beyerdynamic
German manufacturer of professional and consumer headphones, microphones, wireless audio systems, and conference equipment.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
beyerdynamic is a German audio-equipment brand founded in Berlin in 1924 by Eugen Beyer. The company began by making loudspeakers for cinemas and subsequently developed a broad portfolio spanning headphones, studio and broadcast microphones, wireless audio systems, and conference technology. Its identity has been shaped by a combination of professional-audio engineering, long product lifecycles, and manufacturing in Germany. The company’s early development was closely connected to the growth of film and recorded sound. In the late 1930s it introduced the DT 48, one of the earliest dynamic headphone designs, and the M 19, an early studio-quality dynamic microphone. Production was interrupted by the destruction of its Berlin factory during the Second World War. In 1948, the business re-established itself in Heilbronn, which became its long-term headquarters and principal manufacturing location. During the postwar decades, beyerdynamic expanded its reputation among broadcasters, recording engineers, musicians, and institutional users. The DT 49 became associated with German record bars during the 1950s, while the M 160 ribbon microphone, introduced in 1957, became a durable studio standard. The company also developed wireless products, including the Transistophone in 1962, and supplied microphones and headsets for major media and public events. Its equipment was used during The Beatles’ 1966 German tour, at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games’ media facilities, and in the new German Bundestag in 1999. After founder Eugen Beyer died in 1959, his son Fred R. Beyer assumed leadership at the age of 26 and directed the company for more than four decades. The business changed its name to Beyer Dynamic during the following decade and later adopted the stylized beyerdynamic branding. International expansion included the 1985 acquisition of North American distributor Burns Audiotronics, which became the company’s North American subsidiary. The brand’s product range now covers professional studio headphones (such as the DT series), premium home headphones (such as the T and Amiron series), gaming and communication products, wired and wireless microphones, and conference systems. As of June 2025, approximately 85% of microphones and headphones were reported to be handmade at the Heilbronn factory. Company management stated that production and hand assembly in Germany would continue after the ownership change. beyerdynamic remained family-owned until 2025. In June 2025, the company announced an agreement to be sold to Chinese audio-equipment company Cosonic Intelligent for approximately €122 million. The transaction changed the ownership structure but did not end brand operations or its commitment to German manufacturing. The company continues to serve professional audio, broadcast, music production, conference, communication, and consumer listening markets.
History
Eugen Beyer established the company in Berlin in 1924 as Elektrotechnische Fabrik Eugen Beyer. Its first products were loudspeakers installed in cinemas, reflecting Beyer’s belief that film and public communication would create new demand for sound technology. By the end of the 1930s, the company had moved into headphones and microphones, developing the DT 48 dynamic headphone and the M 19 studio microphone. The DT 48 remained in production until 2012, giving it one of the longest documented runs in the company’s history. The Second World War severely disrupted operations and destroyed the Berlin factory. In 1948, the business resumed activity in Heilbronn, the city that became its permanent headquarters. In the 1950s, the DT 49 became popular in German record bars. The company then strengthened its professional microphone credentials with the M 160 and M 130 ribbon microphones in 1957. The M 160 used a dual-ribbon design and later became associated with prominent recording applications, including drum recording and guitar-amplifier work. Eugen Beyer died unexpectedly in 1959. His 26-year-old son, Fred R. Beyer, took over and remained the company’s principal leader for more than 40 years. In 1960, headquarters moved to the Heilbronn site, and the business later changed its name to Beyer Dynamic. Its first wireless microphone, the Transistophone, entered production in 1962. The M 88, introduced in 1963, further broadened the company’s microphone reputation, while the E-1000 was used during The Beatles’ 1966 German tour. Beyerdynamic continued developing products for broadcast, music, public communication, and institutional use. Its microphones were associated with musicians and recording professionals, and its headsets were supplied to media facilities at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. The company expanded in North America in 1985 by acquiring Burns Audiotronics, its then-distributor, creating the basis for the North American subsidiary headquartered in Farmingdale, New York. In 1999, digital microphones were installed in the new German Bundestag building. The company marked its ninetieth anniversary in 2014 with a special-edition T90 headphone presented at the Munich High End Show. During the 2010s and 2020s it maintained professional DT and TG families while expanding premium home, wireless, gaming, and communications offerings. Product recognition included awards for the Amiron Home and Byron in 2017, an Innovation Award Honoree designation for the Aventho wireless headphones in 2018, and induction of the M 160 into the NAMM TECnology Hall of Fame in 2019. What Hi-Fi gave five-star assessments to the T1 and T5 third-generation headphones in 2020. In May 2025, the DT 770 PRO X moved from limited-edition status into the permanent line. In June, the company announced its sale to Cosonic Intelligent, ending a period of family ownership that had lasted from the company’s founding. The reported price was €122 million. Company representatives indicated that products would continue to be handmade and manufactured in Germany, with approximately 85 percent of microphones and headphones still handmade at Heilbronn at that time. Later in 2025, the DT 270 PRO was introduced for studio professionals, podcasters, and musicians. The brand remains active across professional audio, consumer headphones, wireless systems, and conference technology.
- 2025
Ownership transferred to Cosonic Intelligent
[1]Beyerdynamic announced its sale to Cosonic Intelligent, ending its long period of family ownership.
- 2014
Ninetieth-anniversary T90 edition
[1]A special-edition T90 headphone was launched at the Munich High End Show.
- 1985
North American expansion
[1]Beyerdynamic acquired Burns Audiotronics, its North American distributor, and established a subsidiary.
- 1962
First wireless microphone
[1]The Transistophone became the company’s first wireless microphone product.
- 1959
Fred R. Beyer assumes leadership
[1]Following Eugen Beyer’s death, his son Fred R. Beyer took over the company.
- 1957
M 160 and M 130 ribbon microphones introduced
[1]Beyerdynamic introduced its dual-ribbon M 160 and figure-eight M 130 microphones.
- 1948
Operations re-established in Heilbronn
[1]After wartime destruction of its Berlin factory, the company resumed operations in Heilbronn.
- 1937
Early dynamic headphones and studio microphone
[1]The company developed the DT 48 dynamic headphone and launched the M 19 studio-quality dynamic microphone.
- 1924
Company founded in Berlin
[1]Eugen Beyer established Elektrotechnische Fabrik Eugen Beyer and began producing loudspeakers for cinemas.
Products and positioning
Premium professional-audio and consumer-listening brand emphasizing durable engineering, long-running product families, German design, and substantial hand manufacturing.
Professional and studio headphones · 1937
DT series
The DT family is beyerdynamic’s best-known professional headphone range. It includes models for studio monitoring, mixing, recording, broadcasting, and general professional use. The range is associated with durable construction, replaceable parts on many models, and long product lifecycles. The DT 48 was an early dynamic headphone design, while later models such as the DT 770 PRO and DT 770 PRO X became widely recognized studio-monitoring products.
Premium headphones
T series
The T family serves premium personal listening and audiophile use. It has included high-end closed-back and open-back headphones, with later generations emphasizing detailed reproduction, comfort, and refined materials. The T90 special edition was introduced for the company’s ninetieth anniversary, and the T1 and T5 third-generation models received strong independent review ratings in 2020.
Home and premium consumer headphones
Amiron
Amiron is a premium consumer headphone family intended for home listening. It includes wired and wireless-oriented products and positions beyerdynamic’s studio-derived sound and comfort principles for personal entertainment rather than solely for professional production. The Amiron Home received a What Hi-Fi award in 2017.
Ribbon microphone · 1957
M 160
The M 160 is a highly directional double-ribbon microphone introduced in 1957. Its compact ribbon-element design gives it a distinctive place in recording history, particularly for drum, amplifier, and other close-miking applications. The model remained in production for more than six decades and was inducted into the NAMM TECnology Hall of Fame in 2019.
Dynamic microphone · 1963
M 88
The M 88 is a directional dynamic microphone introduced in 1963. It has been used in professional speech and music applications and became one of beyerdynamic’s historically significant microphone designs. The model was reportedly used by Queen Elizabeth II during her first visit to Australia in 1969.
Professional microphones
TG series
The TG family covers professional microphones for stage, studio, broadcast, and related production applications. It extends the brand’s microphone offering beyond its historic ribbon designs and supports vocal, instrument, drum, and live-sound workflows.
Conference and communication systems
Conference systems
Beyerdynamic’s conference portfolio includes microphone and audio systems for meeting rooms, public institutions, interpretation environments, and other organized communication settings. The company supplied digital microphones for the new German Bundestag building in 1999.
Controversies
2018
Criticism of reviewer relations and marketing practices
An independent commentator criticized beyerdynamic’s marketing department over alleged reviewer blacklisting and the sharing of material described as plagiarized. The report later stated that the company contacted the writer, apologized and indicated that its marketing direction was changing.
Marketing campaigns
- 2014Ninetieth-anniversary T90 launch
Germany · Europe
Beyerdynamic marked its 90th anniversary with a special-edition T90 headphone presented at the Munich High End Show.
Outcome. Anniversary product and brand showcase.
Brand decisions
2025
Sale to Cosonic IntelligentM&ABackground
Beyerdynamic had remained family-owned since its founding in 1924. In 2025, the company announced an ownership transition to Chinese audio-equipment company Cosonic Intelligent.
Action taken
The company agreed to be sold to Cosonic Intelligent for a reported €122 million.
Aftermath
Management stated that production and hand manufacturing in Germany would continue after the transaction.
Reported transaction value. €122 million (2025)
2025
DT 770 PRO X added to permanent lineupProduct launchBackground
The DT 770 PRO X had initially been offered as a limited-edition professional headphone.
Action taken
Beyerdynamic made the model part of its permanent product range.
Aftermath
The decision extended the DT professional headphone family with a model that had previously been positioned as limited.
2025
DT 270 PRO introducedProduct launchBackground
Beyerdynamic continued expanding its PRO Studio portfolio for professional audio users.
Action taken
The company introduced the DT 270 PRO for sound engineers, podcasters, and musicians.
Aftermath
The model broadened the company’s current professional monitoring lineup.
Recent events
Reported
Mimi announces partnerships with audio brands[4]
Mimi announced partnerships with Skullcandy, Cleer and Beyerdynamic to bring Mimi technology into audio products.
beyerdynamic launches DT 700 PRO and DT 900 PRO X headphones[5]
beyerdynamic launched two new over-ear HiFi headphones overseas: the closed-back DT 700 PRO and open-back DT 900 PRO. The report says the DT 700 PRO is intended for home studios and use with laptops and tablets, while the DT 900 PRO is intended for professional monitoring and mastering.
Reported
Beyerdynamic introduces TG I51 and TG D70 microphones[6]
Beyerdynamic introduced two microphones, the TG I51 and TG D70, which were available exclusively through online retailer Sweetwater.
Sources6 sources
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