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Yes, the $350 million transaction was real—but the deal is no longer pending. HARMAN International, a wholly owned Samsung Electronics subsidiary, completed its acquisition of Masimo’s Sound United consumer-audio business on September 23, 2025. The portfolio includes Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz, Polk Audio, Definitive Technology, HEOS, Classé and Boston Acoustics.
The deal in brief
| Detail | What was confirmed |
|---|---|
| Buyer | HARMAN International, wholly owned by Samsung Electronics |
| Seller | Masimo Corporation |
| Business acquired | Masimo’s Sound United consumer-audio business |
| Announced price | $350 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments |
| Agreement announced | May 6, 2025 |
| Transaction completed | September 23, 2025 |
HARMAN announced the agreement in May 2025, while HARMAN and Masimo later confirmed the closing through HARMAN’s announcement and a Masimo SEC filing.
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Samsung did not directly buy four isolated brands
The precise description is that Samsung-owned HARMAN acquired Sound United’s broader consumer-audio business. Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz and Polk Audio were among the best-known names involved, but they were not the entire transaction.
The announced portfolio also included:
- Bowers & Wilkins, associated with premium speakers, headphones and wireless audio.
- Denon, known for AV receivers, amplifiers, network audio and home-theater equipment.
- Marantz, focused on hi-fi electronics and premium home-theater components.
- Polk Audio, which generally serves a more accessible speaker and home-audio segment.
- HEOS, a networked and multiroom-audio platform associated with compatible products.
- Definitive Technology and Boston Acoustics, adding further speaker and consumer-audio coverage.
- Classé, a high-end electronics brand.
The full list is documented in HARMAN’s transaction announcement and Masimo’s consumer-audio brand information.
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How Sound United ended up with Masimo
Masimo completed its acquisition of Sound United in April 2022. That transaction brought brands including Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz, Polk Audio, HEOS, Definitive Technology, Classé and Boston Acoustics into Masimo’s portfolio, as described in this SEC-hosted Masimo announcement.
Masimo subsequently agreed to sell the consumer-audio business to HARMAN as part of a strategic shift toward its core professional healthcare operations. Masimo described the completed sale as supporting that focus. The available transaction announcements do not, by themselves, establish that the audio business was unprofitable, distressed or mismanaged.
Why HARMAN wanted the portfolio
HARMAN already owned a substantial collection of audio brands, including JBL, Harman Kardon, AKG, Mark Levinson, Arcam and Revel. The Sound United acquisition broadens that portfolio across premium hi-fi, home theater, speakers, headphones, amplifiers and networked audio.
That gives HARMAN coverage of multiple price and product segments:
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- 3-WAY SPEAKER - The 3-way speaker design provides a detailed, clear stereo soundstage. Its down-firing subwoofer delivers punchy, accurate bass. Dual silk dome tweeters and mid-range drivers provide flawless vocal and instrument reproduction.
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- STREAMING & CONNECTIVITY - Connect up to two mobile devices simultaneously via Bluetooth. Enjoy high-quality Dolby audio with any modern TV in seconds with just one HDMI ARC cable. Also features multi-speaker connection via Auracast.
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- Premium speakers and headphones through Bowers & Wilkins.
- AV receivers and home-theater electronics through Denon and Marantz.
- More accessible speaker categories through Polk Audio.
- High-end electronics through Classé.
- Multiroom and networked-audio functionality through HEOS.
HARMAN characterized the transaction as expanding its premium-audio leadership and strengthening its position across home audio and related categories. The strategic rationale does not prove that every acquired brand will be merged into Samsung products or repositioned in a particular way.
What the acquisition means for customers
Brand names may remain separate
Ownership does not automatically mean that Denon, Marantz or Bowers & Wilkins products will receive Samsung branding. HARMAN can own multiple brands while preserving distinct product lines, dealers, engineering approaches and customer identities. No announcement supplied here confirms a plan to consolidate the brands.
Existing warranties are not automatically void
A change in corporate ownership does not, by itself, cancel a product warranty. However, warranty terms, authorized-service arrangements and regional policies can differ. Existing owners should check the relevant brand’s official support and warranty documentation for their product and country.
Apps and firmware may remain separate
The acquisition announcements do not establish a universal plan to merge HEOS with Samsung or HARMAN platforms, migrate apps, or change firmware support. Owners should not assume that a future app consolidation, product discontinuation or automatic ecosystem migration will occur.
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- Bluetooth music streaming: The Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 pairs seamlessly with up to two mobile devices simultaneously. Take turns sharing playlists and music, all in enhanced, dynamic sound.
- Built-in battery: With its rechargeable built-in battery, you can enjoy the Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 anywhere in your home, and easily transport it from one room to another for up to 8 hours of playtime
- Self-Tuning: Enjoy perfect sounds wherever you take the music. When you power on, the Onyx Studio 9 automatically calibrates to its environment, ensuring the best sound possible no matter where you set it down.
- Boost stereo sound with two speakers: Quickly and easily turn up the celebration with a wider, more detailed soundstage by pairing two Onyx Studio 9 speakers together, wirelessly.
- USB Charging port: Never worry about your mobile device running out of juice while you're streaming your favorite audiobook. The USB charging port means you and your device will always be ready for anything.
Distribution and repair policies are not yet defined by the deal announcement
Dealer networks, repair centers, inventory arrangements and regional support can change over time, but the transaction announcements do not provide a complete customer-support transition plan. Buyers should verify that a retailer is authorized and should retain receipts, warranty documents and product serial numbers.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What remains unknown
As of September 15, 2026, the acquisition confirms ownership—not every future operating decision. The available announcements do not confirm:
- Whether HARMAN will consolidate overlapping speaker, headphone or receiver lines.
- Whether manufacturing locations or staffing will change.
- Whether any brand will receive additional or reduced investment.
- Whether apps, platforms or account systems will be combined.
- Whether prices will rise or fall because of the acquisition.
- Whether Samsung branding will appear on products from the acquired brands.
Those outcomes are possible strategic questions, but treating them as announced plans would go beyond the evidence.
Important scope warning for Denon shoppers
The transaction concerns the Denon business included in Sound United’s consumer-audio portfolio. “Denon” can also create confusion with other Denon-branded businesses, including DJ equipment. Readers should identify the specific product category, seller and manufacturer information rather than assume that every Denon-branded product is covered by this transaction.
What buyers should do
- Check the official brand site. For current products, support and warranty terms, use the relevant sites for Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz or Polk Audio.
- Verify regional support. Warranty coverage, repair access and firmware availability can vary by country and product.
- Do not buy based solely on Samsung ownership. The acquisition does not establish better sound quality, lower prices, longer support or faster innovation.
- Check ecosystem compatibility. Readers seeking a seamless Samsung setup should confirm app, connectivity and platform compatibility before buying legacy HARMAN or Sound United products.
Current prices, inventory and promotions should be checked directly with authorized vendors. The $350 million transaction price says nothing about the current retail price or value of an individual receiver, amplifier, speaker or headphone.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
