United Kingdom

LEAK, a brand with deep roots in the history of audio innovation, was established by Harold Joseph Leak in 1934 in London, England. Known for its high-quality audio components, LEAK carved out a reputation for affordability combined with high performance, a hallmark that defined the brand for decades.

Harold Leak, identifying himself as a 'Sound Engineer – Technician,' alongside Ted Ashley, who became Chief Engineer, propelled LEAK to the forefront of the home audio equipment market. Together, they led the company through an era of significant technological advancements in amplifiers, loudspeakers, pickups, and turntables.

The mid-20th century was a transformative period for LEAK, as the brand navigated the challenges of wartime disruption to focus on developing purposeful audio technology. Post-war, the emphasis shifted towards high-fidelity systems, marking LEAK's entry into an era of low-noise, high-performance products that gained international acclaim.

A pivotal moment came in 1945 with the introduction of the LEAK Type 15 amplifier, which featured innovative 'negative feedback' and 'push-pull' triode connected KT66 valves, achieving an impressive 15 watts output. This product laid the groundwork for the brand's reputation in high-fidelity sound reproduction.

The late 1940s and 1950s saw LEAK introducing groundbreaking products like the TL/12, which became a standard for high-fidelity sound, and embarking on marketing campaigns that directly compared live versus reproduced music, showcasing the superior quality of LEAK systems. These efforts culminated in LEAK's products being adopted by prestigious institutions like the BBC.

Innovation continued with the introduction of the LEAK Sandwich loudspeaker in 1961, a design that utilized a novel approach to reduce vibrations and resonance, leading to more dynamic audio reproduction. This period also saw the development of the LEAK Stereo 30, a transition to transistor amplifiers that offered a more accessible price point to a broader audience.

Despite its innovations and contributions to the audio industry, LEAK faced challenges from global competition and changing market dynamics, eventually leading to the brand's acquisition by the Rank Organization in 1969 and a gradual fade from the forefront of the audio market.

After years of dormancy, LEAK was revived by the IAG Group, bringing the brand back to the market with a focus on blending classic styling with modern audio technology, ensuring LEAK's legacy continues for new generations of audiophiles.

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Leak

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The Leak Sandwich 150 stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of innovation that began in 1961, seamlessly blending historical advancements with modern technology to meet the highest standards of sound reproduction for audiophiles. It builds upon a tradition started with the original Leak Point One amplifier in 1945 and further advanced with the development of the Leak sandwich cone diaphragm, introducing an unprecedented level of rigidity and low distortion in sound reproduction. The construction technique utilizes an aluminium skin bonded to a PMI-based structural foam, similar to materials used in aerospace, ensuring minimal mechanical breakup and a smooth frequency response across a wide range. The cabinet, combining MDF and composite board in a meticulous 'sandwich' design, benefits from six decades of technological evolution, incorporating intelligent bracing and the hallmark rear countersunk screw. Aesthetically, the Leak Sandwich 150 boasts a classic design with a walnut real-wood veneer, aluminum trim, and a grille cloth chosen for its acoustic transparency, embodying the quintessential Leak styling. This model maintains a 2-way standmount configuration, featuring a 6.5” low-frequency 'Sandwich' driver and a 1.2” coated textile dome high-frequency driver, promising an audiophile-grade soundstage with meticulously arranged drivers for precise stereo imaging. Enhanced by a carefully developed crossover and a damped rear chamber for the high-frequency driver, the Leak Sandwich 150 delivers detail and harmonics that bridge the bass, mid, and high frequencies into a cohesive and detailed auditory experience.

Sandwich 150

Sandwich 150

by Leak

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