high-end electronic components for the renovation.
His curiosity to push the boundaries led him to develop testing and certification procedures, first for the Beolab 5000 system, but then for more and more models and products. These processes are still at the heart of Classic Audio
Current
Classic Audio is currently run from Sweden by Dick Andersson. As early as the beginning of 2023, Frede Kristensen contacted Dick to see if a takeover was something to consider. This was followed by a series of trips between Örebro and Struer, to formalize the deal but perhaps mainly to transfer knowledge and routines. Each trip also involved the transportation of Fredes considerable stock of whole units but also parts. During the visits to Venø, Dick also had the opportunity to meet and establish contacts with several of Fredes' associates.
The transfer of knowledge meant that systems and programs that Frede had partly developed himself could be put to use and produce results quickly.
Classic Audio is now housed in a 100 square meter facility that includes a workshop, warehouse, office/test, display and demo room. The facility has leading systems on display and the demo room allows the same systems to be demonstrated and compared with each other. Audio can be reproduced from reel-to-reel tapes, cassettes, vinyl records, CDs and through streaming services.
We are here most days of the week and welcome visitors!
The future
The decision to continue Fredes' work in Classic Audio is a long-term one and development work is ongoing, of procedures and methods, of products and parts. Decisions are made on an ongoing basis whether to broaden the range, whether to offer newer products, whether to embrace and integrate new technologies. As in so many other areas and niches, only the imagination sets the limits. Collaboration with suppliers of components, parts and materials is ongoing and sourcing is part of the daily work.
In the future, a wide and well-established range of products will be available and new features will be offered to customers. At the same time, programs and systems for testing and certifying these new products are being developed - all to maintain high quality.
In the premises in Örebro, a large part of the product range will continue to be demonstrated and as new functions are added, these can of course also be shown.
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