Audio-Technica

Lore & Background

Audio-Technica was established in 1962 by Hideo Matsushita in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo as a phonograph cartridge manufacturer. Its first products were the AT-1 and higher-end AT-3 MM stereo phono cartridges. The company expanded rapidly, moving its headquarters and factory to Naruse, Machida, Tokyo in 1965. In 1967, it released the AT-35X, the first 'VM' type stereo cartridge, which increased global exports and was patented in multiple countries. By 1969, it began exporting phono cartridges worldwide and launched the first microcassette recorders.

In 1974, Audio-Technica developed its first headphones, the AT-700 series, and in 1978 introduced the AT-800 series of microphones, entering the commercial microphone market. During the 1980s, as digital music formats threatened its core cartridge business, the company diversified, even developing sushi machines. The ASM50 Nigirikko, a nigiri-forming appliance for home kitchens introduced in 1984, was a market success, leading to a range of sushi machinery marketed under the AUTEC brand. Audio-Technica remains one of the largest manufacturers of sushi machines globally.

In the 1990s, the company introduced several large-diaphragm condenser microphones for studio use, including the AT4033 in 1991 and the AT4050 in 1995. From 2006 to 2007, it released its first earbuds and noise-cancelling headphones. The company has continued to expand its product lines into the 21st century, including wireless headphones, USB turntables, and professional monitor headphones like the M-Series.

Reader's Guide

Audio-Technica's significance lies in its evolution from a specialized phonograph cartridge maker to a broadly recognized audio equipment supplier. The company's early technological advance with the VM-type stereo cartridge established its reputation in the high-fidelity market, while its later diversification into microphones and headphones allowed it to survive the decline of vinyl. Its microphones have been used for US Presidential Debates since 1988, underscoring its reliability in professional audio. The company's foray into sushi machinery, while unusual, demonstrates a pragmatic approach to business diversification. In the consumer space, the M-Series monitor headphones, particularly the ATH-M50x, became widely used by audio professionals and enthusiasts. The re-release of the Sound Burger portable turntable in 2022, originally from the early 1980s, shows the company's ability to leverage nostalgia while incorporating modern features like Bluetooth. Audio-Technica continues to serve both professional and consumer markets, with products ranging from studio microphones and wireless conferencing systems to limited-edition wooden headphones and turntables.

Did You Know?

• Audio-Technica also manufactures sushi machines under the AUTEC brand and remains one of the largest sushi machine makers globally.
• The company's first headphones, the AT-700 series, were released in 1974.
• Audio-Technica has supplied microphones for US Presidential Debates since 1988.
• The Sound Burger portable turntable, originally sold in the early 1980s, was re-released in 2022 with Bluetooth connectivity.