About Electro‑Voice, Pro Audio Manufacturer for over 90 years

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For over 90 years, Electro‑Voice has designed and engineered sound reinforcement solutions to empower the performer, exceed the expectations of the audio professional, and elevate the audience experience. We have a passion for sound quality without compromise that we share with our users, built upon generations of hands‑on professional knowledge. From its humble beginnings to the international brand it is today, Electro‑Voice has a rich history we'd love to share with you. The following timeline highlights some of the key people and products that are part of our story, along with memorable moments where EV equipment made a difference. Enjoy!

1927

Radio Engineers partnership founded by Al Kahn and Lou Burroughs to service radio receivers, located in the basement of the Century Tire & Rubber Company in South Bend, Indiana. The original investment was $30 and a second‑hand car.

1930

A PA system is designed and built to assist legendary Notre Dame football coach Kntue Rockne at team practices:

"Seated in a specially constructed tower and speaking into a microphone, the noted mentor's caustic remarks will be carried to his team by means of amplifiers which will reach all parts of the practice field."

Rockne refers to the new system as his "electric voice," inspiring the company name. This PA is among the first — if not the first — custom‑made systems of its size, and marks the beginning of a new era in sound reinforcement.

Electro‑Voice incorporates. From Kahn in 1953: "The first block in this new business was the poor quality and high prices of available microphones. Sensing an opportunity, we purchased a lathe and drill press and began making them at the rate of one a week…"

SPEAKER SYSTEM TO BE MADE HERE
A portable public address system capable of reaching approximately 300 persons will be manufactured by the Electro‑Voice Manufacturing Company, Inc., which Saturday filed articles of incorporation with the secretary of state in Indianapolis.
The incorporators are Albert Kahn and Louis Burroughs, partners in the Radio Engineers, Inc., 119 West Colfax avenue, and Mr. Kahn's father, Maurice L. Kahn, of 1069 Riverside Drive. The new company will manufacture its product on the third floor at 119 West Colfax Avenue, according to Albert Kahn. The incorporation calls for a capital stock of 100 shares at $10 par value.
Rockne to Coach with Amplifiers
Knute K. Rockne, who has made Notre Dame football teams the talk of the country for many years, will coach his 1930 aggregation "by remote control" as it were, by means of a public address system. Seated in a specially constructed tower and speaking into a microphone, the noted mentor's caustic remarks will be carried to his team by means of amplifiers which will reach all parts of the practice field. Coach Rockne was ill last season and most of the winter and while his physical condition is said to have greatly improved, he is expected carefully to conserve his strength for the arduous duties that will be his this coming fall in whipping another championship team into shape.
The apparatus which he will use is the product of Albert R. Kahn and L. R. Burroughs, South Bend young men who are manufacturing and marketing it under the name of the Electro‑Voice Manufacturing Company, Inc. Their headquarters are at 110 West Colfax avenue. They entered into a contract this week with Mr. Rockne to furnish him the paraphernalia in time for the opening of the practice season.

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1942

Noise‑canceling microphone production required by the military dramatically increases production at EV. Total production reaches close to one million microphones annually.

1946年

EV moves to Buchanan, Michigan, consolidating in one place and setting the stage for entry into a number of consumer audio markets. EV quickly becomes a highly integrated manufacturer, with in‑house tool making, die casting, plating, painting, coil winding, and more.

The Cardax: Cardioid Crystal Microphone
FLAT or RISING RESPONSE … as you need it!
No need to worry about your microphone, or even to install a filter in your speech amp… when your choice is the Electro‑Voice CARDAX. With dual frequency response and high output in this one microphone, you can use a flat response for clear channel, or rising response to cut thru QRM. Simply adjust the two‑position selector switch on rear of case. When in the "out" position, the frequency response curve is wide and flat. Your voice quality is smooth, rounded and full range. In the "in" position, the curve rises 7 db at 4000 c.p.s., and your signal is sharp, clean, brilliant. Model 950 lists at $37.00.
Exclusive E‑V Dual Frequency Response Selector on rear of case, for easy selection of flat or rising response.
NEW E‑V CENTURY: CRYSTAL, DYNAMIC, CARBON MICROPHONES
Entirely new design now brings you new flexibility, new beauty, new low cost
Complete Adaptability Permits Widest Use in Public Address, Paging, Recording, Communications
The CENTURY series heralds a new era of brilliantly engineered and superbly styled low‑cost microphones. Designed for utmost flexibility, it is available in a choice of three generating elements: crystal, dynamic, or carbon. Each provides excellent reproduction and high output. Each gives you exclusive E‑V quality features. Each is top value!
Size is 3" x 2 3/16" x 1". Crystal model weighs only 6 ounces. Highest purity diecast metal case, finished in lustrous gray‑brown.
The incomparable CENTURY can be used in a variety of ways, as shown. It is the perfect answer for all economical installations. Get full details now! Send for Bulletin No. 137.
In 1946, Lou Burroughs is awarded a special citation from the U.S. War Department for the design and development of the T‑45 lip microphone. By enabling more clear and accurate communications in the field, the T‑45 helped save many lives during WW2.
One of the first anechoic chambers outside of a research laboratory is constructed on site in 1946.
Al Kahn pictured working with electronic equipment.

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1954

EV Introduces the 664 Variable‑D® directional microphone. Variable‑D greatly reduced the up‑close bass boost, or proximity effect, common to directional microphones, increasing voice intelligibility for everyday PA applications and quickly becoming a North American standard.

EV designs and markets the first mass market stereo phonograph cartridge, the model 26, in 1958.
ScubaCom development starts in 1958 for trying to solve the need for easy underwater communication. It was designed for communicating within a radius of 150 feet, up to 120 feet deep, with your own ears. Unfortunately, the ScubaCom was never produced or sold; instead, it serves as a colorful reminder of EV's dedication to solving sound reinforcement challenges across a wide range of environments!
ELECTRO‑VOICE SCUBACOM: UNDERWATER VOICE COMMUNICATIONS
Now, diving can be even more fun and safer (makes commercial diving more productive, too)
"It's the greatest experience — ever!" Now — for the first time at a reasonable price — you can talk with your diving companions. Scubacom makes a great sport even more enjoyable — and infinitely safer.
To talk, you simply press a button. No warm‑up period is required. It isn't necessary to direct the speaker toward the diver you wish to talk to. The sound waves carrying your voice are non‑directional. To hear — all you have to do is listen! No receiver is needed. Scubacom permits conversations within a radius of 150 feet and it is fully operational up to 120‑foot depths.
Nothing can take the place of speech for elating impressions, indicating findings, conveying instructions, or expressing warnings. And nothing can give the assurance of the voice — particularly to the untrained or to those requiring assistance. Nothing can handle the job like SCUBACOM
System (complete) … only $210.00
Concert in the Sun … With 2‑way wide‑range
Electro‑Voice Musicaster: all‑weather high‑fidelity speaker system
Now you can very easily set up a permanent or portable outdoor extension of your high‑fidelity music system … for relaxed enjoyment. Take the Musicaster to the patio, or pool … and treat yourself, your family, your guests to the pleasure of a full concert or background music … or even the ball game.
Unique design of this compact, integrated loudspeaker system assures superb musical balance and clarity. Exceptional bass response is achieved through the back‑loaded folded horn. High frequencies are smoothly and efficiently radiated from the exclusive E‑V Radax dual‑cone speaker. Wide projection angle simplifies placement of the Musicaster for complete listening coverage.
All‑weather performance is guaranteed by special silicon treatment of the cone assembly. The speaker is fully protected by the rugged die cast aluminum housing … handsomely finished in Mesa Tan baked enamel. You can set the Musicaster anywhere on its built‑in rubber feet. Use the mounting bracket as a convenience carrying handle.
Double your fun with stereo. You can add the excitement of stereo sound outdoors with a second Musicaster. Ideal combination of wide‑range response and wide‑angle dispersion gives you the startling realism of 3‑dimensional reproduction.
See it … Hear it … Enjoy it … or Money‑Back Guarantee
Article reads: "For audiophiles who like to feel the deep bass in recorded music, Electro‑Voice has perfected its 30‑inch loudspeaker, the model 30W. Write to manufacturer in Buchanan, Michigan for more information."
Coil winders pictured working in the EV factory in Buchanan, Michigan.
1953 sees the introduction of the 848 Compound Diffraction Projector (CDP), a two‑way public‑address loudspeaker with much more high frequency output than typical in the day. Versions of this loudspeaker are still being manufactured.
A 30‑inch woofer is introduced by EV in 1959, which is used in the Patrician series of home hi‑fi loudspeakers.

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1962

An EV microphone is sent into space aboard the Mercury spacecraft called "Friendship 7" on February 20, 1962. Piloted by John H. Glenn, Jr., making him the first American to orbit the Earth.

1969

The RE20 microphone is introduced and quickly becomes an industry standard. Originally conceived by Lou Burroughs as a "condenser killer" for film‑sound and recording‑studio applications, the RE20 found a dual role as a preeminent microphone for broadcast and music applications.

FREE HOME DEMONSTRATION!
New 7‑Foot Long Electro‑Voice Microphone
Enjoy a free demonstration of the remarkable Electro‑Voice Model 643 in the comfort of your own living room. No cost or obligation. No fuss or muss, no coupons to fill out, and no salesman will call! All you do is flick a switch!
Turn on your TV set during the next presidential news conference. Any channel. Look closely and you may see what appears to be a "bazooka" on stage next to each TV camera covering the reporters. This is the E‑V Model 643 dynamic Cardiline microphone, the most directional broadcast microphone on the market!
The 643's are up to 50 feet away from the reporters, yet the sound is clear and natural in quality … you can hear as well at home and sometimes better than the President himself! Compare this unobtrusive pickup with the conventional hand‑held microphones or "cornfields" of microphones used in the past. A dramatic demonstration that the 643 reaches farther than any other broadcast microphone available! And there are plenty of other demonstrations. At football games and parades, 643's pickup marching bands with recording fidelity up to two city blocks away! In TV and film studios and on remotes the 643 delivers clean dialogue despite wind and noise that would spoil the "takes" from an ordinary microphone.
The E‑V Model 643 is another example of the many positive contributions by Electro‑Voice to professional sound pickup techniques. If your sound problems can be solved by a 7‑foot microphone that "reaches" farther than any other, arrange now for a studio demonstration of the unique new 643. Ask your E‑V professional microphone distributor for details today!
The Electro‑Voice Model 642 Cardiline Microphone Earns The First Academy Award for Microphone Design in 22 Years! Today's movies, radio, TV and recordings sound better, thanks to a microphone design that has revolutionized sound pickup techniques. It is the Electro‑Voice Model 642 Cardiline® ultra‑directional microphone.
The E‑V 642 has contributed so much to motion picture sound that on April 8, 1963 it was presented the coveted Academy‑Award certificate by the Academy‑of‑Motion‑Picture‑Arts‑and‑Sciences — the first such award to a microphone in 22 years!
Film sound engineers found the unique 642 Cardiline design sharply reduced effects of noise and distance. They obtained clear, crisp sound under circumstances previously thought impossible. The 642 is another major achievement by Electro‑Voice in the art and science of electro‑acoustics. This engineering leadership extends equally to professional and commercial sound, home high‑fidelity recording and reproduction — even to phonograph needles and cartridges.
No matter what your interest in sound, look to Electro‑Voice for the consistently superior engineering that means award‑winning performance for you.
In 1969, EV introduces the fully horn‑loaded Eliminator™ 1 and 2 loudspeaker systems for the emerging rock 'n' roll PA market, in both manufactured and construction‑plan versions. Multiple low‑frequency sections became popular with bass guitarists.
In 1965, 635A omnidirectional dynamic microphone is introduced with a new slim shape for easier handheld use. The 635A quickly became the most popular newsgathering microphone in North America and is still manufactured today. Lou Burroughs (right) giving a demonstration of a 635A mic.
EV enters the electronic organ business in 1960 with the 6200 (The Baron) and 6210 (The Baroness).

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1975

EV introduces the HR series of "constant directivity" (CD) horns and is the first to publish full sets of ⅓‑octave polar responses for their horns. HR horns were the first CD horns in the industry, with coverage angles stable over a wide frequency range. Pictured right: HR series of CD horns at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1977.

Released in 1985, VAMP (Very Accurate Mapping Program) was the first application software offered to facilitate the choice and aiming of horn patterns for uniform coverage of audience areas.
Lou Burroughs retirement and Al Kahn's birthday party in 1976.
Interface:A, introduced in 1973, used a Thiele‑Small "alignment" that included an active low‑frequency equalizer, for flat response down to 32 Hz in an unusually compact box.
A tower of EV loudspeakers at Yankee Stadium in 1976

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1986

EV develops Manifold Technology® and begins production of the MT‑4 four‑way, high‑output concert system used on some of the largest tours of the decade (AC/DC, Metallica, Guns 'n' Roses, and Bon Jovi).

In 1990 the DeltaMax System is introduced, consisting of two‑way biamped high‑performance loudspeakers (DML) and companion electronic controllers (DMC).
Jim Long (left) and Al Kahn (right) at EV's 60th anniversary party in Buchanan, Michigan.
Add a little mix to your future.
Upgrading your band's mixing capabilities is now easier and more affordable with our new 61PM Power Mix™.
Weighing a mere 25 pounds, the 61PM is the smallest, lightest power mixer in its class.
A MOSFET amplifier delivers 200 watts into 4 ohms for plenty of headroom … and full compatibility with EV stage systems and N/DYM™ microphones.
Anti‑clip circuity utilizes our patented PowerLock™, for protection from distortion and speaker damage … while a 9‑band graphic EQ on the output and a 2‑band channel EQ deliver optimum tone control.
It also has two individual sends on each channel, channel inserts, and separate inputs for either tape or CD.
There's even a "wet" stage monitor mix for your singer, using the reverb‑to‑monitor feature. And it's backed by the best service plan in the industry.
Your future as a band rests upon the quality and presentation of your music. Stop in at your local EV dealer and start shaping that future today.
In 1986, N/DYM® is introduced. EV develops and is the first to market dynamic microphones using neodymium for higher output and greater frequency response.
David Carlson introducing a prototype of the MT‑4 concert loudspeaker in 1986.
MT‑4 Concert Sound System
When you put the MT‑4 up against the so‑called frontrunners and listen to it next to those processed systems, you thank somebody way up high that Electro‑Voice chose to build this system with the right foundation as opposed to taking whatever components they could get and putting them into whatever box they could build and hoping to cure the problems electronically. This system is fundamentally right from the beginning…
The MTL‑4 uses four special design, high‑excursion 18‑inch woofers in a radical manifold configuration.

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1993

MH series stadium horns are debuted, which combine constant directivity and Manifold Technology®. They quickly become the standard in the largest U.S. stadiums.

The Sx200 is introduced in 1994, setting a new standard for light weight and performance.
Ring‑Mode Decoupling (RMD) is introduced in 1997, providing level‑independent fidelity and in particular quality vocal reproduction. RMD is the design process that identifies and eliminates the many delayed acoustic and mechanical resonances of loudspeakers. This design approach continues to be used in the development of all EV loudspeakers.
EVM 10M
EV reintroduces the "Eliminator i" in 1999, for a new generation. The heart of Eliminator i's high performance design is the combination of a high‑excursion low‑frequency suspension system with RMD.

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2000

EV introduces the X‑Line™ large‑format line‑array concert loudspeaker module (used by artists such as The Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, Kenny Chesney, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Tool, etc.) EV introduces ClearScan™ technology to the world of wireless microphones, automatically scanning numerous channels in a venue for highest quality.

2009

Over 400 loudspeakers are installed in Cowboys Stadium, making it the largest fixed‑installation EV sound system in history. One of the largest R&D projects in EV history, EV‑Innovation is among the industry's most comprehensive families of installation‑dedicated loudspeaker system solutions.

EVID installed loudspeakers introduced, compact installed solutions offering architecture‑friendly design and acoustically matched for consistent sound quality
At Electro‑Voice, we think inside the box … Because its what's inside the box that counts. Celebrating Eight Decades of Decibels in 2007, Electro‑Voice has delivered world‑class audio for some of the biggest artists and events of all time, from classics like The Beatles and The Stones to contemporaries like The Foo Fighters and Kenny Chesney. We were even the PA of choice for the largest live event ever — LIVE8.
The very same sonic performance and reliability the big names trust is built into everything EV makes, from the smallest portable speakers to the largest touring rigs. We design and manufacture all our own transducers from the ground up, right here in the USA — the same unique EV loudspeaker designs you hear at stadium shows are crafted into each and every component we make, at every price point, no expense spared.
That's why guitar heavyweights like Zakk Wylde load their cabinets with EVM12L Black Label speakers. That's why Stevie Ray Vaughn swore by EVM12L Classic speakers, along with countless others who demand town without compromise.
In the same token, we pack our lightweight, super‑strong polypropylene enclosures full of premium components, offering maximum performance and minimum weight while other brands fill their cheap plastic boxes with poor quality parts, saving themselves money and denying YOU sound quality. Whether running separately or together as a system, we believe that portable speakers should offer concert‑quality performance. Hear the difference for yourself and step up to EV.
EV celebrates its 75^th anniversary in 2002 with the release of the special edition 75th anniversary RE20 dynamic microphone.
Xw15A 15‑inch two‑way floor monitor raises the bar for on‑stage sound.
I rock.
Introducing Electro‑Voice® Eliminator i™. Enhanced Bass Response Speaker System. Incredible sound from an amp/subs/speaker system designed to play together. Innovative processor in the Eliminator i™ amp — tuned to the i speakers — delivers every note with clean, extended bass response. Internal crossover in the subs keeps setup simple. Industrial‑tough cabinet construction for bands on the go. Impressive vocal range and clarity. In‑your‑guts bass response. Indulge yourself.
I jam.
Introducing Electro‑Voice® Eliminator i™. Enhanced Bass Response Speaker System. Icy clear vocals. In‑your‑guts bass response. Industrial‑tough cabinet construction for DJs on the move. Incredible sound from an amp/subs/speaker system designed to play together. Innovative processor in the Eliminator i™ amp — tuned to the i speakers — delivers every beat with clean, extended bass response. Internal crossover in the subs keeps setup simple. Indulge yourself.
XLC line array installed in the Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

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2011

The RE320 is released in 2011. Its unique "Dual Personality" switch creates two ideal mics in one: one position provides a lively yet natural tonal response for vocals, electric, and acoustic instruments; the other position delivers a curve designed specifically for kick drums.

2013

Launched in 2013, ZLX quickly became the #1 selling powered speaker line in the world and as was the first to integrate on‑board DSP at its price point.

X2 from the new X‑Line Advance family of line‑array loudspeakers is released in 2015
Wonder Full, the largest light and water spectacular in Asia opens in 2011 at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. Using four XLD281 compact line array cabinets, plus an Xsub subwoofer in each of the eight multimedia towers, hydrophobic 7:1 surround sound was achieved.
The successor to the N/DYM series, the new ND series expands the product offering with four vocal and four instrument models for live performance and studio applications.

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