Electro Voice

# Electro-Voice

Electro-Voice was founded in 1927 by Al Kahn and Lou Burroughs in South Bend, Indiana, initially as Radio Engineers before incorporating under its now-iconic name in 1930. The company's name originated from Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne, who dubbed an early public address system his "electric voice"—a system designed to help him communicate across multiple practice fields. This humble basement startup evolved into a cornerstone of American audio engineering, relocating to Buchanan, Michigan in 1946 to expand its manufacturing and research capabilities.

The brand built its reputation primarily on professional audio equipment, particularly microphones, loudspeakers, and horn drivers. Electro-Voice pioneered numerous innovations including the hum-bucking coil for microphones, the Compound Diffraction Horn, stereo magnetic phono cartridges, and constant-directivity horn technology. From the 1940s through the 1970s, EV stood alongside industry titans like Altec Lansing, JBL, and Klipsch, with systems widely deployed in cinemas, concert halls, and broadcast facilities.

Today, Electro-Voice occupies a unique position straddling professional audio and high-end consumer markets. The brand is respected among both vintage audio collectors and contemporary sound engineers for its engineering rigor, high-efficiency designs, and naturally dynamic sound character. While primarily known for pro audio applications, EV's historical consumer loudspeaker lines and continued innovation maintain its relevance among discerning audiophiles seeking honest, efficient reproduction over marketing-driven aesthetics.