Seoul has officially opened the world’s first museum dedicated entirely to audio, marking a major milestone in the preservation and celebration of sound technology. The Audeum Audio Museum is the vision of Michael Chung, founder of Korean audio specialist Silbatone Acoustics, and was created in memory of his late father. It is the first public museum in the world focused solely on audio equipment and the art of sound reproduction.
The museum features a striking entrance designed to resemble hundreds of organ pipes blended with natural rock formations, immediately setting the tone for a unique sensory experience. Designed by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, Audeum spans seven stories and covers an expansive 224,246 square meters of exhibition space.
Inside, visitors encounter a range of acoustically engineered spaces showcasing a world-class collection of sound reproduction equipment from the 19th century to the present day. The exhibits highlight the evolution of audio technology, from early innovations to modern high-fidelity systems.
Audeum’s mission extends beyond display. With a strong focus on preservation and research, the museum aims to redefine conventional listening experiences by connecting historical sound technologies with the broader world of art and culture.
One of the museum’s key exhibitions, “Jung Eum: In Search of Sound,” celebrates the development of high-fidelity, or Hi-Fi, audio. Featured items include Western Electric’s 16-A and 16-B Sound Systems used in small theaters in 1932, the iconic Lansing Iconic loudspeaker from 1937—which helped shape home audio technology—and Western Electric’s 12-A and 13-A Sound Systems, recognized as the world’s first large cinema sound systems.
With its blend of architecture, technology, and acoustic excellence, the Audeum Audio Museum positions Seoul as a global destination for sound, innovation, and cultural exploration.
