ELAC is founded in Kiel by Dr. Heinrich Hecht, Dr. Wilhelm Rudolph, and Gerhard Schmidt, marking the beginning of a century-long journey.
100th Anniversary
100 Years Of Innovation!
100 Years
September 1, 1926 in Kiel
1927
In its early years, ELAC pioneers underwater acoustics, conducting foundational research in a dedicated laboratory.
1928
ELAC introduces one of its first breakthroughs: an echo-sounding system for civilian shipping.
1931
ELAC becomes a leader in echo sounding and acoustic detection, introducing innovations like the Elektrolot and the Fish Magnifier, and securing its first international patents.
1935
In the early 1930s, ELAC expands rapidly in Kiel, enlarging production and installing a test basin to simulate underwater conditions.
1937
ELAC sets new technical standards with a multi-channel system for pinpointing sound direction.
1938
ELAC established itself as a leading provider of maritime acoustic systems in Europe
1939
ELAC scales production while advancing electroacoustic research, including the development of the Near-Listening Device (NHG).
1946
ELAC began is journey into consumer products with a broad range of products including bicycle air pumps, cinema technology, sewing machines and hearing aids.
1947
ELAC KST 1 crystal cartridge was one of ELAC's early audio products and contributed to our success in the consumer audio market.
1948
The PW1 record player, marked ELAC's pivot from sonar technology to consumer electronics, becoming a foundation for their later success in high-quality, affordable audio.
1953
Marks the introduction on the legendary MIRACORD Turntables with new models PW3 and PW5
1956
ELAC becomes one of the world’s leading cartridge and turntable manufacturers. Together with Dual and Perpetuum-Ebner, German production accounts for up to 90% of global turntable output.
1957
ELAC patents the first moving-magnet cartridge—a breakthrough that becomes the global standard for phono cartridges to this day.
1960
Music goes mobile. ELAC becomes a leading supplier of portable turntables and phono suitcases.
1961
With the Bingo 16, ELAC brings turntables to a younger audience—an affordable hit produced in numerous versions, including OEM models.
1963
A partnership with Fisher Radio Corporation opens new markets, with ELAC distributing Fisher amplifiers in Germany—often bundled with ELAC turntables.
1967
The Miracord 50 H launches successfully as ELAC expands into receivers and scales up cartridge production.
1972
ELAC embraces quadraphonic sound with the Quadrosound 1000T and opens a new chapter with the boldly styled RD 100 clock radio.
1973
The Hi-Fi and audio business grew. ELAC took over distribution in Germany for Sony and Nakamichi devices.
1978
ELAC spins off its nautical division as a separate company—today ELAC Sonar—while ELAC Ingenieurtechnik GmbH sharpens its focus on audio products.
1984
With the EL 105, ELAC enters loudspeakers as a core business—marking the moment the company becomes an acoustic engineering brand.
1985
ELAC introduces the 4Pi omnidirectional tweeter, redefining high-frequency reproduction by rethinking the role and radiation pattern of the tweeter itself.
1986
ELAC relocates within Kiel, opening a modern new headquarters on Rendsburger Landstraße.
1987
The EL Aktiv reflects ELAC’s forward-looking mindset—an early move toward active loudspeakers that foreshadows today’s powered and streaming systems.
1990
ELAC establishes ELAC Technische Software (ETS) as a sister company, dedicated to the development of software for loudspeaker simulation and room acoustics optimization, and becomes a founding member of High End Society e.V.
1991
New production facilities strengthen ELAC’s focus on loudspeakers, enabling in-house manufacturing of cabinets, baskets, and key components in Kiel.
1992
The ELAC EL 121 launches successfully as ELAC modernizes production with its first mechanical conveyor belt.
1993
ELAC introduces the JET tweeter, marking a breakthrough in high-frequency performance. In parallel, the LA CD 1 CD player signals ELAC’s entry into the digital music age.
1994
Compact loudspeakers with aluminum cabinets attract worldwide attention. The Elegant 305 and Elegant 312 become two of ELAC’s most successful designs, continuously refined and still in production today.
1996
After nearly 50 years, ELAC ends in-house cartridge production and shifts capacity to voice-coil manufacturing for its own drivers. The company also earns EMAS and ISO 14001 environmental certification.
1997
ELAC launches the CL Series, led by the successful CL 82, and captures global attention with the statement speaker Spirit of Music. Under the Linear Acoustic brand, ELAC also introduces the LA Tube 1 tube amplifier.
1998
Through the merger of sales and manufacturing operations, ELAC Electroacustic GmbH is formed in its present structure.
1999
ELAC pushes boundaries with the ELAC 330, a bold loudspeaker that becomes a design icon.
2000
As living spaces modernize, ELAC explores new forms with the NXT-based Imago—an ultra-flat loudspeaker designed like a picture frame.
2001
As surround sound moves into living rooms, ELAC delivers cinematic audio with compact systems like Cinema 1 and Cinema 2.
2003
The 200 Series debuts JET III, the third generation of ELAC’s tweeter—featuring a neodymium drive and ultra-linear response up to 50 kHz.
2005
ELAC builds on JET III with the X-JET coaxial driver in the 600 Series and enters automotive audio, supplying JET tweeters to a leading luxury brand.
2006
At its 80th anniversary, ELAC expands its lineup with digitally powered subwoofers like the Sub 2060 ESP, establishing a core category that endures today.
2008
The 240 Series launches to immediate success, while the MicroSub 2010 BT marks ELAC’s first step into Bluetooth audio with a modular wireless system.
2010
ELAC entered a new market segment with the ambitious active monitor AM 150. ELAC also took over distribution in Germany for the Swedish brand Primare.
2011
With the variable mid-high unit VX-JET, ELAC once again set new technical standards. As one of the first loudspeakers, the new FS 509 VX-JET benefited from the tonal adjustment capabilities of the mechanically adjustable coaxial driver.
2012
ELAC now also leveraged the technical advantages of JET technology in the professional segment and introduced the AM 180 active monitor with a JET III tweeter.
2013
The AIR-X Series offered contemporary wireless audio transmission in ELAC quality. In the FS 407, the 5th generation of ELAC's JET tweeter debuted, delivering an unexpected leap in high-frequency reproduction quality.
2015
ELAC opens ELAC Americas in California and launches the Debut Series—originally for the U.S. market and soon a global success—introducing subwoofers with app-controlled Auto EQ, among the first of their kind.
2016
ELAC celebrated its next milestone birthday with a host of premieres: With the Miracord 90 Anniversary, a turntable returned to the lineup for the first time in 35 years. The uncompromisingly developed flagship loudspeaker Concentro made a confident statement, and the Discovery Music streaming system offered a glimpse into the future of music listening. That year, ELAC produced its 100,000th JET tweeter for automotive applications. By moving to the new Kiel Science Park, ELAC came full circle to the place where it was founded ninety years earlier.
2017
ELAC earns ISO 9001 certification, launches the EA 101EQ-G, introduces the Z3 DSP-powered loudspeaker, debuts the ADANTE Series, and strengthens its high-end electronics portfolio with the acquisition of Audio Alchemy.
2018
ELAC pushes innovation forward with the VELA Series, evolves the Concentro M, expands the Miracord lineup, raises the bar with Debut 2.0, and introduces the ROON-ready NAVIS Series.
2019
ELAC expands Concentro and Miracord, launches the Carina and Debut Reference series, debuts its custom installation lineup, and boosts visibility through collaborations with Grundig and the Vinyl Bus.
2020
ELAC builds on its momentum, expanding VELA with the 404 and 408 while Uni-Fi 2.0 delivers standout performance at an accessible price.
2021
For its 95th anniversary, ELAC released a double album (CD & LP) with selected music as well as a book about the company's history. ELAC Research was established in Canada as an additional development site. The Solano and Uni-Fi Reference loudspeaker series expanded the portfolio.
2022
ELAC expands JET tweeter production, supports the opening of the German Record Museum in Nortorf, and launches the Debut Connex DCB-41, a globally popular active speaker known for its versatile connectivity.
2023
Even after more than 35 years, 4Pi technology had not been fully exhausted, and ELAC introduced the 4PI Plus V, the fifth generation of its 360-degree tweeter. The JET tweeter also moved to the next generation, with the VELA and Solano series the first to benefit from the new JET 6. With seven new models, the Varro Series subwoofers launched, boasting outstanding performance data, app control with auto-EQ, and wireless connectivity.
2024
ELAC celebrates 30 years of the Elegant 305, launches the Connex DCB41 Adsum with Adsum, and raises the bar with the third-generation Debut Series.
2025
ELAC launches the Concentro M 807 with adaptive VXe technology, expands Debut 3 with new subwoofers, strengthens the active lineup with the DCB-61, and surpasses 500,000 automotive JET tweeters.
2026
100 years of ELAC. The celebration begins with the surprise launch of the NAVA 100 portable Bluetooth speaker—kicking off a global anniversary year with partners, employees, and fans worldwide. #ELAC100