Brand Story Milestones

Nakamichi Group

2025

2025

Nakamichi Unveils the Shockwafe Wireless 11.2.6 Home Theater System With 31 Danish-Engineered Transducers and AHD Ultra
Nakamichi unveils the highly anticipated Shockwafe Wireless, the latest addition to its iconic Shockwafe soundbar lineup, designed from the ground up to transform home entertainment.

The system features 31 precision-engineered Punktkilde drivers, dual 10” wireless subwoofer, bipolar surrounds and AHD Ultra processing, taking plug-and-play performance to extraordinary new levels, delivering a three-dimensional, cinematic soundstage that places you at the center of every scene.

The system made its highly anticipated debut at CES 2025, receiving rave reviews for its unparalleled performance and advanced features.

Learn more about the Nakamichi Shockwafe Wireless 11.2.6 here.

2023

2023

Nakamichi Introduces the DRAGON 11.4.6 Home Surround Sound System, Wins Multiple Accolades at CES
5 years of intense development culminate in the groundbreaking launch of DRAGON 11.4.6 Home Surround Sound System for our 75th anniversary. The DRAGON badge represents unprecedented technological breakthroughs and audio performance. This novel 31-driver system features an array of world’s firsts, including quad subwoofers, 6 height channels, Omni-Motion Reference Surrounds with PerfectHeight mechanism, DTS:X Pro, AHD processing and 15 digital amplifiers.

Distinguished press and valued customers graced DRAGON’s world premiere demo at CES 2023. With its debut, the system clinched 5 highly coveted awards.

Learn more about the Nakamichi DRAGON here.

2022

2022

Launch of Dedicated Ninja Access (DNA) Program
Nakamichi launched a curated customer service program provided by in house, expert team of Ninjas based in San Jose, California. Each Ninja is a Shockwafe soundbar owner and has undergone over 500 hours of intense training on the system as well as the market’s most popular devices. For the lifetime ownership of the Shockwafe system, the customer will be paired with a Ninja concierge that is specialized in home theater devices, ensuring speedy and seamless assistance at all times. Find out more here

2022

2022

Nakamichi Expands Its 2022 Soundbar Lineup With the Shockwafe Pro 7.1 eARC and Shockwafe Elite 7.2 eARC
Created with the base DNA of the flagship Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 eARC, both models come with Spatial Surround Elevation (SSE) MAX technology, upgraded speaker drivers and amplifier hardware, eARC connectivity, Dolby Atmos®, DTS:X™, Dolby Vision® and Qualcomm® aptX™ HD. The new lineup further solidifies the brand's position as the reference for high-end, plug-and-play Dolby Atmos true surround systems and brings all desirable upgrades at various price points to the consumer market.

2022

2022

Nakamichi collaborates with customers to build the new Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 eARC soundbar
We analyzed hundreds of surveys and combed through 5000+ customer reviews to come up with the design requirements for our 2022 model. Peerless in performance, the Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 eARC (2022 Flagship) delivers a powerfully convincing audio experience like never before with the all new Spatial Surround Elevation (SSE) MAX technology, supercharged speaker drivers and amplifier hardware, eARC connectivity, Dolby Atmos®, DTS:X™, Dolby Vision™ and aptX™ HD. This all-new, fully upgraded version of the top-rated Shockwafe soundbar guarantees unmatched 360° surround and bass performance. Find out more here

2022

2022

Nakamichi Shockwafe Soundbars are the #1 Rated Dolby Atmos and 4K Soundbars in America (*Based on Amazon and Best Buy Customer ratings)

Since 2017, Nakamichi Shockwafe soundbar systems have attained 2 prestigious titles in the industry - being the #1 Rated Dolby Atmos Soundbar and #1 Rated 4K soundbar by customer ratings in two of the largest consumer electronics retailers in America (Amazon and Best Buy). These were the result of our soundbar systems' exclusive SSE technology and acoustic superiority, unbeatable price-to-performance and world-class customer service. Click here to read user reviews of our soundbars.

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2019

2019

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2.4 SSE Soundbar System Wins 2019 Best Dolby Atmos Soundbar Battle

Hosted by Brian Tong, ex CNET Tech Editor, the public was invited to participate in a blind listening comparison between the Dolby Atmos flagship soundbars of Nakamichi, Samsung, Sony and Vizio. All of the soundbars, subwoofers and surround speakers were covered in black cloth, so no one knew which system was being played at any point in time. The result? Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2.4 SSE was voted as the Best Dolby Atmos Soundbar. Click here to watch the soundbar battle

2019

2019

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2.4 SSE Soundbar System Named CES 2019 Innovation Awards Honoree

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is the largest and most influential tech event in the world. A prestigious annual program that celebrates outstanding design, the Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2.4 SSE was chosen over competing soundbars by a panel of judges including designers, engineers and members of the tech media to walk home as a CES 2019 Innovation Awards Honoree. See the official CES page for our award here

2019

2019

Nakamichi Announces 2019 Lineup Incorporating Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision & Spatial Surround Elevation (SSE) Processing Technology

In 2019, Nakamichi added 3 new models to the Shockwafe family - the Shockwafe Ultra 9.2.4 SSE, Shockwafe Elite 7.2.4 SSE and Shockwafe Pro 7.1.4 SSE. While retaining the hardware and acoustic features of its 2018 models, the 2019 models were integrated with Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision and proprietary Spatial Surround Elevation (SSE) processing technology, furthering our already rated #1 soundbar to entirely new levels. Owners of the 2018 Shockwafe were also able to download a FREE firmware upgrade to add the same new features found in the 2019 Shockwafe to their current soundbars - an unprecedented move in the audio industry.

2018

2018

Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 DTS:X Soundbar System Wins CES 2018 Best High-End Soundbar Battle

During CES 2018, over $10,000 worth of the best soundbars in the market were brought into an untreated room for an unprecedented series of blind "listening battles" involving over 200 CES attendees, including press, industry veterans, audiophiles and general consumers. The series also included 2 exclusive sessions for the most discerning ears - members of the San Francisco Audiophile Society. The Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 DTS:X took home 81% of the votes for Best Performance Soundbar, and 99% for Best Overall Value Soundbar. Watch what happened in this Soundbar Battle here

2018

2018

Nakamichi Introduces 4 Models to its Shockwafe Lineup, Including the Industry's 1st Soundbar Systems with Dual Subwoofers and Quad Modular Surround Speakers

In 2018, Nakamichi further expanded its Shockwafe Soundbar line up. The Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 and Elite 7.2 were the first and only soundbars in the world to feature dual subwoofers - ensuring listeners cinema-like bass experiences right at home. The flagship Ultra 9.2 was also the world's first soundbar with 9 Discrete Surround Channels and quad modular surround speakers that unlocked unprecedented customizability for all types of living room shapes and sizes. Together with DTS:X compatibility, these soundbars became popular for merging plug and play simplicity with cinematic experience.

2016

2016

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1 is Born - the Industry's 1st Soundbar with 7 Discrete Surround Channels and Outward-Firing Surround Effects Tweeters

In 2016, Nakamichi launched the Shockwafe Pro 7.1, the first soundbar of the Shockwafe series. With 18 months of R&D, it was the first soundbar system with 7 discrete surround channels that brought true high-end home theater elements into the small footprint of a plug-and-play soundbar. It also featured revolutionary side-firing front surround effects tweeters that enlarged the soundstage by 35%, redefining soundbar expectations.

1990s Onward

1990s Onward

Launch of the Nakamichi Dragon CD Player

The Nakamichi Dragon CD player was a rare and exquisite Flagship masterpiece: Featuring a 7 Disc CD Changer, exotic Rosewood panels and Nakamichi’s Music Bank Mechanism – a ground-breaking innovation that minimized vibration and ensured high quality CD audio playback. It is highly sought after by audio purists and collectors even to this day.

1989 - 2001

1989 - 2001

Launch of Nakamichi x Lexus

Toyota chose Nakamichi to manufacture the audio systems for its range of Lexus automobiles. The Nakamichi unit was the flagship audio system offered to Lexus buyers. This partnership marked the birth of high end car audio systems, being the first of it's kind, where high end car manufacturers worked together with high end audio companies to create a luxurious experience. This partnership lasted from 1989 to 2001.

1986

1986

Launch of the Nakamichi CR-7 Cassette Player

The Nakamichi CR-7 boasted superb head and transport design, incorporated highly-refined features such as the discrete 3-head system and a direct drive dual capstan transport mechanism that ensured high-quality cassette tape audio playback. It was one of the reference cassette players in its time and is still eyed by collectors worldwide.

1983

1983

Launch of Nakamichi TX-1000 Computing Analog Turntable

The Nakamichi TX-1000 Computing Turntable incorporated the revolutionary 'Absolute Center Search System'. This technology revolutionized the way music was heard on vinyls, ensuring unparalleled pitch stability and accuracy. The result? Extra-detailed and fine-sounding audio reproduction that few or even no other vinyl record player in the market could match.

1982

1982

Launch of the Nakamichi Dragon Audio Cassette Deck

Introduced in 1982, the Nakamichi Dragon was the first Nakamichi audio cassette deck engineered with a bi-directional replay capability and the world's first production tape recorded equipped with an automatic azimuth correction system. Decades later, it is still sought after by audio collectors, with well-maintained models fetching as much as $6000 in the used market.

1981

1981

Launch of the Nakamichi 1000ZXL Limited Cassette Deck

The Nakamichi 1000ZXL Limited was a re-run and further improves on Nakamichi's Flagship Cassette deck. It featured state of the art technologies such as custom designed record and playback heads, and on-board processing to further optimize music quality. This Technology was then infused with exquisite design, featuring a gold-plated chassis and rosewood enclosure. It is highly sought after by tape collectors today.

1981

1981

Launch of the Nakamichi NR-200 Noise Reduction Processor

The Nakamichi NR-200 incorporated the revolutionary Dolby-C and Dolby-B noise reduction systems, and was an external processing unit designed to be used in tandem with tape recorders to reduce noise and improve playback. This noise reduction technology was so popular and widely-adopted that in later years, it became the de-facto standard of all high performance cassette decks.

1977

1977

Launch of the Nakamichi 550 Cassette Stereo Recorder

With the new Model 550 Dual Tracer Cassette System, Nakamichi extended their revolution in cassette technology to field recording, featuring 3 microphone inputs and Dolby-B noise reduction system to ensure high-quality recordings could be made by music artists such as Jon Hammond, even when performing outside a dedicated recording studio.