In a bold move to further solidify its position in the global audio market, Samsung subsidiary Harman has announced a definitive agreement to acquire the consumer audio division of Masimo for $350 million. The deal includes iconic audio brands such as Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz, and Polk Audio, and is expected to close by the end of 2025, pending regulatory approval.
This strategic acquisition builds on Samsung’s 2016 purchase of Harman for $8 billion, which brought established names like JBL, Harman Kardon, AKG, and Mark Levinson under its umbrella. With the addition of Masimo’s premium audio portfolio, Samsung is positioning itself as a dominant force in the high-fidelity sound industry across both consumer and automotive markets.
A Premium Audio Lineage
Among the acquired brands, Bowers & Wilkins stands out as a symbol of audiophile excellence. Founded in England in 1966, the company is renowned for its meticulous craftsmanship and acoustic innovation. Its legendary Nautilus speakers—priced north of $100,000—are often hailed as some of the most visually and sonically stunning speakers ever made.
Denon and Marantz also bring a rich heritage of high-performance audio technology, known for their contributions to home theater systems, AV receivers, and hi-fi components. Polk Audio, meanwhile, is celebrated for its balance of affordability and quality, particularly in home and car audio segments.
Integrating Audio Excellence Across Samsung’s Ecosystem
Samsung has made it clear that this acquisition is not just about hardware. In a statement, the company revealed plans to integrate the advanced audio engineering from these brands into a wide array of products—ranging from smartphones and TVs to headphones, soundbars, and automotive sound systems.
By embedding premium audio tech into its consumer electronics and vehicles, Samsung aims to deliver immersive sound experiences that resonate with both everyday users and audiophiles alike.
Bowers & Wilkins Nautilus
Masimo’s Surprising Role
While Masimo is best known in the medical technology space—particularly for its innovations in non-invasive monitoring—it garnered public attention in 2023 following a high-profile legal battle with Apple. Masimo accused the tech giant of infringing on its pulse oximetry patents, ultimately leading to a temporary halt in sales of Apple Watch models featuring the disputed technology.
Now, by divesting its consumer audio assets, Masimo appears to be refocusing on its core healthcare innovations.
A Sound Investment
With this acquisition, Samsung is not just adding brands—it’s acquiring decades of acoustic research, design expertise, and loyal customer bases. The move underscores Samsung’s long-term vision to lead not only in display and mobile technologies but in delivering world-class audio experiences that span across its entire product ecosystem.