News Bose buys McIntosh Group

[Deliriumbassist]

Bose Corporation Acquires McIntosh Group - Essential Install

Bose Corporation has announced the acquisition of McIntosh Group, the parent company of high-performance brands that include McIntosh and Sonus faber.

essentialinstall.com

Interesting - the group was acquired by the (now previous) owners back in 2022.

 

[daytona600]

 

[nopiano]

I’ve noticed both McIntosh and Sonus faber have been on a big programme of launching new gear. I try to ignore their forays into car audio, hoping secretly that the publicity helps moderate the prices of the stuff I’m interested in!

But the financial breadth to achieve this is considerable, so I can only hope Bose is well structured and funded. Given the world’s obsession with headphones they are probably minting it.

 

[nopiano]

Bose's historic double swoop sees the US brand acquire McIntosh and Sonus Faber

BoseIntosh? Sonus fa-Bose?

www.whathifi.com

Our host’s take on this.

 

[davidf]

I’ve noticed both McIntosh and Sonus faber have been on a big programme of launching new gear. I try to ignore their forays into car audio, hoping secretly that the publicity helps moderate the prices of the stuff I’m interested in!

But the financial breadth to achieve this is considerable, so I can only hope Bose is well structured and funded. Given the world’s obsession with headphones they are probably minting it.

Maybe that's why McFaber have been struggling?

But where are Bose now compared to 20 years ago? Lots of people were buying Acoustimass and Lifestyle systems, as well headphones and later on portable Bluetooth speakers. Then Bose pulled out of independent dealers and invested in their own stores. Then they closed all the stores down and went exclusively online - something which I doubt would've retained their older clientele, which was significant at the time. They haven't had a high street presence for a few years now, which they obviously feel is the right way forward. Are they going to do the same thing with McFaber? Or are they going to force McFaber dealers to sell Bose too?

 

[manicm]

Maybe that's why McFaber have been struggling?

But where are Bose now compared to 20 years ago? Lots of people were buying Acoustimass and Lifestyle systems, as well headphones and later on portable Bluetooth speakers. Then Bose pulled out of independent dealers and invested in their own stores. Then they closed all the stores down and went exclusively online - something which I doubt would've retained their older clientele, which was significant at the time. They haven't had a high street presence for a few years now, which they obviously feel is the right way forward. Are they going to do the same thing with McFaber? Or are they going to force McFaber dealers to sell Bose too?

Has McIntosh been struggling? They've had a proliferation of new products lately. Ditto Sonus Farber. From what I've seen both are in rude health, and will fill Bose coffers.

The only thing that should be of concern is there's no synergy to and from Bose, which is a headphone and soundbar company.

For me this transaction is a non-event really.

 

[R2D2]

I quite like Bose.

 

[davidf]

Has McIntosh been struggling? They've had a proliferation of new products lately. Ditto Sonus Farber.

I don't know, but many high end manufacturers have changed hands over the years due to falling sales. I would've thought they'd be doing ok, especially in the U.S., where it's almost mandatory to own a pick up truck, a 12 gauge, and a McHiFi. I've grown to dislike McFaber, as they're two brands that seem popular nowadays purely to be shown off on the likes of Instagram and high-end "high and mighty" Facebook groups. I've read many comments from owners/previous owners about how they're just not the same company any more, I guess a bit like Linn and Naim - the legacy is a distance past.