Electro-Voice
American professional-audio brand known for microphones, loudspeakers, amplifiers, and sound-reinforcement systems.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Electro-Voice, commonly abbreviated EV, is an American professional-audio brand whose products include microphones, loudspeakers, amplifiers, mixers, and integrated sound systems. Its principal applications include live entertainment, touring sound, broadcasting, houses of worship, commercial installations, residential audiovisual systems, public-address systems, and retail environments. The brand operates within Bosch Communications Systems and is associated with both specialist professional equipment and more accessible products for musicians, presenters, venues, and small production companies. The business began in South Bend, Indiana, on September 1, 1927, when Albert R. Kahn and Lou Burroughs established a radio-repair operation called Radio Engineers. The company initially serviced radio receivers, but the economic pressures of the Great Depression encouraged the partners to move toward manufacturing audio equipment. A public-address system designed for Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne helped inspire the Electro-Voice name: Rockne reportedly described the system as providing an “electric voice.” Kahn and Burroughs incorporated under the Electro-Voice name in 1930. The company identified microphones as an especially promising field, responding to what its founders regarded as a combination of poor performance and high prices among existing products. It began with small-scale microphone production and gradually expanded its engineering and manufacturing capabilities. During the Second World War, Electro-Voice developed noise-canceling microphones for military communications. The company licensed the relevant patent to the United States government without charge so that other manufacturers could contribute to wartime production. After moving its operations to Buchanan, Michigan, in 1946, Electro-Voice broadened its activities. It produced phonograph pickup cartridges, television boosters, consumer loudspeakers, and professional public-address equipment. Its Compound Diffraction Horn and later Constant Directivity Horn technologies addressed the problems of acoustic dispersion and intelligibility that affected conventional horn loudspeakers. The company also developed durable dynamic microphones, including the 664, and earned an Academy Award in 1963 for its 642 Cardiline shotgun microphone. Electro-Voice became particularly identified with microphones such as the RE15, RE20, and RE27N/D. The RE20, introduced in 1968, became a widely used broadcast and recording microphone, while the Variable D design helped reduce tonal changes caused by varying the speaker’s distance from the microphone. The company later introduced N/DYM microphones using neodymium magnets and entered wireless-microphone development. In loudspeakers, EV products have served concert touring, installed sound, speech reinforcement, and high-output venue applications. The company also acquired TAPCO in the 1970s, adding mixing equipment to its portfolio. Ownership changed several times. Before becoming part of Telex Communications, Electro-Voice was associated with Mark IV Industries through Gulton Industries. Electro-Voice merged with Telex in 1998, and in June 2006 Telex Communications, including the EV brand, became part of Bosch Security Systems. Today, Electro-Voice remains a Bosch Communications Systems brand. Its portfolio spans microphones, loudspeakers, amplifiers, portable systems, installed systems, and related professional-audio solutions, with products sold internationally through professional-audio and installation channels.
History
Electro-Voice traces its origins to September 1, 1927, when Albert R. Kahn and Lou Burroughs founded Radio Engineers in the basement of the Century Tire and Rubber Company in South Bend, Indiana. The original business repaired radio receivers. The economic conditions of the Great Depression, however, made repair work difficult to sustain, encouraging the partners to develop and sell audio equipment. A public-address system created for Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne provided an important early reference point. Rockne needed help projecting his voice during football practices and reportedly referred to the system as an “electric voice,” a phrase that inspired the later company name. Kahn and Burroughs incorporated as Electro-Voice on June 1, 1930. They saw an opportunity in microphones, which they believed were often expensive and unreliable. With basic machine tools, the business began producing microphones in very small quantities. Burroughs eventually left the ownership side of the company, while Kahn continued to lead the business; Burroughs later returned as chief engineer. By 1933, the company had paid its earlier debts, and its workforce expanded during the following years. The Second World War brought a major engineering challenge. Electro-Voice developed noise-canceling microphones that improved voice communication in high-noise environments. Versions were used in military aircraft, tanks, ships, and ground communications. The company made its patent available to the government without licensing charges so that other manufacturers could produce the technology for wartime supply needs. In 1946, Electro-Voice moved to a larger facility in Buchanan, Michigan. The new base supported broader product development, including phonograph pickup cartridges, television boosters, consumer loudspeakers, and professional public-address products. In 1952, the company patented its Compound Diffraction Horn, a high-output design that changed the conventional appearance and dispersion behavior of paging horns. The technology was suitable for noisy environments and was used by the United States Navy. During the mid-1950s, the 664 dynamic microphone became associated with the nickname “Buchanan Hammer,” reflecting demonstrations of its physical durability. Electro-Voice’s microphone history became especially influential in the 1960s and afterward. The company received an Academy Award in 1963 for its 642 Cardiline shotgun microphone, an unusually prominent recognition for an audio product. It also launched the RE microphone family, including the RE15. These microphones used Variable D technology, developed by Electro-Voice to reduce the tonal changes that can occur when a speaker moves closer to or farther from a microphone. The RE20, introduced in 1968, became a durable broadcast and studio standard, and the later RE27N/D extended the family with a neodymium-magnet design. The company continued to experiment beyond conventional microphones. In the early 1970s it developed Stereo-4, a commercial matrix system for four-channel stereo, and later adapted its decoders to support competing SQ and QS records. Electro-Voice acquired TAPCO during the 1970s, adding audio mixers to its product range. In 1978, it patented Constant Directivity Horn technology, intended to provide more consistent frequency balance across the listening area than many earlier high-frequency horns. During the 1980s, EV introduced N/DYM microphones using neodymium magnets and developed wireless microphone products. Corporate ownership changed in the late twentieth century. Before its merger with Telex Communications, Electro-Voice was associated with Mark IV Industries through Gulton Industries. The 1998 merger placed EV within Telex. In June 2006, Telex Communications became part of Bosch Security Systems, and Electro-Voice subsequently operated as a Bosch Communications Systems brand. The former Buchanan facility also became the subject of environmental remediation. Historical electroplating, painting, machining, and solvent-disposal activities contaminated soil and groundwater with volatile organic compounds. The United States Environmental Protection Agency recorded the site as a Superfund location; the long-term remedy included a clay cap, treatment of contaminated soil, and ongoing groundwater monitoring. The facility’s environmental history is distinct from the current brand’s product business, which continues to serve professional audio, installed sound, broadcast, worship, entertainment, and portable public-address markets.
- 2006
Integration into Bosch
[1]Bosch acquires Telex Communications, bringing Electro-Voice into Bosch Security Systems and later Bosch Communications Systems.
- 1998
Merger with Telex Communications
[1]Electro-Voice merges with Telex Communications and becomes part of its professional communications and audio portfolio.
- 1978
Constant Directivity Horn patented
[1]The company patents a horn design intended to deliver more even high-frequency coverage across the listening area.
- 1968
RE20 microphone introduced
[1]Electro-Voice introduces the RE20, which becomes one of its most recognized broadcast and recording microphones.
- 1963
Academy Award for the 642 Cardiline
[1]Electro-Voice receives an Academy Award for its 642 Cardiline shotgun microphone.
- 1952
Compound Diffraction Horn patent
[1]The company patents its Compound Diffraction Horn, a high-output horn design used in public-address and military applications.
- 1946
Move to Buchanan
[1]Electro-Voice relocates to Buchanan, Michigan, where it expands engineering and manufacturing.
- 1930
Electro-Voice is incorporated
[1]The partners incorporate under the Electro-Voice name after shifting their emphasis from radio servicing toward audio products.
- 1927
Radio Engineers is founded
[1]Albert R. Kahn and Lou Burroughs begin a radio-repair business in South Bend, Indiana, establishing the enterprise that would become Electro-Voice.
Products and positioning
Professional audio spanning dependable, high-performance equipment for broadcast, live sound, installed audio, houses of worship, musicians, presenters, and audiovisual integrators, with products ranging from accessible portable systems to premium touring and installation solutions.
Broadcast and studio microphone · 1968
RE20
The RE20 is a large-diaphragm dynamic microphone introduced in 1968. Its Variable D acoustic design helps control proximity-effect changes, making the microphone suitable for spoken-word broadcasting, voice recording, studio work, and stage use. It is one of Electro-Voice’s most recognizable products and remains associated with radio and podcast-style vocal production.
Broadcast microphone
RE27N/D
The RE27N/D is a later broadcast microphone in the RE family. It combines the family’s Variable D approach with a neodymium-magnet dynamic element and selectable response shaping intended for speech, voice-over, recording, and broadcast applications.
Dynamic microphone · 1960
RE15
The RE15 is part of Electro-Voice’s influential RE microphone series. It used Variable D technology to moderate proximity-related tonal variation and became associated with musical and television performance applications.
Dynamic microphone · 1950
664
The 664 is a durable dynamic microphone introduced during the 1950s. Sales demonstrations emphasizing its rugged construction led to the informal “Buchanan Hammer” nickname. The model illustrates EV’s historical focus on reliable microphones for public-address and performance work.
Shotgun microphone
642 Cardiline
The 642 Cardiline was a directional shotgun microphone recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Its award made it one of the company’s most notable achievements in specialized audio capture.
Portable loudspeaker
ZLX
ZLX is a portable loudspeaker family aimed at musicians, mobile entertainers, presenters, small venues, and general sound reinforcement. The line represents EV’s effort to combine portable form factors with onboard processing and accessible professional-audio performance.
Portable loudspeaker system
ELX200
ELX200 is a portable loudspeaker platform for small and medium sound-reinforcement applications. Products in the family include powered loudspeakers and related subwoofer configurations designed for mobile performance, presentations, houses of worship, and small venues.
Powered loudspeaker
ETX
ETX is a higher-performance powered loudspeaker family for demanding live-sound and installation applications. It is positioned above entry-level portable systems and emphasizes output, processing, coverage control, and system integration.
Audio mixer
TAPCO mixers
TAPCO mixer products entered the Electro-Voice portfolio after EV acquired TAPCO during the 1970s. The acquisition broadened the brand’s historical offering beyond microphones and loudspeakers into signal mixing and small-system audio control.
Controversies
1999
Buchanan facility Superfund remediation
The former Electro-Voice manufacturing site in Buchanan, Michigan, became a Superfund site because historical electroplating, paint, and solvent disposal activities contaminated soil and groundwater with volatile organic compounds. The EPA documented a long-term remedy involving a clay cap, treatment of contaminated soil, and continued groundwater monitoring. The environmental matter concerns the former manufacturing facility rather than an allegation about current product performance.
Brand decisions
2006
Integration into Bosch Security SystemsM&ABackground
Bosch expanded its communications and security systems activities through the acquisition of Telex Communications.
Action taken
Bosch acquired Telex Communications, including the Electro-Voice brand.
Aftermath
Electro-Voice continued as a Bosch Communications Systems brand serving professional audio and installed-sound markets.
1998
Merger with Telex CommunicationsM&ABackground
Electro-Voice was operating within an ownership structure connected to Mark IV Industries and Gulton Industries.
Action taken
Electro-Voice merged with Telex Communications.
Aftermath
The brand became part of a larger professional communications and audio business before Telex was acquired by Bosch.
1970
Acquisition of TAPCOM&ABackground
Electro-Voice sought to broaden its professional-audio portfolio beyond transducers and loudspeakers.
Action taken
The company acquired TAPCO, a business associated with audio mixers.
Aftermath
TAPCO products became part of the EV product range and expanded its presence in mixing equipment.
1952
Introduction of Compound Diffraction Horn technologyProduct launchBackground
Public-address systems needed high acoustic output and improved projection in noisy environments.
Action taken
Electro-Voice patented and produced the Compound Diffraction Horn, a design that differed from traditional cone-shaped paging horns.
Aftermath
The design was used in demanding public-address contexts, including Navy applications.
1940
Development of noise-canceling microphonesProduct launchBackground
Military communications required intelligible voice transmission in aircraft, armored vehicles, ships, and other noisy environments.
Action taken
Electro-Voice developed noise-canceling microphone technology and made its patent available to the government without licensing charges for wartime production.
Aftermath
The technology was used across multiple military communication contexts and became an important example of EV’s engineering role during the war.
Recent events
- 2006
Electro-Voice becomes part of Bosch Security Systems[1]
M&A
Bosch acquired Telex Communications and brought Electro-Voice into its Security Systems and Communications Systems activities.
- 1998
Electro-Voice merges with Telex Communications[1]
M&A
Electro-Voice became part of Telex Communications, consolidating the brand with a broader professional communications and audio business.
- 1946
Electro-Voice moves to Buchanan, Michigan[1]
Other
The company relocated to a larger Buchanan facility and increased its engineering and manufacturing activities.
- 1940
Electro-Voice develops military noise-canceling microphones[1]
Product launch · Other
During the Second World War, the company developed noise-canceling microphones for communications in aircraft, armored vehicles, ships, and ground operations.
- 1930
Electro-Voice incorporates under its current name[1]
Other
The founders incorporated the business as Electro-Voice after expanding from radio repair into audio-product development.
- 1927
Electro-Voice begins as Radio Engineers in South Bend[1]
Other
Albert R. Kahn and Lou Burroughs established the radio-service business that later became Electro-Voice.
Sources3 sources
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