Austrian Audio
Austrian Audio is a Vienna-based company specializing in the design and manufacture of microphones and headphones for professional users (stage and studio technology).[1][2] Founded in July 2017, the company's establishment was prompted by the closure of the AKG Acoustics offices in Vienna, Austria.[3][4][5][6][7]
History
[edit]Background
[edit]Austrian Audio's origins can be traced to the closure of AKG Acoustics' operations in Austria.[8] Founded in Vienna in 1947 by physicists Rudolf Görike and Ernst Pless, AKG Acoustics initially supplied technical equipment for cinemas, including loudspeakers, film projectors, and light meters. The business slowly expanded and AKG started selling car horns, door intercoms, carbon microphone capsules for telephones, headsets and cushion speakers.[9] While AKG Acoustics initially manufactured its products in Austria, in response to cost considerations, production of high-end products was later moved to Slovakia, while other products were manufactured in China.[10]
In 1993, AKG Acoustics was acquired by Harman International Industries for the symbolic value of one Schilling.[10] In late 2016, Harman was acquired by the Korean Samsung Group.[7][11] Following this acquisition, it was announced that the AKG locations in Austria, especially the factory in Liesing with about 130 employees, would be completely closed and relocated by mid-2017.[10] Some employees were offered the opportunity to relocate to other countries' facilities, such as Germany or Hungary. Essentially, AKG Acoustics has since only existed as a brand within the Harman division of the Samsung Group. Product development is now handled by Harman facilities in Eastern Europe.[11]
2017-present
[edit]In July 2017, following the complete closure of AKG's site in Austria, Austrian Audio was founded by a core team of 22 former AKG employees from the fields of management, acoustics, electronics, testing and measurement, mechanical design, wireless technology, as well as software and firmware.[6][7]
References
[edit]- ^ "Wiener Start-up Austrian Audio erobert den Weltmarkt - TOP LEADER". top-leader.at/. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- ^ "Austrian Audio: This Issue's Creator of Capsules". tapeop.com. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- ^ "About us - Austrian.Audio The Story and the Team of Austrian Audio". Austrian.Audio. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
- ^ "MSV". MSV (in Austrian German). Retrieved 2024-05-08.
- ^ "Austrian Audio: This Issue's Creator of Capsules". tapeop.com. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
- ^ a b Rotter, Alexandra. "Austrian Audio im Portrait". die wirtschaft (in German). Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- ^ a b c "Ehemalige AKG Mitarbeiter gründen neue Firma – AUSTRIAN AUDIO Geschäftsführer Martin Seidl im Interview › rockmagazine.net" (in German). 2018-08-29. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- ^ "Made in Vienna ... again - NEWS". www.newbusiness.at (in German). Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- ^ Beyerle, Tulga; Hirschberger, Karin (2013-03-04). A Century of Austrian Design: 1900-2005. Walter de Gruyter. ISBN 978-3-0346-0889-3.
- ^ a b c "Kopfhörer: AKG-Werk in Wien schließt". DER STANDARD (in Austrian German). Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- ^ a b "Samsung Electronics to Acquire HARMAN, Accelerating Growth in Automotive and Connected Technologies". HARMAN Newsroom. Retrieved 2024-05-15.