HOME THEATER GEEKS PODCAST

Laurie Fincham, senior vice president of audio research and development at THX, talks about the difference between live and reproduced music, the importance of exposing consumers to high-quality audio, THX's new analog power amp design that rivals switching amps in efficiency and small size, the theory and application of speaker line arrays, answers to chat-room questions, and more.

Run Time: 1:05:09

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As Senior Vice President of Audio Research & Development at THX Ltd. in San Rafael, Calif., Laurie Fincham brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in consumer and professional audio design and development. He is charged with directing research and development of new THX technologies and certification programs both inside and outside of the company's core cinema and home entertainment businesses.

A love of music spurred his interest in audio and electronics while just a teenager. In fact, Fincham started building his own speakers and tape recorders when he was 14. This led to an early career in music, playing the double bass with many rising stars in the UK jazz scene and eventually a career spanning more than four decades in speaker and audio electronics design.

Fincham spent almost his entire working career in audio engineering, specializing in the theory and design of loudspeakers. Prior to joining THX, Fincham was senior vice president of engineering for Infinity Systems, Inc. While there, he oversaw the design and development of speaker systems and electronics for high fidelity and home theater applications, including the critically acclaimed Infinity Compositions Prelude speakers. Before joining Infinity, Fincham spent 25 years as the technical director for KEF Electronics, Ltd. of England. While at KEF, he implemented computerized design, simulation and measurement for all speakers, and oversaw the design of all systems and drive units, including the KEF Reference Series. Fincham is a life fellow of the AES and a member of the Acoustical Society of America, and has served as the chairman of the British Section and as a governor and vice president, international of the AES.

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