BGW Systems
Encyclopedia
BGW Systems is a designer and manufacturer of audio power amplifiers based in Southern California
in the United States. The company also manufactures other audio electronics designs as well as computer systems and sheet metal products.
, BGW scored its first major success in 1974 when Universal Studios
selected BGW to supply thousands of Model 750 and 750A amplifiers for its Sensurround
cinema subwoofer
sound effects systems. Following the positive industry exposure from Sensurround, BGW amps began to be installed permanently in many movie theater
s as well as at theme parks and nightclubs. By 1978, BGW amplifiers were installed in greater numbers in discothèques than any other amplifier.
Wachner co-wrote a paper for the Audio Engineering Society
(AES) in 1975, addressing the problem of differing power claims in the amplifier industry and the hope that power rating standards set by the Federal Trade Commission
would narrow the 'credibility gap
'.
BGW introduced an audio crossover
product in 1979 and new amplifier lines in '80 and '82. By 1983, BGW's skill in sheet metal
work (acquired in fabricating their substantial amplifier housings) had grown to the point of it becoming its own source of company revenue. BGW began supplying finished metal products to a number of industries, and established a BGW-branded "Rack and Roll" line of 19-inch rack
hardware in 1991.
In 1985, Wachner delivered a paper to the AES regarding guidelines for power amplifier evaluation.
1987 saw the introduction of the Grand Touring series of amplifiers, beginning with the GTA. Its successor, the GTB, came out the next year. This model line, designed for the road and known for its rugged durability and conservative power rating, was adopted by many concert sound companies, some of whom became BGW dealers. Wachner himself visited these dealers, flying around the United States
in his private airplane to meet them. His interaction with the sound reinforcement system
company owners and operators led to Wachner's work on signal processing in conjunction with amplifier power in order to achieve flat power response in multi-band sound systems; a paper given to AES in May 1988.
BGW Systems is used as an example in a guidebook for companies seeking Small Business Administration
loans. In 1991, BGW applied for and received a loan of US$200,000 in order to extend sales internationally. By 1995, 60% of BGW's sales were from outside the US.
In 1992, the BGW U86 rack-mounted computer was introduced as an entirely new product line. At the same time, the Universal Chassis product was introduced from the sheet metal department.
THX
gave their approval to the BGW M2200 self-powered subwoofer introduced in 1993. The subwoofer contained four 15" drivers, crossover circuitry, and an internal amplifier based on the Grand Touring series design. THX quality assurance also approved the BGW M1100 subwoofer (basically half of an M2200) in 1995 and the Millennium amplfier line in 1996.
BGW's prominence and Wachner's involvement in the industry led to the Los Angeles
section of AES asking Wachner to chair the section for two years.
Brian Gary Wachner died of an aggressive cancer on October 22, 1997 at the age of 52. His widow, Barbara Wachner, had been deeply involved in company operations since its founding; she assumed the position of company president. Their son, Jeff Wachner, became the primary public contact for BGW.
Steve Lyle joined BGW in 2000, taking over as chief engineer.
. Under ATI, BGW has introduced several new amplifier designs but has reduced its industry profile; BGW's last appearance at an industry trade show was at the NAMM Show
in January, 2003.
Though several of BGW's products met THX quality assurance standards in the mid-1990s extending through to 2002, BGW is no longer represented on THX product listings.
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
in the United States. The company also manufactures other audio electronics designs as well as computer systems and sheet metal products.
History
Founded by Brian Gary Wachner in 1971 in his garage while he was employed as a field applications engineer for National SemiconductorNational Semiconductor
National Semiconductor was an American semiconductor manufacturer, that specialized in analog devices and subsystems,formerly headquartered in Santa Clara, California, USA. The products of National Semiconductor included power management circuits, display drivers, audio and operational amplifiers,...
, BGW scored its first major success in 1974 when Universal Studios
Universal Studios
Universal Pictures , a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, is one of the six major movie studios....
selected BGW to supply thousands of Model 750 and 750A amplifiers for its Sensurround
Sensurround
Sensurround is the trademark name for a process developed in the 1970s by Cerwin-Vega in conjunction with Universal Studios to enhance the audio experience during film screenings...
cinema subwoofer
Subwoofer
A subwoofer is a woofer, or a complete loudspeaker, which is dedicated to the reproduction of low-pitched audio frequencies known as the "bass". The typical frequency range for a subwoofer is about 20–200 Hz for consumer products, below 100 Hz for professional live sound, and below...
sound effects systems. Following the positive industry exposure from Sensurround, BGW amps began to be installed permanently in many movie theater
Movie theater
A movie theater, cinema, movie house, picture theater, film theater is a venue, usually a building, for viewing motion pictures ....
s as well as at theme parks and nightclubs. By 1978, BGW amplifiers were installed in greater numbers in discothèques than any other amplifier.
Wachner co-wrote a paper for the Audio Engineering Society
Audio Engineering Society
Established in 1948, the Audio Engineering Society draws its membership from amongst engineers, scientists, other individuals with an interest or involvement in the professional audio industry. The membership largely comprises engineers developing devices or products for audio, and persons working...
(AES) in 1975, addressing the problem of differing power claims in the amplifier industry and the hope that power rating standards set by the Federal Trade Commission
Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, established in 1914 by the Federal Trade Commission Act...
would narrow the 'credibility gap
Credibility gap
Credibility gap is a political term that came into wide use during the 1960s and 1970s. At the time, it was most frequently used to describe public skepticism about the Lyndon B. Johnson administration's statements and policies on the Vietnam War...
'.
BGW introduced an audio crossover
Audio crossover
Audio crossovers are a class of electronic filter used in audio applications. Most individual loudspeaker drivers are incapable of covering the entire audio spectrum from low frequencies to high frequencies with acceptable relative volume and lack of distortion so most hi-fi speaker systems use a...
product in 1979 and new amplifier lines in '80 and '82. By 1983, BGW's skill in sheet metal
Sheet metal
Sheet metal is simply metal formed into thin and flat pieces. It is one of the fundamental forms used in metalworking, and can be cut and bent into a variety of different shapes. Countless everyday objects are constructed of the material...
work (acquired in fabricating their substantial amplifier housings) had grown to the point of it becoming its own source of company revenue. BGW began supplying finished metal products to a number of industries, and established a BGW-branded "Rack and Roll" line of 19-inch rack
19-inch rack
A 19-inch rack is a standardized frame or enclosure for mounting multiple equipment modules. Each module has a front panel that is wide, including edges or ears that protrude on each side which allow the module to be fastened to the rack frame with screws.-Overview and history:Equipment designed...
hardware in 1991.
In 1985, Wachner delivered a paper to the AES regarding guidelines for power amplifier evaluation.
1987 saw the introduction of the Grand Touring series of amplifiers, beginning with the GTA. Its successor, the GTB, came out the next year. This model line, designed for the road and known for its rugged durability and conservative power rating, was adopted by many concert sound companies, some of whom became BGW dealers. Wachner himself visited these dealers, flying around the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in his private airplane to meet them. His interaction with the sound reinforcement system
Sound reinforcement system
A sound reinforcement system is the combination of microphones, signal processors, amplifiers, and loudspeakers that makes live or pre-recorded sounds louder and may also distribute those sounds to a larger or more distant audience...
company owners and operators led to Wachner's work on signal processing in conjunction with amplifier power in order to achieve flat power response in multi-band sound systems; a paper given to AES in May 1988.
BGW Systems is used as an example in a guidebook for companies seeking Small Business Administration
Small Business Administration
The Small Business Administration is a United States government agency that provides support to entrepreneurs and small businesses. The mission of the Small Business Administration is "to maintain and strengthen the nation's economy by enabling the establishment and viability of small businesses...
loans. In 1991, BGW applied for and received a loan of US$200,000 in order to extend sales internationally. By 1995, 60% of BGW's sales were from outside the US.
In 1992, the BGW U86 rack-mounted computer was introduced as an entirely new product line. At the same time, the Universal Chassis product was introduced from the sheet metal department.
THX
THX
THX is a trade name of a high-fidelity audio/visual reproduction standard for movie theaters, screening rooms, home theaters, computer speakers, gaming consoles, and car audio systems. The current THX was created in 2001 when it spun off from Lucasfilm Ltd...
gave their approval to the BGW M2200 self-powered subwoofer introduced in 1993. The subwoofer contained four 15" drivers, crossover circuitry, and an internal amplifier based on the Grand Touring series design. THX quality assurance also approved the BGW M1100 subwoofer (basically half of an M2200) in 1995 and the Millennium amplfier line in 1996.
BGW's prominence and Wachner's involvement in the industry led to the Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
section of AES asking Wachner to chair the section for two years.
Brian Gary Wachner died of an aggressive cancer on October 22, 1997 at the age of 52. His widow, Barbara Wachner, had been deeply involved in company operations since its founding; she assumed the position of company president. Their son, Jeff Wachner, became the primary public contact for BGW.
Steve Lyle joined BGW in 2000, taking over as chief engineer.
Present
On October 20, 2003, the Wachners sold BGW Systems to Amplifier Technologies, Inc. of Montebello, CaliforniaMontebello, California
Montebello is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States, in the southwestern part of the San Gabriel Valley. It is located on of land just east of downtown Los Angeles. It is considered part of the Gateway Cities, and the city is a member of the Gateway Cities Council of...
. Under ATI, BGW has introduced several new amplifier designs but has reduced its industry profile; BGW's last appearance at an industry trade show was at the NAMM Show
NAMM Show
The NAMM Show is one of the largest music product trade shows in the world, founded in 1901. It is held every January in Anaheim, California, USA, at the Anaheim Convention Center...
in January, 2003.
Though several of BGW's products met THX quality assurance standards in the mid-1990s extending through to 2002, BGW is no longer represented on THX product listings.