Mourning the Passing of Tom Hidley (1931-2025)
Tom Hidley: Pioneer in Studio Monitor Design and Acoustic Innovation
Tom Hidley, a pioneering figure in the world of sound recording and reproduction, was born in Los Angeles, Calif., in 1931. His passion for music shifted to the technology of sound recording and reproduction early in life.
Hidley's career began in the 1960s, when he worked with Phil Ramone at A&R Recording in Manhattan. This was followed by a stint at JBL, where he handled product performance evaluation and installed high-end consumer playback systems.
In 1965, Hidley, along with Amnon "Ami" Hadani, founded TTG Studios in Los Angeles. It was here that Hidley's quest to extend the low-end of studio monitors began with Ramone. He built a series of large, custom two-way monitors with dual woofers that extended down to 40 Hz. These monitors, known for their linearity, became popular worldwide, with over 2500 eventually sold.
In 1969, Hidley formed Westlake Audio to sell packaged electronics from his Westlake Village home. During this period, he developed the world's first 16-track, 2-inch tape machine, and later, the first 24-track, 2-inch tape recorder in commercial operation.
Hidley's contributions to the industry did not stop there. In the 1980s, he developed a new acoustic room design concept called "the non-environment room," a concept that influenced modern studio design strategy. He continued to refine this design for more than 30 years, pushing the low-frequency performance of larger spaces down to 10 Hz.
However, the person who developed the Non-Environment room concept between 1986 and his second withdrawal in 1980 remains unidentified in relevant search results.
In 1969, Hidley also set up Westlake as a one-stop shop on Wilshire Boulevard, after leaving The Record Plant. He worked with Pioneer design engineer Shozo Kinoshita to design a new vertical monitor with a TAD compression driver and TAD 15-inch woofers.
Hidley was an accomplished saxophone player while still a teenager. This musical background undoubtedly influenced his approach to sound engineering, driving him to push boundaries and innovate throughout his career.
Tom Hidley passed away on May 2, 2025, in Thailand, nearing his 94th birthday. He is survived by his wife, family, and grandchildren. His legacy in the world of sound engineering and studio design continues to be felt and celebrated.
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