Electro VoiceEdit
Electro Voice is a well-known brand in the world of professional audio, specializing in microphones, loudspeakers, and wireless systems. Originating in the United States in the early part of the 20th century, the Electro-Voice lineage has grown into a global presence that serves broadcast, live sound, and studio applications. The company’s products are noted for rugged construction and reliable performance, qualities that have made EV a staple in radio rooms, concert venues, and installation projects around the world. Its product family includes dynamic and condenser microphones, wireless instrument and vocal systems, and a range of loudspeakers and related accessories. EV has built a reputation for durability in demanding environments and for a design philosophy that emphasizes predictable, wide-frequency response and ease of use for professional operators. microphone loudspeaker broadcasting
History
Electro Voice’s emergence as a major player in audio technology traces back to the early days of professional sound equipment. In its formative decades, the brand contributed to the evolution of microphone technology and transducer design, gaining traction in broadcast studios and performance venues. Over time, Electro Voice expanded its line to cover not only microphones but also wireless systems and loudspeakers, aligning with the needs of live sound reinforcement, installed sound, and studio work. The company’s emphasis on durable construction and practical performance helped it gain a foothold in demanding settings where reliability matters most. microphone wireless_system loudspeaker
A series of corporate shifts in the late 20th and early 21st centuries placed Electro Voice within larger industrial groups that consolidated several professional-audio brands. The EV name remains in use under the umbrella of a major global electronics family, with ownership and organizational structures aimed at coordinating research, manufacturing, and distribution across multiple markets. This has facilitated a broad catalog of products while maintaining EV’s distinctive approach to sound reinforcement and studio-quality capture. Bosch Bosch_Communications_Systems Telex_Communications
Products and technology
Microphones
EV microphones are widely used across broadcasting, live performance, and studio work. The product line includes dynamic microphones—valued for their ruggedness and proximity handling—and condenser microphones that offer extended frequency response and sensitivity for studio environments. One of the brand’s most enduring legacy models is the RE20, renowned for its variable-D technology that minimizes proximity effect and delivers consistent performance in voice applications and on-field broadcasting. Other notable series and models have followed, contributing to EV’s reputation for dependable transducers. RE20 microphone
Wireless systems
EV provides wireless microphone and instrument systems designed to operate in crowded RF environments, with attention to reliability, battery life, and user-friendly setup for performers and engineers alike. These systems complement the company’s wired microphones and enable flexible stage and broadcast workflows. wireless_system
Loudspeakers and installations
Loudspeakers form a core part of EV’s offerings, spanning portable stage cabinets, arena and concert deployments, and installed sound for venues, houses of worship, and corporate spaces. EV’s loudspeakers are designed to deliver clear, intelligible sound at varying power levels, with attention to durable hardware and consistent tonal balance across environments. loudspeaker
Notable applications and industry role
EV products have become trusted tools in radio studios and broadcasting houses, where durability and consistent gain structure are valued. In live sound, EV gear is used by touring engineers and venue technicians who rely on rugged construction and predictable frequency response to handle fast-changing performance conditions. In install scenarios, EV components are chosen for reliability and ease of integration with existing sound systems and control architectures. The brand competes with other major microphone and speaker manufacturers such as Sennheiser and Shure, contributing to a competitive landscape that emphasizes engineering quality, service, and support. broadcasting live_sound studio_recording
Corporate structure and ownership
Electro Voice exists as a branded element within a larger portfolio of professional-audio brands managed by a major global group. This arrangement allows EV to leverage shared research, manufacturing resources, and distribution networks while preserving its own design identity and product characteristics. The corporate framework often emphasizes global reach, standardized quality control, and cross-brand collaboration across microphones, wireless systems, and loudspeakers. Bosch Bosch_Communications_Systems
Controversies and debates
As with many long-standing brands in a mature industry, Electro Voice operates within a broader ecosystem where debates about manufacturing locations, supply chains, and pricing can surface. Critics of multinational corporate structures sometimes argue that production shifts offshore can affect domestic jobs and local economies, while proponents contend that global sourcing lowers costs, improves efficiency, and makes advanced equipment more accessible to a wider range of users. In the electronics and audio sectors, there is also discussion about environmental impact, labor practices, and product longevity—areas where industry players are encouraged to adopt transparent reporting and continuous improvement. Proponents of a market-driven approach stress that competition spurs innovation, value, and service, while critics may press for stronger domestic investment, higher corporate accountability, and clearer standards. Within this discourse, EV’s stance often highlights reliability, after-sales support, and practical performance as core brand strengths. globalization labor_law environmental_impact