Innovation is oftentimes created in the most unexpected places. In 1947, an Elkhart, Indiana, USA minister and longtime radio enthusiast, Mr. Clarence C. Moore, was looking for a way to supply Christian broadcasters with quality electronic products. As a result, Mr. Moore and his wife Ruby founded the International Radio and Electronics Corporation (IREC).
Mr. Clarence C. Moore, founder of International Radio and Electronics Corporation (IREC), which would become Crown Audio. Image courtesy of museumofmagneticsoundrecording.org and original image provider.
They converted a former chicken coop into their first production facility and began building rugged, compact open-reel tape recorders. Moore designed the recorders to operate reliably when used by missionaries in remote, often-primitive regions of the world.
Those humble beginnings eventually became Crown Audio, one of the world’s most well-regarded brands for professional audio amplification for installed, touring, portable PA, and other demanding applications.
Journey with us through Crown Audio‘s groundbreaking milestones, each a stepping stone that defines the past and illuminates the future of pro audio innovation.
Crown Open-Reel Tape Recorder ad courtesy of museumofmagneticsoundrecording.org.
1940s & 50s: Whirlwind of Innovation
After developing, modifying, and improving several tape recorders, Moore began expanding his lineup with additional products and innovations.
- In 1949, Moore obtained a patent for another groundbreaking invention: the world’s first tape recorder with a built-in power amplifier (15 watts).
- Tone control circuitry further enhanced this unit designed for PA system use.
- Throughout the 1950s, Moore’s tape recorders took on a new rack-mount design.
- In 1959, Moore introduced the A15 and A30, the first stand-alone vacuum tube amplifiers.
1960s and 70s: Resilience & Renaming
Crown DC300 amplifier ad. Image courtesy of museumofmagneticsoundrecording.org and original image provider.
Moore continued to grow his company, innovations, and product line throughout the 1960s and 70s, debuting a multitude of new products and renaming his company.
- The DC-300 amplifier, launched in 1967, became the world’s first reliable, solid-state, high-power amplifier, rated at 150 watts per channel.
- In 1971, a Thanksgiving Day fire destroyed over 60% of the IREC manufacturing facility. Production resumed within six weeks, showcasing Crown’s innovative resilience.
- The M600/M2000 amplifier debuted in 1972, featuring 2000 watts of mono output into 8 ohms. It used the patented ground-bridge circuit – another industry first.
- In 1975, Mrs. Ruby Moore suggested that a company name change was in order. Since IREC had produced vacuum tube tape recorders branded ‘Royal’ and ‘Imperial’ and the emblem on those products was a fancy crown, she felt that the company should simply be called ‘Crown’. That year, IREC officially became Crown International, Inc.
- In 1979, Crown patented the SA2 amplifier – the world’s first amplifier to use a built-in computer to maximize transistor performance.
1980s: 10,000 Watt Amp, Computer Monitoring & 70-Volt Operation
The MA10000 provides 10,000 watts of powering 465 speakers at the Indianapolis 500 Motor Speedway. Image courtesy of museumofmagneticsoundrecording.org and original image provider.
With a new company name and many additional patents earned, Crown continued breakneck innovation into and throughout the 1980s with many more milestones.
- In 1984, the Micro-Tech family of amplifiers brought patented Grounded Bridge and Junction Temperature Simulation (JTS) technologies to the audio world.
- The ultimate amplifier, the MA10000, debuted in 1987, providing 10,000 watts of power. Its first application: powering 465 speakers at the Indianapolis 500 Motor Speedway.
- Crown introduced the IQ-2000 System in 1988, empowering computer monitoring and control of up to 200 remote power amplifiers.
- In 1989, Crown debuted its ComTech Series amplifiers. These amps were ideal for fixed installations by offering direct 70-volt operation.
1990s: Raising Touring Standards, Going Silent & DSP Integration
K2 amplifiers delivered 1270 watts mono from a chassis only 3 inches high with no cooling fan.
During the 1990s, Crown continued near relentless innovation breaking ground across a variety of new areas, driven by growing market demand.
- 1992 introduced the MA-5000VZ amplifier, featuring Variable Impedance (VZ) bi-level power supply technology. It quickly became the touring standard for subwoofer cabinets.
- At the 1996 NAMM Show, the revolutionary K2 amplifier debuted, delivering 1270 watts mono from a chassis only 3 inches high, and with no cooling fan.
- Also in 1996, Crown became one of the first manufacturers to integrate Digital Signal Processing (DSP) technology into a production amplifier with the PIP DSP card.
2000s: Joining the HARMAN Family
The VRack amplifier management rack system worked in conjunction with JBL VerTec, VRX, and AE series loudspeakers.
A new millennium ushered in a new era for Crown Audio, most notably becoming part of an unprecedented synergy of best-in-class pro-audio brands. Crown continued to debut a variety of industry-leading products and continues that evolution today.
- Crown joined the HARMAN family in 2000. This enabled a seamless integration of world-class pro audio brands that included JBL Professional loudspeakers, and BSS signal processors, among many others.
- In 2004, the I-Tech Series launched becoming one of the world’s most advanced touring sound amplifier lines.
- Crown introduced three more important lines in 2006: the XTi Series for portable PA systems, the CDi Series for installed sound, and the DSi Series for cinema installations.
2010s: The Evolution Continues
- A revolutionary amplifier management rack system, VRack, was launched in 2010. It worked in conjunction with JBL VerTec, VRX, and AE series loudspeakers.
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Legendary Crown Engineer and R&D head Gerald Stanley with one of his many technology patents awarded during his tenure with Crown.
In 2013, the DCi DriveCore Install Series was introduced. The innovative DriveCore™ chip consolidated 500 components into a single ultra-efficient chip.
- In 2017, Crown launched its CDi DriveCore Series, an entirely new line of versatile amplifiers that combined robust functionality and flagship features at a reasonable cost.
- After more than seven decades, the Crown story continues to be written, one watt at a time.
Wrapping Up the Crown Audio Story
Mr. Gerald Stanley, legendary Crown engineer, innovator, and Director of Amplifier Research, originally joined the company in 1964 as a tape recorder line technician and amplifier design engineer. He reflected on the formula that fueled Crown’s evolution of innovation and growth:
“Crown’s recipe is simple: design, build and service each product as if you were the customer. This approach not only drives the product to excellence, it drives the people to be the best that they can be.”
Thanks for joining us on this journey through the Crown story. If you would like to learn more about how Crown is innovating today, we invite you to explore further below.
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