Samsung expands audio lineup with Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz, and Polk
Samsung subsidiary, Harman International, which houses audio brands JBL, Harman Kardon, AKG, Mark Levinson, Arcam, and Revel, has announced a $350 million acquisition of medical technology company Masimo Corporation's consumer audio business, including audio brands like Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz, Polk Audio, and Definitive Technology. The all-cash deal will be closed by the end of this year, subject to regulatory approvals.
In late 2023, Masimo was involved in a patent infringement case against Apple, claiming the company violated its patents for pulse oximetry technology used to measure blood oxygen levels in Apple Watches. The lawsuit forced Apple to disable the sensor on the Series 9, the Ultra 2, and the Series 10.
Apple won the case in October 2024 and got a statutory minimum of just $250. The federal jury ruled that Masimo had willfully infringed on some Apple patents.
In a press release, Samsung said it plans to "solidify our global No. 1 position in the consumer audio market," and expects it to grow to $70 billion in 2029.
The President of Harman's Lifestyle division, Dave Rogers, said the acquisition was 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."
Katie Szyman, CEO of Masimo, said the sale will "ensure we are allocating time and resources to areas of unmet clinical need and driving growth and operational efficiencies. This transaction aligns with these objectives. Our consumer audio business and its talented team will be well positioned for growth and success under Harman's leadership."
