Some Highlights in the History of Gradient
1984
FIRST GRADIENTS TO FINNISH SIBELIUS ACADEMY
The first customer of Gradient speakers, Sibelius Academy, ordered series of Gradient loudspeakers before the company’s first commercial model, Gradient 1.0, was even introduced. Model was very popular in Finland and most of them are still in use. It’s successors Gradient 1.1 and 1.2 design was similar, but mechanical and acoustical modifications were made.
1989
EXPORT BEGINS
In 1989 the cubic bass enclosure of Gradient 1.2 was replaced by an oval shaped element manufactured from molded polyurethane. Also the upper part was modified by using a custom made midrange driver and a new aluminum housing for tweeters. The latest version of the series was named accordingly Gradient 1.3. Gradient 1.3 was the first model, which was exported. It received great reviews globally in magazines like The Absolute Sound and was featured on the cover of Stereo Review´s Buyers’ Guide 1992. Last pairs of this popular model were manufactured in 1997.
Gradient 1.3 has been in collections of museums of industrial art in Helsinki and Tokyo. It has been displayed in many European countries in the collections of Finnish Industrial Design.
Simultaneously with the one point series Gradient manufactured a bigger model with four times larger bass enclosure made of veneered Finnish birch. This Gradient 2.0/2.1/2.2/2.3 & 3.0 series was sold exclusively in Finland.
1987
SCANDINAVIAN DESIGN INVOLVED
Partnership with Finnish designer Jukka Vaajakallio brought Scandinavian design in to the product development. In 1987, Gradient introduced new product family member, Gradient Avanti. A honorable mention “Good design from Finland” was given to Gradient Avanti by Design Forum Finland.
Gradient Avanti was exclusively designed and manufactured for Kruunuradio, legendary Hi-Fi store in Helsinki.
