Harmon is acquiring Bowers & Wilkins, Marantz, and Denon, as Masimo disposes of its consumer audio division.
Harman International Expands Audio Portfolio with Masimo Acquisition
Harman International, a Samsung-owned company, has announced the acquisition of Masimo's consumer audio division for $350 million. This deal includes well-known audio brands such as Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz, Polk Audio, Definitive Technology, HEOS, and Boston Acoustics.
The acquisition expands Harman's footprint across key product categories including home audio, headphones, hi-fi components, and car audio. It complements Harman’s existing strengths and offers new avenues for growth by creating a combined family of audio brands built on a shared legacy of innovation and excellence in audio technology.
The integration is expected to strengthen Harman’s value proposition and provide consumers with more diverse and complementary audio product options. From a market perspective, the transaction consolidates premium and diverse audio brands, likely increasing Harman’s competitive edge against other consumer audio and electronics companies.
For Masimo, the sale aligns with its strategic shift to focus more tightly on its core professional healthcare business, separating from consumer audio which it no longer considers a strategic priority.
Brands involved will benefit from Harman’s global distribution, R&D capabilities, and marketing resources. This can lead to enhanced product development and market reach for iconic names such as Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, and Marantz, as well as others in the Sound United lineup. Meanwhile, Harman strengthens its Lifestyle Audio division and broadens consumer choice across multiple product categories.
The acquisition represents a strategic consolidation in the consumer audio industry, creating a powerhouse portfolio of respected brands under Harman International with potential benefits including expanded product offerings, innovations, and market growth opportunities. It also marks Masimo’s exit from consumer audio to focus on healthcare innovation.
In other news, Bowers & Wilkins, which was acquired by Sound United in 2020, is now being sold again, having been part of two different companies in the past five years. The upcoming High End Munich 2025 hi-fi show is being previewed in another article.
[1] Harman International Press Release [2] Masimo Press Release [3] The Verge
- Harman International, strengthened by a $350 million acquisition of Masimo's consumer audio division, now houses an extended audio portfolio comprising brands like Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, and Polk Audio.
- The acquisition adds home audio, headphones, hi-fi components, and car audio product categories to Harman's existing offerings, enhancing their potential for growth.
- With new avenues for innovation and excellence, the union of these brands creates a unified family that promises diverse and complementary audio products to consumers.
- After the sale, Masimo will focus more closely on its professional healthcare business, deemphasizing consumer audio as a strategic priority.
- The acquisition will empower brands like Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, and Marantz with Harman's global distribution, R&D capabilities, and marketing resources for enhanced product development.
- Harman's Lifestyle Audio division will gain strength while providing consumers with more choice across multiple product categories.
- The strategic shift in the consumer audio industry brings about a new powerhouse portfolio of respected brands under Harman International, presenting opportunities for expanded product offerings, innovations, and market growth.
- On an unrelated note, Bowers & Wilkins, which was previously owned by Sound United and Harman International, is currently to be sold for the third time in the past five years.
- The High End Munich 2025 hi-fi show, another significant event in the technology and lifestyle industry, is being previewed in recent news articles.
