The Neumann Company

For decades, Neumann has been regarded worldwide as the standard-setting, leading manufacturer of studio microphones.

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THE ORIGIN OF ALL STUDIO MICROPHONES

Many products from the company’s history are considered milestones in professional audio technology. It is no coincidence that recording studios tend to place Neumann gear at the top of their equipment lists, as it is considered a sure sign of highly professional working methods.

The foundation of the company’s decades of success is an uncompromising quality-oriented approach to both the development and manufacture of its products. However, in the rare event that a service is required, Neumann.Berlin repairs all microphones, loudspeakers and headphones built after World War II – using original spare parts wherever possible. A service promise second to none.

HIGHEST SOUND QUALITY

All this gives the customer the security of acquiring a product of the very highest sound quality, reliability and lasting value, an investment that usually survives several generations of sound engineers. Neumann microphones are certainly not cheap, but professionals know from their day-to-day experience that they are worth their price. And many home recording studio owners, too, would love to call “a real Neumann” their own.

In addition to countless sound engineers who use Neumann microphones in their studio productions, world-famous musicians are among the users. No matter what taste, style or era. The easiest way to start the search for users of high-end products from Berlin would be to make a list of your favorite musicians.

A COMPANY WITH A LONG HISTORY

Founded in Berlin in 1928, the company was by no means only involved in microphones. At the same time, the multi-faceted inventor and pioneer Georg Neumann also developed phonograph cutting machines – and even rechargeable batteries. The associated technology is still the basis for today's battery storage. For many years, the company also built highly customized mixing consoles for broadcast studios, theaters and concert halls. 

In 1991, Neumann became an important part of the Sennheiser Group. The company headquarters with the development, marketing, sales and service departments is still located in Berlin, where the company celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2018.

In 2010, Neumann launched its first studio monitor, the KH 120. KH stands for Klein + Hummel and reflects Neumann’s dedication in carrying forward the heritage of this legendary pro audio brand from Germany. K+H gained worldwide recognition for numerous groundbreaking innovations, one of them being the modern concept of a studio monitor with built-in power amplifiers and an active crossover, introduced as early as 1967. Over the years, K+H refined this concept and became a monitoring reference in the European broadcast and recording studio scene. With K+H becoming part of Neumann, this legacy lives on and is brought to perfection in the full KH line of studio monitors.

The company headquarters, with the development, marketing, sales and service departments, continues to be located in Berlin, where the 75th anniversary of the company was celebrated in 2003 and the 80th anniversary in 2008.

QUALITY AND PRECISION

For some years now, production has moved to Wedemark near Hanover, where it is carried out under ultra-clean room conditions that meet the highest international standards. Despite all the advances in machinery and production technologies, high-quality microphones still involve a great deal of manual work. The precision and dedication of the specially trained employees are decisive factors for the proverbial Neumann quality.

In order to meet the exacting requirements of studio technology, the microphones are subjected to a wide variety of test procedures throughout the entire production process. The capsules alone undergo up to 50 different tests before final assembly.

To meet the operating conditions encountered in the studio the microphones are subject to testing throughout their manufacture. The capsules alone undergo more than 50 different tests before final assembly.

The next step

In early 2019, the first Neumann headphone celebrated its premiere. The NDH 20 closed-back headphone combines high sound insulation with the carefully balanced sound image and outstanding resolution for which the KH studio monitors, too, are famous. The NDH series thus ensures a seamless transition between loudspeaker and headphone playback.