Harman International Brings AKG Brand To U.S.
By Lisa Johnston -- TWICE, 3/9/2009
NORTHRIDGE, CALIF. — Harman International announced earlier this year it would be bringing its AKG brand to major retailers in the United States.
Seventeen AKG consumer headphone models will make their U.S. debut in 2009, ranging in price from $17 to $300. Models will include ear buds, in-canal earphones, over-ear headphones and what the company described as “mini headphones.”
New introductions include the K 309 ($16.95) ear buds/in-ear headphones. These come in cocoa brown or juicy orange, have a frequency response of 18Hz to 20kHz and have a sensitivity of 124dB SPL/V.
The K 311 ($24.95) are offered in Milk, Plum or Lime colors. Frequency response is listed as 18Hz to 20.5kHz, while the sensitivity is 125dB SPL/V
The K 313 ($29.95), offered in grasshopper or coral, comes with a carrying pouch. Frequency response is 16Hz to 21kHz; sensitivity is 127dB SPL/V.
The K 315 ($39.95) has in-line volume control and a carrying pouch. Colors include pebble black and garnet red. Frequency response is 17Hz to 23kHz, sensitivity is 126dB SPL/V.
The K 317 ($69.95) in-ear headphones have a lanyard design and come with a soft case and cable winder. They are offered in snow white with a listed frequency response of 17Hz to 25kHz. Sensitivity is recorded as 129dB SPL/V.
The last of the in-ear headphones, the K 319 ($89.95) feature in-line volume control, 19-11/16-inch extension cable, flight adapter, hard case and cable winder. Colors include dark charcoal. Frequency response is 16Hz to 23kHz, and sensitivity is 128dB SPL/V.
Other models being introduced as part of the AKG brand and their suggested retails are as follows:
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K 321 in-canal earphones, $49.95;
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K 330 in-canal earphones, $79.95;
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K 340 in-canal earphones, $89.95;
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K 420 on-ear/foldable headphones, $69.95;
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K 430 on-ear/foldable headphones, $99.95;
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K 450 on-ear/foldable headphones, $149;
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K 142 HD “high-definition” headphones, $169;
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K 172 HD “high-definition” headphones, $199;
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K 242 HD “high-definition” headphones, $249; and
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K 272 HD “high-definition” headphones, $299.
A set of “limited edition” headphones will also be sold under the AKG brand in the U.S. The K 518 LE ($99.95) closed-back headphones feature a 3D-Axis2 folding mechanism, isolating ear cups and high SPL. Available colors include blue, fuchsia, green, orange, red, white and yellow. The frequency response is listed as 16Hz to 24kHz.
All of the products are scheduled to be available this month. All mini models, ear buds and in-canal earphones are iPhone compatible, said the company.
Harman International first announced it would be bringing the AKG brand to the United States at the 2008 International CES. However, according to a spokesperson, there were a few consumers products from AKG that were available but not through major retailers.
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