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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.
www.akg.com 5
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
C 451 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
AKG HISTORY