CE Pro April 2022 - 14

Audio+Video
DISPLAYS | COMPONENTS | FURNISHINGS | ENTERTAINMENT | SERVICES
Sound United to Be
Acquired by Medical
Tech Provider
Masimo
A definitive agreement for medical
technology company to acquire Sound
United is expected to be finalized
sometime in mid-2022. By Robert Archer
SOUND UNITED, LLC, a
manufacturer of high-performance
audio products, has
announced it has entered
into a definitive agreement
to be acquired by Masimo
Corporation.
Headquartered in Irvine,
Calif., Masimo is a global
medical technology company
that develops, manufactures,
and markets a variety
of noninvasive monitoring
technologies for hospital and
home settings.
Sound United operates
brands that include Bowers
& Wilkins, Denon, Polk
Audio, Marantz, Definitive
Technology, Classé, HEOS
and Boston Acoustics. Sound
United states that it delivers
significant competitive
benefits through its platform
advantages including global
distribution across online,
retail and custom installation
channels; a cloud-connected
home ecosystem;
and state-of-the-art R&D
function focused on creating
14 | CE Pro April 2022
the highest-quality consumer
products with world-class
industrial design.
" I have long been a fan
(and proud owner) of Sound
United's iconic brands and
am honored to steward them
through the next generation
of technological evolution, "
comments Joe Kiani, founder,
chair and CEO, Masimo.
" Masimo shares Sound
United's commitment to
providing innovative, bestin-class
products and experiences,
with a relentless focus
on improving the consumer
experience. "
According to the companies,
the combined Masimo
and Sound United resources
will create stronger relationships
with consumers and
seamlessly deliver quality
consumer products.
The company will leverage
Sound United's expertise
across consumer channels
to accelerate distribution of
Masimo's expanding portfolio
of consumer products.
Masimo founder and CEO Joe Kiani says he has long been an
owner of Sound United brand gear.
The resulting company will
benefit from the professional
and consumer engineering
function focused on products
that make an impact on
the lives of our consumers.
" We're excited about this
transaction and see significant
potential in combining
our expertise in consumer
electronics and audio
engineering with Masimo's
strengths in healthcare and
monitoring, " adds Kevin
Duffy, CEO of Sound United.
" With our track record
of industry-first innovation,
best-in-class products, and a
global distribution network,
we are the ideal partner
for Masimo to transform
the consumer healthcare
experience. I look forward
to working with the Masimo
team to enrich the lives of
consumers. "
The transaction is expected
to close near the middle
of 2022, subject to the receipt
of regulatory approvals
and other customary closing
conditions.
Once the deal is completed,
Kevin Duffy will continue
to lead Sound United,
reporting directly to Kiani.
Sound United is a portfolio
company of Boston-based
private equity firm Charlesbank
Capital Partners, LLC.
In other Sound United
news, the company announced
it has named Terry
Lewis as executive director
of its Sound Start Foundation,
following the organization's
growth over the past
three years.
A respected music industry
veteran with broad
senior-executive and notfor-profit
experience, Lewis
assumed his new role in
February.
Sound United established
the Sound Start Foundation
in 2018 with a mission to
purchase and donate musical
instruments to enrich
students' lives and support
school music programs
around the globe.
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CE Pro April 2022

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