"All the World's a Stage..." - Sound by AKG

The company buys film equipmentfrom a closed factory in Hungary. Dr.Goerike makes the necessary modifi-cations such as reducing projectornoise and optimizing the opticalsoundtrack.

The PC 2535 G horn-loaded loudspe-aker with cardboard diaphragm formovie theaters is manufactured in aliving room. Frequency range: 40 to12,000 Hz diaphragm diameter: 14inches, weight: 45 Ibs. The magnetsare from Goerz and have an inductionof 14 kG.

11994466:: The DYN Series is designed. Theseare the first dynamic microphonesfrom AKG for vocals and instruments.The "Dyn" Series includes modelsDyn 60, Dyn 60G, Dyn 60K, Dyn 60K-Studio, etc., each one styled individu-ally. All parts are hand made. Annualoutput is 500 to 600 units.

Celebrities using AKG mics.

11994477::Dr. Rudolf Goerike and Ing. ErnstPless establish AKG Akustische u.Kino-Geraete Gesellschaft m.b.H. Thetrading license issued on June 3,1946 describes the company as anestablishment for "the manufacture ofaudio and film equipment" located atNobilegasse in the 15th district ofVienna.

One of the first AKG branches.

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

AKG offers the firstcondenser tube micro-phone, the C 1. Only sixunits are made, and oneuser is Wien FilmStudios. The diaphragmis made from Styroflexfoil gold sputtered byGoerz. In the same year,AKG sells one C 1 to

South America. The capsule is a pre-decessor of the CK 12 that later beco-mes an AKG legend.

11994499::

The first AKG headphones on themarket are called the K 120 Dyn. (Notrelated to the later model K 120.)

The headphones use a "Trolitul" dia-phragm from pressed granulesbecause foils are not available at thetime. Thefactory hasonly one win-ding machineand one glu-ing machine.Other AKGproducts ofthe timeinclude car-bon capsulesfor telepho-nes and goo-s e n e c kmicrophonesderived fromthe Dyn 60.PC 2535 G compact loudspeaker.

11994455::Dr. Rudolf Goerike and Ing. ErnstPless start their first joint project: sup-plying Vienna movie theaters with filmprojectors and loudspeakers. Theenvisaged company name is"Phonophot".

AKG products are distributed inAustria by Siemens (WSW), exportsales already include significant busi-ness with eastern European countries.

11995500::AKG starts designing the world's firsthigh qualify cardioid microphone, theD 12 with its patented "mass-loadedtube". Models derived from it in lateryears include the D20, D25 (1958),D30 (1958), D36, D45 (1959). The lastthree models use two transducers toprovide selectable polar patterns.

Founder Ernst Pless with a D 12(circa 1955).

Experiments for building condensermicrophones with a collodion dia-phragm. AKG makes special automo-bile horns because the small motorbi-kes of the day are so loud that moto-rists could not hear standard automo-bile horns. In addition, AKG makesexposure meters.

11995511::Dummy head for measurement use.Two prototypes with condenser cap-sules are built for Hungary.Simultaneously, a condenser transdu-cer is designed which is later used inthe capsule of the C28. Also, a dual-diaphragm microphone is developedand called the "C 2". About 500 unitsare made.

The "Rapido" flash is designed.

At this time AKG developed filmsoundtrack pickups in cooperationwith Siemens Austria.

Another newproduct is theheart tonemicrophonebased on theDyn 60, ad y n a m i cv i b r a t i o npickup called"Dyn 2x60/180".

Another curious electromedical pro-duct from AKG is impossible to dateexactly for lack of information: Theonly clue is telephone numbers madeup of letters and numbers: Austriantelephone numbers were changed tonumbers only in the mid-1950s.

11995522::With the ambitious goal of establis-hing a proprietary studio connectorstandard, AKG created the "AKGConnector". The breakthrough, howe-ver, never came and the last connec-tors were made in the mid-1960s.They can still be found today in someold installations, e.g., in churches.They are a much sought-after collec-tor's item even today.

One of the first AKG legends is nea-ring its breakthrough: the D 1 2, alarge-diaphragm microphone that notonly provides the first true cardioidpolar pattern but introduces enginee-ring innovations such as the massloa-ded tube and deep-drawn. dia-phragms. Film sound engineers, toopraise the directivity and remarkablylow susceptibility to wind noise.

D 12 manufacture in the 50s.

11995533::The D 12 conquers themarket and large-scaleproduction of it begins.

The same year alsosees the birth of anot-

her legendary AKG product: the C 12,the first remote controlled multipatterncapacitor microphone.

The C 12 was originally made in runsof 50 units per month and became aninternational bestseller. It was purcha-sed by almost all large radio andrecording studios. First customersincluded BBC London whose engi-neers were deeply impressed with themicrophone's styling and quality.

C 12 manufacture and testing

11995544::Underwater loudspeakers and micro-phones (Dyn 120 UWS) are develo-

ped, the latter derived from the Dyn6OK. The specifications are impressi-ve: Watertight down to 330 ft. at adiving rate of 25 ft./minute; frequencyrange 30 to 20,000 Hz; sensitivity0.2 m/microbar; seawater-proof, chro-me plated brass case; weight 15 Ibs.;size: 9.8 x

This C 12 was designed by Konrad Wolf ( 1st fromleft; the picture shows the first AKG team) whoretired after many years with AKG. Did he know atthe time that this was the hour of AKG's interna-tional breakthrough? "I had no idea because I wasvery young and saw a challenge in every job. AKGhad already been quite successful with the C 2.Engineers with RAVAG, as the Austrian nationalradio network was then called, wanted newmicrophones for their studios and had some spe-cial requirements. “They were looking for a microphone "as thin as apen ". Nobody was able to make that at the timebut in any case we came up with a slender, cylin-drical shape for the C 12.

"The radio people were impressed with the results of thefirst microphone tests. It was the first microphonewhose polar pattern you could switch noiselessly duringoperation. All previous microphones would make a lot ofnoise as you switched them over. What's more, compe-titive microphones would change their output level bysome dB but AKG maintained a constant level.

"We selected the 6072 tube because with growingexport sales we had to have a tube that was available

everywhere.

"Almost every single part of the C 12 was hand made atAKG. They were all turned - we used no cast parts.

"It took a while before we found the optimum diaphragmmaterial. In the old days, diaphragms were cast fromcellulose. Unfortunately, this material absorbed humidi-ty like a sponge and wrinkled easily. The Styroflex foilAKG used at first turned out to be much better but itwas relatively hard and developed hair cracks over time.In 1955 when polyester foil became available we hadfinally found a suitable material."

Dipl.lng. Hans Gemperle /shown at left, at the firstAKG lab/ is appointed general manager of AKG'sfirst subsidiary in 1955 after heading ProductDevelopment at the Vienna parent company"The deep-sea diver Hans Hass had accidentallyfound out the sharks flee from sounds. A diver'sgurgling shriek of fear had made a shark turnaway in panic. In order to obtain exact results,Hans Hass wanted to use underwater loudspea-kers and microphones. AKG was very happy toaccept the challenge. "

So was Product Development, for the first real-lifetests had to be done under water So the desi-gners packed up their test equipment, swimmingtrunks, and diving gear and went to the "Diana-Bad"indoor swimming pool in Vienna, an immensely popularspot at the time. They spent a very nice day at workswimming and diving.

Hans Gemperle take pleasure in reminiscing about thedemonstration of the first prototypes: "I went to theHass couple's villa where I was greeted by Lotte Hass.It was winter already and we were looking for a way oftesting the underwater equipment under reasonablyrealistic conditions. The Hass's had bought a carp for

Christmas which was swimming around in the aqua-rium, happily ignorant of its ultimate destiny I immersedthe microphone and Lotte tickled the back fin of thecarp with a straw. For the first time in my life, I heard thesound of fright a fish made with his fin - like a shriek withsurprise. It was clearly audible in the loudspeaker Thecarp fled in terror from the supposed attack. Lotte Hasswas highly impressed with the brilliant sound reproduc-tion, so our development was a great success. "Of course, the demand for underwater equipment wasvery limited. However, AKG also built a perfectly water-tight camera case in which you could install a cameraand operate it from outside.

Reminiscences ...

5.5 dia. in. The total output of 20 unitswas sold to scientists and port autho-rities. Hans Hass uses a Dyn 1 20UWS in shooting his first underwatersound movie, "Abenteuer im RotenMeer" (Adventures in the Red Sea)which won first prize at the "Biennale"biannual film festival at Uenice, Italy

11995555:: The first postwar Salzburg FestivalAKG microphones.

A unidirec-t i o n a lmicrophoneis specifi-cally desi-gned forHerbert vonK a r a j a n .Unlike in hislater years,K a r a j a nrejected allaudio equipment. When he conducteda performance, he allowed no micro-phones to be visible to the audience.So AKG had to design a special shot-gun microphone that could be set upfar from the musicians, in the wings orin the orchestra pit.

Foundation of the German subsidiary,AKG Munich.

D 36: the world's first dynamic micro-phone with remotely selectable polarpatterns.C 28: A small-diaphragm condensermicrophone.

D 11 for amateur recordists.

11995566::D 11: unidirectional dynamic micro-phone for amateur tape recordists.

Introduction of professional cardioidmicrophones with adjustable rearsound entries for reduced proximityeffect (D 24, D 19).

Introduction of the Dyn 200 Series ofdynamic microphones including goo-seneck models and M410, M411 OEMmicrophones for Telefunken. The eastbloc business grows significantly.

11995577::Worldwide distribution network, variedproduct range, many patents. AKGbuys a building on Schanzstrasse inVienna's l5th district, which remainsAKG's property until 1992. The "sheetmetal capsule", a dynamic capsule ina tight sheet-metal case, is developedand used over the following years inmany AKG microphones including theD9, D 11, and D 14 as well as OEMmicrophones for Saba, Körting,Telefunken, Stuzzi, and Eumig.

11995588::D 15: first dyna-mic reporters'microphone witha tight unidrec-tional pattern

D 25: shockmounted, uni-drectional dyna-mic microphonefor use on a fish-pole in radio, TV,and film work

D 30: first dynamic studio microphonewith four selectable polar patterns.

11995599::World's first supraaural, open-back,lightweight headphones (K 50) withsuperior sound quality, produced inlarge quantities over the followingyears.D 45 - as D 30, except with shockmount and remotely selectable polarpatterns.

11996600::AKG designs and manufactures forTelefunken the ELA M250 and ELAM251 , two extremely rare thus muchsought-after collector's items.

Rerun of the C 12 and several otherversions for Telefunken and Siemensusing the then advanced GE 6072double triode.Design of the first professional small-diaphragm condenser microphone

11996600//6611::AKG establishes its own DomesticSales department for Austria.

First modular capacitor microphonesystem with CK 28 and CK 29.

The C26 and C30 capacitor micropho-nes are developed further into theC 60 with Nuvistor miniature tube (thename is derived from "nueva vista" - anew vision).First experiments with spring reverbsystems.

11996622::An analog computer isbuilt for simulatingacoustical networksusing electrical equi-valent circuits ofmechanical systems.A V-shaped dualmicrophone for inter-viewing (ENG) use isbuilt and later conti-nued by another com-pany that even appliesfor a patent assignedby one Mr. Hagopian.

The C 12A Nuvistorcondenser micropho-ne is developed as apredecessor of today-'s C 414.

11996633::The DX11 reverb microphone is aninnovative idea which, however, is notaccepted by the market. This is one ofthe few flops in AKG's history of suc-cess.

11996644::K 58: first lightweight headset derivedfrom the K50 headphones. The head-sets were used by commentators atthe Winter Olympics in Innsbruck,Austria, where most audio equipmentcame from AKG. But the hour of tri-umph turned into a nightmare as theopening speech (picked up by an AKG

microphone) remained totally inaudi-ble. The AKG engineers panicked butthe defect was found quickly. It hadbegun to thaw and snow water hadpenetrated into the connection bet-ween two of the extremely longcables. Moments later, the excellentAKG sound quality was restored.

A headset in action.

A capacitor microphone with an RFtype signal converter called the C601is developed. Due to electrical stabili-ty problems, the microphone neverreached the production stage and thedevelopment is cancelled in 1968.

11996655::This is a turning point in the history ofAKG and a new course is plotted forthe future. The rapid spreading of TVkills many movie theaters. AKG res-ponds by discontinuing optical equip-

ment and concentrating exclusively ondesigning and manufacturing audiotransducers.AKG introduces the K60 "humanized"hi-fi headphones whose frequencyresponse matches human hearingcharacteristics.Dr. Goerike designs a loudspeakerwith a flat Styrofoam diaphragm whichis later made by Yamaha under licen-se.

11996666::World's first wide-band ultrasonictransducer (CK 40)The design of the world's first Mo-waycardioid microphone D 202 provides aresponse that almost equals that ofcapacitor microphones. In addition, itsproximity effect is almost zero compa-red to that of conventional directionalmicrophones. AKG for the first timeuses its proprietary sintered cap.

D 202 advertisement of the late 6Os

11996688::A smaller version of the D 202 is laun-ched, the D 222 dynamic microphoneusing a patented two-way transducerfor extended frequency response andminimal proximity effect. It soon beco-mes the most popular reporting andspeech microphone and remains abestseller for decades.

After the D12, the first true performan-ce microphone in what is revolutiona-ry styling at the time is developed: theD1000 (originally in gold). The mostimportant feature at the time is that "itwill not hide the face of the artist."

Parabolic reflectors for microphonesare made in cooperation with a sheet-metal working company, mainly forrecording bird calls.An AKG subsidiary is established inZurich, Switzerland.The "CMS" modular capacitor micro-phone system with the C 451 with FETpreamp and CKl , CK2, etc. is develo-ped and later becomes famous allover the world. After initial problemshave been solved, it strengthensAKG's monopoly with BBC. The cap-sules originally had embossed metaldiaphragms that were susceptible tohumidity and therefore later replacedwith plastic diaphragms.11996699::

Foundation of the British subsidiary,AKG London.New headphones with "SCS -Subjective Controlled Sound" aredesigned and called K180. The spea-kers can be repositioned within theearcups to provide different "acous-tics". OEM business is expanded.

K 180

11997700::Experimental telephone transducersare made. The original capacitor cap-sules are soon replaced with dynamicdesigns for better stability.

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

The C 412, a solid-state version of theC 12A with three polar patterns and apreattenuation pad selectable on themicrophone is designed.

After 8 years ofintensive study ofmechanical rever-berators (helicalsprings and othermechanical vibra-ting bodies), theBX20, the world'sfirst, truly portablestudio reverbera-tor is ready forproduction. Thespring reverbsystem designwas practicallyfinished and ittook almost anot-her year to designan appropriatesuspension for itthat would allowfor safe shipping.

11997711::A high quality electret capsule for usein a new, professional small cassetterecorder from UHER is developed(OEM order).

The C 412 is further improved andrenamed C 414.

11997722::AKG moves into the building atBrunhildengasse 1 formerly owned bythe Bally shoe manufacturers.

Production at Brunhildengasse.

Marketing of the first digital delay, theTDU7202 bought from Lyrec, begins.

A special stamp by the British Post Office

Reminiscences ...

Dipl.lng. Werner Fidi, who deve-loped this breakthrough inven-tion, comments on the AKGspring reverb principle:

"The breakthrough of this designwas to use one-dimensionalwaveguides with a sufficientlyhigh density of eigentones inorder to create linear diffusion inthe time and frequency domainswhich so closely resembled anatural room that the differencewould be inaudible.

"We achieved this by using helix

springs with long time delayswhose transfer characteristicswe changed statistically byetching the wire surfaces. Anyresidual correlated signals werefiltered out. In this way, we crea-ted in a small box the same kindof reverb found in large concerthalls.

"AKG was, and remained, theonly company in the world thatsuccessfully created excellentsounding reverberation using thistechnology These units werestate-of the-art until high perfor-mance digital reverbs camealong.

For many years, the BX20 and itssuccessor, the BX25, definedAKG's image."

commemorating the 5Oth anniversaryof the BBC shows historical micro-phones along with AKG models fromthe AKG catalog.

Grado phono cartridges are distribu-ted under the designations AKG PU2,PU3, and PU4, the latter suitable forCD4 quadraphony. AKG starts designwork for a new cartridge technology,the patented AKG Moving IronSystem.The C 24 is relaunched as the C 24 cblarge-diaphragm stereo capacitormicrophone with separately, remotelyselectable polar patterns for eachchannel.

11997733::The AKG Lab gets its first computer.The first production runs of electretmicrophones are made.The first AKG dummy head micropho-ne, made by AKG Munich, is used forhead related stereo (binaural) recor-ding.

11997744::The DKK32 design dramaticallyimproves headphone frequency res-ponse. The K 140 "integrated open"headphones are developed and madein enormous quantities.The 100th Distribution is establishedand the 1000th patent granted.

11997755::The K 240 headphones with b passivediaphragms per channel for improvedbass response and imaging is develo-ped.

The D 140 is a small, top quality dyna-mic studio microphone with virtuallyno competition at the time.

The BX 10, a smaller version of the BX20, is designed, primarily for use inO/B vans.

The SM2006 portable mixer is desi-gned. In cooperation with Koerting ofGermany,

The first wireless AKG headphonesbased on the K 140 is created, theAKG K 140 Libero. After initial experi-ments with ultrasound transmission,the designers decide to use infraredlight because it is less susceptible tointerference. The system does not sellbecause most customers find it toocomplex and prefer the familiar hard-wire headphones.

11997766::AKG begins tomake its ownphono cartrid-ges PbR, P6E,P7E, P8E, lateron the P8ES,with the revolu-tionary TS knife-edge bearing forbetter imaging.

K 140 Libero

AKG manufacturing 1975

AKG has 105 Representatives world-wide, total sales are ATS 350 million.Mr. Cooper of AKG London tries todesign a special mixer for speechrecording but fails.The first international product conceptmeeting is held in Vienna attended byAKG Representatives from all over theworld with the aim of creating newproduct concepts and product lines.One of the results is a fundamentalrestructuring of the company and theintroduction of matrix organization.

11997777::Sales are increased by another 10%.30% of total sales come fromGermany. The OEM proportion is40%, AKG has 800 employees andmakes 20,000 microphones a week.A new compact reverberation unit(BX 5) is launched.C 414 EB: first C 414 version withimproved circuitry and integrated XLRconnector Cofounder Ing. Ernst Plessleaves AKG. The C303 line level microphone withbuiltin compressor and headphonemonitor amplifier for the newly createdORF regional TV stations is designedand made in small runs.The C414 is retouched again, specifi-cally the housing, and fitted with anXLR connector. The designation ischanged to C4l4EB.

11997788::The first true vocal microphone line isdeveloped. Originally planned as"Alpha", "Beta", and "Gamma", theyare later renamed D310, D320, andD330. The first endorsement contractsare concluded with Jon Hiseman,Roger Whittaker, and other artists.World's first two-way headphonesfrom AKG combine dynamic and elec-trostatic speakers for the first time(K 340).

11997799::AKG steps into the lion's den by foun-ding a subsidiary in Japan.

World firsts: TDU 7000 modular digitaltime delay unit; vocal microphonescombining extreme ruggedness withstudio grade sound quality (D 300Series).

"Studio qualily for stage..."

"Tested on rally cars..."

"...1.248 times drop tested on stones"

C 422 cb: large diaphragm stereo con-denser microphone with advancedsolid-state electronics. And, this year sees the first issue of"AKG Report", a totally hand madepublication with a circulation of 1000,which gives all AKG employees andassociates worldwide an overview ofthe events of the year.

11998811::The new BX 25 ED digital/analogreverberation unit combines analogreverb and digitally generated delayand early reflections.

11998822::

The compact headphones line com-prising the K 1 , K 2, K 3, and K 4 pro-vides all the features of "big" head-phones. In spite of their high-end qua-lity, they do not sell. Hi-fi enthusiastssimply want "big cans" for theirmoney. The folding K 1 at least makea splash worldwide.

11998833::

New CMS system comprising a C460electronic preamp and CK 61 , CK 62,and CK 63 capsules also includesremote capsules CK 1X, CK 2X thatcan be connected to the preamp withcables up to 200 ft. long.

The AKG Tube: Black market pricesfor C 12 microphones skyrocket.Responding to the market situation,AKG makes the first rerun of a large-diaphragm tube microphone using thesame 6072 tube as the original C 12.

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

11998844:: AKG goes public. AKG Holding AG isestablished and holds 75 % of AKGGesmbH.

Golden Microphone (AKG C 535) forFrank Sinatra

Introduction of the ULS Series micro-phones designed specifically to meetthe stringent requirements of digitalaudio in the recording studio.

11998855::Foundation of the 100% US subsidia-ry in Connecticut.

11998866:: Acquisition of Boston based UrsaMajor -> transformed into the DigitalProducts Division of AKG Acoustics.The first product by the new Division isthe ADR 68K.

Introduction of the C 1000, the world’sfirst condenser stage microphone witha convertible polar pattern and alter-native phantom or 9 V battery powe-ring.

C 1000, shown with PPC 1000 inplace.The C 414 B-ULS launched in thatyear is the first C 414 version usingULS circuitry

11998877::Introduction of the “K 280 Parabolic”headphones with “acoustic lenses”; acompletely new listening experiencestuns hi-fi experts. Presentation of theDSP 610M Delta Processor for the“Delta Stereophony” sound systems.

C 414 B-ULS

K 280 Parabolic

11998888::Introduction of the MicroMic Seriesminiature clip-on microphones. Theyallow the number of microphones clut-tering the stage to be significantlyreduced.

C 747 cb: the first high quality pen-size microphone whose specifications

meet professional requirements."AKG Acoustics (India) Ltd." establis-hed. AKG Vienna mourns for cofoun-der Ing. Ernst Pless who died unex-pectedly.

11998899::The internal publication, "AKGInternational Report" is publishedagain. The first issue appears at thebeginning of the year. There is no lackof controversial articles.

AKG intensifies its expansion policy.Acquisition of Orban (May, 1989) anddbx Professional Products (October1989); the factory in India is openedand starts production; "AKGAcoustics (lndia) Ltd." is admitted toIndian stock exchanges.

Spectacular presentation of the K1000: this head speaker system foradvanced binaural reproduction con-quers the hearts of hifi purists andstudio pros.The presentation of the "CAP 340 M"Creative Audio Processor for roomsimulation and binaural reproductioncreates a worldwide splash.

Another product by the DigitalDivision, the DSE 7000 Digital SoundEditor, is a surprisingly simple solutionto the problem of quickly editing shortradio news items and jingles.

11999900::IXT transducers for telephones aredeveloped and manufactured.

Development of a compact version ofthe CAP 340 M for the "Audimir"space research mission.

Merger of SCJ and AKG Japan. AKGacquires 62 % of the UK based EdgeTechnology Group with its subsidiariesBSS Audio Ltd., Turbosound Ltd.,Precision Devices Ltd.

AKG's worldwide expansion.

11999911::A 20 % stake in the German companyCeoTronics is acquired.A 30 % interest in AMEK TechnologyGroup PLC (UK), the holding companythat owns AMEK Systems & ControlsLtd., and TAC Total Audio ConceptsLtd.A new Product Line of IntegratedHandsets (IHA) for telephones is intro-duced. Foundation of "AKGCommunications France".AKG takes to the stars: The "Audimir"space project uses AKG products forroom simulation in outer space. Thisdemonstration of advanced binauraltechnology creates sufficient demandto warrant the design of a consumerversion of this system.

Space equipment from AKG.

Introduction of Wireless MicrophoneSystems WMS 900 and WMS 100.Introduction of a new generation ofheadphones called the "K Series".

11999922::

The Audiosphere BAP 1 000 BinauralAudio Processor for Individual VirtualIAcoustics is launched.

Introduction of the ergonomically sha-ped, triangular-section Tri-PowerSeries dynamic musicians' micropho-nes and the AKG Blue Line Seriesmodular microphone system.

AKG introduces the C 547 boundarymicrophone and C 621 , C 647 "slim-line" gooseneck microphones forstage and sound system use.

IXT telecom transducers are replacedwith the new IXR transducers.

Introduction of the O 400 handsfreemicrophone for car telephones.

Strategic alliance with Lectrosonicsfor the worldwide distribution exceptfor the US and Canada ofLectrosonics products complemen-ting the AKG sound system productline.AKG increases its holdings in AKGIndia and Edge Technology Group/UKto 51 % and 84,56 % respectively.The expansion of Production causes aspace problem. AKG Vienna operatesthree locations within Vienna and theyare becoming more and more cram-med. AKG decides to move to a singlelocation and start construction on theoutskirts of Vienna.

11999933::Introduction of the "Tri Power C-Series"

C 414 B-TL II: dedicated version of theC 414 B-ULS for vocal useFirst wing of the new factory buildingis completed. All production-relateddepartments move to the new loca-tion. Introduction of more "K Series"headphones into the consumer elec-tronics market. Harman InternationalIndustries Inc. becomes the newmajorily owner of AKG GesmbH.AKG Holding AG leaves the Vienna

stock exchange as AKG Holding AG iswound up.Holdings in CeoTronics and AKGFrance are sold.

11999944::AKG founder Dr. Rudolf Goerike dies.As AKG sales rise, Harman purchasesthe remaining shares. From now on,AKG is a 100 % Harman InternationalCompany. AKG completes its move tothe new location at the 23rd district ofVienna.AKG Vienna takes over Marketing andDistribution of Studer Austria whosehead office relocates to the new AKGbuilding.The wireless microphone line is exten-ded with fast moving products used,e.g., by Rod Stewart or Peter Gabrielon their tours.

11999955::Introduction of the world's smallest

dual-diaphragm system in the world,the CK 77/ C 577 - big in sound, smal-ler than a thumbnail in size, specifical-ly designed for theater, TV, and filmuses.

Introduction of the Performer Series,affordable microphones for Karaoke,homerecording, and emerging musici-ans.

The "K 290 Surround" surround soundheadphones are introduced.New "EARgonomic" infrared head-phones K 444 IR, K 333 IR are laun-ched.Forte installs AKG earphones in its vir-tual realily helmets.Introduction of IHA9O integratedhandset for computer communication.

Mini headsets for telephone and PCcommunication use open up new mar-ket segments. The C 12 VR is honoredwith the "Tec Award" by the US MixFoundation.World famous British rock group"Simply Red" becomes an AKG end-orser.

11999966::Introduction of the WMS 300 UHFwireless microphone system.

Introduction of the WMS 51 VHF wire-less system.The new MicroMic Series II, a newgeneration of clip-on microphones forinstrument and vocal uses, are intro-duced. Introduction of HSC 100("Mini-Elf") and HSC 150 ("Cily-Elf")miniature headsets for intercom, PC,and telecom applications. AKGapplies for a patent for the VarimotionSystem, a new diaphragm type divi-ded into various zones of differentthickness for better overall response.The new K Series headphones com-prising the K 301 and the Varimotionmodels K 401 and K 501 are launched.

Introduction of "K 205 UHF" RF head-phones.Emotion Series performance micro-phones with Varimotion System arelaunched and become hot sellers rightaway.

11999977::5500tthh aannnniivveerrssaarryy ooff AAKKGG