Sound United
United States
Sound United was founded in 2000 (with corporate roots dating back to 1982 under DEI Holdings) by CEO Jim Minarik, who joined when Darrell and Kathy Issa (original founders of the parent company Directed Electronics in 1982) sold to private equity firm Trivest. Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, Sound United became a leading audio company through strategic acquisitions, starting with Definitive Technology in 2004, followed by Polk Audio, and then the major 2017 acquisition of D+M Group (Denon, Marantz, Boston Acoustics, HEOS). The company built an award-winning portfolio including Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz, Polk Audio, Definitive Technology, Classé Audio, Boston Acoustics, HEOS, and Polk BOOM. Sound United specialized in home theater and personal audio products including loudspeakers, soundbars, AV receivers, wireless multi-room systems, Bluetooth speakers, amplifiers, turntables, and headphones. The company was acquired by Masimo Corporation in 2022 for $1.03 billion, and most recently in September 2024, Samsung's subsidiary Harman completed a $350 million acquisition of Sound United from Masimo.
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After $350M Deal: Harman President Shares First Hints About Impactful Acquisition
Harman, a subsidiary of Samsung, acquired Sound United from Masimo for $350 million, integrating brands like Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, and Marantz.
Masimo, originally in medical technology, sold Sound United as part of restructuring to focus exclusively on healthcare solutions.
Harman's acquisition expands its audio portfolio, adding to brands like JBL and Harman Kardon, and aims to leverage synergies among their technologies.
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