DPA Microphones Acquires Premium Brand Austrian Audio

Audio News

by Jeff LochJanuary 23^rd, 2025

Subscribe to News - Industry

Danish high-end microphone manufacturer DPA recently announced acquiring another top-end player in the audio industry: Austrian Audio. Less than seven years after their launch, Austrian Audio will now join forces with DPA Microphones, gaining access to a more extensive distribution network while still being able to innovate and develop products together, each under their own name. So, let’s take a closer look at it!

In broadcast and feature film, DPA Microphones is a well-established player with a strong reputation among audio professionals. The company’s DPA 4060 Lavalier microphone is one of the best Lavaliers money can buy, and other specific models, such as the d:screet™ 4063 and 4080, have been used in acclaimed shows like Game of Thrones. Last year, the company introduced a new, compact, and lightweight shotgun microphone: the DPA 2017.

After a relatively calm year in 2024 for DPA Microphones with only one microphone release – the 2061 miniature omnidirectional mic – the company is back with a strong 2025 kickstart: the acquisition of Austrian Audio.

Acquiring excellence – Austrian Audio

Austrian Audio opened their doors in July 2017 following the closure of the AKG offices in Vienna. A core team of 22 former AKG personnel from every department joined forces to create high-end, handcrafted audio solutions, including microphones and headphones. According to the company, “Austrian Audio is also responsible for patents and proprietary technologies in audio, acoustics, transducers, noise canceling, and measurement tools, as well as specialized technologies in the aviation and telecom industries.”

Less than seven years after their launch, the Austrian company was recently acquired by DPA Microphones. Both companies will be quite complimentary, as DPA Microphones specializes mainly in miniature microphones and Austrian Audio in large-diaphragm microphones. Here is what DPA Microphones says about this acquisition:

Together, the brands provide a broader product range for discerning sound engineers in industries like broadcast, musical, theatre, live events and recording studios. By joining forces, the brands will design and develop sophisticated, professional audio solutions that meet the evolving demands within the acoustical and digital fields, all while prioritizing the user experience.

“Austrian Audio is a rising star for high-end audio solutions, and I am excited to join forces with such a strong team of audio professionals,” says DPA Microphones CEO Kalle Hvidt Nielsen. “I know that together we can deliver increasingly innovative products and further enhance the service for our customers, which will elevate both brands to new heights. It is impressive to see what Austrian Audio has already achieved in its short lifetime, and we are thrilled to welcome such a competent partner into the family.”

For Martin A. Seidl, Austrian Audio CEO and shareholder, this acquisition is an important step towards the dream of introducing the brand’s high-quality solutions to even more sound engineers worldwide.

“Kalle first approached me at an industry event where both our brands were participating, and I was thrilled,” says Martin Seidl, founder and CEO of Austrian Audio. “To be recognized as a strong and influential brand after only four years in the market was such a great honor for Austrian Audio, and me personally. It is fantastic to have been selected to join forces with such an experienced and globally renowned partner. I very much look forward to what lies ahead for both brands, which are now in a great position to serve the professional audio industry with passionate innovations.”

Austrian Audio is a strong and highly respected brand in the industry. Working in partnership with DPA Microphones, Austrian Audio will continue to develop and manufacture high-quality audio products under its own name in Vienna.

“The ultimate key to a company’s success is the people and the culture,” adds Nielsen. “With Austrian Audio, we get a significant addition of exceptional individuals and a culture of customer-focused innovation. We are excited about the future and the opportunities this acquisition brings.”

For more information, please visit DPA Microphone’s website here.

What do you think about this acquisition? Have you already used DPA Microphones Lavaliers? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!