In 1949, the first AKG headphones came on the market. Then, in the early fifties we made a breakthrough with several new products: Totally new technologies like the world’s first high quality condenser microphone, the D 12 with its cardioid characteristics, the world’s first remote-controlled multi-pattern capacitor microphone, the C 12 and the D 36 made acoustic history. One of the first customers of the famous C 12 microphone was the BBC in London.

Worldwide AKG expansion

With its growing success, AKG also expanded geographically with a German subsidiary founded in 1955. By the end of the fifties, our worldwide distribution network had grown to other parts of Europe and abroad. In the sixties we successfully started exporting into former East block countries and Latin America. Concerned with technological quality, we focused on what it did best: high-quality audio transducers. The results were first-rate products in all categories. In the following years, we launched the world’s first two-way cardioid microphones (D 202, D 224) and developed the CMS modular condenser microphone system.

AKG worldwide on stage

AKG microphones and headphones have a long history on tour and in studio with international musicians such as Frank Sinatra, Eric Clapton, Peter Gabriel, Stevie Wonder, Aerosmith, the Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, Anastasia, Eros Ramazotti, Kayne West and Simply Red. Not only well-respected internationally, we have fans closer to home, with Austria’s most famous pop-star Falco counted as an AKG user, as well as the upcoming Austrian star Christina Stuermer.