Chapter 1
1945: The Foundation
The story of Sennheiser begins after World War II when many Germans established small businesses in Hanover, Germany.
Dr. Fritz Sennheiser had a grand vision
Dr. Fritz Sennheiser and a small team of engineers founded the Laboratorium Wennebostel, othewise known as Lab W, in 1945. The company would later change its name to Sennheiser Electronics GmbH & Co. KG.
Lab W was started in a farmhouse
Lab W initially produced measuring instruments, like the tube voltmeter, and sold them to Siemens.
Turning Challenge Into Opportunity
In 1945, Sennheiser was commissioned by Siemens to rebuild a microphone from an Austrian supplier, making it the first time Sennheiser would venture into creating microphones.
The First Microphone
In 1946, Sennheiser created its first microphone called the MD 1. Sennheiser eventually created its own microphone called the MD 2 and would later go on to created much more advanced microphones such as MD 82, the first shotgun microphone.
The 1950s: Expansion and Innovation
Sennheiser continued research and development in the field of condenser microphone technology and revolutionized the microphone in live broadcasting and filmmaking, offering directional sound capture, which was groundbreaking at the time.
Chapter 2
The Philosophy
Sennheiser was looking for ways...
to get into the business. During the rise of pop culture, all the good bands were blocked by Shure's marketing. Rising artists were contracted for ten years to use Shure products only.
Sennheiser stood strong
and took a different approach.
They decided to stay humble while maintaining the best quality products. They kept producing products in Germany instead of different countries for cheaper production.
“It is risky to compromise the quality of the product, and this will not happen here,” said Professor Fritz Sennheiser.
1960, The Start of the Great Innovations
The Open-Back Headphone
The 1960s saw Sennheiser setting new standards in the audio world. The invention of the open-back headphone, the HD 414, in 1968, was a pivotal moment. These headphones became the best-selling headphones in the world, a testament to their groundbreaking design and exceptional sound quality.
Chapter 3
The Next Generation
1982, The New Generation
Prof. Dr. Fritz Sennheiser handed over the management of the company
to his son, Prof. Dr. Jörg Sennheiser.
Sennheiser continued to innovate after their global expansion. The company introduced the first Noise-Cancelling headphones to Lufthansa Airline for pilots and HD 25 headphones for passengers. HD 25 gained acclaim as the optimal choice for in-flight sound entertainment on the Concorde.
Also, a new microphone line was designed at the beginning of the 1980s to feature identical technical data as far as the differences were not dictated by the specific directional characteristics.
1990, A New Direction
The 1990s was a decade of global expansion for Sennheiser. The company opened subsidiaries in France (1990), the UK (1990), the USA (1991), Singapore (1992), and Japan (1992). This expansion reflected Sennheiser's growing influence and presence in the global audio market.
2010, A Legacy of Awards
The 2010s were a period of continuous innovation for Sennheiser, earning them numerous awards. Notably, in 2013, the Digital 9000 wireless microphone system won the prestigious Emmy Award for its state-of-the-art sound quality and innovative RF transmission technology.
Chapter 4
2020s: Evolution Continues
Design For Everyday Users
To this day, Sennheiser continues to create innovative products for everyday listeners and audiophiles with their family of products including the True Wireless Series, Momentum Series, Audiophile series, AMBEO Soundbars and more.
DID YOU KNOW?
Evolution of Logo
The Sennheiser logo has evolved significantly since 1945, reflecting the brand's growth and modernization.
Pioneer of Active Noise Cancelling Headphone
In 1984, Sennheiser developed the first active noise-cancelling headsets for pilots at Lufthansa.
Innovation in Film & Production
Sennheiser's equipment has been used in numerous Hollywood movies, contributing to the creation of immersive soundscapes.
First Open-back Headphone in History
The HD 414 was the first open-back headphones made in history and became the best-selling headphones in the world. Thanks to their groundbreaking design and exceptional sound quality!