The Vision
Our journey with CANVAS HiFi began with a grand vision: to create a sound system that would seamlessly merge with televisions, both mechanically and visually. But we didn't stop there; our goal was to ensure that this sound system could rival standalone HiFi systems, at least when it came to providing the perfect background music. However, we were acutely aware of the formidable challenges that lay ahead. In the world of audio, we faced two significant hurdles.
The first was the wild, uncontrollable bass that often plagued systems like ours due to placement constraints.
The second was the absence of three-dimensional stereo imaging, caused by the proximity of the left and right speakers, squeezed within just one meter (approximately three feet) of each other.
These limitations were inherent to our new form factor for a HiFi system, and they could have easily derailed our ambitions. Yet, as we embarked on this ambitious journey, we refused to accept defeat. Our team of dedicated engineers and sound enthusiasts were driven by the relentless pursuit of perfection. It was clear that we needed breakthrough technological solutions to overcome these challenges and reinvent HiFi by turning CANVAS into a true HiFi sound system.
The Slow Death of HiFi
Over many years, HiFi quality sound has slowly eroded as manufacturers strive to meet customers' desires for sound that takes up as little space as possible but can do it all. The result is that many homes today have ended up with small metal or plastic cabinets filled with speaker units sticking out in all directions and, in reality, offering neither genuine HiFi nor true home theater sound.
It's like in the classic tale by the Danish author H. C. Andersen, "The Emperor's New Clothes," where everyone convinces each other that the emperor is dressed in splendid clothes until a child says he's completely naked.
In the same way, true HiFi sound has been stripped away layer by layer over a long time until many have drifted so far away from genuine HiFi experiences that they've almost forgotten what it should sound like. CANVAS has revived these virtues, and the vision is to dress the world's homes again with authentic HiFi sound experiences.
The Birth Of CANVAS
CANVAS HiFi was born from the passion and ingenuity of two remarkable individuals - our CTO, Kim Neeper Rasmussen, and our CEO, Laust Nielsen. Their story is a testament to unwavering dedication, a lifelong love for sound, and a shared commitment to crafting exceptional user experiences that began in their earliest days.
Kim and Laust are lucky to meet each other in 2019. For many years, Kim had fine-tuned a multitude of inventions which, in combination, had solved the challenge of creating real HiFi experiences in a design that fit perfectly with every TV. It quickly became clear to both of them how they complemented each other perfectly,with Kim's technical expertise harmonizing with Laust's insight into customer needs. In the following years, the collaboration intensified and in 2022 they founded their joint company CANVAS HiFi.
Connection to Sound
Both Kim and Laust were captivated by the world of sound from a young age. This wasn't just a passing interest; it was a deep-seated passion that laid the foundation for their life's work.
Laust Nielsen, a second generation custodian of a family business specializing in the sale and service of the HiFi industry's finest products, learned the importance of delivering not only sound but also unforgettable user experiences from a tender age. His upbringing instilled in him an innate understanding of how to create products that resonate with customers' desires. Over the years, he curated an array of HiFi retail concepts, fine-tuning his expertise and honing his ability to connect with his customers.
Already as a little boy , Laust Nielsen has been immersed in the world of sound and image, specializing in the intricate realm of aligning customers' desires for impeccable audio and visual experiences within their living spaces.
Lifelong Passion
His journey began when he stepped into his father's HiFi store at a mere 9 years old, igniting a lifelong passion for the harmonious marriage of sound and image.
With a deep-rooted connection to sound and image products, Laust has not only grown up with them but has also honed his expertise over the years. His innate understanding of audio and visual technologies and his ability to cater to customers' needs have earned him accolades from the industry's leading brands time and time again.
Throughout his career, Laust has navigated a diverse array of retail concepts within the high-end HiFi and TV sector. His journey has granted him a unique insight into the desires and preferences of customers as they strive to enhance their living spaces with exquisite sound experiences seamlessly integrated into modern home decor.
(Laust demonstrating the first stereo Walkman on the town square in 1979.)
Jack Of All Trades
Kim embarked on his journey in the audio industry at a remarkably young age, just 17 years old. Over the past two decades, he has tirelessly delved into every facet of the industry, gaining invaluable experience in various roles encompassing design, engineering, and manufacturing. His expertise spans a wide spectrum of audio equipment, from amplifiers and DVD players to surround sound processors, mass-market wireless speakers, and high-end loudspeakers. Kim is a true "jack of all trades" within the audio world, boasting a versatile skill set that includes proficiency in industrial design, mechanical engineering, acoustic engineering, and electrical engineering. This diverse range of competencies has enabled him to navigate the intricate labyrinth of audio technology, making him a well-rounded expert in the field.
(Kim has developed many High End loudspeakers over the years.)
Evolution of CANVAS
His extensive experience, coupled with an insatiable passion for sound, has equipped Kim with a unique perspective on audio innovation.
It's this unwavering dedication to the art and science of sound that has been instrumental in the development of CANVAS HiFi.
His relentless pursuit of audio perfection and the belief that music can be experienced in its purest form continue to drive the evolution of CANVAS, making it more than just a sound system
— it's a testament to the boundless potential of audio technology when in the hands of a true
visionary like Kim Neeper Rasmussen.
The Journey
With a shared passion for sound, we ventured into uncharted territory, unafraid to challenge convention. We poured countless hours into research and development, pushing the boundaries of what was possible in the world of audio.
The quest to rein in the unruly bass led us to groundbreaking breakthroughs in acoustic engineering. We developed innovative solutions that harnessed the power of placement, allowing us to tame the bass and bring it under our control. It was a moment of triumph, as CANVAS began to emerge as a system capable of delivering not just background music, but a truly immersive audio experience.
HiFi Reinvented
As our journey unfolded, CANVAS ceased to be a mere project; it evolved into a testament to human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of excellence. The once-insurmountable limitations became stepping stones to innovation. CANVAS, which had started as a dream, was now a reality—a true HiFi sound system that defied expectations.
Join us as we delve deeper into the incredible journey of CANVAS, a story of perseverance, innovation, and the unyielding belief that sound can be more than just waves in the air. CANVAS is not just a product; it's a testament to what can be achieved when passion meets technology, and the pursuit of excellence knows no bounds.