Bombard OB1 – Active Open-Baffle Loudspeakers with Dual 15-Inch Woofers

Belgian manufacturer Bombard has entered the loudspeaker market with its debut model, the OB1, unveiled at Dutch Audio Event 2026. The new system took three years to develop and was created by company founders Stijn Dauwe and Loïc De Buck. The Bombard OB1 is a two-way active open-baffle loudspeaker system that combines built-in power amplification, digital signal processing, and network streaming capabilities. This approach allows users to build a complete stereo system without the need for separate amplification components or an external music streamer.

Each Bombard OB1 loudspeaker features two 15-inch (380 mm) SB Audience woofers and a Faital compression driver with a 1.4-inch (36 mm) exit, coupled to a massive brass horn featuring a Le Cléac’h profile. The crossover frequency is set at 700 Hz. The open-baffle design helps eliminate the cabinet resonances typically associated with conventional enclosed loudspeakers while contributing to a spacious and natural soundstage. Amplification is provided by a two-channel Class D amplifier module rated at 370 W RMS per loudspeaker, allowing independent amplification of the low- and high-frequency sections. The digital architecture is based on Axign technology and incorporates DSP signal processing with support for resolutions up to 24-bit/192 kHz.

The Bombard OB1's network streaming capabilities are built around the Volumio software platform, offering support for Tidal Connect, Qobuz, Spotify Connect, and Roon. External digital sources can be connected via USB-C and coaxial S/PDIF inputs. Both loudspeakers feature identical electronics and automatically determine their roles as the left and right channels. Digital audio transmission between the speakers is handled via the I²S interface over an HDMI cable, supporting resolutions up to 24-bit/192 kHz. Another distinctive feature is the pair of brass volume controls with synchronized electromechanical operation: adjusting the volume on one loudspeaker automatically causes the control on the other to rotate accordingly. The manufacturer also plans to introduce a room correction feature to optimize sound reproduction for different acoustic environments.

The Bombard OB1 loudspeaker construction combines solid oak, steel, and brass, with the latter used for the horns and control elements. The wooden panels are finished using Yakisugi, a traditional Japanese wood-charring technique, while selected metal components are individually sand-cast by hand. The designers have also taken long-term serviceability and future upgrades into account. Each loudspeaker measures 123 × 56 × 41 cm and weighs 50 kg. The recommended retail price for a pair of Bombard OB1 loudspeakers in Europe is €15,000, with sales scheduled to begin in February 2027.