A Sonic Journey at Audeum: Seoul's Unique Sound Museum
Audeum Entrance
Looking for a way to enjoy a weekday in Seoul, I discovered Audeum, a museum offering free admission.
The world's first sound museum, no less!
Audeum Audio Museum was established to promote culture and art centered around sound. Audeum showcases a wide range of collections, including 19th-century phonographs and music players invented by Edison, and world-class sound systems such as Western Electric loudspeakers. Through the preservation and research of audio equipment, Audeum aims to expand and redefine the dimensions of the listening experience by integrating historical sound reproduction technology and art.
Designed by architect Kengo Kuma, who incorporates the relationship between architecture and nature, Audeum is located in a residential area overlooking the idyllic Cheonggyesan Mountain, away from the hustle and bustle of Seoul. Audeum's architecture naturally captures the changing light throughout the day.
Tour Information
Upon entering, descend the stairs to the 2nd basement level.
Apparently, it's designed to create a feeling of immersion in the space.
You can carry your belongings freely, or leave them in the lockers.
Wait in the audiovisual room while waiting for the tour to start.
The tour is listed as 90 minutes, but it's best to allow an extra 20-30 minutes, planning for a total of 2 hours.
Audeum Reservations
The [Jeongeum: A Journey of Sound] program I applied for is offered at:
10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM, 3:30 PM
All sessions are docent-led tours with expert explanations.
(Video recording is prohibited!)
Reservation slots open on the official website in the early to mid part of each month at 2:00 PM.
Reservations are confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis, so it's a good idea to set an alarm in advance!
Tour Start
[Jeongeum: A Journey of Sound]
Audeum aims to explore the meaning of 'Jeongeum' (correct sound) and what constitutes 'good sound' through its audio collection. The answer to the question of 'What is good sound?' will vary from person to person. Audeum's first exhibition, 《Jeongeum: A Journey of Sound》, presents 'High fidelity' as one definition of 'good sound'. 'Good sound' emphasizes the faithful reproduction of the original sound. The more vivid and lifelike the sound, the higher the fidelity and the more enjoyable the listening experience. Audeum hopes to guide visitors on a journey to discover their own 'good sound' through this exhibition.
The program allowed me to see the development of audio devices in historical order.
Starting from the top floor and going down, in one room, I listened to the same music on different speakers in a kind of speaker showdown.
It was amazing how the style was expressed differently even with the same music!
Klangfilm, with its cute logo.
A speaker that was interesting because the sides and back were open.
I don't remember the explanation very well after so long, but I remember the docent's proud explanation that everything here is a collectible audio device.
An unexpected movie projector.
Studio Speaker Listening Session
It felt like peeking into a singer's studio recording session.
Speakers for recording studios are designed to reproduce the sound as faithfully as possible to facilitate editing.
I don't even remember what music I listened to...
Down the escalator...
The charm of the phonograph sound.
Various phonographs and...
Highlight: The Jukebox!
A phonograph that can only play one song at a time, and a commercial audio device, the Jukebox, where you can choose and listen to various songs for money!
I remember the docent saying to check for a coin slot to distinguish between home and commercial use!
The overwhelming visuals and majestic sound were impressive:
Western Electric Horn Speaker 16A
Western Electric Horn Speaker 16A is a metal horn speaker system developed for small theaters, based on the patented technology of David G. Blattner. Thanks to its unique structure made by bending metal plates, it could minimize the installation space due to its shallow depth, and was designed to be used effectively even in environments with limited space behind the stage.
This speaker uses Western Electric's 555 driver to provide clear and natural sound, contributing to improving the efficiency of theater sound systems. (Year of Manufacture: 1930)
Right: 12, 13
12, 13 - The docent mentioned these are the only speakers of this configuration installed anywhere in the world.
Western Electric Horn Speaker 12A & 13A
Western Electric's horn speakers 12A and 13A are one of the first large-scale theater sound systems, used in movie theaters in the 1920s. They were used in the 1927 film "The Jazz Singer," signaling the end of the silent film era.
Utilizing the 555 driver, they are responsible for the mid-high range (12A) and low range (13A) respectively. When used together, the two models create a richer and more natural sound stage. With a long horn design of over 4 meters, they are designed to deliver a more natural and powerful sound, enabling clearer delivery of music and voice. This system contributed to establishing the standard for sound reproduction methods in the film industry and became the foundation for modern theater sound systems.
Numerous cameras that you see when you go down!!!
This alone is overwhelming, I wonder how it would look to camera enthusiasts.
The docent told us to look for the expensive ones displayed in glass cases and I immediately found the Hermes collaboration~
My guess is that perhaps they collected cameras along with audio equipment~
The Boom Boom Room
The Jukebox Room on the 1st floor seen from the front of Audeum
I call it the Boom Boom Room hahaha
The splendid and elaborate interior of the Jukebox was impressive.
The other piano next to it plays music automatically with the triangle, playing cheerfully when you put in a coin. This was the only section where I smiled broadly hahaha
The final lounge space!!
They give you enough time to take pictures and videos after explaining, so listen to the explanation first!
Snapped a photo of the super expensive Bach classic LP set
Docent: You have to take a picture of the telephone! You have to take a picture of this!
Snapped a photo of Seong-jin Cho!
Snapped a photo of the super expensive? rare? telephone model!!
It was so fascinating, like something out of an old black and white movie hahaha
The lounge docent was very proud of their collection of classical and jazz LPs.
Rightfully so, they have an amazing collection.
What was it called... a singing bell that goes into the phonograph?ㅠ Anyway, an important part.
What's the most expensive? It's expensive when it's neatly stored in a box^^
Made in Belgium.
To prevent parts from breaking down,
It is said that it only shows off its spectacular performance during the 10 AM tour.
If you want to hear it, book for 10 AM without fail~
A speaker that boasted a very, very, very comfortable sound.
Actually, I'm quite sensitive to sound, but even at high volumes, I didn't feel any fatigue in my ears.
All the music I listened to here was soft and comfortable.
Unlike when you hear it directly,
I'm sad because it sounds like it will sound different when recorded and replayed.
Lastly, boom boom at the museum shop.
I was disappointed because there wasn't much to buy, I'm a goods lover.
The exterior decorated with pipes of various thicknesses and lengths is wonderful.
Audeum tour review end!
Audeum Architect Interview!
Really, really end!!
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