McIntosh is sold

[Revelation Sound]

I don't know if this is good news or bad news. McIntosh & Sonos Faber Sold To US Group – channelnews

 

I hope they keep the factory where it is right now. I know sales are really good and they can't keep up with orders. Maybe create a 2nd location? 

[photonman]

I cannot recall one audio acquisition that boded well for the acquired brand.  I think back to when Snell was acquired by Boston Acoustics or whomever it was or Aragon, and many others.  In order to make these acquisitions ROI work, the parent company tries to utilize scale and supply chain efficiencies, which means cost cutting.  If they don't get ROI they fire sale the brand lines again.  Seems like a destructive cycle.

 

Let's hope mighty Mac does not suffer as as result as they are one of the rare breeds of apples at this point.

[AudioDoctor]

Private investment firms only want one thing, returns, and they will do anything to get them. These brands are essentially dead.

[mourip]

On 9/20/2022 at 3:07 PM, photonman said:

I cannot recall one audio acquisition that boded well for the acquired brand.  I think back to when Snell was acquired by Boston Acoustics or whomever it was or Aragon, and many others.  In order to make these acquisitions ROI work, the parent company tries to utilize scale and supply chain efficiencies, which means cost cutting.  If they don't get ROI they fire sale the brand lines again.  Seems like a destructive cycle.

 

Let's hope mighty Mac does not suffer as as result as they are one of the rare breeds of apples at this point.

Harmon Kardon comes to mind. It was originally a premium brand.

[botrytis]

 We have to wait and see. One cannot assume it is bad.

[PeterG]

15 minutes ago, botrytis said:

 We have to wait and see. One cannot assume it is bad.

Agreed.  Wasn't B&W in private equity hands for a while?  Whatever the label, the important thing is that the owners are long term thinkers, willing to invest in sonic improvements

[botrytis]

26 minutes ago, PeterG said:

Agreed.  Wasn't B&W in private equity hands for a while?  Whatever the label, the important thing is that the owners are long term thinkers, willing to invest in sonic improvements

 

It was. It was a California equity firm that wanted to roll out Bluetooth speakers at lower prices, and never happened. So, it was sold again, like 6 months after being bought.

[PeterG]

1 hour ago, botrytis said:

 

It was. It was a California equity firm that wanted to roll out Bluetooth speakers at lower prices, and never happened. So, it was sold again, like 6 months after being bought.

Yes, that was an interesting idea, though a failure.  I think PE firm Summit Partners of Boston was before that?  But whether it was one or both, it did not appear that audiophile product development suffered

[botrytis]

25 minutes ago, PeterG said:

Yes, that was an interesting idea, though a failure.  I think PE firm Summit Partners of Boston was before that?  But whether it was one or both, it did not appear that audiophile product development suffered

 

B&W seemed to work hard to get the D4's out because that was after the sale from the CA firm. I really like the 805D4's but just can't justify the cost. I might buy in the used market, maybe.

[JBT]

On 9/20/2022 at 3:28 PM, AudioDoctor said:

Private investment firms only want one thing, returns, and they will do anything to get them. These brands are essentially dead.

Nonsense.   Mcintosh has been acquired  several times over the years.  Mitt Romney's outfit Bain Capital bought in the late 90s or early 2000s.  Japanese firm owned it before that.    It'll still be Mcintosh 

[botrytis]

2 hours ago, JBT said:

Nonsense.   Mcintosh has been acquired  several times over the years.  Mitt Romney's outfit Bain Capital bought in the late 90s or early 2000s.  Japanese firm owned it before that.    It'll still be Mcintosh 

 

They want the brand recognition, I agree.