Sound United Acquires Classé Audio

Sound United LLC, parent company to Denon, Marantz, Polk Audio, Definitive Technology, Polk BOOM, HEOS, and Boston Acoustics, has acquired Classé Audio, a maker of high-performance music and theater components previously owned and distributed by Bowers & Wilkins (B&W). 

Classé Audio, which was founded in 1980 and is based outside Montreal, makes a suite of high-fidelity amplifiers, pre-amplifier processors and integrated amplifiers. Through this acquisition, Sound United will continue to drive its global growth and recognition, spearheading innovation in the category and increasing its footprint in the consumer audio space, the company said in a press release. 

“Acquiring Classé Audio demonstrates Sound United’s continued focus on catering to our customers, who crave performance and innovation,” says Kevin Duffy, CEO of Sound United. “This acquisition opens opportunities to capitalize on new markets and niches within the high-end audio community, continuing Sound United’s evolution as a premium player. We look forward to partnering with the talented management team of Classé Audio to grow the combined business and bring our expanded capabilities to our employees and customers.”

Classé Audio’s president, Dave Nauber, who will continue to lead the Classé Audio brand at Sound United, adds, “We’re overwhelmingly pleased Classé Audio is joining Sound United’s respected family of brands. With a strong resurgence of the audiophile community, and Sound United’s existing synergy with the recently purchased D+M Group, we’re confident our overall market positioning as a premium option will only strengthen. Ultimately, this is an excellent opportunity for Classé employees, customers and strategic partners to bring our energy and ideas to the forefront.” 

Just last month, B&W chief revenue officer Richard Campbell told CE Pro that the company had stopped development of the new Classé Delta Series and had decided to “regroup and come up with an alternative strategy.”

Sound United is a division of DEI Holdings and makes an array of audio products that includes high-end and custom installation audio, to mid-tier markets that cover loudspeakers, soundbars, A/V receivers, wireless multi-room music systems, Bluetooth speakers, amplifiers, turntables and headphones. Sound United is a portfolio company of Boston-based private equity firm Charlesbank Capital Partners, LLC.  Charlesbank acquired DEI Holdings in 2011.

Based in Boston and New York, Charlesbank Capital Partners is a middle-market private equity investment firm managing more than $5 billion of capital. Charlesbank focuses on management-led buyouts and growth capital financings, generally investing in companies with enterprise values of $150 million to $1.5 billion, and also engages in opportunistic credit investments. The firm seeks to partner with strong management teams to build companies with sustainable competitive advantage and excellent prospects for growth.