History

Demand for his unique looking prototypes were immediate. Finnish Sibelius Academy immediately ordered enough loudspeakers to keep new entrepreneurs busy until the end of the year 1985.

Gradient was manufacturing and delivering the loudspeaker order, that surpassed even their most optimistic expectations, before the company’s first commercial model was even introduced. The first, now iconic Gradient model 1.0 was launched early 1985. The technical term for the unique directivity used in this model was a first order bi-directional gradient radiator. Salmi did not have to think any further for company’s name.

Along with it’s successors 1. series soon became the symbol of cultural and wealthy mid class families in Finland, similar to Aalto and Tapiovaara design furniture during sixties and seventies.
Most of those loudspeakers are still in use.
Distinctively unique design language of 1. series was born straight form the functionality with a little help from Salmi’s friend, designer Jukka Vaajakallio.

Gradient 1.3 is now part of the permanent collection of many design museums around the world.