Bose buys McIntosh

It's funny that car manufacturers are all over high end companies to secure audio system marketing kudos, but the presence of those brands in the auto sector doesn't seem to be having the effect of enticing the owners of those cars to buy high end audio systems.

At first, I was horrified but with a bit of thought, I don't really believe much will change. I believe Bose will leave McIntosh, Sonus Faber and Sumiko pretty much alone unless something drastic occurs. I do think you'll see the McIntosh name and blue meters and Sonus Faber logos plastered on more vehicle sound systems. McIntosh has managed to keep most of its mystique despite several owners and thee addition of many new dealers (including online retailers).

Bose has every incentive to keep McIntosh and Sonus Faber intact, as "halo" consumer brands that command high prices from a loyal owner community. As long as the image is remains good, the two upmarket brands can be also be licensed for car stereos (regardless of who actually designs and builds them). I would not be surprised if we see a McIntosh-branded soundbar a year or two from now, selling at upmarket prices.

Mount Blanc was once a coveted brand of fountainpen. It had a lifetime warranty if it needed repair. Then it was bought out by a tobacco company and now you can't have it fixed if it starts to leak. Will this happen to McIntosh?

Corporate ownership does not necessarily translate into an uptick or a downgrade in a brand’s manufacture process, quality, or R&D. The infusion of capital should provide some benefit to both McIntosh and Sonus Faber. Why don’t we give them a chance to NOT screw up before we bury them? Just saying.