Dual (brand)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dual is a brand name of audio and video electronics.
In 1927, a German gramophone power supply manufacturer called “Gebrüder Steidinger” adopted the name “Dual” in reference to the dual-mode power supplies they pioneered. The power supplies allowed gramophones to be powered from mains electricity or with a wind-up mechanism. Soon thereafter, Dual began producing turntables of their own. Throughout 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, Dual introduced cassette players, VCRs, CD players, and other consumer electronics. However, in 2001, the Schneider AG company — then owner of the Dual franchise — declared insolvency. TCL Holdings, a Chinese company, purchased the “Dual” assets and brand, and began marketing their own products under the name. In 2002, Namsung Electronics, a Korean-American company, bought the rights to use the name in the Americas, and has been selling low-priced (but generally well reviewed) consumer electronics under the “Dual” marque since then. The main product lines are “home audio,” “mobile audio,” and “marine audio.” Products are widely available from mainstream Internet and other retailers.
