Press Release

In recognition of more than 60 years contribution to the art and science of music recording and performance, storied microphone and headphone innovator, AKG was recently named to receive a prestigious technical Grammy® award from the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS).  The award, which will be presented at this coming Grammy Week in Los Angeles in January 2010, represents an historic first in AKG’s history of firsts — not simply in terms of technology innovations, but also in great recordings and performances.

From The Beatles’ watershed performances in Shea Stadium in 1967 to Aerosmith, the Rolling Stones, Frank Sinatra,  and today’s most progressive and successful artists like Jay Z, Missy Elliot and Kayne West, AKG microphones and headphones have provided great sounding technologies to support the most demanding and creative projects.

AKG is in good company, with this year’s only other GRAMMY Technical Award to be presented posthumously to Thomas Edison, inventor of the phonograph, early motion picture technologies, and the incandescent light bulb.  Harman’s JBL brand also earned a GRAMMY Technical Award in 2005, the first and only loudspeaker manufacturer to be so honored.  Founded in 1947, AKG has been providing state-of-the-art microphones and headphones for a variety of live and recording applications.

"This year’s honorees are a prestigious group of diverse and prominent creators who have contributed some of the most distinguished and influential recordings," said Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow. "Their outstanding accomplishments and passion for their craft have created a timeless legacy that has positively affected multiple generations, and will continue to influence generations to come. It is an honor and privilege to recognize such talented individuals who have had and will continue to have such an influence in both our culture and the music industry."

"We are humbled by this recognition from the recording industry’s preeminent organization," said Dinesh C. Paliwal, Harman International Chairman, President and CEO. "Our AKG products have long supported the industry’s leading artists and technicians, and we are honored to share the spotlight with them at the legendary Grammy Awards."

This year, AKG continued it’s tradition of innovation; introducing some of their most advanced microphones and headphones to date. With the release of the Perception 120 USB in September, AKG gave users the ability to record studio-quality sound from their desktop; with the C 414 XLS and XL II, they introduced two of the most sensitive and versatile microphones available; and with the DMS 700, AKG presented their first digital wireless audio system.

“From its formation many years ago, AKG has been singularly committed to quality,” said Alfred Reinprecht, AKG Vice President of Marketing and Product Management.  “It is not surprising, therefore, that so many quality recording artists, producers and engineers have gravitated to AKG and made our microphones and headphones the tools of their trade and the instruments of their craft.  To be awarded this prestigious and rare honor is recognition of the wonderfully creative and committed people who have designed and built AKG products for more than half a century and to the loyal customers who have partnered with us to make our best products even better!”

Everyone at AKG is honored to be recognized by The Recording Academy for Technical Achievement,” “Since the company was founded in 1947, AKG has been dedicated to producing the highest quality microphones and headphones with the most advanced recording technology. This award not only signifies our ability to do so, but it also validates AKG as one of the leading international providers in audio equipment.”

AKG is a unit of Harman International Industries, Incorporated (www.harman.com). Harman International designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of audio and infotainment products for the automotive, consumer and professional markets, and maintains a strong presence in the Americas, Europe and Asia, employing more than 11,000 people worldwide. The Harman International family of brands includes AKG®, Audioaccess®, Becker®, BSS®, Crown®, dbx®, DigiTech®, Harman Kardon®, Infinity®, JBL®, Lexicon®, Mark Levinson®, Revel®, QNX®, Soundcraft® and Studer®. Harman International’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “NYSE: HAR.”