Who will it be next ?

[Shrek]

One of the world’s best-loved headphone brands is up for sale

But is that worrying? Or a positive sign?

www.whathifi.com

 

[RTHerringbone]

Well, there's a big brand name I didn't expect to be sold, but I suppose if they'd already been acquired by a business that doesn't play in the same direct space, then a disposal was always a possibility.

You rather imagine it was cost effective for Sonova to acquire them, delve into all of the Sennheiser R&D and then sell it on when that source of info was exhausted. Looks like they were acquired for €200m and Sonova generate far, far more through their hearing aid division (think 15+x that outlay).

 

[RTHerringbone]

But who acquires them next? Big brand, strong product catalogue and a lot of history and loyal customers. Would another direct competitor be able to afford to acquire them? Does it even make sense to do so?

 

[PieterG]

I immediately thought of big consumer electronics brands as potential buyers. Sony might be a good candidate. They have their own top tier wireless cans and Audeze as a boutique high end brand. Sennheiser would fit, and the brand philosophy and heritage could be preserved.

Others that come to mind: Samsung already owns the Harman group and many hifi brands, and there's always the Chinese path (think of Beyerdynamic).

It might have no impact on the brand tradition at all, but there's always a risk. Similarly, you wonder what Barco is going to do with Focal and Naim.

 

[RTHerringbone]

Yep, I think that's the likely outcome. Sony have already acquired Audeze so there's precedent there with them. I'm not sure they'd add another consumer headphone brand to their portfolio but Sennheiser certainly seems a bigger name and the likely cost wouldn't make a Sony-sized organisation bat an eyelid.

Beyerdynamic were acquired by a Chinese company who manufacture components used by companies like Huawei, Philips etc., so they're probably following a fairly similar path to that Sonova followed with Sennheiser: pinching the R&D.

 

[davidf]

Wouldn't surprise me if it ended up with Harman.