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Hora Audio

NORM

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Bass-Reflex Bookshelf Speakers


Introduction

Simply Good Sound

The way we enjoy music is becoming increasingly personal. New, convenient products are constantly being developed, leading to a diverse range of sound experiences for individuals. In a world where no absolute standard exists, what does "simply good sound" mean?

The NORM (ノルム) speaker was designed with respect for over a century of audio history while envisioning a universal speaker that serves as a benchmark for music playback.

A sound that transcends personal preferences—simply good sound. It blends naturally into everyday life, offering a pure and honest listening experience. This is the birth of a modern standard speaker.



Characteristics

Casual

Designed for everyday use, NORM removes unnecessary complexities while maintaining high-quality sound. Despite its simplicity, it delivers authentic, well-balanced audio. Its compact size allows for flexible placement, adapting to various living spaces. With just the right presence, it also serves as a stylish accent in any interior.

Stereo

Stereo playback, based on two-channel audio, is the foundation of music reproduction. Despite using only two channels, stereo sound creates a natural sense of depth—perhaps because humans have two ears. NORM adopts the most fundamental approach by using two identical speakers to reproduce music in its purest form.

Sound

The speaker features a single full-range diaphragm, eliminating the need for electronic circuits and ensuring pure, high-fidelity sound reproduction. Low frequencies are naturally amplified through a bass reflex port at the bottom and dispersed in all directions via slits formed by the brass support columns. This design creates an immersive sound experience that defies the speaker’s compact size.

Design

A modern reinterpretation of the classic box-shaped bookshelf speaker, NORM is designed with a balance of simplicity and functionality. While prioritizing a clean aesthetic, great attention has been given to materials and details to prevent it from feeling overly minimalistic. This timeless Japanese design blends seamlessly into both Western and Japanese interiors.

Material

The speaker body is crafted from solid broadleaf trees such as chestnut and oak, locally sourced from Shiga Prefecture. Additionally, traditional Omi linen is used for the speaker grille, adjusting the sound to a softer quality. The product plate and support columns are made of brass, allowing you to enjoy the natural beauty of the materials as they age over time.

Craftsmanship

Exposed wood surfaces are finished with natural beeswax, enhancing the beauty of the solid wood. The speaker cabinet is constructed using a traditional box-joint technique, with meticulous chamfering unique to solid wood. From woodworking and painting to the final sound tuning, every step of the process is carried out at our in-house workshop in Hikone.



NORM Speaker Specs:

Product Name NORM
Model 1-Way Bass Reflex Bookshelf
Driver Unit 5 cm Full-Range Unit
Frequency Response 70Hz – 25kHz
Impedance
Rated Input 8W
Maximum Input 15W
Output Sound Pressure Level 85dB
Input Terminal Banana Plug Compatible Speaker Terminal
Dimensions W 146 × H 296 × D 173mm (wooden body only) W 146 × H 298 × D 190mm (including input terminal & insulators)
Weight Approx. 3.3kg (per unit)
Speaker Grill Shiga-sourced Linen Fabric
Wood Solid Broadleaf Wood from Shiga (Chestnut & Oak)
Finish Wax (Natural) / Urethane Coating (White, Black)

 

*Sold only as a pair (2 speakers per set)

Finish

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Hora Audio aims to enrich people's lives through music by providing high-quality, handcrafted audio products to our customers. Hora Audio's workshop is located in a rural village in Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture, surrounded by lakes and mountains. Our products are entirely handcrafted by our founder, Ryo Aoyanagi, who personally handles every step of the process, including woodworking, metalworking, and painting. While production is limited, we focus on craftsmanship that embodies a unique "resonance" and "presence" not found in mass-produced items—creating products supported by human hands and heart. The workshop is housed in the dirt-floor area of a 150-year-old farmhouse. Seeing the sturdy beams and pillars, still supporting the workspace today, reminds us of the craftsmanship of the artisans who built them—it feels as if they are our "teachers" in making things. As we work, we sometimes wonder, "What kind of sound will this speaker produce 150 years from now?"

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