Amy's Blog

Daily Photo

Hope be warned!  Lurking among you is my shutterbug counterpart, assisting in camera ambushing at the factory. 

This friendly face belongs to Martin (pronounced Marteen), who is working on an RC-64 in the finishing department.  Originally from Aguascalientes, Mexico, Martin has made his way to Hope via California on what I'm guessing has been a long, interesting journey, dating back to 1984 upon his arrival in the US.  Martin has been a member of the Klipsch family for 8 years, and has recently fulfilled his lifetime dream of becoming a US Citizen, along with his wife.  If you ever find yourself in Hope, be sure to pass along your congratulations by taking him out for a round of chicken nuggets.

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Here you can see one of our many microscopes that resemble Johnny-Five.  This one is currently being used for headphone development.  I can't remember who's ear that is a cast of, but it kind of gives me the creeps.

Footnote:  Hey folks, I'm an official blogger!  I received my very first angry-reader email yesterday as a result of the photo of the day... I'm SOMEBODY!!

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I really don't have much to add about Trey that this photo doesn't already express nicely, except that he's a Hope transplant, 8-year member of Klipsch, and his real name is Arvis Olen (which is fun to say, followed by a Nelson-like "ha-ha!").  Most people who have been lucky enough to have a conversation with Trey will tell you he's about the most friendly, helpful guy on the planet...and they're right.

That's an out-of-focus Kerry in the background, Vice President of Acoustic Engineering, but since he's out of focus, I'll introduce him another day.  Plus I'll need to tread lightly around Kerry.  I don't want to get in trouble.

... is not something we have much of at Klipsch, but it can be found from time to time.  This peaceful view is out the back door of engineering during snow flurries last Friday afternoon.  It is in such stark contrast to the noise, humor, chaos and warmth inside this building that I had to shut the door quickly, as if I was letting the quiet loneliness creep in.  Or maybe I was just getting snowflakes in my hair. 

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Well, not quite.  These are still in development...the soon to be released Ultra2 In-Ceiling Surrounds.   Impressive cans, indeed.

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Except I don't believe Granny was building speakers.  At least not that I noticed.

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Who says Rolling Stone doesn't have cool people in it anymore?  Featured in this headphone ad is Brian, a 4-year member of the Klipsch family and Acoustic Design Engineer.  You may have listened to his work in many of our architectural in-wall and in-ceiling products, as well as some of our Reference and Synergy subwoofers.

As for the autograph, it seems Brad was a bit star-struck... or perhaps he is investing in his future anticipating Brian's eventual rise to fame.  For what, I'm not sure.

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I never would have imagined an opportunity in my entire life to use this sentence, but I've found one today:  These binding posts are lovely.

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Lately my desk has been looking like a trade show display from the not-so-distant past.  Somehow, old ads, signs and photos find their way to me, like orphans in need of a home.  Maybe word got out that I'm really a history major.

A couple weeks ago, Hunter gave me a brief tour of our archive room downstairs, which I will be going through as soon as I find some time.  The only thing I have to say about it is I could spend weeks down there.  Maybe months.  Someone just bring me my meals.

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So yesterday it got up to 61 degrees here in the Circle City, and I have just one word for it:  Tease.  Big Time Tease.  Today we're expecting a high of 30, down to 10 later tonight.  To express how much I'm longing for the color green, I'm posting this photo of Steven I took last year.  

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In a back room of engineering, you can find this sub-box contraption used for testing drivers.  Although not even remotely apparent in the photo, the room is dark with a strobe light pointed at the driver in order to see its rapid movement in slow motion.  I have no idea what purpose this serves since most all geek-speak goes in one ear and out the other, but it made for a pretty cool photo. 

Daily Photo:  A happy trio, representative of 3 brands under Klipsch Group, Inc

To the left we have Don, Director of Personal Audio for Klipsch (headphones, ipod solutions, etc).  This strange young man has seen U2 in concert no less than 34 times, and does a dead-on impersonation of Patrick Bateman from American Psycho.  He also has an amazing knack at getting backstage at most any venue, and is good to have around during social functions.  Let's just say that he's not shy.  Don joined the company 8 years ago, had a bit of a career detour about 3 years ago working for a little fruit company on the west coast, but has since come to his senses to rejoin the madness here.  We missed ya, Don.

In the middle we have Martin, although we say "MAH-tin" considering he's German and sounds a bit like Arnold Schwarzenegger.  Martin is a long time employee of the company formerly known as API, and currently heads up product development duties for Mirage.  Because he lives in Canada and visits us only on occasion, I don't know much about him, except that he has an excellent sense of humor and great passion for his work.  You will be able to catch Martin posting on the Mirage forum soon, since I pester him weekly that his fan base is waiting.

To the right, you can finally see the face of Tamara, Marketing Director for Jamo.  Since I've introduced her previously, I have only to add that her look of surprise is genuine, as I'm fairly certain she was in no way prepared for my camera ambushing.  

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If you wander into our wood shop down in engineering, you will find this view of our back parking lot.  In the distance you can see one of the three Pyramids next door, which are world famous (in Indianapolis).  When someone asks me where I work, my response is always "over by the Pyramids."  Nuff said.

Built in 1972, they are almost as old as I am.  Ancient.  If someone were to ask my father, who worked there in the '80s during his "corporate greed" days, he would drone on about how the Pyramids are an architechtural disaster and the biggest waste of space ever built.  "If they were 13,000 sq ft all the way to the top, think of how much more space there would be to rent on the same size footprint!" 

Good point dad, but how...uninspiring.  I'll take art over practicality.  Beauty without logic.  Life is too short.  Plus no one would know where I work. 

My dad's old company has long since vacated.  The most notable tenant to take up that limited, unpractical space today is The Art Institute of Indianapolis, which seems appropriate to me.  

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Jim Hunter has this outdoor model speaker proudly on display in a cabinet, labeled:  "Strangest Attempt at a Warranty Claim Ever." 

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This unusual piece of office decor is perched by the window behind our product development director's desk.  Purchased in Mexico, it has been broken, fixed, and on it's way to the dumpster in what Herman classified as a surprise wife "I'll just get rid of this" move.  I'm sure most men are familiar.  It was subsequently rescued and brought to Herman's Office Rescue Shelter here at Klipsch, where it will enjoy collecting dust for years to come.