Bose acquires premium audio brand McIntosh

Bose has acquired the high-end audio brand McIntosh — a move that Bose says will “significantly” expand its product lineup. The acquisition, which also includes McIntosh subsidiary Sonus faber, also “opens new opportunities in the automotive sector,” as both companies plan to work together to expand their in-car audio offerings:

By leveraging Bose’s 40-plus years of experience in automotive audio, and McIntosh Group’s legacy of performance and design, the brands will work together to expand their research and continue to engineer authentic in-car experiences that redefine automotive sound.

McIntosh has already designed a sound system for some Jeep models, but Bose’s audio setups are found within a wider range of cars from automakers like Chevy, Honda, Nissan, Cadillac, and many others.

It doesn’t look like Bose or McIntosh will make any changes to their existing products. Bose says it will continue to launch its headphones, speakers, soundbars, and in-car audio, while McIntosh and Sonus faber will keep developing premium audio products, including amplifiers, loudspeakers, and turntables.

The consumer audio industry has become more and more consolidated over the years, with Masimo picking up several well-known brands like Polk, Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, and more when it bought Sound United in 2022. Meanwhile, Samsung acquired JBL and Harman Kardon’s parent company, Harman, in 2016, and Sony bought the headphone maker Audeze last year. Voxx International also owns a bunch of audio brands, including Klispch, Pioneer, and Onkyo.

“Over the last six decades we’ve delivered the best premium audio experiences possible; now, with McIntosh Group in our portfolio, we can unlock even more ways to bring music to life in the home, on-the-go and in the car,” Bose CEO Lila Snyder said in the press release. “We look forward to honouring the heritage of these brands, investing in their future and pushing the boundaries of audio innovation to bring customers experiences they’ve never heard before.”