BRITISH HiFi BRAND ROKSAN CELEBRATES 40 YEARS

British HiFi manufacturer Roksan is celebrating 40 years in 2025. Founded in London in 1985 by Tufan Hashemi and Touraj Moghaddam, the company made an immediate impact on the audio scene with the launch of the Xerxes turntable.

This debut product, unveiled at a HiFi show in London the same year, introduced a design approach that challenged the norms of the era, focusing on precision engineering and musical integrity.

The Xerxes quickly gained attention for its unique construction, aiming to reduce mechanical and acoustic interference, setting a new benchmark for turntable design at the time.

FOUNDERS OF ROKSAN: ENGINEERING MEETS MUSICALITY

Roksan was formed by two graduates of the University of London: Tufan Hashemi of Queen Mary College and Touraj Moghaddam (now the owner of Vertere) of Imperial College London. With backgrounds in engineering and a shared passion for music, the pair set out to create audio equipment that not only met high technical standards but also delivered a deeply musical listening experience.

The name “Roksan” itself is a nod to their Persian heritage—derived from Roxana, daughter of King Darius. This connection to culture, identity, and individuality would become a defining theme throughout the brand’s products and philosophy.

For more about the Roksan history, read our factory visit report from 20214 here

ROKSAN PRODUCTS FROM XERXES TO CASPIAN 4G CONTINUE TO DEFINE THE BRAND

Since the launch of the Xerxes, Roksan has consistently developed HiFi components characterised by a blend of precision, innovation, and individuality. From turntables to amplifiers, each product has aimed to reflect the brand’s commitment to musical accuracy and build quality.

The most recent release, the Caspian Series 4G—launched in 2024—continues this tradition. With carefully updated internals and a refined user experience, it honours the design language of earlier Caspian models while incorporating features that meet the needs of contemporary listeners.

PRODUCTION OF ROKSAN CASPIAN 4G RETURNS TO THE UK

Now part of Monitor Audio Group since 2016, Roksan has benefited from significant investment in production capabilities and engineering expertise. As part of this growth, the Caspian Series 4G is now being hand-built in Essex at Monitor Audio Group’s headquarters.

Rob Barford, CEO of Monitor Audio Group, commented on the importance of this move: “We’ve strengthened the foundation of the brand… while keeping everything that made Roksan special intact.” The decision to return production to the UK underlines the brand’s ongoing commitment to quality control and craftsmanship.

ROKSAN’S 40-YEAR HISTORY HONOURED WITH FILM AND PUBLICATION

To mark its four-decade milestone, Roksan has produced a commemorative long-form brochure exploring the brand’s evolution from the early days of Xerxes to today’s digital-ready product lines. Alongside this, a short anniversary film brings together voices from within the company, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the people, processes and principles that have shaped Roksan’s sound.

THE PEOPLE BEHIND ROKSAN: PASSION AND PRECISION IN EVERY PRODUCT

Roksan’s identity has always been closely linked to the people behind it. According to Software Test Manager Joe Deller, the brand’s personality comes through in its dedication to sound and user experience: “HiFi is deeply personal—it’s about what sounds right, what feels right. Roksan has a long heritage of designers and engineers who genuinely love the products they create.”

This culture of hands-on involvement and pride in craftsmanship continues to play a central role in how Roksan approaches product design and development.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE OF ROKSAN HiFi

While Roksan takes a moment to reflect on four decades of HiFi innovation, its focus remains firmly on the future. Plans include further development of streaming technology, smart connectivity, and continued refinement of analogue systems—all grounded in the brand’s commitment to engineering excellence and authentic listening experiences.

With roots in both musical passion and scientific precision, Roksan’s next chapter promises to build on a legacy that began with two engineers, one turntable, and a belief that music should be heard as it was meant to be.

HiFi PiG Says: A very happy 40th anniversary to Roksan!