Our Story
For over 20 years, our team of artists, designers, engineers, and craftsmen have been meticulously handcrafting a full range of customizable speakers and technology concealment solutions that deliver Picture Perfect Sound® to residential and commercial spaces throughout the world.
The Fine Art of Custom Audio
Family owned and operated since 1997
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We are a family owned and operated company that has been designing and building our products in Ann Arbor, Michigan since 1997. What started as a group of artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs from the University of Michigan, under the visionary leadership of Noah Kaplan, has grown into a multi-million dollar business with 60+ employees that has consistently made Inc. 5000’s list of “Fastest-Growing Companies in the U.S.”
We got our start as pioneers of the soundbar category, however, over the years our range of products has expanded to include a full suite of award-winning speakers and design-driven technology concealment products. Now serving thousands of dealers worldwide in both the residential and commercial markets, we’ve made a name for ourselves in the industry for providing AV solutions that thoughtfully blend design with technology—all manufactured right here in the USA.
While our business has evolved over the past 20+ years, our passion for art, music, and design continues to drive everything we do. And our original vision is still what guides us today: to mix art with audio, design with technology, and business with bohemia.
Founded by Noah Kaplan and his 2 partners (Jeff Gordon and Matt Lome) in Ann Arbor, Michigan
1997
Created our first Horizon custom-width soundbar
2001
Moved into a 5,000 sf manufacturing facility just outside of Ann Arbor, MI
2003
Moved into our 40,000+ sqft. manufacturing facility on Ellsworth Rd.
2007
Launched Leon Commercial Sound at InfoComm
2008
Unveiled “The Dragon” at CEDIA, our iconic 16 ft. dragon
sound sculpture
2010
First year (of 6) that we made the Inc. 5000 list
2011
Acquired Media Decor & opened the Leon Loft, our in-house music venue
2013
Celebrated our 20th anniversary,
cheers!
2017
Acquired Terra Speakers, greatly expanding our outdoor and commercial audio offerings
2018
Launched the Amplify Fellowship in partnership with Grove Studios to cultivate Black music in our local community
2020
Our Founder
A New York native, Noah attended the University of Michigan School of Art & Design, graduating in 1995 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. As a visual artist, musician, and aspiring entrepreneur, he opened art galleries in Scottsdale, AZ and Ann Arbor, MI after graduation, eventually combining his passions for art and music by starting a business building handcrafted guitars and speakers.
While the guitars never took off, the speakers did, and he's seen Leon grow from a one-man-shop in a garage to a multi-million dollar business with over 50 employees who create a full range of audio products that can be found in homes and businesses all over the world. Noah is a firm believer that art and music shape our culture and that a business is like a sculpture: a never-ending work in progress.
Noah Kaplan, President/Founder
Our Approach
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Inspiration
When technology was first introduced in the home, it was approached with the same level of design and craftsmanship as furnishings were. But as consumer demand increased and products like radios and TVs became fixtures in every American home, mass-manufacturing became mainstream and design took a backseat.
Our mission is to create balance by design by drawing inspiration from the timeless designs of the past. We honor the era where simplicity and intuitive functionality paired with premium materials and craftsmanship to create some of the most iconic innovations of our time.
Inspired by Generations of Timeless Design
“Good design is as little design as possible. Less, but better—because it concentrates on the essential aspects, the products are not burdened with non-essentials. Back to purity, back to simplicity.”
—Dieter Rams
Design
While sound is at the heart of what we do, style is what sets us apart. We bring a creative approach to the AV industry with products that complement the design of the room—not detract from it. We work closely with technology integrators, architects, and interior designers to create solutions that deliver on performance and aesthetics that can be customized to suit the unique needs of any room. From the finishes to the grilles to the configuration options and components. If you dream it, we can build it.
Balance by Design
Engineering
As musicians ourselves, sound is our art. Leon's signature sound is the culmination of fine acoustic engineering, world-class components, and expert craftsmanship. We build our products with extreme care and the finest components available to naturally reproduce audio and deliver a rich and dynamic listening experience.
Engineered for Performance
Craftsmanship
While there is a time and a place for off-the-shelf-products, in high-end spaces where every design detail has been carefully considered, there’s no reason to settle for subpar. Our products are handcrafted just for you by our team of expert craftsmen in our state-of-the-art, 40,000+ sq. ft. lean manufacturing facility.Timeless and built to last, an investment in Leon is an investment in American craftsmanship that will remain in your collection long after the latest commodity products have gone out of style.
A Heritage of American Craftsmanship
Schedule a consultation to start designing your audio visual system. Email sales@leonspeakers.com or call 1 (888) 213-5015.
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