Anna Mitchell joins Sennheiser in Germany for its 80th anniversary celebrations, exploring how this family-run company continues to fuse heritage with innovation: from iconic microphones and handcrafted production to next-generation wireless and immersive sound.
Marking 80 years since its founding, Sennheiser opened the doors of its Wedemark headquarters to international guests, offering a rare look inside one of pro audio’s most storied and independent brands. I joined the celebrations to see how this family-run company continues to balance its remarkable history with forward-looking innovation.
Still owned and run by the Sennheiser family, the company remains anchored on the same site where Dr Fritz Sennheiser founded the Wennebostel laboratory in 1945. What began as a small post-war engineering lab has evolved into the world’s largest privately held audio specialist. Yet, as I was to discover, the spirit of experimentation that drove its founder continues to define the company today.
The power of audio
That philosophy was central to a keynote from co-CEO Dr Andreas Sennheiser, who runs the company alongside his brother Daniel. He spoke about the emotional potential of audio to create “beautiful, goosebump moments”, a theme woven through Sennheiser’s long history of innovation in microphones and sound capture.
Dr Sennheiser recalled seeing Tina Turner live on her Goldeneye tour as the moment he first understood the power of performance, and highlighted how the company’s engineers have helped artists deliver similarly unforgettable experiences. When Pink wanted to fly in front of her PA system, for example, Sennheiser engineers had to push feedback suppression further than ever before, a vivid example, he said, of “true collaboration between artists and Sennheiser”.
Dr Andreas Sennheiser on stage: celebrating innovation through creative collaborations, from the lab to Pink’s airborne performances.
A video montage underlined how the company’s microphones have captured defining moments in modern history: from Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” to Kennedy’s “Ich bin ein Berliner”, Reagan’s “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”, and Obama’s “Yes we can.”
Balancing heritage and progress
One theme that emerged across multiple sessions was the continuity of Sennheiser and Neumann microphone design. Many models have changed little in appearance or sound quality for decades, a deliberate choice that reflects the brands’ deep commitment to sonic consistency. At Neumann’s Berlin facility, this philosophy was explored from multiple perspectives: Boris Kummerer, influencer and relations manager; Medzid Veseli, head of Neumann service and quality control; and Martin Schneider, development acoustics, each shared insights into how Neumann balances heritage with innovation. They described how preserving the “feel” of legacy microphones is as important as matching technical measurements, an approach made possible by close dialogue with the producers and musicians who use them.
Martin Schneider of Neumann demonstrates microphone testing inside the Berlin facility’s anechoic chamber.
That respect for heritage is matched by a willingness to move forward. From developing the world’s first open headphones in 1968, to pioneering wireless microphones in the 1950s, Sennheiser’s history is a timeline of firsts. Even its occasional missteps - such as the 1997 Surrounder neck-worn immersive audio device - have sparked new directions. The Surrounder’s concept eventually evolved into the company’s Ambeo immersive audio platform, now used in products from home soundbars to in-car audio systems. The project also proved pivotal in attracting new talent: Véronique Larcher, now director of Sennheiser Mobility, first encountered the Surrounder before joining the company to lead its development of immersive sound experiences in cars.
I had a chance to experience some of that work first-hand during a demo of Ambeo Mobility, featuring systems developed for Morgan, Cupra and Smart. The contrast between the vintage charm of the Morgan and the powerful, immersive audio within it was striking, a clear demonstration of how Sennheiser’s technology can blend tradition and modernity.
Classic Morgan, modern sound: Sennheiser’s Ambeo Mobility demo in action.
Innovation with independence
Touring the Wedemark campus, I saw how that engineering culture is embedded across Sennheiser’s 2,200-strong workforce. Much of the high-end microphone production, including Neumann models, is still painstakingly assembled by hand, while precision robotics handle repeatable processes. Even the software controlling manufacturing is developed internally.
A particular highlight for me was seeing part of the production process for Sennheiser’s TeamConnect Ceiling microphone, a model I’ve come across countless times in meeting room installations around the world. Watching it being made really underscored the level of care and attention to detail that underpins the company’s modern product lines.
Production of Sennheiser’s TeamConnect Ceiling microphone at the company’s Wedemark headquarters, a model widely installed in meeting spaces worldwide.
The company’s growth follows a model set out by its founder: “If you want to invest, you have to first make the money.” That self-sufficient approach has allowed Sennheiser to expand gradually and remain financially independent, a rarity in today’s pro audio landscape.
A closer look at Spectera
The event also offered deeper insight into one of Sennheiser’s most ambitious projects: Spectera (reported on by Inavate since launch). The session, led by Volker Schmitt, manager of technical application engineering, captured both the technical challenge and the long-term vision behind the system.
Volker Schmitt shares insights into the 12-year development journey of Spectera and its real-world testing at major live events.
Developed over 12 years and tested extensively this summer at major outdoor festivals, Spectera represents a huge step forward in large-scale wireless audio distribution. Its performance under punishing conditions (including a storm-hit Woodstock der Blasmusik) underscored the robustness of the technology.
Crucially, Spectera’s software-defined architecture means the platform can evolve, expanding its capabilities through updates and user feedback. While the product clearly has benefits for rental and touring companies, Sennheiser also sees opportunities in theme parks and other large-area installations.
Engineering continuity
From the hand-soldering of Neumann shock mounts to the testing of next-generation systems, Sennheiser’s 80th anniversary celebration revealed a company equally at ease preserving legacy craftsmanship and driving forward new frontiers of sound.
What stood out most was not just the technology on show, but the sense of purpose behind it; a family-owned company determined to keep room for “crazy ideas,” as Fritz Sennheiser once insisted. Eight decades on, that mix of history, independence and innovation remains the foundation of Sennheiser’s success.