Norway’s ‘Ø Audio’ Debuts Icon 12 Loudspeaker, Gains American Distribution

One of the breakout stars of the Florida International Audio Expo 2025 was a new-to-us loudspeaker manufacturer from Norway called Ø Audio. (In Norwegian, the letter “ø” is pronounced with a sound similar to the vowel sound in “fur,” “hurt,” and “burn.”) Chief Audioholic Gene DellaSala was impressed with the bass extension, stereo imaging, and natural tonality of these beautifully-made high-end speakers. Although Ø Audio has been in business for several years, most of us here in the US are not yet familiar with the brand or its products. But that should change soon, thanks to a new deal with Harmonia Distribution.

I’m in love with these speakers, from what I’m hearing so far.

 — Gene DellaSala, Audioholics President

Ø Audio Frigg 02 ($13,900/pair) and the flagship Verdande ($39,500/pair).

The recently-renamed Harmonia Distribution is the distribution division of Upscale Audio, one of the best high-end audio stores in Southern California. Harmonia imports and distributes products from some of my favorite brands, including PrimaLuna, Fyne Audio, and Harbeth. Now that Ø Audio is joining Harmonia’s family of carefully-selected, performance-focused brands, its products will soon appear in the wide network of audio retailers that Harmonia partners with throughout North America. Ø Audio currently makes three speakers: the Frigg 02 ($13,900/pair), the new Icon 12 ($23,400/pair), and the flagship Verdande ($39,500/pair).

We believe that a great speaker should feel alive, effortlessly filling a room with sound that moves you. That’s why Ø Audio designs with a no-compromise approach — every note, every nuance is exactly as it was meant to be heard.

— Sveinung Mala, Ø Audio Cofounder

The Frigg 02 is a three-way floorstander with a unique Metamodal Spread Tow Carbon Fiber (TPCD) dome tweeter, a 7-inch midrange driver, and an 8.6-inch woofer. The bigger drivers are hand-coated paper cones on 26mm and 52mm titanium formers, respectively. Although the Frigg 02 is technically Ø Audio’s entry-level speaker, the company claims that it challenges reference designs from other brands. Audio reviewer Steve Guttenberg says that these speakers “should make KEF, Focal, Dynaudio, and B&W nervous!” (See Steve’s Ø Audio Frigg 02 review.)

The original Icon was Ø Audio’s first product, and it has gained widespread acclaim since its 2017 launch. The new Icon 12 made its world premiere at the Florida International Audio Expo in February of this year. The speaker combines a horn-loaded 3.4-inch carbon fiber tweeter with a 12-inch woofer inside a beautiful, asymmetrical cabinet. By eschewing parallel walls, the asymmetrical cabinet design is said to reduce internal resonances and reflections. The precisely-engineered horn and driver layout contribute to controlled directivity and seamless integration, according to Ø Audio. Like the company’s other speakers, the Icon 12 is designed to be highly amplifier-friendly, with a high 92dB sensitivity and nominal 8-ohm impedance. The top-of-the-line Verdande carries over the same format as the Icon 12, but with a 15-inch woofer in a larger cabinet.

Ø Audio might be new, but it is a mature Hi-Fi brand and I am very excited about its potential in the US market. Most importantly, the speakers sound incredible, and I can’t wait for you all to hear them.

— David Schultz, Harmonia Distribution President

With Harmonia Distribution, Ø Audio is bringing its no-compromise philosophy to the US, setting new standards and redefining what true high-performance sound should be. Get ready to experience something extraordinary.

— Jonathan Magnus Cook, Ø Audio Cofounder

Ø Audio gained increased traction in the Asian and European markets after a strong showing at Munich High End last year. Now with a strong foothold in North America, the company plans to continue its expansion. We expect to see more demos on the 2025 audio show circuit throughout the year, and more reviews of Ø Audio speakers from stateside publications. Stay tuned.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.