Speaker designs by Fyne Audio prioritize both accuracy and enjoyment, according to Dr. Paul Mills.
Dr. Paul Mills and Fyne Audio: A Perfect Match
In the world of high-fidelity audio, few names resonate as profoundly as Dr. Paul Mills. As the Technical Director for Fyne Audio, Mills has played a pivotal role in shaping the company's speakers, which are renowned for their accuracy, entertainment value, and musicality.
Mills' fascination with audio began during his studies for a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) degree. This passion led him to pursue a PhD in Active Loudspeaker Systems with Transconductance Amplification from Essex University. His journey in the audio industry started at Tannoy, where he worked for three decades, designing many of the brand's iconic models.
One of his most significant contributions at Tannoy was the update to the Planet Series, which included the Mercury and Jupiter models. Mills was instrumental in replacing the previous soft dome tweeters with aluminium tweeters in this series and also helped with the final tweaking of the Westminster Royals.
After a stint in a different industry, designing power and control systems, Mills returned to his first love - audio. He joined Fyne Audio in 2017 and has been responsible for the development and engineering of the company's speakers ever since.
The Fyne Audio F1-12 is a testament to Mills' expertise. His favourite speaker, the F1-12 is appreciated for its breadth of abilities and low coloration. A key component of the F1-12 is the SuperTrax super tweeter, which extends frequency response and improves dispersion.
Fyne Audio's engineering philosophy is centred around the 'point source' principle, aiming for greater tonal accuracy and a wider listening sweet spot. This approach is reflected in the F1-12, which delivers a balanced and natural sound, making it suitable for a wide range of music genres.
At the top end of Fyne Audio's product range, Accuphase amplifiers and CD players are used. Accuphase, in turn, uses the F1-12S as the reference speakers in its listening room. For more affordable Fyne Audio speakers, the Rega Aethos amplifier is employed.
In Fyne Audio's test room, you'll find Accuphase's 50-watt E700S Class A integrated amplifier and DP-770 CD player. Mills tests his speakers with a diverse range of music, including Daft Punk's Random Access Memories, Annette Askvik's Liberty album, Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays' works, and the Works compilation album.
Mills is cautious about new materials and manufacturing techniques, emphasizing that they must produce musically satisfying results. He prefers traditional paper cones for drive unit materials due to their naturalness. Birch ply, with its density and less homogeneous nature, is his ideal speaker enclosure material.
Dr. Mills chose to work at Tannoy because of his interest in the Dual Concentric drivers and the quality of life in Scotland. Today, he continues to apply his engineering prowess and musical sensibilities at Fyne Audio, ensuring that every speaker they produce is a testament to his passion for high-fidelity audio.
- In the realm of high-fidelity audio, the news of Dr. Paul Mills joining Fyne Audio as Technical Director is a significant deal.
- Before joining Fyne Audio, Mills worked with brands like Tannoy, where he designed several iconic models.
- At Fyne Audio, Mills used his expertise to develop speakers like the F1-12, which is appreciated for its musicality and low coloration.
- The F1-12 speaker, Mills' favorite, boasts a SuperTrax super tweeter that extends frequency response and improves dispersion.
- For audiophiles considering a buy, the Fyne Audio F1-12 might be a gadget worth previewing due to its versatility and natural sound.
- The Fyne Audio speakers are paired with various amplifiers, such as Accuphase, Rega, and others, depending on the model's price range.
- When testing new speakers, Mills relies on a diverse range of music, including Daft Punk, Annette Askvik, Pat Metheny, and more, to ensure they produce musically satisfying results.
