AKG Acoustics, the company’s original name, rose from the ashes of post World War II Austria to become one of the world’s best-known manufacturers of microphones, headphones, and wireless audio systems.

AKG innovations include technology that extended microphone frequency response deeper into the bass range. The AKG D 12, introduced in 1953, was the first dynamic cardioid mic—reducing extraneous sound and microphone feedback. Today, a dynamic AKG mic with a similar name, the AKG D 112, is an industry-standard kick drum microphone.

AKG has some very highly regarded studio condenser microphones, as well. Noteworthy is the AKG C 12 microphone, the venerable C 414, and the C 1000, C 2000, and C 3000 mics.