Isobel Audio

Handcrafted Hemisphere Loudspeakers · Since 2002

Sound that radiates in every direction

Explore Products What is a Hemisphere?

A fundamentally different kind of loudspeaker

Most loudspeakers project sound in one direction only — creating a "sweet spot" where they sound best, and destroying the spatial illusion the moment a listener moves away from it. Hemisphere speakers are entirely different.

They produce localized sound that emanates from the speaker's position and interacts with a room's natural acoustics. There is no front or back, and no sweet spot. This allows electronically-produced sound to take on the characteristic intimacy of unamplified acoustic sound — changing the experience of both performer and audience.

Hemisphere speakers have been used by electronic and acoustic musicians, sound artists, and laptop orchestras around the world, including the Princeton Laptop Orchestra since its inception, and in a permanent sixteen-speaker installation at Brooklyn's Issue Project Room.

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Baritone Hemisphere top view

The Hemisphere Family

Each Hemisphere is available in two sizes — Baritone and Alto — and in both passive and powered configurations. All models feature hand-built MDF enclosures with a durable black powder coat finish and Polk Audio full-range drivers.

Baritone Hemisphere

The Baritone

The larger and deeper-voiced member of the Hemisphere family. The Baritone extends the low-frequency response of the hemispherical dispersion concept, making it ideal for installations, ensembles, and performance use.

Required Power12V, 8A (power supply included)
Audio InputNeutrik locking 6-pin XLR
Included Cables6-pin XLR → ¼″ (mono); 6-pin XLR → 6× RCA (6-ch)
EnclosureCustom MDF, black powder coat
DriversSix Polk Audio full-range
OperationMono or six-channel array
HandlesFive, for rigging and portability
cable
6-pin XLR → ¼″ mono
cable
6-pin XLR → 6× RCA
Audio InputNeutrik locking ¼″ phono jack
OperationMono only
Power HandlingUp to 200W continuous
Impedance4 or 8 Ohms
EnclosureCustom MDF, black powder coat
DriversSix Polk Audio full-range
OperationMono or six-channel array
HandlesFive, for rigging and portability
Order a Baritone →

Alto Hemisphere

The Alto

The most portable option in the Hemisphere family — compact enough for the mobile electronic musician, without sacrificing the full hemispherical dispersion pattern.

Required Power12V, 8A (power supply included)
Audio InputNeutrik locking 6-pin XLR
Included Cables6-pin XLR → ¼″ (mono); 6-pin XLR → 6× RCA (6-ch)
Amp Output15W per channel
Shipping Weight (powered)21 lbs
EnclosureCustom MDF, black powder coat
DriversSix Polk Audio db401 full-range
Frequency Response85 – 22,000 Hz
Height (center)7″
Diameter (base)18.375″
HandlesFive, for rigging and portability
cable
6-pin XLR → ¼″ mono
cable
6-pin XLR → 6× RCA
Audio InputNeutrik locking ¼″ phono jack
OperationMono only
Power HandlingUp to 200W continuous
Impedance4 or 8 Ohms
Shipping Weight (passive)18 lbs
EnclosureCustom MDF, black powder coat
DriversSix Polk Audio db401 full-range
Frequency Response85 – 22,000 Hz
Height (center)7″
Diameter (base)18.375″
HandlesFive, for rigging and portability
Order an Alto →

Available to Order Now

Baritone

Powered

$1,499

Includes power supply & cables

Inquire

Baritone

Passive

$1,149

Speaker only

Inquire

Alto

Powered

$1,349

Includes power supply & cables

Inquire

Alto

Passive

$999

Speaker only

Inquire
Isobel Audio shipping box

All orders are placed directly through Isobel Audio. Contact us at info@isobelaudio.com to discuss your needs, confirm availability, and arrange shipping.

We ship within the continental United States; international shipping is available — please inquire for rates.

The history of Hemisphere speakers begins in 1997, in a Princeton University research lab — and winds through laptop orchestras, Brooklyn loft installations, and two decades of handcrafted refinement.


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Get in Touch

We welcome inquiries about orders, custom configurations, institutional purchases, and general questions about Hemisphere speakers. Response times are typically within one to two business days.

Email

info@isobelaudio.com

Company

Isobel Audio LLC
Chicago, Illinois

Availability

Passive models available now.
Powered models: contact us for current lead times.