About Us

Meet the Mad Scientist Audio Team

How is Black Magic Different?

Mad Scientist Audio is based in New Plymouth, New Zealand. That’s Mount Taranaki above, just up the road.

We started operation in 2013, and our products just keep getting better and better. We started with Black Discus electromagnetic dampers, which are still used in more advanced form in some of our cables.

Since 2023 we have been only making cables (and a few legacy products like Graphene Contact Enhancer).

Mad Scientist is owned and run by Bob & Kay Prangnell.

Bob Prangnell

Bob the Chief Mad Scientist. He’s been tinkering with audio gear for the past 40 years in his spare time. Electronic and Software engineer by trade.

He designs and build the cables, with occasional help.

Kay Prangnell

Kay runs the company and keeps the Mad Scientist from doing anything too stupid.

She also does all the packing and accounts.