Ogden's audio legacy continues to thrive as local entrepreneur and audiophile Sean Casey, founder of Zu Audio, takes his homegrown speaker company to the next level. Casey, who began his journey as a teenager fascinated with the power of sound and the science behind it, has solidified his niche in the audio industry. According to Ogden City, Casey's fascination with big speakers and the resultant desire to create a superior sound experience has led him to establish a brand known for state-of-the-art loudspeakers.
Casey's pivotal meeting with Ray Kimber, the mastermind behind the established cable company Kimber Kable, marked a significant intersection in Ogden's audio history. Kimber, who began his journey building a crystal radio kit as a child, made his mark by crafting innovations that remedied noise and distortion problems in audio cables, developments that are still influential in electronics worldwide. Amid throwing parties and igniting the local disco scene with his wiring skills, Casey was known for his speaker cable work, which eventually led to a partnership with Kimber after he spotted a wrench engraved with "Sean Casey" at a venue he was servicing, as shared by Ogden City.
Decades of experience and a shared passion for impeccable sound quality blossomed into Zu Audio, a 25-year-old family-owned company. As detailed by Ogden City, Casey said, "Zu didn't start as a family business, but Stef, my wife is talented in so many ways. When I needed help, she was right there managing the cable termination side of the business." She, alongside their son Ian and daughter Anne, has been instrumental in branding and manufacturing processes. Casey humorously noted his middle daughter, Ivy, managed to elude the family business.
With a deep appreciation for Ogden's historical contributions to the audio industry, Casey couldn't pass up the chance to purchase the former Spectra Sonics building from Kimber. This acquisition completes a lyrical circle of audio history, signaling Zu's expansion and strengthening of Ogden’s reputation as an incubator for sound innovation. Zu Audio's components and loudspeakers, cherished by an international clientele, are testaments to this family's dedication to quality sound and the vibrancy of the city's tech and innovation scene.
