1904
On March 9, audio legend Paul W Klipsch (PWK) is born in Elkhart, Indiana. He is the only child of Oscar Colman Klipsch and Minna Pearl Eddy.
1931-1933
In graduate school at Stanford University, one of Paul W. Klipsch’s classmates mentions to him that speakers sound better in a corner.
It was then during his military service at the Southwest Proving Grounds located in Hope, Ark. that Paul W. Klipsch refined his corner Horn speaker design. Visitors to his officer's quarters were amazed by the lifelike reproduction and encouraged PWK to start his own manufacturing business.
1946
At age 42 and initiating his fifth career, Paul W. Klipsch registers the name Klipsch & Associates and begins selling his Klipschorn speakers out of a tin shed in Hope, Arkansas.
A local cabinetmaker and the Baldwin Piano Company assist Paul in building his first 20 Klipschorn speakers.
1948
Paul W. Klipsch acquires his first factory building, formerly the telephone exchange building for the Southwest Proving Grounds in Hope, Arkansas, and hires his first employee, cabinetmaker Lloyd McClellan. The first Klipschorn built here is numbered 121.
Today, the original factory is the Klipsch Museum.
1977
Klipsch & Associates beefs up its professional speaker line with the 500-pound MCM speaker. Designed for touring sound and cinema applications, the MCM delivers enough power to rock the house down.
1989
At age 85, Paul W. Klipsch sells Klipsch & Associates to second cousin and Indianapolis businessman Fred S. Klipsch and his wife Judy. While manufacturing remains in Hope, Arkansas, business operations move to Indianapolis, Indiana.
The company is re-named Klipsch, Inc.
1992
Klipsch begins supplying the residential contracting market with two in-wall speakers – the IW 100 and IW 200.
The Academy center channel speaker is introduced, representing the company’s first center channel speaker designed specifically for use in home theater surround sound applications.
1996
Klipsch introduces the Rebel “8”, the company’s first compact “satellite” speaker offering.
2004
At the 2004 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Paul W. Klipsch is inducted into the Consumer Electronics Hall of Fame, which was established in 2000 by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) to honor the leaders whose creativity, persistence and determination helped shape the consumer electronics industry.
2005
Klipsch enters the iPod accessories space with the iFi, the first iPod-dockable home Stereo system on the market.
Klipsch acquires Danish brand Jamo to accelerate global growth. One year later, the company acquires Audio Products International (API), makers of the Mirage®, Energy® and Athena® speaker brands.
2009
In May, Klipsch introduces the Image S4 headphones. At the time, it is one of the most successful product launches in company history.
The S4i was deemed the first third-party Headset to offer full control of the iPhone 3GS, iPod touch and iPod music and video content.
Klipsch introduces its affordable HD Theater Series, proving a high-def picture demands high-def sound. In August, Klipsch takes its headphone business a step further, introducing the Image S4i and S2m headsets.
2010
Klipsch diversifies its headphone offering by introducing the Image ONE, the company’s first-ever on-ear sound solution.
The Image S4i also receives a 2010 CES Innovations Award, while Maximum PC puts the ProMedia 2.1 Wireless on its “Best of the Best” list.
Klipsch becomes the official headphone sponsor of the World Series of Poker® (WSOP).
Klipsch Group, Inc. makes yet another splash in the industry after introducing five all-new, cross-brand compatible subwoofers.
2011
Klipsch Group, Inc. is purchased and becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of Audiovox Corporation (NASDAQ: VOXX). Soon after, Fred. S. Klipsch transitions to a board member of Audiovox and Paul Jacobs is appointed CEO of Klipsch.
Jamo product design and engineering relocates to the company’s Indianapolis headquarters, while Klipsch Group Europe establishes new headquarters in Paris, France.
Indianapolis’ renowned outdoor amphitheater becomes the Klipsch Music Center and further solidifies an exciting relationship with Live Nation Entertainment.
