Samsung confirms it is acquiring premium audio firm Bowers & Wilkins

Samsung Electronics has confirmed that its subsidiary Harman International has signed a contract to acquire the audio business unit of Masimo, which owns several high-profile and preium audio firms, including Boston Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, and Polk Audio.

With this acquisition, Samsung will become a powerhouse in the audio segment. It acquired Harman back in 2016 for $8 billion.

Samsung subsidiary Harman International has signed a contract in the USA to acquire Masimo's audio firms for $350 million in cash. Its audio firms include Boston Acoustics, Bowers & Wilkins, Classé, Definitive Technology, Denon, HEOS, Marantz, and Polk Audio.

Bowers & Wilkins was founded in 1966 in England. It is known for its exquisite audio products, including headphones, home theatre speakers, and wireless speakers. Its products feature beautiful designs and premium materials, and they are loved by audio enthusiasts. Its iconic Nautilus speakers cost over $100,000 and some term it the most beautiful speakers in the history. Its Zeppelin wireless speakers and PX7 series wireless headphones are also revered.

Denon is a 115-year old audio brand known for its audio-video (AV) receivers, CD players, turntables, home theatre speakers, network audio players, and soundbars. Marantz is popular for its premium amplifiers, AV recievers, network audio players, and wireless speakers.

Samsung expects to improve its audio and video technologies with the acquisition of new audio firms and improve the audio performance of its smartphones (and other mobile devices), soundbars, TVs, and wireless earphonds. It will also improve the SmartThings ecosystem by bringing compatibility to more connected devices from the newly acquired audio firms.

Dave Rogers, President of Harman Lifestyle Business Unit, said, “Harman is proud to have grown into a world-class audio company with 75 years of history, and we expect that the acquisition of another luxury audio brand, B&W, will further solidify Harman’s position as a true audio powerhouse.“

Image Credits: Samsung