Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Hi-Fi Components

Sound United Acquired by Masimo Corporation

Masimo Corporation has acquired Sound United for $1.03 billion giving them control of Marantz, Denon, Bowers & Wilkins, Polk Audio, Definitive Technology, and more…

Sound United Logo

Update: Masimo has completed the Sound United acquisition on April 12, 2022.

Our original story from February 15, 2022 is available below.

The ink on our Marantz Model 40n story was barely dry today when we heard rumors about something big regarding Sound United. Consolidation in the consumer A/V industry is nothing new but this story has huge implications because so many premium high-end brands are involved. Sound United is being acquired by Masimo Corporation, a leading global medical technology company.

The consumer electronics division of Sennheiser, was also acquired recently by Sonova; another medical technology company involved in the hearing aid space.

Masimo is a global medical technology company that develops and manufactures innovative noninvasive patient monitoring technologies, medical devices, and a wide array of sensors.

The Irvine-based company is acquiring Sound United for $1.03 billion and plans on leveraging Sound United’s expertise in consumer electronics and global distribution to expand its own consumer products business.

Sound United operates consumer brands Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Polk Audio, Marantz, Definitive Technology, Classé, and Boston Acoustics.

From the February 15, 2022 press release:


Sound United, LLC (“Sound United”), a leading innovator of premium, high-performance audio products for consumers around the world, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Masimo Corporation (Nasdaq: MASI) (“Masimo”). Masimo is a leading global medical technology company that develops, manufactures, and markets a variety of noninvasive monitoring technologies for hospital and home settings.

Sound United operates iconic consumer brands: Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Polk Audio, Marantz, Definitive Technology, Classé, and Boston Acoustics.

The brands are linked by a commitment to the highest production standards and a focus on unparalleled audio quality and performance.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Sound United delivers significant competitive benefits through its platform advantages including global distribution across online, retail and custom installation channels; a cloud-connected home ecosystem; and state-of-the-art R&D function focused on creating the highest-quality consumer products with world-class industrial design.

“I have long been a fan (and proud owner) of Sound United’s iconic brands and am honored to steward them through the next generation of technological evolution,” Masimo Founder, Chair & CEO Joe Kiani commented. “Masimo shares Sound United’s commitment to providing innovative, best-in-class products and experiences, with a relentless focus on improving the consumer experience.”

A combined Masimo and Sound United will create stronger relationships with consumers and seamlessly deliver high-quality consumer products. The company will leverage Sound United’s expertise across consumer channels to accelerate distribution of Masimo’s expanding portfolio of consumer products. The resulting company will benefit from a world-class professional and consumer engineering function focused on products that make an impact on the lives of our consumers.

“We’re excited about this transaction and see significant potential in combining our expertise in consumer electronics and audio engineering with Masimo’s strengths in healthcare and monitoring,” said Kevin Duffy, CEO of Sound United. “With our track record of industry-first innovation, best-in-class products, and a global distribution network, we are the ideal partner for Masimo to transform the consumer healthcare experience. I look forward to working with the Masimo team to enrich the lives of consumers.”

Transaction Details

The transaction is expected to close near the middle of 2022, subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

Post-closing, Kevin Duffy will continue to lead Sound United, reporting directly to Masimo Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Joe Kiani.


April 12, 2022 – Press Release:

Masimo (NASDAQ: MASI) today announced that it has successfully completed the previously announced acquisition of Sound United, a leading consumer technology company and owner of multiple premium audio and home entertainment brands. Sound United will operate as a division of Masimo, under its existing leadership, from its headquarters in Carlsbad, California. Sound United operates iconic consumer brands including Bowers & Wilkins®, Denon®, Polk Audio®, Marantz®, Definitive Technology®, Classé®, and Boston Acoustics®. Sold worldwide, these brands are linked by a commitment to the highest production standards and a focus on unparalleled quality and performance. 

Joe Kiani, Founder and CEO of Masimo, said, “We are thrilled to add Sound United’s premium technology, established consumer channels, and well-known brands to Masimo’s broad portfolio of hospital and home medical technology solutions. We believe Masimo’s expertise in advanced signal processing, biosensing, and photonics technologies combined with Sound United’s audio and home automation technologies will bring about natural and yet non-intuitive solutions to people around the globe in home and in hospitals. Masimo will leverage Sound United’s expertise across consumer channels to accelerate distribution of the combined company’s expanding portfolio of consumer-facing healthcare products. We welcome the incredibly talented and dedicated teams at Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz, Polk Audio, HEOS, Definitive Technology, Classé, and Boston Acoustics to Masimo.” 

“While we continue to identify growth opportunities by leveraging the strengths and resources from both companies, we want to express our continued commitment to our loyal customers who rely on the Sound United brands to continue driving their businesses with best-in-class solutions and forward-thinking innovation,” said Kevin Duffy, CEO of Sound United. “With our track record of industry-first innovation, superior manufacturing, and a global distribution network, we are confident that Sound United is the ideal partner for Masimo as they transform and enrich the consumer healthcare experience.”

Financial guidance associated with the Sound United acquisition will be provided during Masimo’s first quarter earnings release on Tuesday, May 3, 2022.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. ORT

    February 16, 2022 at 4:28 am

    Hmmmm…A change is coming…

    I still want a new Marantz 40n. Maybe. Kinda. Sorta. Yeah, I do. It looks sweet. Please review one soon! Oh! And a review of the new Pro-Ject Automat A1 is also politely requested.

    I have Sennheiser stuff too. And Denon.

    My mother taught me that any one can change. What is needed is change for the better.

    That is my hope for this change in owner ship.

    ORT

    • Ian White

      February 16, 2022 at 2:22 pm

      ORT,

      It’s an interesting move. Masimo is a big player in their category but I’m puzzled by it somewhat. We’ve seen this happen before in audio and it doesn’t always end well for all of the brands.

      Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz, and Polk are the big brands here. Classe is small, DefTec is not huge, and it will be interesting to see if people are shifted around or if this gives Sound United more R&D money.

      Ian White

  2. Dan

    September 9, 2022 at 12:41 am

    I have been a Marantz guy since the 70s. Can only hope that Marantz continues to raise the bar.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement

New Products

Bowers & Wilkins 702 S3 Signature Loudspeakers in Midnight Blue Metallic Closeup

Floorstanding Speakers

Trickle-down technology from Bowers & Wilkins' flagship 800 Series arrives in select 700 Series loudspeakers with gorgeous new finishes.

Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 Wireless Earbuds with Charging Case Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 Wireless Earbuds with Charging Case

Earbuds & In-Ear Headphones

At $219, the Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 true wireless earbuds support Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio and up 16 hours per charge.

SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle Loudspeakers SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle Loudspeakers

Floorstanding Speakers

From $899 to $4,999/pair, the new top-of-the-line SVS Ultra Evolution loudspeakers raise the bar for affordable home theater performance.

Atlantic Technology 8600i Series Loudspeakers Lifestyle White Atlantic Technology 8600i Series Loudspeakers Lifestyle White

Floorstanding Speakers

The top-of-the-line Atlantic Technology 8600i Series includes a new tower and center channel speaker for home theater or stereo listening.

RSL Speakers Speedwoofer 10E Subwoofer Front RSL Speakers Speedwoofer 10E Subwoofer Front

New Products

RSL Speakers undercuts its own pricing by offering a new 10-inch, 300-watt powered subwoofer for music and home theater.

Sunaudio Purified 4 Loudspeakers Sunaudio Purified 4 Loudspeakers

Floorstanding Speakers

Sun Audio offers new approach to audiophile system building. Bring your own crossover, amplifier and customize all settings.

You May Also Like

Floorstanding Speakers

Trickle-down technology from Bowers & Wilkins' flagship 800 Series arrives in select 700 Series loudspeakers with gorgeous new finishes.

Gift Guides

Whether enjoying music at home or on-the-go, you don't have to spend a lot to experience high fidelity sound.

Floorstanding Speakers

For those seeking the ultimate in high fidelity music playback, the ultra luxury high-end audio market continues to innovate with loudspeakers at jaw dropping...

Gift Guides

Our roundup of tech gift ideas for Valentine's Day is guaranteed to impress and won't blow your budget.

A/V Receivers & Preamp/Processors

The new Marantz CINEMA 30 is the top-of-the-line 11.4-channel A/V receiver in 2024 priced at $4500.

A/V Receivers & Preamp/Processors

Marantz and Denon AVR owners now have a very effective tool for dealing with bass issues in their rooms. Dirac Live Bass Control is...

Gift Guides

Shop this season's best DTS powered products for everyone on your list - from gamers, music lovers, content creators, and cinephiles.

Articles

At $6,000, the Bowers & Wilkins 703 S3 are certainly not inexpensive and demand a high-end system that can drive them properly. Get it...

Advertisement

ecoustics is a hi-fi and music magazine offering product reviews, podcasts, news and advice for aspiring audiophiles, home theater enthusiasts and headphone hipsters. Read more

Copyright © 1999-2024 ecoustics | Disclaimer: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.



SVS Bluesound PSB Speakers NAD Cambridge Audio Q Acoustics Denon Marantz Focal Naim Audio RSL Speakers