Samsung-owned Harman completes acquisition of Bowers & Wilkins's parent company

Samsung's Harman subsidiary has completed the acquisition of Sound United, a Masimo-owned audio business that was the umbrella company for popular audio brands such as Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, and Marantz. The acquisition was first announced in May, but has now just been completed.

The $350 million purchase is a fraction of the $8 billion Samsung paid for Harman in 2016. With the purchase, all of Sound United's brands, which include Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz, Definitive Technology, Polk Audio, HEOS, Classé, and Boston Acoustics, are now owned by Harman International (read, Samsung). These brands will expand Harman's portfolio to include amplifiers, Hi-Fi components, home audio equipment, and audio/video receivers (AVRs). 

According to an official press release, Sound United will operate as a standalone Strategic Business Unit (SBU) within Harman's lifestyle division. This is to allow the brands to retain their heritage, expertise, and customer base. The press release also stated that the brands will be able to leverage Harman's resources to expand their reach, capabilities, and success.

Harman will also benefit from Sound United's expertise and talent, which will help it accelerate developments of its audio technologies, expand its market, and cement its position as a leader in the audio segment.