Samsung to purchase Harman International

[HomeTheaterGuy]

Samsung is set to acquire Harman International for approximately $8 billion. The bulk of Harman's business is been in the automotive world and Samsung sees this purchase as a way to get their software and displays into connected cars.

Harman owns the brands: JBL, Harman Kardon, Mark Levinson, AKG, Lexicon, and Infinity. In automotive applications, the company also has licenses with the Bowers & Wilkins and Bang & Olufsen brands. The car manufacturers that use Harman audio systems is: Mercedes, BMW, Dodge, Jeep, Hyundai, Kia, Volvo, Chrysler, Subaru, and more. About 65% of Harman’s reported sales last year were automotive-related. Harmon also has recently made deals with General Motors and Fiat.

More information: http://www.soundandvision.com/content/breaking-news-samsung-acquire-harman-international

[richlife69]

Having once owned a Lexicon, this makes an interesting story.  And look at the rest of those Harmon brands...

[AVSMike]

JBL owned by Samsung, wow.

[NBPk402]

I have mixed feelings on this. On the one hand I don't want to see a Company that is good go out of Business, but on the other hand I don't like to see a Monopoly either.

[richlife69]

Yeah.  My concern is that Lexicon, HK, JBL, etc. get driven down while we don't get a high end replacement from Samsung.  Or the monopoly "gives" the replacement at even more unrealistic costs.