Harman International is Bringing AKG Engineering to Consumers in the U.S.
Harman International (NYSE:HAR), a manufacturer of high-end audio equipment, announced today that it will start its next phase of worldwide expansion by bringing its successful AKG brand to the United States. This expansion of the AKG brand (renowned for its high-quality professional microphones, headphones and wireless equipment, and previously available in the U.S. in the professional sector only) will deliver a full line of consumer application-focused headphones to America.
Model: K242 HD
More than a dozen AKG consumer headphone models will make their U.S. debut in 2009. They will range in price from $17 to $300 and will include ear buds, in-canal earphones, over-ear headphones and mini headphones. The line will address the needs of all music lovers, from the casual listener to the high-end audiophile.
“For more than 60 years, AKG has been synonymous with excellent sound — recording studios, radio and TV stations, opera houses and famous stages around the world tout its products,” says Dorian Staps, director of AKG Consumer Business in Vienna. “We are happy to bring our advanced technology and superior headphones to U.S. consumers so that they can experience their music in its true form, and as if they were sitting in the recording studio with their favorite artist.”
Internationally known musicians and performers such as Gwen Stefani, the Rolling Stones and Kanye West have frequently been seen using high-quality AKG microphones and headphones in the studio and on tour. AKG engineers applied their professional experience and implemented AKG technology into a consumer line of headphones that deliver premium performance at an incredible value.
“Harman International has always prided itself in providing outstanding sound, innovative technology and sleek design to its consumers in all of its brands,” says Christopher M. Dragon, director of consumer marketing for Harman Consumer. “We are confident that the addition of the AKG brand to the Harman Consumer product portfolio in the U.S. will bring consumers a fuller range of choices to enhance their listening experience regardless of aesthetic, budget or taste.”
Pricing and Availability
The following AKG products will be available in March 2009 at several strategic retail outlets in the U.S. Most models come equipped with carrying cases and pouches for portable use, as well as ear foams, adjustable pads and/or head straps for optimal fit. All mini models, ear buds and in-canal earphones are iPhone-compatible.
Ear Buds/In-Canal Earphones:
K 309 – Retail Price: $16.95
Comfortable fit
Colors: Cocoa Brown or Juicy Orange
Frequency response: 18Hz to 20kHz
Sensitivity: 124dB SPL/V
iPhone-compatible
K 311 – Retail Price: $24.95
Great bass response
Colors: Milk, Plum or Lime
Frequency response: 18Hz to 20.5kHz
Sensitivity: 125dB SPL/V
iPhone-compatible
K 313 – Retail Price: $29.95
1/2″ (13mm) drivers
Carrying pouch included
Colors: Grasshopper or Coral
Frequency response: 16Hz to 21kHz
Sensitivity: 127dB SPL/V
iPhone-compatible
K 315 – Retail Price: $39.95
In-line volume control with super bass
Carrying pouch included
Colors: Pebble Black and Garnet Red
Frequency response: 17Hz to 23kHz
Sensitivity: 126dB SPL/V
iPhone-compatible
K 317 – Retail Price: $69.95
High-end in-ear headphones with lanyard design
Soft case and cable winder included
Convertible jack plug and 19-11/16″ (50cm) extension cable
Color: Snow White
Frequency response: 17Hz to 25kHz
Sensitivity: 129dB SPL/V
iPhone-compatible
K 319 – Retail Price: $89.95
Ultra-high-end in-ear headphones with super bass and in-line volume control
19-11/16″ (50cm) Extension cable, flight adapter, hard case and cable winder included
Color: Dark Charcoal
Frequency response: 16Hz to 23kHz
Sensitivity: 128dB SPL/V
iPhone-compatible
In-Canal Earphones:
K 321 – Retail Price: $49.95
Silicon-fleece ear pads and sleeves in three sizes (S, M and L) are included to ensure an optimal fit
Carrying pouch included
Colors: Cloud White or Sky Blue
Frequency response: 13Hz to 22.5kHz
Sensitivity: 121dB SPL/V
iPhone-compatible
K 330 – Retail Price: $79.95
Ultra-lightweight earphones with carrying case and cable winder included
Colors: Scarab or Wasp
Frequency response: 12Hz to 23.5kHz
Sensitivity: 121dB SPL/V
iPhone-compatible
K 340 – Retail Price: $89.95
In-line precision volume control
Carrying case included
Colors: Licorice or Fudge
Frequency response: 11.5Hz to 23kHz
Sensitivity: 122dB SPL/V
iPhone-compatible
Mini On-Ear/Foldable Headphones
K 420 – Retail Price: $69.95
Semi-open design with unique 3D-Axis2 folding mechanism
Color: Denim
Frequency response: 13Hz to 27kHz
Sensitivity: 125dB SPL/V
iPhone-compatible
K 430 – Retail Price: $99.95
Closed-back design with unique 3D-Axis2 folding mechanism and soft ear pads for comfortable fit
Ergonomically designed integrated volume control and single-sided cable
1/4″ (6.3mm) Jack adapter included
Color: Silver
Frequency response: 12Hz to 28kHz
Sensitivity: 125dB SPL/V
iPhone-compatible
K 450 – Retail Price: $149.95
High-performance closed-back design with unique 3D-Axis2 folding mechanism
Single-sided detachable cable; two cable lengths included
1/16″ (2.5mm) and 1/4″ (6.3mm) Jack adapters included
Color: Navy
Frequency response: 11Hz to 29.5kHz
Sensitivity: 126dB SPL/V
iPhone-compatible
High-Definition Headphones
K 142 HD – Retail Price: $169.95
On-ear, semi-open design
Gimbal suspension that settles against ear with self-adjusting headband and ultra-soft velvet ear pads to ensure an optimal fit
Hard gold-plated contacts and plug with 1/8″ (3.5mm)/1/4″ (6.3mm) adapter
Color: Mocha/Sand
Frequency response: 18Hz to 24kHz
K 172 HD – Retail Price: $199.95
On-ear, closed-back design
Gimbal suspension that settles against ear with self-adjusting headband and ultra-soft velvet ear pads to ensure an optimal fit
Loud and rugged; ideal for single-ear DJ use
Hard gold-plated contacts and plug with 1/8″ (3.5mm)/1/4″ (6.3mm) adapter
Color: Mocha/Sand
Frequency response: 18Hz — 26kHz
K 242 HD – Retail Price: $249.95
On-ear, semi-open design
Gimbal suspension that settles against ear with self-adjusting headband and ultra-soft velvet ear pads to ensure an optimal fit
Hard gold-plated contacts and plug with 1/8″ (3.5mm)/1/4″ (6.3mm) adapter
Color: Mocha/Sand
Frequency response: 15Hz to 25kHz
K 272 HD – Retail Price: $299.95
On-ear, closed-back design
Gimbal suspension that settles against ear with self-adjusting headband and ultra-soft velvet ear pads to ensure an optimal fit
Loud and rugged; ideal for single-ear DJ use
Hard gold-plated contacts and plug with 1/8″ (3.5mm)/1/4″ (6.3mm) adapter
Color: Mocha/Sand
Frequency response: 16Hz to 28kHz
Limited-Edition Headphones
K 518 LE – Retail Price: $99.95
Unique 3D-Axis2 folding mechanism for ease of handling and comfort
Legendary AKG sound quality
Closed-back earphones with isolating ear cups that attenuate ambient noise, keeping even quiet passages clearly audible
Extremely rugged
High SPL
Colors: Blue, Fuchsia, Green, Orange, Red, White, Yellow
Frequency response: 16Hz — 24kHz
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.”
