Samsung Acquires Hi-Fi Brands for Harman Subsidiary

Harman International, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, is acquiring several premium audio brands — including Bowers & Wilkins, Marantz, and Denon — according to What Hi-Fi?.

This acquisition is made possible through a deal to acquire the consumer audio division of Masimo, an American medical technology company, valued at approximately $350 million. The transaction is expected to close by the end of the year.

The following Hi-Fi brands will be owned by Samsung’s subsidiary:

• Bowers & Wilkins
• Denon
• Marantz
• Polk Audio
• Definitive Technology
• Classé
• HEOS
• Boston Acoustics

These eight premium audio brands were previously acquired by Masimo three years ago from Sound United for $1.025 billion. After more than a year of attempting to sell them, Masimo has agreed to the deal with Samsung.

Owning these brands will strengthen Samsung's position in the global consumer audio market. Dave Rogers, President of Harman’s Lifestyle Division, called the deal a strategic move:

This acquisition represents a strategic step forward in the expansion of Harman’s core audio business and footprint across key product categories such as Home Audio, Headphones, Hi-fi components, and Car Audio.

Since 2016, Harman International has been a Samsung subsidiary and already owns several well-known brands, including Arcam, AKG, JBL, Mark Levinson, and Revel.