DEI Holdings
| Sound United, LLC | |
|---|---|
| Type | Subsidiary |
| Founded | 2005, in Vista, California, U.S. |
| Founders | Darrell and Kathy Issa |
| Headquarters | One Viper Way, Suite C Vista, California, US |
| Key people | Kevin Duffy (CEO) |
| Products | Consumer audio/video, Speakers, Vehicle security/remote access |
| Parent | Harman International |
| Website | www |
Sound United, LLC is an American consumer audio electronics company. It owns brands including Denon, Polk Audio, Marantz and Bowers & Wilkins. In 2025, Sound United was acquired by Harman International, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics.
History
The company that became Sound United was founded by future US Representative Darrell Issa and his wife Kathy in 1982 as Directed Electronics, with Darrell Issa serving as the first CEO. In 2000, Darrell Issa was elected to the House of Representatives, and Jim Minarik replaced him as CEO.
In 2004, the firm bought speaker company Definitive Technology; in 2006, it bought Polk Audio.
In 2008, the companies adapted a holding company strategy, and their parent became DEI Holdings, Inc.
In 2011, the company was bought by private equity firm Charlesbank Capital Partners.
In April 2013, the company combined Polk, Definitive Technology and the Boom Movement brands into a new division called Sound United.
In August 2016, Kevin Duffy was named the company's CEO, replacing retiring CEO Jim Minarik.
In March 2017, Sound United acquired YS consumer electronics company D+M Group, whose brands included Denon, HEOS by Denon, Marantz and Boston Acoustics. At the time, D+M was the world's largest supplier of audio/video receivers.
In October 2020, Sound United acquired Bowers & Wilkins.
In March 2021, Sound United acquired Australia's leading importer and distributor of home entertainment systems QualiFi Pty Ltd. QualiFi Pty Ltd was the Australian importer and distributor for Blustream, Denon, Elan, Forte, Furman, HEOS, Jamo, Klipsch, Marantz, Niles, Stealth Acoustics, Sunfire, Thorens and Xantech brands of high-quality Home Entertainment components and systems. QualiFi was based in Mount Waverley, Victoria and incorporates a service department for the servicing and repair of all products distributed by them.
In April 2022, Sound United was acquired by Masimo.
In September 2025, Harman acquired the company from Masimo for $350 million.
Brands
References
- ↑ "Directed Electronics starts out selling vehicle security, grows to include audio systems". sandiegouniontribune.com. 2004-11-13. Retrieved 2017-03-15.
- ↑ "CEO of Directed's Parent Retires". ceooutlook.com. 2016-02-04. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
- 1 2 "DEI Launches Sound United Division". dealerscope.com. 2013-04-04. Archived from the original on 2019-08-26. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
- ↑ "Private Equity Firm Ups Offer for Vista's DEI Holdings". sandiegouniontribune.com. 2011-06-20. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
- ↑ "DEI Holdings promotes officers". sandiegouniontribune.com. 2011-10-27. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
- ↑ "Robert Struble Appointed CEO of Vista-Based Directed". sdbj.com. 2017-03-20. Retrieved 2017-04-05.
- ↑ "Duffy Named CEO of DEI Holdings Inc". sdbj.com. 2016-08-28. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
- ↑ "Sound United Snaps Up D+M Group, Owner Of Denon, Marantz And Boston Acoustics Audio Brands". forbes.com. 2017-03-01. Retrieved 2017-04-06.
- ↑ "Sound United Finalizes Acquisition of Bowers & Wilkins". 2020-10-09. Retrieved 2020-11-24.
- ↑ "SOUND UNITED FINALISES QUALIFI ACQUISITION". 2020-10-09. Retrieved 2020-11-24.
- ↑ "Masimo Closes Acquisition of Sound United". www.soundunited.com. Retrieved 2022-11-20.
- ↑ "HARMAN Completes Sound United Acquisition to Expand Premium Audio Leadership". 2025-09-23.
- ↑ Weatherbed, Jess (2025-05-07). "Samsung adds Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz, and Polk to its audio empire". The Verge. Retrieved 2025-05-11.