Telefunken

Origins of Telefunken

Telefunken, the audio company known for manufacturing turntables, has its origins dating back to 1903. It was founded in Berlin as a joint venture between Siemens & Halske and the Allgemeine Elektrizitäts-Gesellschaft (AEG). The company was established at the behest of Kaiser Wilhelm II, who recognized the strategic importance of wireless telegraphy and wanted the two major German electrical companies to collaborate on this technology.

Telefunken’s involvement in audio equipment, including turntables, evolved over the years. The company became well-known for its high-quality audio products and innovations. For instance, in the 1970s and early 1980s, Telefunken was instrumental in developing high-quality audio noise reduction systems. Additionally, the company has been respected for its turntables, as evidenced by discussions on forums like Reddit, where users praise the quality and reliability of Telefunken turntables.

In 2001, Telefunken USA was incorporated to provide restoration services and build reproductions of vintage Telefunken microphones, highlighting the brand’s enduring reputation for quality audio equipment.