VIENNA, Austria – September 13, 2007 – During Pope Benedict XVI‘s visit to Austria this month, the Holy Father stopped in the cities of Vienna, Mariazell and Heiligenkreuz. For these three visits, his sound engineers relied on the experience and proven technology of AKG. For this occasion, the Austrian microphone company specially adapted its microphones, both acoustically and visually.

The Pope‘s customized microphone model is based on AKG‘s new C 5 condenser capsule, without the model‘s presence boost adapter installed. Styled in the Vatican‘s colors of gold and white, these customized microphones provided AKG‘s high-quality, reliable performance for Pope Benedict XVI during all his Austrian stops.

“We build professional microphones for the exacting demands of our customers,” explained Alfred Reinprecht, AKG Vice President of Marketing & Product Management. “It has been an enormous privilege to adapt one of our technologically-innovative microphones for use by the Holy Father.”

The custom-made AKG microphones were used exclusively by Pope Benedict XVI from September 7-9, and the units will be available in the following weeks for all of his priests. AKG will also offer one of the modified microphones for a charity auction after the Pope‘s visit.

About AKG Acoustics:
AKG Acoustics is widely recognized as the most innovative manufacturer of microphones, wireless systems and headphones in the world. Since its founding in Vienna, Austria in 1947, the company has been granted over 1,500 patents. Today, AKG continues its investment in research and development, providing its engineers with the most advanced tools available for design, testing and performance simulation.

AKG Acoustics GmbH is headquartered in Vienna, Austria. Located at 8400 Balboa Boulevard, Northridge, CA 91329, AKG Acoustics, U.S. markets the full line of AKG Acoustics microphones, headphones, wireless systems and processing for recording, concert sound reinforcement, commercial sound, broadcast and home entertainment applications. AKG Acoustics is part of the Harman International (NYSE: HAR) family of companies, which includes trusted brands such as BSS, Crown, JBL, Infinity, Lexicon, Mark Levinson, Soundcraft, Studer, dbx, Harman-Kardon, Revel and DigiTech.

About the Harman Pro Group:
The Harman Pro Group (www.harmanpro.com) is the world‘s largest provider of professional audio products and system solutions for commercial sound, contracting, tour sound, recording and broadcast, musician, portable PA and cinema applications. The Group is headquartered in Northridge, California and includes industry leaders AKG Acoustics, BSS Audio, Crown International, dbx, DigiTech, JBL Professional, Lexicon, Soundcraft, and Studer. The Group is part of Harman International Industries, Incorporated (NYSE: HAR), a leading supplier of high-quality, high fidelity audio products and infotainment systems for the automotive, home and professional markets.