1908 |
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On April 15, 1908, Dr Phil Heinrich Hecht started working in Kiel, Germany in the realm of underwater sound technology. Later he would join others in forming the beginnings of ELAC. |
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1911 |
In 1911, Neufeld & Kuhnke founded Signalgesellschaft GmbH, managed by Dr Phil Hecht, Dr Phil Wilhelm Rudolph, Walter Hahnemann, and Gerhard Schmidt. After World War I, this association would again come together.
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1926 |
It was on September 1, 1926, that associates Dr Hecht, Gerhard Schmidt, and Dr Rudolph founded the ELECTROACUSTIC GmbH. Their knowledge of underwater and open-air acoustics and sound location developed to new standards.
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1945 |
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Again, a new start after World War II. 250 of the original 5,000 employees begin work on underwater sound technology. The company diversified to ensure their existence, however, by producing 'high-tech' products for that time such as sewing machines, air pumps and automotive accessories.
Through numerous orders, the company learns to produce large quantities economically and under strict quality control. |
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1948 |
In 1948, the company started to supply all Siemens radios from its factory in Kiel. The "ELECTROACUSTIC" is alive once more.
This is not only the year of a new currency, it is also a crucial year for the future of ELAC. On December 14, 1948, the first turntable is completed. One year later, 5,600 turntables had been produced under the brand ELAC. The first of 4 million to come.
At the end of 1945 already, ELAC produces high quality, pure Seignette crystals. This eventually results in the production of the first crystal phono pick-up. The KST 1, with screw-in sapphire stylus, on a former of a special magnesium alloy, needs only 270 mN tracking force. The former comparative standard in those days was 600 to 1200 mN.
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1956 |
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ELAC in Kiel becomes the leading producer of turntables. Three German companies now account for 90% of units sold worldwide: ELAC, Dual and Perpetuum Ebner. |
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1957 |
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1958:
One of Europe's first magnetic stereo pickups:
ELAC STS 200. |
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On October 30, 1957, the stereo phono cartridge is born. Patent No. 1 105 628 is granted to ELAC for an "electro-magnetic pick-up for two-channel record modulation". This paves the way to revolutionize the entire record reproduction industry and establishes ELAC's reputation as the leading producer of phono cartridges. Throughout the world, ELAC licensed many renowned companies like Shure. This patent and following patents formed the basis for the phono cartridge principle known today by "Moving-Magnet Systems", or simply MM systems. |
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1967 |
ELAC stereo, hi-fi magnet phono cartridges are now able to operate at tracking forces below 10 mN. Continued development lead to even lower tracking forces, more refinements and better reproduction. Turntables had to keep up and improvments in their design followed.
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1978 |
In 1978, ELAC decides to spin off the underwater acoustic business to the well known company, Honeywell. The phono cartridge business is now called ELAC Ingenieurtechnik. Development continues and the company now adds research into industrial robots.
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1981
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On July 8, 1981, the marketing and distribution company John & Partner takes over the sales activities of ELAC hi-fi products. Two months later, at the Berlin Funkausstellung (IFA) the first phono cartridge utilizing the v.d.Hul-II stylus cut, the ESG 796 H, is presented and causes quite a stir.
The growth and success in the consumer electronics sector continued. It was again decided to split up the company. |
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1982 |
On January 1, 1982, the partners of the John & Partner Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH take over control of ELAC's consumer electronics business and founded today's ELAC.
ELAC is now ready to take on new activities. Together with a highly agile and professional hi-fi development team, a Moving-Coil phono cartridge patent is granted to ELAC for their famous EMC 1 pick-up, continuing the inventive spirit of the past. New inventions and products follow in quick succession.
The first international agent - Bleuel Electronic AG - is authorised to distribute ELAC products in Switzerland. |
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1984 |
In 1984, ELAC in Kiel extends its programme range to include loudspeakers. The loudspeaker company AXIOM Elektroakustik GmbH is integrated into ELAC.
New concepts of the dispersion characteristic of loudspeaker drivers are put into practice.
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1985 |
The new patented ELAC 4Pi tweeter technology arrives. The new omnidirectional ribbon tweeter leaps ELAC into the world elite of loudspeakers.
At the same time, ELAC starts working on room-acoustic research.
The developers' team studies 'micro acoustics' (questions about drive units, baffles, etc, i.e. everything regarding the loudspeakers), as well as the secrets of 'macro acoustics' (i.e. influences of a room on the acoustics). By means of a sophisticated computer simulation program, the interplay of all the components (hi-fi + room + listener) is simulated. For any customer buying ELAC loudspeakers, ELAC as a special service calculates the optimum placement of loudspeakers in the individual room for free. |
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1987 |
The design of the Zero Line cabinet is registered.
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1989 |
The know-how in this field enables the design of drivers to be optimised for their specific application. For example, ELAC produced 25mm special tweeter, whose dome and voice coil former are made in one piece from an aluminium, magnesium, manganese alloy to provide extreme rigidity and guarantee reliable performance.
ELAC 170 4Pi receives the "Best Product" award from the Japanese magazine "Stereo Sound". |
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1990 |
On October 1, 1990, the subsidiary company ELAC Technische Software GmbH is founded. ETS works on the development of comprehensive computer program packages enabling calculations of the most complex bass reflex speakers with even the most extraordinary membrane shapes and room-acoustic influences on loudspeaker performance.
"Innovation Award Transducers" of the Dutch journal "HiFi Video Totaal".
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1992 |
In 1992, the development and production of hi-fi electronics under the trademark Linear Acoustic is distributed as a brand by ELAC.
"Design Award of the Dutch" of the "HiFi Video Totaal" magazine for ELAC ELM 408 loudpeaker. |
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1993 |
At the IFA Berlin, woofers and midrange units with aluminium-sandwich membranes, which provide particular precision and rigidity, are introduced for the first time in the Elegant Series.
A further milestone is the takeover of the loudspeaker brand, A.R.E.S. by ELAC in 1993. The legendary "Air Motion Transformer" of hi-fi pioneer Oskar Heil is further perfected by ELAC in the JET tweeter.
"Product of the Year" of the magazine "HiFi Review" for ELAC 4Pi Plus Tweeter. |
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1994 |
The new long-stroke woofers with aluminium-sandwich membranes from ELAC's proprietary driver production prove exceptional with regard to precision and power handling.
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1995 |
Design & Engineering Award "Innovation", USA for the ELAC Elegant 305 loudspeaker.
The breakthrough of ELAC surround concept is confirmed by the award 'Product of the Year' of the magazine Stereoplay, Germany (ELAC Cinema Set) |
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1996 |
"Best Buy of the Year" of "HiFi-Review" (Hong Kong) magazine for the ELAC Elegant 305 loudspeaker.
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1997
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After nearly 50 years, in 1997, ELAC ends its phono cartridge production to make room for its rapidly growing loudspeaker production (woofer production and new voice coil production).
Premiul "Diapason D´Or HiFi" (France) este acordat incintei acustice ELAC Elegant 305. ELAC este primul contructor german de incinte acustice care primeste distinctia "Golden Tuning Fork".
Cu ajutorul software-ului CALE dezvoltat de subsidiara ELAC Technische Software, incintele acustice sunt tunate pentru a obtine optimizarea puteri acustice, ceea ce permite o si mai buna acoperire acustica a camerei. |
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1998
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The flagship of ELAC loudspeakers is introduced: the 'Spirit of Music' - a worldwide reference.
This is also the year of the appearance of the smallest JET loudspeaker: ELAC 310i JET. |
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In accordance with the "in-sourcing principle" and to further enhance the know-how, ELAC buys a magnet producer and from 1999 produces its own magnet systems. |
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September 1998 ELAC: one name, one brand, one enterprise.
To concentrate all powers and focus on their particular strengths, the associates decide to merge the companies JOHN & PARTNER Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH and ELAC Phonosysteme GmbH on July 1, 1998. At the same time ELAC regains its traditional name. The ELAC Phonosysteme GmbH is renamed ELAC ELECTROACUSTIC GMBH.
"Diapason D´Or HiFi" (France) award for the ELAC Elt 7 loudspeaker. |
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1999 |
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At the Berlin IFA, ELAC causes a stir with the IMAGO "talking pictures" - the first ELAC distributed mode loudspeakers (DML).
"Components of The Year" Award from the "Stereo Sound" magazine (Japan) for the ELAC CL 310i JET loudspeaker. |
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2001 |
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A patent was granted on February 23, 2002 for a "special circuit for flat panel speakers" enabling a smooth frequency response across the whole surface of a flat panel.
Also patents in the area of active electronics have been applied for, e.g. patent for "ESP". ESP is a frequency and power-dependent electronic stabilisation programme.
"HiVi Grand Prix 2001" award of the Japanese magazine "HiVi" is won by the ELAC CINEMA 3 ESP Set. |
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2002
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"What HI-FI" magazine Award: England's "Best Buy up to 500 Pounds" for ELAC CINEMA 1 ESP.
Together with Siemens VDO, joint application for "Use of loudspeakers in air ducts of passenger vehicles". |
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2004
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According to China's leading hi-fi magazine Avphile, ELAC is the most popular German loudspeaker brand in China. The annual survey presents the top ten most renowned foreign loudspeaker brands for the year 2003. Here, ELAC has improved its positioning in the category 'Loudspeakers'. ELAC is now in 2nd place!
Aplicatia patentului "Foil for Air-Motion Loudspeaker", patent obtinut in iulie 2005.
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2005
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The FS 608-4Pi receives the "Stereo Sound Grand Prix 2004" Award from the Japanese magazine “Stereo Sound”, and the "Products of the Year Award 2004" from the Hong-Kong magazine “HiFi Review”. |
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The ELAC FS 607 X-JET receives the "Grand Prix 2005" from Japans most famous hi-fi magazine “Stereo Sound”. |
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ELAC FS 210 A receives the "Product of the Year 2006 Award" from the "HiFi Review” magazine (Hong Kong). |
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