Ojas by Devon Turnbull Speaker Review and Pricing

Devon Turnbull’s Ojas has become one of the most polarizing names in modern hi-fi. By blending high-efficiency vintage technology (Altec, JBL, Western Electric) with a minimalist, "hypebeast-adjacent" aesthetic, Turnbull has successfully brought the "listening bar" culture of Japan into the New York design scene.

The Ojas "review" is really a tale of two philosophies: the Aesthetic/Experience vs. the Technical/Value.

The Models & Pricing (2025/2026)

Ojas operates primarily through limited drops, kits, and collaborations. Prices fluctuate based on availability, but the current market looks like this:

Model	Format	Price (Approx.)	Key Components
Artbook Shelf Speaker	Finished Pair	$6,000	JBL 328c 8" Coaxial unit
Artbook Shelf Speaker Kit	DIY Kit	$3,500	Drivers, crossover components, plans
Klipsch x Ojas kO-R1	Finished Pair	$8,498	12" Woofer, sand-cast aluminum horn
Small Bookshelf Kit	DIY Kit	$1,500 - $2,000	Various (often Fostex or small JBL)
Ojas Model 816	Custom	$30,000+	Altec-style 15" drivers & multicell horns

 

Subjective Review: The "Ojas Sound"

Reviews from Stereophile and The Audiophiliac (Steve Guttenberg) generally praise the speakers for their "jump factor"—that effortless, tactile quality unique to high-sensitivity horn designs.

• The Highs: Using compression drivers and horns provides a "reach-out-and-touch-it" vocal presence.

• The Lows: Often described as "fast" and "tuneful" rather than deep. In the kO-R1, reviewers noted an intentional upper-bass bump (around 100Hz) designed to give rock and jazz a "propulsive push."

• The Amp Synergy: These are designed for low-power tube amps (like the Sun Audio 300B or 2A3 kits Ojas often sells). They can sound thin or overly clinical on high-wattage Class D amps.

The "Reddit Verdict": Community Comments

Reddit's r/audiophile and r/diyaudio communities are famously split on Ojas. Here is a summary of the common sentiments:

The "Pro-Ojas" Camp (The "Gateway" Argument)

"Devon is doing more for hi-fi than any legacy brand. He's making it cool for a generation that was raised on Bluetooth speakers. If a $6k 'art piece' gets someone into 300B tubes and Altec drivers, that’s a win for the hobby."

"The kits are where the value is. Building them yourself makes you appreciate the physics of the baffle and the crossover. It’s a ritual, not just a purchase."

The "Anti-Ojas" Camp (The "Substance" Argument)

"It’s essentially 'Hypebeast Hi-Fi.' He’s taking off-the-shelf JBL drivers that cost $350 each, putting them in a Baltic birch box with a butt-joint, and charging a $5,000 premium for the brand name."

"Technically, the Artbook speakers are flawed. The stock crossovers don't account for baffle step loss because those drivers were designed for in-ceiling use. You’re paying for the 'vibe,' not the engineering."