Harman — a subsidiary of Samsung — is acquiring (former) Sound United, which saw limited success under the management of Masimo, a manufacturer of medical equipment.
The world of audio brands can be a complex one when it comes to ownership. Take Sound United, for example, which includes major names like Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, and Marantz. Things hadn’t been going too smoothly for the company, prompting Masimo to step in and acquire it. But Masimo, a company focused on medical technology, had little to no background in audio — making the acquisition a rather curious fit. Unsurprisingly, that pairing didn’t pan out as hoped, which has now opened the door for Harman to take over.
Harman, of course, is itself a subsidiary of South Korea’s Samsung. This means Samsung is now amassing a vast collection of audio brands. In addition to the newly acquired names, it already owns JBL, AKG, Mark Levinson, and Roon.
If all goes well, the brands may begin to benefit from shared technological advancements — potentially boosting product compatibility across the board. The acquisition of Sound United by Harman is expected to be finalized by the end of the year. With it, Samsung firmly establishes itself as a major global force in the audio industry.