Crown International, commonly known as Crown, is a well-known manufacturer of professional audio amplifiers and other sound reinforcement equipment.
- Founding (1947): Crown was founded in 1947 by Clarence C. Moore in Elkhart, Indiana, USA. The company initially started as a manufacturer of high-precision oscilloscopes and other electronic test equipment.
Entry into Audio Equipment (1950s): In the early 1950s, Crown began to expand its product line into the audio industry. The company developed and produced high-quality audio amplifiers, signal processors, and other professional audio equipment.
- The DC300 Solid State Amplifier Technology: Crown has been at the forefront of amplifier technology innovation. In the 1960s, the company introduced the DC-300, a high-power solid-state amplifier that became widely popular for its performance and reliability. It marked one of the earliest successful implementations of solid-state technology in amplifiers.
- Amplifiers for Professional Audio: Crown’s amplifiers gained popularity in the professional audio industry due to their relatively high power, reliability and high-quality sonic performance. Crown amplifiers became widely used in both concert sound reinforcement and recording studios.
- The Macro-Tech Series (1980s): In the 1980s, Crown introduced the Macro-Tech series of amplifiers, which featured advanced amplifier technology, increased power density, and improved efficiency. The Macro-Tech series became a staple in the touring and live sound industry.
- Acquisition by Harman International (2000): In 2000, Crown International was acquired by Harman International Industries. This acquisition brought Crown into the Harman Professional family, alongside JBL, Soundcraft, dbx, Studer and AKG.