Beyerdynamic
German audio manufacturer known for studio headphones and microphones.
Beyerdynamic GmbH & Co. KG, a German company that makes microphones, headphones, wireless audio gear, and conference systems, is based in Heilbronn, Germany. It stayed under family ownership from its start in 1924 until June 2025, when it was sold to the Chinese firm Cosonic Intelligent for about 122 million euros (roughly $141 million USD).
The company began in Berlin during the 1920s, when founder Eugen Beyer saw cinema as a fresh opportunity in communication. He first built loudspeakers for movie theaters in 1924, operating under the name "Elektrotechnische Fabrik Eugen Beyer." By the late 1930s, Beyer had created the first dynamic headphones, the DT 48 ("Dynamic Telephone"), which remained in production until 2012. In 1937, the company released its first studio-quality dynamic microphone, the M 19. World War II halted production after the Berlin factory was destroyed, but in 1948 the business relocated to Heilbronn. The "Stielhörer" DT 49 became a common sight in 1950s record bars.
In 1957, Beyerdynamic introduced the highly directional ribbon microphone M 160, along with the figure-8 pattern M 130, both using dual ribbon aluminum elements suspended between alnico magnets. The M 160 became a classic studio microphone and is still made more than sixty years later. Eugen Beyer died unexpectedly in 1959 at age 56, and his 26-year-old son, Fred R. Beyer, took over, leading the company for over four decades. In 1960, the headquarters moved to its current Heilbronn site, and a few years later the company changed its name to "Beyer Dynamic."
The first wireless microphone, called the "transistophone," went into production in 1962. The Beatles used the E-1000 microphone during their 1966 German tour. In 1985, Beyerdynamic bought its North American distributor, Burns Audiotronics, turning it into a subsidiary; today, Beyerdynamic, Inc. has its own office in Farmingdale, New York. At the 1988 Seoul Olympics, all media reporting sites used Beyerdynamic headsets. In 1999, the new Bundestag in Berlin was equipped with the company’s digital microphones. For its 90th anniversary in 2014, Beyerdynamic released a special edition of the T90 model at Munich’s High End Show. The company has found its strongest markets in Europe and America.
Quick Facts
- Founded
- in Berlin
- Founder
- Eugen Beyer
- Hq Location
- Heilbronn, Germany
- Key People
- Supervisory board of directors: · Shirley Beyer / John Midgley / Matthias Mühling / Andreas Rapp (CEO) / Sebastian Strohm (CEO)
- Num Employees
- 500 worldwide
- Industry
- Audio electronics
- Products
- Microphones / Headphones / Wireless audio systems / Conference systems
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Eugen Beyer founded the company in Berlin in 1924, initially producing loudspeakers for film palaces under the name "Elektrotechnische Fabrik Eugen Beyer." At the end of the 1930s, Beyer developed the first pair of dynamic headphones, the DT 48, which remained in production until 2012. In 1937, the company launched its first studio-quality dynamic microphone, the M 19. World War II temporarily halted production due to the destruction of the Berlin factory, but in 1948 the company relocated to Heilbronn. After Beyer's unexpected death in 1959, his 26-year-old son Fred R. Beyer took over and led the company for over 40 years. The company moved its headquarters to Heilbronn in 1960 and changed its name to "Beyer Dynamic" a few years later. In 1985, Beyerdynamic acquired its North American distributor, Burns Audiotronics, establishing a subsidiary now headquartered in Farmingdale, New York. At the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, all media reporting sites used Beyerdynamic headsets, and in 1999 the new Bundestag in Berlin was fitted with the company's digital microphones. In June 2025, Beyerdynamic was sold to Cosonic Intelligent, with Managing Director Richard Campbell stating that products would continue to be handmade and produced in Germany.
Reader's Guide
Beyerdynamic's significance lies in its long history of innovation in professional audio, particularly its pioneering dynamic headphones and microphones. The DT 48, introduced in the 1930s, set a standard for headphone durability and sound quality, remaining in production for over seven decades. The M 160 ribbon microphone, developed in 1957, became a classic studio tool still in production after more than sixty years, used by engineers such as Eddie Kramer for Jimi Hendrix's vocals and Andy Johns for Led Zeppelin's drum sound. The M 88 directional microphone, introduced in 1963, was the only microphone used by Queen Elizabeth II during her first visit to Australia in 1969. Beyerdynamic's products have been adopted by major artists including The Beatles, Elton John, ABBA, and Stevie Wonder. The company has maintained a strong presence in European and American markets, and as of June 2025, about 85% of its microphones and headphones were handmade at its Heilbronn production site. Its legacy includes multiple awards from What Hi-Fi, a CES 2018 Innovation Award, and the induction of the M 160 into the NAMM TECnology Hall of Fame in 2019.
Did You Know?
- The DT 48 headphones, first developed in the 1930s, remained in production until 2012.
- The M 160 ribbon microphone, introduced in 1957, was used to record Jimi Hendrix's vocals and John Bonham's drum sound on Led Zeppelin's 'When the Levee Breaks.'
- Queen Elizabeth II used only the M 88 microphone during her first visit to Australia in 1969.
- In June 2025, Beyerdynamic was sold to the Chinese company Cosonic Intelligent for 122 million Euros.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Beyerdynamic?
Beyerdynamic is a German audio company based in Heilbronn, founded by Eugen Beyer in 1924. It started out building loudspeakers for Berlin movie theaters before expanding into headphones, microphones, and wireless audio gear.
What role does Beyerdynamic play in PC gaming?
Beyerdynamic is a go-to brand for gamers and streamers who want studio-grade, neutral sound without flashy aesthetics. Their lineup covers wired and wireless headphones plus microphones, making them a staple in the PC gaming audio space.
Why is Beyerdynamic important to PC gaming?
Beyerdynamic has influenced how gamers and content creators hear audio since the 1930s, when they produced the DT 48, one of the earliest dynamic headphones. Their long-standing reputation for accurate, detailed sound made them a natural fit for the PC gaming community.
When did Beyerdynamic first make headphones?
The company's first dynamic headphones, the DT 48, appeared in the 1930s, just a few years after Eugen Beyer founded the business in 1924. That early step into personal audio set the stage for Beyerdynamic's century-long presence in the industry.
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