HECO is a German company producing cabinet, built-in and wall-mounted speaker systems.
The history of the brand began in 1949 in the small settlement of Schmitten. Initially, the company's founder, Gerhard Richard Hennel, and his wife Suzanne were engaged in the production of speakers and solid-cast baskets for them.
Their family business was called Hennel & Co (this name later became HECO).
50s
Since the early 1950s, HECO acoustics have been used in professional sound systems and therefore HECO speakers can be found in cinema and studio speakers from many well-known German companies.
One of the first in the company's history were two sets of HECO speaker systems: corner speakers - "HECO Ecklautsprecher" - with a full-range speaker and an AlNiCo (Aluminum-Nickel-Cobalt) magnet, and, perhaps, the world's very first flat wall-mounted Hi-Fi speakers " HECO Flachlautsprecher".
One of the first well-known speakers of the company was a compact model - “Type B130”. Thanks to this product, HECO managed to establish itself as one of the few successful speaker manufacturers of those years.
60s
In the mid-60s, the son of Gerhard and Suzanne, Hans Hennel, joined the management of the company. The young man was entrusted with a division specializing exclusively in acoustic systems.
The fruits were not long in coming: the Hi-Fi speakers “B 200” and “B 300” appeared in the HECO catalogue. These two models marked the beginning of a line of loudspeaker systems created by Hans Hennel and engineer Wolfgang Seikritt from Braun.
Seikritt developed a unique at that time active three-way system "HECO P7302 SLV", intended for the most demanding Hi-Fi lovers. Later, the engineer created several more successful models and lines.
Among other things, audio industry experts of those years singled out the “Soundmaster B220” (1966). This speaker system with a neutral sound had a soft-dome tweeter and a woofer with an elastic suspension. The B220's combination of elements provided precise bass and clear highs.
70s
In the 70s, HECO managed to release several receivers of the "SMR" series, a series of studio speakers "Professional", a line of acoustics "Sound Master", the "Activ" series, etc. The "Activ 2000" model, thanks to its compactness and high-quality sound, became one of the most popular professional speakers of those times.
1970
Hans Hennel resigned as top manager of HECO and switched to his own business. He opened his own company under the name "Hans G. Hennel GmbH & Co. KG" and some time later began producing speakers under the brand name "Summit".
1972
The HECO company experienced one of the key turning points in its history - the Hennel & Co factories in Schmitten and Remscheid (HECO already had several separate factories) were purchased by one of the branches of the British conglomerate Rank. Thus, the HECO brand became the property of another company.
However, part of the business (Heco Hennel & Co KG in Berlin) continued to remain in the Hennel family - this branch was personally managed by Susanne Hennel.
Several key employees, including Wolfgang Seikritt, left HECO. Former HECO employees founded their own company - Canton.
1975
The Berlin plant became part of the H. Dahl KG holding. One of the most popular products of Heco Hennel & Co KG was the Visonik speakers (the factory in Berlin produced products for this American brand).
1979
The business of Heco Hennel & Co KG in Berlin was taken over by Bruns-Gruppe (Peter Bruns' company, which owned several brands in Berlin and Hamburg). In the same year, the Rank group of companies also decided to sell its part to HECO, since the brand did not fit into the concept of the concern.
1980
It is generally accepted that this year the history of HECO as a family company is over. Since then, Hennel + Co GmbH was indicated as the manufacturer of all acoustics (there was no information about the parent companies).
1985
Heco speakers were developed and manufactured in Berlin and Schmitten. In the early 80s, the company's business was not going very well, but in 1985 the serious-minded Wolfgang Seikritt returned to HECO, who decided to restore the company's lost reputation and take up marketing policy.
1987
HECO released the first models of the "Superior" series speakers, which was the main event for HECO in recent years: the "Superior" speakers were positioned as premium products and well established among high-end fans.
1990
On the threshold of the new decade, the company introduced the multi-channel system "Megaspace", which later became the basis for other DC sets.
1992
HECO, along with many other companies, got involved in car audio: the company produced speakers for cars and amplifiers, such as "Sprint", "Sub Jet" and "Turbo" amplifiers. This endeavor later grew into a separate brand.
1995
The anniversary three-way floorstanders "Heco Anniversary" with a piezoelectric HF emitter were presented. The acoustics were created for powerful systems and had a wide frequency range. The weight of one column exceeded 80 kg. Many audiophiles still consider "Anniversary" to be one of HECO's most successful products.
Despite the successful Anniversary model, the company's financial situation was very difficult. As a result, the company went bankrupt, after which the brand was purchased by the American corporation "Recoton". The HECO company became part of the German division - "Recoton DE".
The new owner changed HECO's strategy. Under the management of Recoton, the company continued to produce existing models and develop new lines. In those years, HECO began making car audio systems under the "Phase Linear" brand (previously this brand belonged to Jensen).
1999
HECO introduced the Metronom series of audiophile acoustics, which featured D’Appolito’s design.
2003
The giant Recoton ceased to exist, and many of its brands were sold at auction. HECO was no exception.
2004
Since this year, the company has become a subsidiary of Audiovox (VOXX International).
Although the German division of Recoton had become quite profitable by the beginning of 2002–2003, the new owner (Audiovox) decided to take a different approach to HECO's activities.
2005
Under the HECO brand, speakers of the "Celan" series were released, which are still the best systems on the market in terms of price/sound quality ratio and are produced with some modifications to this day.
Under the management of VOXX International, almost the entire current HECO model range has been formed: the company offers several series of acoustics for home theaters and classic stereo systems, as well as built-in and wall-mounted acoustics.
The new flagship model is the "La Diva" speaker with drivers that use proprietary HECO paper cones and AlNiCo magnets.
In addition to “La Diva”, the HECO catalog presents the “Direkt” line of acoustics, which is important for the brand, distinguished by its original German design and genre versatility.
2008
Since this year, HECO is a trademark of "Magnat Audio-Produkte" (Magnat is also owned by VOXX International).
Produced by "HECO Aleva". Sophistication, talent, charm - these are the epithets that come to mind when talking about the HECO Aleva speaker system. Compact speakers with narrow cabinets with 5" woofers and midrange drivers, elegantly fit into small rooms with a modern interior. These speakers served as the beginning of a whole series with the so-called Slim design.
2010
"HECO Music Colors" was released. Compact speakers with full-fledged sound "HECO Music Colors 100", in addition to an attractive design with a piano lacquer finish, are distinguished by the front arrangement of bass reflexes, which allows them to be placed either near walls or built into furniture.
2014
HECO celebrates its 65th anniversary and, remaining true to itself, gives new magnificent Hi-End systems - “Concerto Grosso”, representing a symbiosis of modern high technologies and long-term traditions and experience of the company!
HECO today
Today, the range of HECO speaker systems includes the following series: "Aurora" (replacing Music Style), "Aleva GT", "Celan Revolution" and "Celan GT", "Victa Prime" and "Elite", as well as the flagships - "La Diva ", "Bella Donna".
HECO constantly expands its lineup with trendy and modern systems: wireless speakers, wall-mounted and universal subwoofers, specialized speakers for Dolby Atmos AM200 systems. HECO also has built-in speakers.
In each model, you can see well-recognized original technological solutions of the German manufacturer. Each column is a carefully calculated and precisely executed system. Despite the fact that most systems are produced in China, the main stages of assembly are carried out under the careful supervision of the manufacturer.
The HECO laboratory, which is located in Pulheim (Germany), is equipped with the latest equipment. The Klippel laser system, together with the most advanced software, allows you to calculate and optimize the parameters of each element of the speaker system. Finite element method algorithms make it possible to make a part almost perfect.
The technical standards of the HECO laboratory are among the most stringent in the world. The constant pursuit of innovation, based on the rich experience and traditions of the German school of loudspeaker design, has allowed the company to achieve worldwide recognition. Many HECO speakers have received excellent ratings from experts around the world. The versatility and expressiveness of sound, affordable prices have made HECO products very popular on the Russian market.
