Eastern Acoustic Works

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The EAW logo

Eastern Acoustic Works (EAW) is an American manufacturer of mainly professional audio reinforcement tools, like loudspeaker systems and processors.

Eastern Acoustic Works, most commonly known by its initials: EAW, was co-founded by Kenneth Berger and Kenton Forsythe in 1978.

EAW's first one-box system was the CS-3 designed for Carlo Sound in Nashville. It combined a B-215 dual 15-in bass horn, a MR102 12-in mid-bass horn and a Community BRH90 HF horn into one gigantic box. It was the first commercially available horn-loaded one box system.

EAW became famous by developing the KF850 loudspeaker system in 1985. For many years this system was the standard among loudspeakers used for professional touring shows. With this system EAW gained much of its credibility in the professional audio industry. Carlo Sound, Sun Sound were among the first regional sound rental company to receive the KF850's^[1].

EAW also became well-known for creating custom loudspeaker designs for specific projects and applications. Technologies developed for these designs have led to the development of many of EAW's standard products.

Their products are mainly used in professional and commercial sound reinforcement applications, such as concert venues, music and dance clubs, theaters, stadiums, theme parks, and houses of worship.

The company was located at 59 Fountain Street in Framingham, MA from 1978 to 1988 and then moved to One Main Street in Whitinsville, MA. In 2000 it was purchased by Mackie Designs, Inc., this corporation being renamed LOUD Technologies Inc. in 2003.

Besides EAW, the Loud Technologies Inc. family of audio and musical instrument companies includes: Mackie, Tapco, SIA Software (now part of the EAW brand), Ampeg, Crate Amplifiers, Alvarez, St. Louis Music, Knilling, and Martin Audio.