The loudspeakers produced by Lansing Manufacturing established the
reputation of James B. Lansing at the top of the industry. The company began
modestly in 1927 with a product line that started with armature speakers and
progressed to field coil speakers for use as OEM parts by radio
manufacturers. An 8" field coil unit was their biggest seller but they also
made 6" and 4" units. Magnavox, Jackson Bell and Mission Bell were some of
their biggest customers. However, it was the Shearer project that
established Lansing Manufacturing. After that project, Lansing Manufacturing
grew to encompass a full range of professional and home loudspeakers. They
reached a peak manufacturing capacity of 1000 drive units a day with over 50
employees before the death of Ken Decker and subsequent business
difficulties.
Of all of the products made by Lansing Manufacturing, the
Shearer Horn
and
Iconic
have to be considered the two most influential. The
Shearer Horn was recognized as such an advance in film sound that it won a
Technical Achievement Academy Award. The Iconic set the standard for
playback monitors and became a laboratory reference loudspeaker. These two
products best represent Lansing's achievement as maker of the finest
loudspeakers available.