"All the World's a Stage..." - Sound by AKG 1945: 1946: Dr

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"All the World's a Stage..." - Sound by AKG 1945: 1946: Dr. Rudolf Goerike and Ing. Ernst The DYN Series is designed. These Pless start their first joint project: sup- are the first dynamic microphones plying Vienna movie theaters with film from AKG for vocals and instruments. projectors and loudspeakers. The The "Dyn" Series includes models envisaged company name is Dyn 60, Dyn 60G, Dyn 60K, Dyn 60K- "Phonophot". Studio, etc., each one styled individu- ally. All parts are hand made. Annual The company buys film equipment output is 500 to 600 units. from a closed factory in Hungary. Dr. Goerike makes the necessary modifi- cations such as reducing projector noise and optimizing the optical soundtrack.

One of the first AKG branches.

The "C 1 ", a collector's item redis- covered in 1997.

AKG offers the first condenser tube microphone, the C 1. Only six units are made, and one user is Wien Film Studios. The diaphragm is made from Styroflex foil gold sputtered by Goerz. In the same year, AKG sells one C 1 to The PC 2535 G horn-loaded loudspe- South America. The capsule is a pre- aker with cardboard diaphragm for decessor of the CK 12 that later beco- movie theaters is manufactured in a mes an AKG legend. living room. Frequency range: 40 to 12,000 Hz diaphragm diameter: 14 1949: inches, weight: 45 Ibs. The magnets are from Goerz and have an induction The first AKG headphones on the of 14 kG. market are called the K 120 Dyn. (Not related to the later model K 120.)

The headphones use a "Trolitul" diaphragm from pressed granules because foils are not available at the time. The factory has only one win- ding machine Celebrities using AKG mics. and one glu- ing machine. Other AKG 1947: products of Dr. Rudolf Goerike and Ing. Ernst the time Pless establish AKG Akustische u. include car- Kino-Geraete Gesellschaft m.b.H. The bon capsules trading license issued on June 3, for telepho- 1946 describes the company as an nes and goo- establishment for "the manufacture of seneck audio and film equipment" located at microphones Nobilegasse in the 15th district of derived from PC 2535 G compact loudspeaker. Vienna. the Dyn 60. AKG products are distributed in The "Rapido" flash is designed. 1952: Austria by Siemens (WSW), export With the ambitious goal of establis- sales already include significant busi- hing a proprietary studio connector ness with eastern European countries. standard, AKG created the "AKG Connector". The breakthrough, howe- 1950: ver, never came and the last connec- AKG starts designing the world's first tors were made in the mid-1960s. high qualify cardioid microphone, the They can still be found today in some D 12 with its patented "mass-loaded old installations, e.g., in churches. tube". Models derived from it in later They are a much sought-after collec- years include the D20, D25 (1958), tor's item even today. D30 (1958), D36, D45 (1959). The last three models use two transducers to provide selectable polar patterns.

At this time AKG developed film soundtrack pickups in cooperation with Siemens Austria.

Another new product is the heart tone microphone based on the Dyn 60, a dynamic Founder Ernst Pless with a D 12 vibration (circa 1955). pickup called "Dyn 2x60/1 Experiments for building condenser 80". microphones with a collodion diaphragm. AKG makes special automo- One of the first AKG legends is nea- bile horns because the small motorbi- ring its breakthrough: the D 1 2, a kes of the day are so loud that moto- Another curious electromedical pro- large-diaphragm microphone that not rists could not hear standard automo- duct from AKG is impossible to date only provides the first true cardioid bile horns. In addition, AKG makes exactly for lack of information: The polar pattern but introduces enginee- exposure meters. only clue is telephone numbers made ring innovations such as the massloa- up of letters and numbers: Austrian ded tube and deep-drawn. dia- telephone numbers were changed to phragms. Film sound engineers, too numbers only in the mid-1950s. praise the directivity and remarkably low susceptibility to wind noise.

1951: Dummy head for measurement use. Two prototypes with condenser capsules are built for Hungary. Simultaneously, a condenser transducer is designed which is later used in the capsule of the C28. Also, a dual- diaphragm microphone is developed and called the "C 2". About 500 units are made. D 12 manufacture in the 50s. 1953: her legendary AKG product: the C 12, ped, the latter derived from the Dyn The D 12 conquers the the first remote controlled multipattern 6OK. The specifications are impressi- market and large-scale capacitor microphone. ve: Watertight down to 330 ft. at a production of it begins. diving rate of 25 ft./minute; frequency The C 12 was originally made in runs range 30 to 20,000 Hz; sensitivity The same year also of 50 units per month and became an 0.2 m/microbar; seawater-proof, chro- sees the birth of anot- international bestseller. It was purcha- me plated brass case; weight 15 Ibs.; sed by almost all large radio and size: 9.8 x recording studios. First customers included BBC London whose engineers were deeply impressed with the microphone's styling and quality.

C 12 manufacture and testing

1954: Underwater loudspeakers and microphones (Dyn 120 UWS) are develo-

This C 12 was designed by Konrad Wolf ( 1st from left; the picture shows the first AKG team) who retired after many years with AKG. Did he know at the time that this was the hour of AKG's international breakthrough? "I had no idea because I was very young and saw a challenge in every job. AKG had already been quite successful with the C 2. Engineers with RAVAG, as the Austrian national radio network was then called, wanted new microphones for their studios and had some special requirements. “They were looking for a microphone "as thin as a pen ". Nobody was able to make that at the time but in any case we came up with a slender, cylin- everywhere. drical shape for the C 12. "Almost every single part of the C 12 was hand made at "The radio people were impressed with the results of the AKG. They were all turned - we used no cast parts. first microphone tests. It was the first microphone whose polar pattern you could switch noiselessly during "It took a while before we found the optimum diaphragm operation. All previous microphones would make a lot of material. In the old days, diaphragms were cast from noise as you switched them over. What's more, compe- cellulose. Unfortunately, this material absorbed humidi- titive microphones would change their output level by ty like a sponge and wrinkled easily. The Styroflex foil some dB but AKG maintained a constant level. AKG used at first turned out to be much better but it was relatively hard and developed hair cracks over time. "We selected the 6072 tube because with growing In 1955 when polyester foil became available we had export sales we had to have a tube that was available finally found a suitable material." Reminiscences ...

Dipl.lng. Hans Gemperle /shown at left, at the first AKG lab/ is appointed general manager of AKG's first subsidiary in 1955 after heading Product Development at the Vienna parent company "The deep-sea diver Hans Hass had accidentally found out the sharks flee from sounds. A diver's gurgling shriek of fear had made a shark turn away in panic. In order to obtain exact results, Hans Hass wanted to use underwater loudspeakers and microphones. AKG was very happy to accept the challenge. "

So was Product Development, for the first real-life tests had to be done under water So the desi- Christmas which was swimming around in the aqua- gners packed up their test equipment, swimming rium, happily ignorant of its ultimate destiny I immersed trunks, and diving gear and went to the "Diana-Bad" the microphone and Lotte tickled the back fin of the indoor swimming pool in Vienna, an immensely popular carp with a straw. For the first time in my life, I heard the spot at the time. They spent a very nice day at work sound of fright a fish made with his fin - like a shriek with swimming and diving. surprise. It was clearly audible in the loudspeaker The carp fled in terror from the supposed attack. Lotte Hass Hans Gemperle take pleasure in reminiscing about the was highly impressed with the brilliant sound reproduc- demonstration of the first prototypes: "I went to the tion, so our development was a great success. " Hass couple's villa where I was greeted by Lotte Hass. Of course, the demand for underwater equipment was It was winter already and we were looking for a way of very limited. However, AKG also built a perfectly water- testing the underwater equipment under reasonably tight camera case in which you could install a camera realistic conditions. The Hass's had bought a carp for and operate it from outside.

1955: D 36: the world's first dynamic micro- The first postwar Salzburg Festival phone with remotely selectable polar AKG microphones. patterns. C 28: A small-diaphragm condenser microphone.

A unidirectional D 11 for amateur recordists. microphone is specifically designed for Herbert von Karajan. Unlike in his later years, Karajan rejected all audio equipment. When he conducted a performance, he allowed no micro- 5.5 dia. in. The total output of 20 units phones to be visible to the audience. was sold to scientists and port autho- So AKG had to design a special shot- rities. Hans Hass uses a Dyn 1 20 gun microphone that could be set up UWS in shooting his first underwater far from the musicians, in the wings or sound movie, "Abenteuer im Roten in the orchestra pit. Meer" (Adventures in the Red Sea) which won first prize at the "Biennale" Foundation of the German subsidiary, biannual film festival at Uenice, Italy AKG Munich. 1956: D 30: first dynamic studio microphone D 11: unidirectional dynamic micro- with four selectable polar patterns. phone for amateur tape recordists. 1959: Introduction of professional cardioid World's first supraaural, open-back, microphones with adjustable rear lightweight headphones (K 50) with sound entries for reduced proximity superior sound quality, produced in effect (D 24, D 19). large quantities over the following years. Introduction of the Dyn 200 Series of D 45 - as D 30, except with shock dynamic microphones including goo- mount and remotely selectable polar seneck models and M410, M411 OEM patterns. microphones for Telefunken. The east bloc business grows significantly. First modular capacitor microphone 1957: system with CK 28 and CK 29. Worldwide distribution network, varied product range, many patents. AKG The C26 and C30 capacitor micropho- buys a building on Schanzstrasse in nes are developed further into the Vienna's l5th district, which remains C 60 with Nuvistor miniature tube (the AKG's property until 1992. The "sheet name is derived from "nueva vista" - a metal capsule", a dynamic capsule in new vision). a tight sheet-metal case, is developed First experiments with spring reverb and used over the following years in systems. many AKG microphones including the 1962: D9, D 11, and D 14 as well as OEM An analog computer is microphones for Saba, Körting, built for simulating Telefunken, Stuzzi, and Eumig. acoustical networks using electrical equi- 1958: valent circuits of D 15: first dyna- mechanical systems. mic reporters' 1960: A V-shaped dual microphone with AKG designs and manufactures for microphone for inter- a tight unidrec- Telefunken the ELA M250 and ELA viewing (ENG) use is tional pattern M251 , two extremely rare thus much built and later conti- sought-after collector's items. nued by another com- D 25: shock pany that even applies mounted, uni- for a patent assigned drectional dyna- by one Mr. Hagopian. mic microphone for use on a fish- The C 12A Nuvistor pole in radio, TV, condenser micropho- and film work ne is developed as a predecessor of today- 's C 414.

1963: The DX11 reverb microphone is an innovative idea which, however, is not accepted by the market. This is one of Rerun of the C 12 and several other the few flops in AKG's history of suc- versions for Telefunken and Siemens cess. using the then advanced GE 6072 double triode. 1964: Design of the first professional small- K 58: first lightweight headset derived diaphragm condenser microphone from the K50 headphones. The headsets were used by commentators at the Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, 1960/61: Austria, where most audio equipment AKG establishes its own Domestic came from AKG. But the hour of tri- Sales department for Austria. umph turned into a nightmare as the opening speech (picked up by an AKG microphone) remained totally inaudi- ment and concentrating exclusively on ble. The AKG engineers panicked but designing and manufacturing audio the defect was found quickly. It had transducers. begun to thaw and snow water had AKG introduces the K60 "humanized" penetrated into the connection bet- hi-fi headphones whose frequency ween two of the extremely long response matches human hearing cables. Moments later, the excellent characteristics. AKG sound quality was restored. Dr. Goerike designs a loudspeaker with a flat Styrofoam diaphragm which is later made by Yamaha under license.

1966: World's first wide-band ultrasonic transducer (CK 40) The design of the world's first Mo-way cardioid microphone D 202 provides a After the D12, the first true performan- response that almost equals that of ce microphone in what is revolutiona- capacitor microphones. In addition, its ry styling at the time is developed: the proximity effect is almost zero compa- D1000 (originally in gold). The most red to that of conventional directional important feature at the time is that "it microphones. AKG for the first time will not hide the face of the artist." uses its proprietary sintered cap. Parabolic reflectors for microphones A headset in action. are made in cooperation with a sheet- metal working company, mainly for A capacitor microphone with an RF recording bird calls. type signal converter called the C601 An AKG subsidiary is established in is developed. Due to electrical stabili- Zurich, Switzerland. ty problems, the microphone never The "CMS" modular capacitor micro- reached the production stage and the phone system with the C 451 with FET development is cancelled in 1968. preamp and CKl , CK2, etc. is developed and later becomes famous all D 202 advertisement of the late 6Os 1965: over the world. After initial problems have been solved, it strengthens This is a turning point in the history of AKG's monopoly with BBC. The cap- AKG and a new course is plotted for sules originally had embossed metal the future. The rapid spreading of TV diaphragms that were susceptible to kills many movie theaters. AKG res- humidity and therefore later replaced ponds by discontinuing optical equip- with plastic diaphragms. 1969:

1968: Foundation of the British subsidiary, A smaller version of the D 202 is laun- AKG London. ched, the D 222 dynamic microphone New headphones with "SCS - using a patented two-way transducer Subjective Controlled Sound" are for extended frequency response and designed and called K180. The spea- minimal proximity effect. It soon beco- kers can be repositioned within the mes the most popular reporting and earcups to provide different "acous- speech microphone and remains a tics". OEM business is expanded. bestseller for decades. Reminiscences ... 1971: A high quality electret capsule for use in a new, professional small cassette Dipl.lng. Werner Fidi, who deve- recorder from UHER is developed loped this breakthrough inven- (OEM order). tion, comments on the AKG spring reverb principle: The C 412 is further improved and renamed C 414. "The breakthrough of this design was to use one-dimensional waveguides with a sufficiently high density of eigentones in K 180 order to create linear diffusion in the time and frequency domains 1970: which so closely resembled a Experimental telephone transducers natural room that the difference are made. The original capacitor cap- would be inaudible. sules are soon replaced with dynamic designs for better stability. "We achieved this by using helix

Total sales of AKG Vienna to third par- ties reach ATS 199 million this year.

The C 412, a solid-state version of the C 12A with three polar patterns and a preattenuation pad selectable on the microphone is designed.

After 8 years of intensive study of 1972: mechanical rever- AKG moves into the building at berators (helical Brunhildengasse 1 formerly owned by springs and other the Bally shoe manufacturers. mechanical vibra- ting bodies), the BX20, the world's first, truly portable springs with long time delays studio reverbera- whose transfer characteristics tor is ready for we changed statistically by production. The etching the wire surfaces. Any spring reverb residual correlated signals were system design filtered out. In this way, we crea- was practically ted in a small box the same kind finished and it of reverb found in large concert took almost anot- halls. her year to design Production at Brunhildengasse. an appropriate "AKG was, and remained, the suspension for it only company in the world that Marketing of the first digital delay, the that would allow successfully created excellent TDU7202 bought from Lyrec, begins. for safe shipping. sounding reverberation using this technology These units were state-of the-art until high performance digital reverbs came along.

For many years, the BX20 and its successor, the BX25, defined AKG's image."

A special stamp by the British Post Office commemorating the 5Oth anniversary 1975: 1976: of the BBC shows historical micro- The K 240 headphones with b passive AKG begins to phones along with AKG models from diaphragms per channel for improved make its own the AKG catalog. bass response and imaging is develo- phono cartrid- ped. ges PbR, P6E, P7E, P8E, later on the P8ES, with the revolu- tionary TS knife- edge bearing for better imaging.

The D 140 is a small, top quality dynamic studio microphone with virtually Grado phono cartridges are distribu- no competition at the time. ted under the designations AKG PU2, PU3, and PU4, the latter suitable for CD4 quadraphony. AKG starts design work for a new cartridge technology, the patented AKG Moving Iron System. The C 24 is relaunched as the C 24 cb large-diaphragm stereo capacitor microphone with separately, remotely selectable polar patterns for each channel. The BX 10, a smaller version of the BX 1973: 20, is designed, primarily for use in The AKG Lab gets its first computer. O/B vans. The first production runs of electret microphones are made. The SM2006 portable mixer is desi- The first AKG dummy head micropho- gned. In cooperation with Koerting of ne, made by AKG Munich, is used for Germany, head related stereo (binaural) recording. The first wireless AKG headphones based on the K 140 is created, the AKG K 140 Libero. After initial experiments with ultrasound transmission, the designers decide to use infrared light because it is less susceptible to interference. The system does not sell K 140 Libero because most customers find it too complex and prefer the familiar hard- wire headphones. AKG manufacturing 1975

1974: The DKK32 design dramatically improves headphone frequency response. The K 140 "integrated open" headphones are developed and made in enormous quantities. The 100th Distribution is established and the 1000th patent granted. AKG has 105 Representatives world- 1979: 1981: wide, total sales are ATS 350 million. AKG steps into the lion's den by foun- The new BX 25 ED digital/analog Mr. Cooper of AKG London tries to ding a subsidiary in Japan. reverberation unit combines analog design a special mixer for speech reverb and digitally generated delay recording but fails. World firsts: TDU 7000 modular digital and early reflections. The first international product concept time delay unit; vocal microphones meeting is held in Vienna attended by combining extreme ruggedness with 1982: AKG Representatives from all over the studio grade sound quality (D 300 world with the aim of creating new Series). product concepts and product lines. One of the results is a fundamental restructuring of the company and the introduction of matrix organization.

1977: Sales are increased by another 10%. 30% of total sales come from Germany. The OEM proportion is 40%, AKG has 800 employees and makes 20,000 microphones a week. A new compact reverberation unit The compact headphones line com- (BX 5) is launched. prising the K 1 , K 2, K 3, and K 4 pro- C 414 EB: first C 414 version with vides all the features of "big" head- improved circuitry and integrated XLR phones. In spite of their high-end qua- connector Cofounder Ing. Ernst Pless lity, they do not sell. Hi-fi enthusiasts leaves AKG. "Studio qualily for stage..." simply want "big cans" for their The C303 line level microphone with money. The folding K 1 at least make builtin compressor and headphone a splash worldwide. monitor amplifier for the newly created ORF regional TV stations is designed and made in small runs. The C414 is retouched again, specifically the housing, and fitted with an XLR connector. The designation is changed to C4l4EB.

1978: The first true vocal microphone line is developed. Originally planned as "Alpha", "Beta", and "Gamma", they "Tested on rally cars..." are later renamed D310, D320, and D330. The first endorsement contracts are concluded with Jon Hiseman, Roger Whittaker, and other artists. World's first two-way headphones from AKG combine dynamic and elec- trostatic speakers for the first time 1983: (K 340). New CMS system comprising a C460 "...1.248 times drop tested on stones" electronic preamp and CK 61 , CK 62, and CK 63 capsules also includes remote capsules CK 1X, CK 2X that C 422 cb: large diaphragm stereo con- can be connected to the preamp with denser microphone with advanced cables up to 200 ft. long. solid-state electronics. And, this year sees the first issue of The AKG Tube: Black market prices "AKG Report", a totally hand made for C 12 microphones skyrocket. publication with a circulation of 1000, Responding to the market situation, which gives all AKG employees and AKG makes the first rerun of a large- associates worldwide an overview of diaphragm tube microphone using the the events of the year. same 6072 tube as the original C 12. 1985: Foundation of the 100% US subsidiary in Connecticut.

1986: Acquisition of Boston based Ursa C 414 B-ULS Major -> transformed into the Digital Products Division of AKG Acoustics. The first product by the new Division is the ADR 68K.

Falco (of “Amadeus” fame) with the most spectacular new AKG product of the early 80s.

1984: AKG goes public. AKG Holding AG is established and holds 75 % of AKG GesmbH. K 280 Parabolic

1988: Introduction of the C 1000, the world’s Introduction of the MicroMic Series first condenser stage microphone with miniature clip-on microphones. They a convertible polar pattern and alter- allow the number of microphones clut- native phantom or 9 V battery powe- tering the stage to be significantly ring. reduced.

C 1000, shown with PPC 1000 in place. The C 414 B-ULS launched in that year is the first C 414 version using ULS circuitry Golden Microphone (AKG C 535) for 1987: Frank Sinatra Introduction of the “K 280 Parabolic” headphones with “acoustic lenses”; a Introduction of the ULS Series micro- completely new listening experience phones designed specifically to meet stuns hi-fi experts. Presentation of the the stringent requirements of digital DSP 610M Delta Processor for the C 747 cb: the first high quality pen- audio in the recording studio. “Delta Stereophony” sound systems. size microphone whose specifications meet professional requirements. Another product by the Digital Introduction of Wireless Microphone "AKG Acoustics (India) Ltd." establis- Division, the DSE 7000 Digital Sound Systems WMS 900 and WMS 100. hed. AKG Vienna mourns for cofoun- Editor, is a surprisingly simple solution Introduction of a new generation of der Ing. Ernst Pless who died unex- to the problem of quickly editing short headphones called the "K Series". pectedly. radio news items and jingles. 1992: 1989: 1990: The internal publication, "AKG IXT transducers for telephones are International Report" is published developed and manufactured. again. The first issue appears at the beginning of the year. There is no lack Development of a compact version of of controversial articles. the CAP 340 M for the "Audimir" space research mission. AKG intensifies its expansion policy. Acquisition of Orban (May, 1989) and Merger of SCJ and AKG Japan. AKG dbx Professional Products (October acquires 62 % of the UK based Edge 1989); the factory in India is opened Technology Group with its subsidiaries The Audiosphere BAP 1 000 Binaural and starts production; "AKG BSS Audio Ltd., Turbosound Ltd., Audio Processor for Individual Virtual Acoustics (lndia) Ltd." is admitted to Precision Devices Ltd. IAcoustics is launched. Indian stock exchanges. Introduction of the ergonomically shaped, triangular-section Tri-Power Series dynamic musicians' microphones and the AKG Blue Line Series modular microphone system.

AKG's worldwide expansion.

1991: A 20 % stake in the German company CeoTronics is acquired. A 30 % interest in AMEK Technology Group PLC (UK), the holding company AKG introduces the C 547 boundary Spectacular presentation of the K that owns AMEK Systems & Controls microphone and C 621 , C 647 "slim- 1000: this head speaker system for Ltd., and TAC Total Audio Concepts line" gooseneck microphones for advanced binaural reproduction con- Ltd. stage and sound system use. quers the hearts of hifi purists and A new Product Line of Integrated studio pros. Handsets (IHA) for telephones is intro- IXT telecom transducers are replaced The presentation of the "CAP 340 M" duced. Foundation of "AKG with the new IXR transducers. Creative Audio Processor for room Communications France". simulation and binaural reproduction AKG takes to the stars: The "Audimir" Introduction of the O 400 handsfree creates a worldwide splash. space project uses AKG products for microphone for car telephones. room simulation in outer space. This demonstration of advanced binaural Strategic alliance with Lectrosonics technology creates sufficient demand for the worldwide distribution except to warrant the design of a consumer for the US and Canada of version of this system. Lectrosonics products complemen- ting the AKG sound system product line. AKG increases its holdings in AKG India and Edge Technology Group/UK to 51 % and 84,56 % respectively. The expansion of Production causes a space problem. AKG Vienna operates three locations within Vienna and they are becoming more and more cram- med. AKG decides to move to a single location and start construction on the Space equipment from AKG. outskirts of Vienna. 1993: dual-diaphragm system in the world, Mini headsets for telephone and PC Introduction of the "Tri Power C-Series" the CK 77/ C 577 - big in sound, smal- communication use open up new mar- ler than a thumbnail in size, specifical- ket segments. The C 12 VR is honored ly designed for theater, TV, and film with the "Tec Award" by the US Mix uses. Foundation. World famous British rock group "Simply Red" becomes an AKG end- orser.

1996: Introduction of the WMS 300 UHF wireless microphone system.

C 414 B-TL II: dedicated version of the C 414 B-ULS for vocal use First wing of the new factory building is completed. All production-related Introduction of the WMS 51 VHF wire- departments move to the new loca- Introduction of the Performer Series, less system. tion. Introduction of more "K Series" affordable microphones for Karaoke, The new MicroMic Series II, a new headphones into the consumer elec- homerecording, and emerging musici- generation of clip-on microphones for tronics market. Harman International ans. instrument and vocal uses, are intro- Industries Inc. becomes the new duced. Introduction of HSC 100 majorily owner of AKG GesmbH. ("Mini-Elf") and HSC 150 ("Cily-Elf") AKG Holding AG leaves the Vienna miniature headsets for intercom, PC, and telecom applications. AKG applies for a patent for the Varimotion System, a new diaphragm type divi- ded into various zones of different thickness for better overall response. The new K Series headphones comprising the K 301 and the Varimotion models K 401 and K 501 are launched.

stock exchange as AKG Holding AG is The "K 290 Surround" surround sound wound up. headphones are introduced. Holdings in CeoTronics and AKG New "EARgonomic" infrared head- France are sold. phones K 444 IR, K 333 IR are launched. 1994: Forte installs AKG earphones in its vir- AKG founder Dr. Rudolf Goerike dies. tual realily helmets. As AKG sales rise, Harman purchases Introduction of IHA9O integrated the remaining shares. From now on, handset for computer communication. AKG is a 100 % Harman International Company. AKG completes its move to the new location at the 23rd district of Vienna. AKG Vienna takes over Marketing and Distribution of Studer Austria whose head office relocates to the new AKG Introduction of "K 205 UHF" RF head- building. phones. The wireless microphone line is exten- Emotion Series performance micro- ded with fast moving products used, phones with Varimotion System are e.g., by Rod Stewart or Peter Gabriel launched and become hot sellers right on their tours. away.

1995: 1997: Introduction of the world's smallest 50th anniversary of AKG