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Boston Acoustics and Snell bought by D&M Holdings

D&M Holdings which owns Denon, Marantz, McIntosh to name a few now will own Boston Acoustics and Snell. When does this company buyout trend end and what does it mean to the audio industry? With one company having controlling interest in so many well known and respected audio manufactures, can we expect a convergience of technology? Would that mean that the high end lowers it's quality and becomes part of a corporate average? What will happen to for example McIntosh will it's resale fall more in line with Denon or Marantz, or will it hold it's own? What do you fellow AG'ers think?
128x128theo
rgodin
85 posts
 
I think there are some potential negative consequences to a sale of this type, especially as it relates product offerings and design control. There some positive ones as well. This can often mean in infusion of cash to get products off the drawing board and into production as well as the sharing of knowledge and technology between the companies in the same group.
pinestate
20 posts
 
It’s kind-of sad to see a Japanese company gobble-up such historical American brands.

Such names as Marantz, McIntosh and Boston Acoustics were important American Audio companies. There are some pluses that have happened over the year since the McIntosh and Marantz acquisitions – the reissue of classic amps and Pre-amps.

Maybe with Snell they’ll re-release the EIII’s or AIIIi’s. Nice classic speakers that every one should have tried. I just hope they don’t see Snell as expendable -- They’re great group of guys and gals producing high quality audio. – The fit and finish of their speakers tells you what they’re all about! Plus Mark is one of the best customer service reps I’ve ever had the pleasure of dealing with.
teonyc's avatar
teonyc
43 posts
 
I always thought Maranz was Dutch, part of Phillips...

Anyway, having been through these kind of mergers in other industries, what eventually happens is technology is shared and you begin to have brand overlap. Just like the car industry where Saab is really just a GM with a European body (or in the case of the 9-2X a Subaru), or the Mazda 3, Ford Focus and Volvo S40 share the same platform, we'll see common components, platforms and daughter boards within the corporate umbrella. Good or bad time will tell, but usually the bottom gains a little while the top falls a lot. It becomes "buyer beware" when you're considering a trusted old brand.
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