Masimo has agreed to sell its consumer audio business, Sound United, to Harman, a subsidiary of Samsung, for $350 million (about 29.61 billion INR). The deal is set to close by the end of 2025, pending the necessary regulatory approvals.
Harman, known for brands like JBL, Harman Kardon, AKG, Mark Levinson, Arcam, and Revel, will now add Sound United’s popular brands such as Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, and Marantz to its portfolio. This acquisition will help Harman expand its presence in various audio markets, including home audio, headphones, Hi-fi components, and car audio. It also aims to offer consumers more options. Dave Rogers, President of Harman’s Lifestyle division, said, “The combination of these brands, along with the talented employees from both companies, will strengthen our value proposition and deliver complementary audio products to consumers.”
For Masimo, this sale provides an opportunity to refocus on its core business. The Irvine-based company specializes in healthcare technology, particularly in professional medical tools and smartwatches. It has been involved in an ongoing legal dispute with Apple over patent infringement. The case centers around Masimo’s pulse oximetry technology, which Apple allegedly used without permission in its Apple Watches. As a result, Apple temporarily halted the sale of some Apple Watch models in the U.S., and the ban on certain models remains in place.
The International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled in favor of Masimo, leading to the ban on new Apple Watch models, including the Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2, from being sold in the U.S. Apple responded by disabling the pulse oximetry feature on these devices, allowing sales to continue. The issue remains unresolved, with the possibility of a licensing agreement or the expiration of the disputed patents in 2028.
Masimo’s CEO, Katie Szyman, emphasized that this transaction is in line with the company’s strategic goal to focus on addressing unmet clinical needs and driving growth. She added, “Our consumer audio business and its talented team will be well-positioned for growth and success under Harman’s leadership.”
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