100 Years of B&O: Celebrating a Danish Legacy

EKTOS is proud to celebrate a milestone moment in Danish audio innovation as Bang & Olufsen (B&O) marks its 100th anniversary this November. The iconic brand has spent a century shaping how the world experiences sound and design, and we are honoured to support the industry, contributing to the ongoing legacy of excellence that defines Danish innovation. 

From its beginnings in a Struer attic in 1925, B&O grew into one of the most recognisable audio brands, setting benchmarks for craftsmanship, engineering precision, and aesthetic innovation across generations of products. Its legacy continues to define expectations for premium audio, where technology, design, and performance work seamlessly together. 

As B&O celebrates its centenary with new special-edition releases and renewed global attention, the spotlight also turns to the wider ecosystem that supports audio innovation today. This includes SoundHub Denmark, the world’s first dedicated international sound-technology innovation hub located in Struer, where EKTOS Testing and Reliability Services (TRS) also supports companies bringing new sound products to market. 

SoundHub Denmark provides a collaborative coworking environment, access to advanced acoustics labs and test facilities, and a full makerspace for constructing prototypes. It supports startups, SMEs, freelancers, and corporates working across audio, amplifier, speaker, hearing-tech, music tech, and related sound applications.  

Startups enrolled in its flagship SoundTech Accelerator Program gain mentoring, business development support, prototyping resources, investment opportunities via the associated fund SoundInvest, along with exposure to a global network of industry professionals and investors. 

Working from SoundHub’S facility, tied to B&O’s heritage, TRS enables the sound innovation ecosystem comprising both established audio brands and emerging innovators with: 

• – acoustic and electronic performance testing 

• – emissions, immunity, and safety compliance 

• – certification support for global market entry 

• – engineering insight that strengthens product design and readiness 

This work aligns with the standard of excellence that has defined Danish audio for decades and remains vital to the industry’s continued competitiveness.  

As the industry looks ahead, the combination of innovation, collaboration, and rigorous product verification will remain central to keeping Danish audio technology at the forefront, just as B&O has demonstrated for the past century.