Allen & Heath
ActiveOverview
Allen & Heath manufactures professional audio mixing consoles, sound management systems for industrial installations, and DJ mixers for nightclubs. The company serves live sound, installed systems, touring productions, houses of worship, broadcasters, studios, and clubs worldwide.123
History
Allen & Heath was founded in 1969 in London at the heart of the music scene, hand-building mixers for bands including Genesis, Pink Floyd, and The Who.13 It relocated to Penryn, Cornwall, and established itself among early British mixer companies.1 Now part of the Audiotonix Group, it supplies equipment used by artists such as Lewis Capaldi, Bring Me the Horizon, and Billie Eilish, alongside rental companies and installers.13
Product Lines
| Product Line | Positioning | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| dLive (flagship digital touring consoles) | large-scale live sound production | $10,000 - $100,000+ |
| Avantis (modular digital mixers) | mid-to-large live and install applications | $15,000 - $50,000 |
| SQ Series (compact digital mixers) | bands, venues, and houses of worship | $3,000 - $10,000 |
| Qu Series (digital mixers) | live gigs, theatre, and installations | $2,000 - $6,000 |
| CQ Series (ultra-compact digital mixers) | musicians, home producers, small venues | $400 - $1,200 |
| Xone (DJ mixers) | nightclubs and professional DJs | $1,500 - $3,500 |
Manufacturing
Allen & Heath designs and manufactures its products in Penryn, Cornwall, United Kingdom.12
Notable Products
- dLive Series - Flagship digital mixing system for large touring and broadcast applications.
- SQ-6 - Compact digital mixer with 96kHz FPGA processing for live sound.
- Avantis - Modular digital console for live and installed systems.
- Xone:96 - Analogue DJ mixer used in nightclubs.
- Qu-16 - Rack-mountable digital mixer for bands and venues.
Reputation
Allen & Heath is regarded by professionals for reliable build quality and sound performance in live, install, and DJ environments.23 Enthusiasts praise its British engineering heritage and use by major touring acts.13 Some note higher price points compared to competitors, though value is recognized in premium models.2