Sound United was a house number in the hi-fi world that was hard to ignore. In recent years, the company has bought major brands such as Bowers & Wilkins, Denon and Marantz. In February 2022 it was announced that Sound United itself had been bought by California company Masimo. The integration into Masimo’s consumer division now appears to be complete.
Sound United merges with Masimo Consumer
Almost a year ago, when we reported on the multibillion-dollar purchase of Masimo, we were blown away. Because Masimo is especially at home in the healthcare sector. Body function monitoring software and hardware are the main focus. Or it was before. Because on the Masimo homepage there is now another tab in addition to the Professional Health and Consumer Health topics: under Consumer Audio you will now find all the brands that were previously under the Sound United umbrella. Even the former homepage a soundunited. com now leads to the Masimo home page.
Sound United themselves made the change LinkedIn confirms, “As we begin this chapter as Masimo Consumer, the consumer will remain front and center as we bring innovation and premium experiences into homes and lives.” Masimo Consumer seems to indicate the two areas of Masimo that specialize in end consumers.
What does Masimo Consumer intend to do with the Sound United brands?
Masimo CEO Joe Kiani is said to have spent $1.4 billion to buy Sound United. Meanwhile, the first rumors suggest what plans Masimo has with the hi-fi brands. Apparently, Masimo also wants to integrate existing health monitoring software into audio products. So in the future, your AV receiver or in-ear headphones may be able to collect information about you and share it with your hospital or doctor if you choose. So you should be able to be treated at home as well as in the hospital. In this way hospital beds could be reoccupied faster and without great risk.
Where exactly the journey under the Sound United brands will take is not yet known. Of course, we’ll keep you posted should your Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 suddenly be unable to measure your heart rate.
HiFi brands with medical surveillance? What do you think of Masimo’s plans and the acquisition of Sound United? Write us your opinion in the comments!
