Klipsch has teamed up with Ojas, a stylish brand from New York City established by Devon Turnbull, a former streetwear designer. Turnbull is known for his relentless passion for audio systems. The outcome of this collaboration is the exclusive kO-R1 horn-loaded loudspeaker, a bold and substantial speaker offered in either Spiral Red Oak or Pewter Grey finishes, priced at $8,498 per pair.
Turnbull began his journey in speaker design as a personal project while developing his Nom De Guerre streetwear line in the early 2000s. This passion eventually led to the foundation of Ojas, a name derived from Sanskrit, meaning “life vitality.” As highlighted in a GQ Magazine profile, Ojas has caught the attention of renowned retail brands like Supreme and has even made it into the home of celebrated producer and musician Mark Ronson.
The kO-R1 features Ojas’ signature design, often likened to brutalist architecture. Its simple yet robust aesthetics include Baltic birch plywood construction housing a powerful 12-inch woofer. Atop, a sizeable, adjustable sandcast aluminum multi-cell horn shelters a high-frequency driver, with the wiring and a five-step attenuator left completely visible for precision sound adjustment.
On the rear, you’ll find a set of five-way anodized aluminum binding posts, and the base of the speaker is equipped with anti-vibration rubber feet. A laser-engraved metal ID plate adorns the side, ensuring its authenticity is unquestionable.
Each unit is meticulously crafted by hand at Klipsch’s facility in Hope, Arkansas, and is accompanied by a custom Klipsch stand.
The development of the kO-R1 was a collaborative effort between Turnbull and Roy Delgado, a master of high-efficiency horn design, who learned under the legendary Paul W. Klipsch himself. This partnership between Turnbull and Klipsch was a natural fit, given Turnbull’s prior experience with horn-loaded speaker designs.
“My unwavering commitment to horn speaker design aligns perfectly with Klipsch, one of the few brands that embodies my vision,” Turnbull stated in a press release. “We both prioritize exceptional audio quality combined with timeless design. Paul W. Klipsch is a pivotal figure in horn speaker history, and I am proud to be a part of his legacy.”