HARMAN Finalizes Sound United Acquisition, Adds Denon, Marantz, and Bowers &
Wilkins to Its Portfolio

HARMAN has officially completed its acquisition of Sound United, bringing a roster of iconic
audio brands — including Denon, Marantz, Bowers & Wilkins, Polk Audio, and Definitive
Technology — under its Lifestyle Division. Sound United will continue to operate as a
standalone strategic business unit (SBU), preserving brand identities while benefiting from
HARMAN’s global scale.

For consumers, the message is clear: little will change in the near term. “For the foreseeable
future—say six months to a year—distribution, customer service, supply chain, and sales teams
are going to remain separate,” a HARMAN executive said, adding that long-term plans also call
for a diversified distribution strategy rather than consolidation.

In the AVR space, Denon and Marantz will continue leading alongside Arcam, with distinct
products competing on their own merits despite some pricing overlap. Multiroom audio remains
a priority too — HEOS will continue as a cornerstone platform, while HARMAN explores how
it might interoperate with Roon, which will remain premium and independent. Roon’s RAAT
multiroom protocol and certification lab are also moving to HARMAN’s Texas office, and a new
Roon product is expected in spring 2026.

On the speaker side, Bowers & Wilkins takes the flagship spot with its European design heritage
and unique sonic signature, while Polk Audio and Definitive Technology will continue to target
lifestyle and home theater users across various budgets.

HARMAN plans to leverage engineering talent and share expertise across global teams —
from Japan to the U.K. and the U.S. — without diluting brand character. This approach will also
extend to retail, with incremental product expansions like a new JBL AVR line at Best Buy
complementing Denon and Marantz in the enthusiast and custom installation markets.

Bottom line: This acquisition signals evolution, not upheaval. Expect Sound United’s brands to
retain their individual strengths and continue innovating within their lanes, while HARMAN
provides the resources and scale to accelerate their growth.