AKG Acoustics WMS 40 Turning point, Wms, New research center, World Cup 2002 in Korea mit AKG

AKG HISTORY

and these products rapidly became one of the mainstays of the company. AKG was also quick to introduce digital technology: the company made its debut at the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow with the TDU 7000 time delay unit.

The turning point

1984 was a fateful year for AKG. The com- pany went public on the Vienna Stock Exchange as a “blue chip”, and performed outstandingly for many years. At the same time, the owners of the company started to change, resulting in several different majority shareholders – major banks and private finan- ce companies – in quick succession.

This went hand in hand with the company’s new policy of expansion. The acquisition of other firms with complementary products was intended to help AKG achieve its goal of beco- ming an all-round supplier. The turning point

came with the great recession and the collap- se of various currency parities: the leading banks changed their strategies of maintaining industrial holdings. At the beginning of the 1990s, AKG reported a loss for the first time in its history. In 1993 Harman International Inc. acquired a 76 percent stake in the AKG Group, buying up the remaining 24 percent the following year.

This also obliged AKG to fall back on its tra- ditional strengths. Today microphones, head- phones, industrial and telecommunications products make up the company’s core busin- ess. The company’s success has proved that this was the right decision for AKG.

In 1996 AKG entered wireless technology, an entirely new segment, introducing first the WMS 300 UHF multichannel system, followed by the WMS 800 and WMS 900 models. This technology was entirely revolutionary at the

time, and was eagerly taken up for stationary applications such as conference centers and theaters. This encouraged AKG to start roun- ding out the range in the year 1999 by deve- loping a series of mobile UHF and VHF wire- less systems called WMS 60 VHF, WMS 80 UHF, WMS 61 VHF, WMS 81 UHF, as well as the IVM 1, AKG’s first in-ear monitoring system. The company also went on to develop wireless headphones, the youngest generation of which is also equipped with the latest Surround technologies.

In 2004, AKG products are available and popular all over the world. AKG Acoustics has become a leading manufacturer of audio pro- ducts worldwide (more than 1,400 patents applied for). It is with good reason that count- less professional and amateur users around the world rely on proverbial AKG quality.

WMS 300

In 1996 AKG launched the WMS 300, its first UHF wireless microphone system. This UHF multichannel system convinced the experts not only with its sound, but also its innovative modular design with inter- changeable microphone elements and a wide selection of accessories.

CK 77

In 1995 AKG introduced the CK 77/C 577, the world’s smallest dual-diaphragm microphone for theater, television and movie applications. This revolutionary dual-diaphragm technology made the microphone insensitive to impact noise, whilst the microphone’s compact dimen- sions made it virtually invisible when worn with makeup or costumes. In combination with WMS wireless technology, the mic ope- ned up an almost unlimited number of applications in any live situation.

New research center

In 2001 AKG opened a new acoustics research center with Europe’s largest anechoic chamber (18 m3) at the company’s headquarters in Vienna. This is where AKG continuously develops new patents, and manufactures most of its high-quality products – some of them still assembled by hand – for exporta- tion to all parts of the world.

1993 Introduction of the “Tri-Power C Series” Introduction of the “K Series” headphones New AKG factory building completed

The entire factory, storage facilities, and all production departments move to the new premises

Harman becomes new majority owner of AKG Ges.m.b.H. AKG Holding AG is delisted from the Vienna Stock Exchange Hendrik Homan becomes new Managing Director of AKG Vienna

1994 AKG founder Rudolf Görike dies

Harman purchases the remaining shares to make AKG a 100%-owned Harman International company

AKG moves to new premises in Vienna-Siebenhirten

AKG Vienna assumes responsibility for Studer products in Austria Cell manufacturing established at AKG

AKG expands its activities in the wireless market

1995 Introduction of the Performer Series, a range of affordable microphones for Karaoke, home recording and upcoming musicians

Introduction of the CK77, the smallest dual-diaphragm capsule in the world – big in sound, smaller than a thumbnail in size

New infrared headphones in "eargonomic" shape (K 444 IR, K 333 IR) World's first surround sound headphones (K 290 Surround) Introduction of IHA 90 integrated headset for computer communication Endorsement by “Simply Red”

1996 Introduction of WMS 300 – a newly developed UHF wireless microphone system Endorsers Simply Red on worldwide tour with AKG WMS 900

Introduction of Mini Elf and City Elf, extremely lightweight headsets MicroMic Series II introduced

Invention of new VARIMOTION™ SYSTEM diaphragm technology New range of high-quality headphones (K 501, K 401, K 301) Introduction of K 205 UHF headphones

AKG nominated for European Design Award

1997 50th anniversary of AKG

Introduction of the SolidTube which makes the legendary AKG tube technology available at an attractive price!

AKG IVM 1 In-ear Monitor System using IVA Technology.

1998 The year of the Hearo 777: IVA technology for optimum surround sound experience

AKG WMS - multi-channel wireless microphone system Modular Discreet Acoustics Series for Conferencing Maximum mobility with the WLS 6060 MAX Introduction of the CS 1 conference system

1999 Introduction of the C 4000 B the world's first dual large-diaphragm system

WMS 80, WMS 61, WMS 81 wireless microphone systems bring new sounds for a wireless world

Hearo 999 Audiosphere for the optimum surround sound listening experience

2000 C 3000 B receives M.I.P.A. 2000 (Musikmesse International Press Award)

WMS 40: UHF system combining professional quality and exceptional cost efficiency

Launch of C 4500 B-BC Broadcasting Condenser Microphone

2001 C 3000 B becomes reference for Roland COSM microphone modeling HEARO 777: world's first headphones using Logic7 technology

C451 B - new version of former C 451's WMS 40 PT

MicroMic Series III, comprising four new models

2002 Introduction of the CS 2 Conference System

C 900 available as gold version and winner of the TEC Awards Q 1000 Array Microphone für Mercedes

World Cup 2002 in Korea mit AKG

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