In 2025, Sennheiser celebrates 80 years of innovation in sound. The German audio giant, renowned for its legendary microphones and headphones, has evolved from a post-war startup to a brand recognised for delivering premium sound across live performances, broadcasting, business communication, and content creation.
In India, Sennheiser has already been in operation for 18 years, standing out in a leadership position in professional audio while transforming corporate collaboration, education technology, live events, and content creation. To understand how Sennheiser is shaping its present and future in India, Digit sat down with Vipin Pungalia, Director of Sales, Pro Audio, and Naveen Sridhara, Director of Sales, Business Communication, Sennheiser India.
In this conversation, we covered everything from India’s ‘price vs quality’ paradox to AI-driven microphones, Spectera’s game-changing wireless system, the creator economy, and how sound can be the ultimate deal-breaker in communication. Here are some key excerpts from the discussion.
Q. From your perspective in India, how do you see the company’s heritage translating into relevance for today’s creators and businesses?
Vipin: We’re celebrating 80 years globally, and in India as well, we’ve completed 18 years here. This milestone isn’t just about achievements; it’s also about gratitude to customers and partners who’ve guided us and pushed us to innovate. Our journey has always been about learning from the past and implementing those lessons for the future of audio.
Naveen: And that journey continues with innovation. For eight decades, Sennheiser has asked the same question: ‘How do we innovate?’ Our users, artists, businesses, and creators are passionate. To keep pace with them, we have to match that passion with continuous innovation. That’s how heritage stays relevant.
Q. India is often seen as a price-centric market, but the demand for premium products is also growing as people begin to value quality experiences. How do you navigate this paradox?
Vipin: Yes, India is price-sensitive, but Sennheiser’s customers, whether broadcasters, sound rental companies, studios, or corporates, have always trusted quality. It’s our job to educate customers about why quality matters. They see the value and are willing to invest in it.
Naveen: Earlier, discussions started with price. Today, the conversation is about value. Take education: institutes now invest in top faculty, infrastructure, and audio-visual systems equally. They can’t compromise on AV because collaboration is both local and global.
Q. Over the last decade, how has the role of sound changed in business and culture?
Vipin: Immersive experiences are the new norm. In live entertainment or education, audiences want quality. That has helped us, as a global brand, position ourselves strongly in India.
Naveen: Look at meeting rooms today, you can switch off video and still continue effectively, but without audio, collaboration stops. Audio is becoming network-based, IP-connected, and integral to digital ecosystems. It’s no longer secondary.
Q. What do you think will define the next big leap in professional and business audio?
Naveen: AI is already here, and we are incorporating it into our daily solutions. For example, our ceiling tile microphones can identify who’s speaking, direct audio beams toward them, and trigger cameras to focus automatically, all without manual intervention. Imagine a classroom where a student simply asks a question from their seat. The system picks up their voice, directs the camera, and the entire room sees them clearly. That’s the kind of frictionless experience AI brings.
Vipin: Adding to that, our new platform, Spectera, is a game-changer. It’s the world’s first bidirectional wireless system based on WMAS, handling 64 channels with just one rack. For rental companies, this drastically reduces complexity. Professional audio is going fully digital, ecosystem-driven, and mobile-controlled.
Q. AI is transforming audio. What are your plans for integrating it further?
Naveen: AI allows microphones to “think.” Our latest ceiling microphones can distinguish between speech and background noise, eliminating distractions such as table taps or shuffling papers. Earlier, processing required external devices; today, it’s built in.
We’ve also introduced the TeamConnect Bar, which intelligently integrates with external microphones over Dante, with no need for extra hardware. And with our Mobile Connect app, 4,000 people in a hall can ask questions directly from their phones.
Vipin: The magic lies in the combination of software and hardware. We’re moving toward future-proof ecosystems, where updates enhance features without replacing hardware. That’s how AI makes audio more accessible.
Q. Streaming and live content creation are booming in India. How are creators using pro audio tools in surprising ways?
Vipin: Creators want simplicity with quality. Tools like our Profile Wireless 2.4 GHz system deliver studio-grade audio with ease of use. Journalists stream from the field, musicians record at home, influencers live-stream, it’s all part of a growing culture where audio quality defines credibility.
During the pandemic, many musicians shifted to online performances. That trend continues, and Sennheiser provides the ‘multi-tools’ that make it seamless.
Q. What challenges do you face in convincing professionals to move from ‘good enough’ to pro-grade solutions?
Vipin: Experience is the biggest differentiator. Once customers test our systems in real environments, the difference is undeniable. Whether rental companies, broadcasters, or creators, once they experience the workflows and quality, they understand the value. For example, we provide proof-of-concept experiences and customer education for rental companies or broadcasters using existing systems. This clearly demonstrates the value and significant difference between what they’re currently using and the benefits they’ll receive.
Q. Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of pro audio?
Vipin: Immersive audio, whether you call it 3D, spatial, or immersive sound. We’re implementing more immersive studios across India, often in collaboration with Dolby. That’s the frontier of professional audio.
Naveen: For me, it’s AI and sustainability. Clients today want to know not only how good your product is but also how environmentally responsible it is. Sustainability is now a key consideration in every tender, and it will influence how we design future products.
Q. How important is India in Sennheiser’s global roadmap?
Vipin: With double-digit growth in professional audio, a booming creator economy, and rapid adoption of business communication systems, the country is already one of Sennheiser’s most important subsidiaries worldwide. Despite massive demand surges over the past four years, especially after the pandemic, we have achieved significant growth in 2023 and 2024, and 2025 has stabilised somewhat; we’re not just catching up with global trends, we’re often ahead. India is a top focus market, and our investments in teams, offices, and service centres reflect that.
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Q. What is Sennheiser’s business communications strategy and roadmap for the next few years, particularly in India?
Naveen Sridhara: Our motto is making collaboration and learning easier. We’re focused on three demanding segments – government, corporates, and education. Boardrooms remain a big investment area, but what’s really growing are multipurpose spaces like cafeterias being converted into town halls. Here, we’re deploying solutions such as voice lift technology for clear audio across large gatherings, while our TeamConnect Bars are perfect for meeting rooms.
Looking ahead, education is a major focus. With tools like Mobile Connect, students can stream lectures directly to their phones, whether in libraries, classrooms, or even outdoors. The roadmap is about extending audio beyond rooms, making communication seamless wherever people are.