Anssi Hyvönen - Interview
“Good sound or good feel sells records.”
Anssi Hyvönen Discusses the Journey Behind Amphion, Overcoming Challenges and Crafting Exceptional Sound
Interview: Nick Clarke
Anssi Hyvönen was born in Finland and is deeply rooted in the rich musical traditions of his home country. He has become a prominent name in the audio world. What began as a personal dream with Amphion Loudspeakers has since gained international praise. Anssi’s journey took him from making personal studio monitors for himself to building a company renowned for creating speakers that are not only technically excellent but also emotionally engaging and beautifully crafted.
In this exclusive interview, Anssi shares how he founded Amphion from the ground up, blending Finnish precision with a deep passion for music, energy, and emotion. He also discusses his sound philosophy and the importance of building genuine connections in business.
Anssi reflects on his early obsession with music, taking us down one of his favorite paths: a deeply personal one. For a long time, he has balanced a double life. In one, he serves as the executive director of the Music and Neuroimaging Lab at the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, part of the National Institutes of Health. In his other life, he is a mastering engineer. In both careers, Anssi is known for his focused attention not just on headphones, loudspeakers, and how music is mixed, but primarily on listening itself.
You have guided Amphion Loudspeakers to become a respected name in both professional and domestic audio. Can you share with us how all this started and the journey you have been on since?
The company started with the destruction of a great hobby. I have been a music lover and sound enthusiast all my life, and since I was 14, I wanted to hear what the mastering engineers hear. It was not planned, careers often start somewhere, and you take one step at a time. Financing a speaker start-up began as a hobby, but it soon became my calling and my life’s work. What truly drove me forward was the desire to recreate that studio experience at home and bring people closer to the essence of music, its emotional and transformative power.
Finland's unique music industry, in which 80% of top-selling music is locally produced, also played a key role in shaping Amphion's foundation. This environment allowed us to test and refine prototypes in real-world conditions, without the pressure of global markets like London or Los Angeles. The isolation pushed us to prioritise high-quality sound and ensure every product delivers an emotional connection.
What were some of the key challenges faced during the early days, and how did you overcome them?
Starting in the speaker-building business wasn’t easy. It’s a field with fierce competition, and doing something that hasn’t been done before is rare. The managing director had previous experience with a speaker company, which helped immensely. His dealer and press contacts laid the groundwork for getting things running.
In the early years, I was working in Malaysia, earning a good salary with low expenses. That financial cushion allowed me to fund the business for the first five years without taking anything out. We kept costs very low, and slowly, things started rolling. Even so, there were challenges—finding the right team, dealing with growing pains, and navigating the stigma of failure. Back then in Finland, declaring bankruptcy would often lead to being labeled a “loser”. But I believed in giving people a second chance, especially those who had learned from their mistakes.
Another key challenge was balancing the technical and emotional aspects of sound. It wasn’t just about building a product; it was about creating something that could genuinely connect with people. That philosophy remains at the core of what we do—focusing not just on functionality but also on how our products make people feel.
You took over sole operation of the company in 2007. What prompted this decision, and what were the hurdles you faced during this transition?
Like many young and growing companies still trying to find their footing, we went through some growing pains. Internal issues led me to take a brief break, but I returned in 2007 to take sole ownership of the company. With the full ownership in my hands, we were able to navigate those hurdles and emerge stronger. It was a challenging period, but also a defining moment in setting Amphion on its current path.
In your industry, what are some of the key challenges you face today?
After a period of good years during COVID, both the hi-fi and studio markets are now experiencing weaker sales. This slowdown, coupled with the significantly increased costs of materials and operations, is presenting challenges for the entire industry. It's a time when everyone has to carefully assess their strategies and adjust to the new realities of the market.
Amphion operates in both professional and domestic fields. How do you maintain this balance, and are there any specific challenges associated with catering to two different market segments?
The professional and domestic markets typically remain fairly distinct, almost as if they speak different languages. While there’s some convergence as the world evolves—especially with customers moving closer to each other in their expectations—elements like looks, image, and branding still play a significant role in keeping these two segments separate. It’s about understanding the nuances of each market and addressing their specific needs while staying true to our core values.
Your work at Amphion requires continuous innovation and staying on top of industry trends. How do you cultivate a daily culture of creativity and exploration within your team to ensure that you're always leading and not following?
In some ways, we have always been different and have a very clear idea of what a good hi-fi speaker should be. The core of Amphion—streamlined design, high-quality materials, and being handmade in Finland—is relatively timeless. Instead of following trends, we focus on getting things right acoustically and electrically. Because the basic configuration of our products is highly revealing, fine-tuning all aspects of the design is surprisingly effective in pushing the performance boundaries.
In many ways, we’ve always been different. At Amphion, we have a very clear idea of what a good hi-fi speaker should be. The principles that define us—streamlined design, high-quality materials, and craftsmanship in Finland—are timeless. Instead of chasing trends, we focus on perfecting the acoustic and electrical aspects of our products.
Our basic configuration is inherently revealing, so even small adjustments can significantly push the performance boundaries. This attention to detail and commitment to fine-tuning keeps us ahead, allowing us to consistently deliver products that resonate with our vision of excellence.
What is your daily routine that keeps you informed, creative, and effective? How do you keep up on a mental and physical level?
Maintaining a balance between office work and physical activity is crucial for me. Spending all day with a laptop in the office needs to be counteracted, and I achieve that through outdoor physical exercise. In the summer, I go kayaking and road biking, while in the winter, I turn to speedskating and cross-country skiing. These activities not only keep me physically fit but also connect me with nature and help clear my mind. It's during those moments in nature that I often feel the most refreshed and ready to tackle challenges creatively.
How do you maintain your mental and physical well-being?
Physical activity plays a big role in keeping my mental and physical state balanced. Being outdoors, whether it’s gliding across the water in a kayak or speeding through the snow on skis, is like a reset button for my mind. It’s my way of staying grounded and energized.
With your deep connection to sound and music, how does music play a role in your daily routine or creative process? Are there specific genres or artists that inspire you?
Strangely enough, I listen to very little music in my day-to-day life. I can’t have music playing in the background while I work—it’s all or nothing for me. When I listen to music, I truly listen. It’s an immersive experience, and I need to give it my full attention, so having background music just doesn’t work for me.
Deep down, I consider myself an energy guy. For me, music is about the transfer of energy and the delivery of emotion. These aspects are incredibly important and something I hope to expose more people to. I firmly believe that if more people experienced music’s ability to move and affect them deeply, their lives would improve in ways they never anticipated.
Do you have particular music you listen to while you work?
Silence. I have experimented with nature sounds and found that I can use them to block out outside noise if needed, without breaking my concentration.
What is the music you listen to while you relax?
I listen to a wide range of music, depending entirely on my mood. Surprisingly often, it is music created by our customers. There is something deeply satisfying about hearing the creativity and passion of the people we work with, it adds a personal connection to the experience.
Your work has had a significant impact on the audio industry, and Amphion continues to grow. What message do you have for aspiring sound engineers, audiophiles, and entrepreneurs?
The professional community is truly something special. I have never encountered an industry where people are so willing to help. While it is common for one person to receive the most attention, I am grateful that it is not about me, it is about the team and our customers. At Amphion, we have received immense support and countless brilliant ideas from our customers, which is why the term "Amphion family" truly captures the essence of what we have built.
Stay curious and open-minded. Listen to what others have to say, but always trust your own ears and heart.
It’s fascinating to observe how sound truly resonates with people. I firmly believe that good sound or a good feel sells records. People might not always understand the technicalities behind why they enjoy something, but if it feels good, they’ll keep coming back to it. That’s the magic of sound—it invites you to listen again and again.
What can we expect from Amphion in the future for Japan?
I truly hope we can expand our customer base further into TV and radio. In doing so, the same magic that hardworking sound engineers capture and create in the studio would have the opportunity to reach those who may not be as passionate about music. The clarity of the midrange, particularly for spoken word, along with phase coherence, could bring immense joy to elderly Japanese individuals who spend a significant amount of time listening to TV and radio.
