Company Milab Microphones Files for Financial Insolvency
In a surprising turn of events, Swedish microphone manufacturer Milab filed for bankruptcy on August 11, 2025, less than a year after moving into a new custom-built R&D facility in Helsingborg, Sweden [1][2][5]. The Helsingborg District Court's decision effectively closed down the company, leaving many users seeking support and maintenance for their Milab microphones in a quandary.
The bankruptcy of Milab, which was founded in 1941 by Rune Rosander as Pearl MiIkrofonlaboratorium in Stockholm, has also affected its sister brand, Milab, which was created in the late 1970s/early 1980s to bring Milab's products to international markets [3][6]. Pearl became part of the Milab bankruptcy estate after being acquired by Milab in 2017.
As a result of the bankruptcy, official customer service and support for Milab microphones are likely discontinued. Users seeking support may need to look for third-party repair services or secondhand sellers for parts and maintenance, but no formal support structure from Milab itself appears to be available post-bankruptcy [2][5].
However, there may be some hope for those seeking Milab microphones. The thread on Milab's Facebook page suggests that some mics may still be available from distributors [4]. Reach out to Milab's former US distributor, Independent Audio, for potential mic purchases [7]. It's important to note that purchases from Independent Audio will be made without warranty.
The new building in Helsingborg, which was customized to meet Milab's R&D needs, included an IAC Acoustics anechoic chamber [8]. This state-of-the-art facility was a testament to Milab's commitment to quality and innovation.
Milab microphones gained high-profile fans like Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones, with a 'thanks' in the liner notes of 1991's Dangerous album. The Grateful Dead used Milab vocal mics in the 1980s and 90s, and later Dead spinoffs used LSR-3000 mics live in the mid-2010s [9].
The bankruptcy trustee, Ackordcentralen Syd AB, has taken control of the Milab company and will not sell anything from the factory unless there is a future auction or if the whole estate is bought [10]. The thread on Milab's Facebook page notes that nothing will be sold from the factory unless there is a future auction or if the whole estate is bought [11].
Despite the unfortunate circumstances, the legacy of Milab microphones lives on in the hands of their users and the history they made in the music industry. The first rectangular mic capsule was introduced by Pearl in the 1950s, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of microphone technology [12].
In conclusion, customer support for Milab microphones has effectively ended following the company’s bankruptcy and closure in August 2025. However, there may be opportunities to acquire Milab microphones from distributors, and users may need to rely on third-party repair services or secondhand sellers for maintenance and support.
- The closure of Milab, a long-standing player in the audio industry, has left users scrambling for alternative sources of support and maintenance for their Milab microphones.
- The bankruptcy estate now includes Pearl, a sister brand of Milab, which was acquired by Milab in 2017.
- Although official customer service and support for Milab microphones seem to have been discontinued, some Milab microphones may still be available from distributors.
