On April 15, 1908, Dr Phil Heinrich Hecht started working in Kiel, Germany in the realm of underwater sound technology. Later he would join others in forming the beginnings of ELAC

In 1911, Neufeld & Kuhnke founded Signalgesellschaft GmbH, managed by Dr Phil Hecht, Dr Phil Wilhelm Rudolph, Walter Hahnemann, and Gerhard Schmidt. After World War I, this association would again come together.

It was on September 1, 1926, that associates Dr Hecht, Gerhard Schmidt, and Dr Rudolph founded the ELECTROACUSTIC GmbH. Their knowledge of underwater and open-air acoustics and sound location developed to new standards.

Again, a new start after World War II. 250 of the original 5,000 employees begin work on underwater sound technology. The company diversified to ensure their existence, however, by producing 'high-tech' products for that time such as sewing machines, air pumps and automotive accessories.
Through numerous orders, the company learns to produce large quantities economically and under strict quality control.

In 1948, the company started to supply all Siemens radios from its factory in Kiel. The "ELECTROACUSTIC" is alive once more.
This is not only the year of a new currency, it is also a crucial year for the future of ELAC. On December 14, 1948, the first turntable is completed. One year later, 5,600 turntables had been produced under the brand ELAC. The first of 4 million to come.
At the end of 1945 already, ELAC produces high quality, pure Seignette crystals. This eventually results in the production of the first crystal phono pick-up. The KST 1, with screw-in sapphire stylus, on a former of a special magnesium alloy, needs only 270 mN tracking force. The former comparative standard in those days was 600 to 1200 mN.

ELAC in Kiel becomes the leading producer of turntables. Three German companies now account for 90% of units sold worldwide: ELAC, Dual and Perpetuum Ebner.

On October 30, 1957, the stereo phono cartridge is born. Patent No. 1 105 628 is granted to ELAC for an "electro-magnetic pick-up for two-channel record modulation". This paves the way to revolutionize the entire record reproduction industry and establishes ELAC's reputation as the leading producer of phono cartridges. Throughout the world, ELAC licensed many renowned companies like Shure. This patent and following patents formed the basis for the phono cartridge principle known today by "Moving-Magnet Systems", or simply MM systems.

ELAC stereo, hi-fi magnet phono cartridges are now able to operate at tracking forces below 10 mN. Continued development lead to even lower tracking forces, more refinements and better reproduction. Turntables had to keep up and improvments in their design followed.

In 1978, ELAC decides to spin off the underwater acoustic business to the well known company, Honeywell. The phono cartridge business is now called ELAC Ingenieurtechnik. Development continues and the company now adds research into industrial robots.

On July 8, 1981, the marketing and distribution company John & Partner takes over the sales activities of ELAC hi-fi products. Two months later, at the Berlin Funkausstellung (IFA) the first phono cartridge utilizing the v.d.Hul-II stylus cut, the ESG 796 H, is presented and causes quite a stir.

The growth and success in the consumer electronics sector continued. It was again decided to split up the company.

On January 1, 1982, the partners of the John & Partner Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH take over control of ELAC's consumer electronics business and founded today's ELAC.
ELAC is now ready to take on new activities. Together with a highly agile and professional hi-fi development team, a Moving-Coil phono cartridge patent is granted to ELAC for their famous EMC 1 pick-up, continuing the inventive spirit of the past. New inventions and products follow in quick succession.
The first international agent - Bleuel Electronic AG - is authorised to distribute ELAC products in Switzerland.

In 1984, ELAC in Kiel extends its programme range to include loudspeakers. The loudspeaker company AXIOM Elektroakustik GmbH is integrated into ELAC.
New concepts of the dispersion characteristic of loudspeaker drivers are put into practice.

The new patented ELAC 4Pi tweeter technologyarrives. The new omnidirectional ribbon tweeter leaps ELAC into the world elite of loudspeakers.

At the same time, ELAC starts working on room-acoustic research.
The developers' team studies 'micro acoustics' (questions about drive units, baffles, etc, i.e. everything regarding the loudspeakers), as well as the secrets of 'macro acoustics' (i.e. influences of a room on the acoustics). By means of a sophisticated computer simulation program, the interplay of all the components (hi-fi + room + listener) is simulated. For any customer buying ELAC loudspeakers, ELAC as a special service calculates the optimum placement of loudspeakers in the individual room for free.

The design of the Zero Line cabinet is registered.

The know-how in this field enables the design of drivers to be optimised for their specific application. For example, ELAC produced 25mm special tweeter, whose dome and voice coil former are made in one piece from an aluminium, magnesium, manganese alloy to provide extreme rigidity and guarantee reliable performance.

ELAC 170-4Pi: 'Best Product' of the Japanese journal Stereo Sound

On October 1, 1990, the subsidiary company ELAC Technische Software GmbH is founded. ETS works on the development of comprehensive computer program packages enabling calculations of the most complex bass reflex speakers with even the most extraordinary membrane shapes and room-acoustic influences on loudspeaker performance.

"Innovation Award Transducers" of the Dutch journal HiFi Video Totaal

In 1992, the development and production of hi-fi electronics under the trademark Linear Acoustic is distributed as a brand by ELAC.

Design Award of the Dutch journal HiFi Video Totaal (ELM 408)

At the IFA Berlin, woofers and midrange units with aluminium-sandwich membranes, which provide particular precision and rigidity, are introduced for the first time in the Elegant Series.

Product of the Year of the magazine HiFi Review (4Pi Plus)

A further milestone is the takeover of the loudspeaker brand, A.R.E.S. by ELAC in 1993. The legendary Air Motion Transformer of hi-fi pioneer Oskar Heil is further perfected by ELAC in the JET tweeter

The new long-stroke woofers with aluminium-sandwich membranes from ELAC's proprietary driver production prove exceptional with regard to precision and power handling.

Kiel Environment Award for special achievements to preserve natural resources and ameliorate unfavourable living conditions in the region of Kiel.

Award of the Studies and Promotion Association Schleswig-Holstein e.V. as Environment Friendly Enterprise for the Development of an Integrated Ecological Management System.

Design & Engineering Award "Innovation", USA (Elegant 305)
The breakthrough of ELAC surround concept is confirmed by the award 'Product of the Year' of the magazine Stereoplay, Germany (Cinema)

Best Buy of the Year, HiFi-Review, Hong Kong (Elegant 305)

Inexpensive products supplement the product range and make A.R.E.S. a considerable growth factor for sales in the consumer class.

After nearly 50 years, in 1997, ELAC ends its phono cartridge production to make room for its rapidly growing loudspeaker production (woofer production and new voice coil production).

HiFi Review Award, Hong Kong (211-4 Pi)
IF-Product Design Award, Germany (CL Series)
Diapason D´Or HiFi, France (Elegant 305). ELAC is the first German loudspeaker manufacturer to receive the 'Golden Tuning Fork'.

With the help of CALE, a computer program developed by ELAC´s subsidiary ELAC Technische Software, loudspeakers are tuned for optimised acoustic power, which allows even better room coverage.

At the Berlin IFA, ELAC causes a stir with the IMAGO "talking pictures" - the first ELAC distributed mode loudspeakers (DML).
Design Award Schleswig-Holstein (CL 310)
Components of The Year Award, magazine Stereo Sound, Japan (CL 310 JET)>

The design focus is broadened. A design registration of ELAC designer Wilfrid Werner's Lancet Design has been applied for.

ELAC's proprietary know-how of DML loudspeakers has resulted in the application for a German patent on a "moulded part to mount an exciter on a flat panel speaker". This patent has been granted on May 24, 2002 resulting in the application for an European patent which has been granted on the October 10, 2002.

China's leading HiFi magazine "AVPHILE" rated ELAC on No. 3 of all well-known foreign loudspeaker manufacturers in 2001,HiVi Grand Prix 2001 of the Japanese magazine "HiVi" for the ELAC CINEMA 3 ESP SetAward of the Chinese HiFi magazine "Audio Land" for CINEMA 1 ESP Set and CL 310i JET.

Together with Siemens VDO, joint application for
"Use of loudspeakers in air ducts of passenger vehicles "

Together with Siemens VDO, joint application for "Use of exciters in air ducts of passenger vehicles quot;

Awarding of the Components of the Year Award 2002 by Chinese specialist journal "Audioland", honoring CINEMA 3 ESP and CINEMA XL CENTER.

CINEMA 3 ESP awarded with Best Performance of the Year 2002 , presented by Taiwanese magazine "Prime AV".

According to China's leading hi-fi magazine Avphile, ELAC is the most popular German loudspeaker brand in China. The annual survey presents the top ten most renowned foreign loudspeaker brands for the year 2003. Here, ELAC has improved its positioning in the category 'Loudspeakers'. ELAC is now in 2nd place!
German patent application "Holder for mounting and replacing DML exciters "
German patent application "Subwoofer with tube for wave guiding "
German patent application "Combination of aluminium and MDF with internal tension rods "
Design registry for the600 Series
Patented design for tweeter loudspeakers
Design registry for the 400 Series

The FS 608-4PI receives the Stereo Sound Grand Prix 2004 Award from the Japanese magazine Stereo Sound and the Products of the Year Award 2004 from the Chinese magazine HiFi Review.