Five Minutes With… ·
Five Minutes With Omer Humayun, Unity Audio Canada
Omer Humayun, Unity Audio Canada · Founder, Unity Audio Canada
Most people in Ottawa have no idea that loudspeakers and audio cables are designed and built here, by one man, and shipped to customers well beyond the city. Omer Humayun has been an authorized dealer for other companies' audio brands since the 1980s. He started putting his own name on the products in 2005. He told the Bugle how that happened, why he builds for small rooms played quietly, which is a fair description of most of what Barrhaven is putting up, and who is still buying used records.
Most people around here have no idea a hi-fi manufacturer is working in their own city. How did Unity Audio start, and how did it get from cables to building your own speakers?
“Before Unity Audio started, I was, and still am, an authorized dealer for many electronic brands. Cables and speakers were introduced at the same time, but I had become known for offering cables from over 28 different brands. I consolidated my knowledge of those into offering my own. It also became clear that there was a hole in the market for speakers that perform well in small spaces at low volumes.”
Your full-range speakers are designed for condos and townhomes, which is exactly what Barrhaven keeps putting up. What does a small room do to sound, and what did you have to solve to make a speaker work in one?
“Many speakers made today are designed to be played at moderate to high volumes, and for medium to large sized rooms. Unity Audio speakers are designed to sound great at low volumes and in smaller spaces, and they focus bass frequencies in the listening area without going beyond it.”
You also carry used records and CDs. Who comes looking for those, and has that changed in the last few years?
“I ship a lot of music to new and returning customers who are looking to expand their libraries. My local customer base has grown as well as word spreads in the community. With the recent boom, prices have increased substantially, but I've kept mine reasonable. My goal is to build ongoing relationships with people that want the music, instead of the collector wanting a pristine copy of a record. And, when it's time for more record sleeves, cleaning fluid, or an equipment upgrade, I offer that too!”
Your favourite Barrhaven spot?
“If I have to choose only one, it would be Tapri Chai on Kennevale. Absolutely amazing street food and masala chai.”
Who in Barrhaven should we talk to next?
“Da Fat Cat bakery. Home based business. To date, EVERYTHING we've gotten from them has been stellar.”
This interview was conducted in writing through the Bugle’s interview form; answers lightly edited for length and clarity.