AKG® Headphones Are Coming to America

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.

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.

• Comfortable fit
• Colors: Cocoa Brown or Juicy Orange
• Frequency response: 18Hz to 20kHz
• Sensitivity: 124dB SPL/V
• iPhone-compatible

• Great bass response
• Colors: Milk, Plum or Lime
• Frequency response: 18Hz to 20.5kHz
• Sensitivity: 125dB SPL/V
• iPhone-compatible

• 1/2” (13mm) drivers
• Carrying pouch included
• Colors: Grasshopper or Coral
• Frequency response: 16Hz to 21kHz
• Sensitivity: 127dB SPL/V
• iPhone-compatible

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• In-line precision volume control
• Carrying case included
• Colors: Licorice or Fudge
• Frequency response: 11.5Hz to 23kHz
• Sensitivity: 122dB SPL/V
• iPhone-compatible

• Semi-open design with unique 3D-Axis² folding mechanism
• Color: Denim
• Frequency response: 13Hz to 27kHz
• Sensitivity: 125dB SPL/V
• iPhone-compatible

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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.”

AKG, Audioaccess, Becker, BSS, Crown, dbx, DigiTech, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon, Mark Levinson, Revel, QNX, Soundcraft and Studer are trademarks of Harman International Industries, Incorporated, registered in the United States and/or other countries. iPhone is a trademark of Apple Inc.