AUDIO-TECHNICA MARKS “50 YEARS OF PASSIONATE LISTENING”
— A historical look back – with a view toward the future – at one of the leading innovators in transducer technology —
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Frank Doris
Tel: (631) 645-5668
frankdoris@optonline.net
STOW, OH, January 9, 2012 — Audio-Technica is marking “50 Years of Passionate Listening” with its yearlong 50th Anniversary celebration in 2012, including several limited edition commemorative products, special events and promotions for customers. From its early beginnings as a manufacturer of phonograph cartridges, Audio-Technica has expanded over the years to become a leading innovator in the design of microphones, wireless microphone systems, headphones, turntables, phono cartridges and more. Audio-Technica continues to advance the art and technology of electro-acoustic design with the manufacture of products for the consumer and professional audio markets. On this historic occasion, Audio-Technica is taking the opportunity to look back, with a view toward the future.
Audio-Technica was founded in 1962 by Hideo Matsushita, who introduced the company’s first phono cartridge that year. Audio-Technica soon gained a reputation for producing a range of high-quality, award-winning phono cartridges for some of Japan’s leading electronics companies, and expanded its facilities in 1963 and again in 1965 to its current address in Naruse, Machida, Tokyo. In 1969, Audio-Technica began distributing an expanded range of products internationally, and in 1972, Audio-Technica U.S., Inc. was established in Akron, Ohio, moving to its current location in Stow, Ohio, in 1980.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Audio-Technica broadened its lineup to include products such as its groundbreaking VM Series dual-magnet phono cartridges; its ATH Series high-fidelity headphones; its first professional microphones, the 800 Series; and other innovations. Of particular note was the launch of Audio-Technica’s compact UniPoint microphones, which changed the landscape of business presentations and other installed communications with their sleek profiles and high-fidelity audio. Audio-Technica also established divisions in Europe and Asia during this period.
In the 1990s, Audio-Technica continued to refine and diversify its product range, and its wireless microphone systems, microphones and consumer and professional headphones became industry standards for their exceptional performance, reliability and value.
Audio-Technica introduced the renowned 40 Series microphones, making the pristine sound of studio microphones affordable for the first time ever. Today, the 40 Series represents a benchmark in studio microphones for leading producers and engineers, as well as high-profile artists in all genres of music, both in the studio and onstage. Additionally, in 1993, Hideo Matsushita took the position of Chairman, and Kazuo Matsushita became President of Audio-Technica Corporation, a position he still holds today.
Since the dawning of the new millennium, Audio-Technica has continued to introduce breakthrough products and systems. In 2008, the company’s noise-canceling in-ear and over-ear headphones set new standards in environmental noise reduction and sound quality.
Audio-Technica also revolutionized the audio industry with the introduction of its digital SpectraPulse®ultra wideband wireless microphone system. Other popular products include the company’s USB turntables, its Artist Elite series of performance microphones, its 2000 and 3000 Series Wireless Systems, and its Artist Elite Wireless Systems, the 4000 and 5000 Series.
Today, Audio-Technica is the first choice for a variety of major artists including Kenny Chesney, Gwen Stefani, Jason Aldean, Justin Timberlake, Metallica, Linkin Park, Evanescence, Newsboys, Selena Gomez and many more. Audio-Technica products are used worldwide in numerous consumer and professional applications including live concert tours, broadcast and recording studios, corporate, government and house-of-worship venues, and in high-profile events such as the presidential debates, the GRAMMY®Awards, CMA Awards and the Summer and Winter Games, to name a few.
“We are extremely proud to mark Audio-Technica’s 50thanniversary,” said Phil Cajka, Audio-Technica U.S. President and CEO. “Throughout our history, our growth has been fueled by our customer-focused philosophy. The bottom line is, we are committed to being in tune with our customers and providing them with innovative, compelling products and outstanding customer service. At Audio-Technica, ‘passionate listening’ is much more than just a slogan. It’s how we do business.”
For more information, please visit www.audio-technica.com.
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Also see more here:
- 50th Anniversary Information and Video
- Lighthearted Company Tour of Audio-Technica USA Video
- Additional News Releases
Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2012, Audio-Technica is renowned worldwide for a broad range of consumer and professional audio products, including high-performance headphones, microphones, wireless systems, turntables and phono cartridges. Winner of numerous industry awards, Audio-Technica designs and manufactures products that set quality, durability and price/performance standards for major concert tours, broadcast and recording studios, corporate and government facilities, theaters, house-of-worship venues, and consumer applications. Learn more at www.audio-technica.com.
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— For more information on the complete range of Audio-Technica products, contact Karen Emerson or Crystal Griffith, Audio-Technica U.S., Inc., 1221 Commerce Drive, Stow, OH 44224. Tel: (330) 686-2600.
— For further information regarding product availability and pricing in the United Kingdom, please contact Harvey Roberts (hroberts@audio-technica.co.uk); in Germany, please contact Anja Groth (a.groth@audio-technica.de); in the rest of Europe, please contact Evangéline Pirot (epirot@audio-technica-europe.com).
Audio-Technica is exhibiting at the Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall Lower Level, Booth #21138 during CES 2012 in Las Vegas, NV.
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