B&W to be acquired by Sound United (Classe, Denon, Marantz)

**Mike** · June 12, 2020, 10:52 PM

What’s funny, is that I had a visit from these folks last week. I signed on with Classe. No wonder they were so anxious to sign me up! Ha!

The VC firm that owned B&W before really wasn’t into high end audio. This is a great move. Really great move. I met with the SU folks and they are very energetic for 2 channel audio. Bravo!

Bowers & Wilkins in Preliminary Agreement to Be Acquired By Sound United - Strata-gee.com

**ben** · June 13, 2020, 09:49 AM

Great news. Congrats Mike. So once again Classe and B&W marriage going to happen soon. Your product portfolio keep getting better and better. Good luck with Classe.

**Mike** · June 13, 2020, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by ben

Great news. Congrats Mike. So once again Classe and B&W marriage going to happen soon. Your product portfolio keep getting better and better. Good luck with Classe.

Thank you. I was on the fence after they came to see me. But with B&W looking like they may be acquired by Sound United, it makes sense.

**aardvarkbark** · June 13, 2020, 01:44 PM

"To be acquired by" is a bit premature. An offer to buy or indication of interest does not in any way represent a consummated deal. There's been an offer made and an agreement to enter into discussions. Due diligence and agreement on terms and satisfaction of demands of credit holders has skunked many a deal.

I'm more concerned about management than ownership, myself. Geoff Edwards has, I believe, 17 yrs with B&W, and much respect among those who produce the product. I'm more concerned about who is managing day-to-day operations and ensuring quality control than who has ownership.

**Mr Peabody** · June 13, 2020, 03:14 PM

I'm surprised Mike you picked up Classe with already having Sim and Bryston.

I haven't heard anything about Classe since the news they were picked up and didn't go under. Any news on new models etc.?

I know B&W have been stable mates with Classe but I personally don't hear the synergy some seem to with them together.

**Mike** · June 13, 2020, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

I'm surprised Mike you picked up Classe with already having Sim and Bryston.

I haven't heard anything about Classe since the news they were picked up and didn't go under. Any news on new models etc.?

I know B&W have been stable mates with Classe but I personally don't hear the synergy some seem to with them together.

Bryston is not a mover for us. Sim sure is. I’ve been shocked. Check the Classe website. All new products. Stereophile reviews the new Delta monos in the July issue and loved them.

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**Phishphan** · June 13, 2020, 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Bryston is not a mover for us. Sim sure is. I’ve been shocked. Check the Classe website. All new products. Stereophile reviews the new Delta monos in the July issue and loved them.

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I cycled through a bunch of the Bryston digital gear, and it’s pretty good for a starting place. The big boy 28b3 amps are great and I’ve enjoyed using them, but I really don’t care for my 4b3 all that much. It wasn’t that great powering my L/R and it’s been underwhelming powering my center channel. The speakers they came out with a few years ago are very underwhelming.

I think they did a big disservice to themselves for not taking the SP4 to the level of Trinnov. The lack of a balance analog input cut them off at the knees with folks like me who would have been happy to upgrade.

I can see myself shifting to EMM amps for my L/R. I’ve been very impressed by their DAC & PRE. Not sure what I’ll do with the 4b3 for my center.. but it doesn’t get that much use anyway. Someday when my SP3 dies, I’ll move to Trinnov for HT purposes. But I can’t see that being anytime soon.

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**Mike** · June 13, 2020, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by Phishphan

I cycled through a bunch of the Bryston digital gear, and it’s pretty good for a starting place. The big boy 28b3 amps are great and I’ve enjoyed using them, but I really don’t care for my 4b3 all that much. It wasn’t that great powering my L/R and it’s been underwhelming powering my center channel. The speakers they came out with a few years ago are very underwhelming.

I think they did a big disservice to themselves for not taking the SP4 to the level of Trinnov. The lack of a balance analog input cut them off at the knees with folks like me who would have been happy to upgrade.

I can see myself shifting to EMM amps for my L/R. I’ve been very impressed by their DAC & PRE. Not sure what I’ll do with the 4b3 for my center.. but it doesn’t get that much use anyway. Someday when my SP3 dies, I’ll move to Trinnov for HT purposes. But I can’t see that being anytime soon.

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I loved the SST2 amps. That’s what really endeared new to the brand. Like McIntosh, the new amps are a complete departure sonically from the past.

I can definitely help you with the EMM amps and Trinnov. I still cannot believe how much better the Trinnov is than my previous SSP. It’s light years ahead and the sound is now as good as the picture. The manual is as thick as a phone book! This thing is so sophisticated or as simple as you want.

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**Oly** · June 13, 2020, 08:21 PM

What’s a phone book? I haven’t seen one in a long, long time.

**Mike** · June 13, 2020, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by Oly

What’s a phone book? I haven’t seen one in a long, long time.

Ha! I’m old school.

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**Phishphan** · June 13, 2020, 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

I loved the SST2 amps. That’s what really endeared new to the brand. Like McIntosh, the new amps are a complete departure sonically from the past.

I can definitely help you with the EMM amps and Trinnov. I still cannot believe how much better the Trinnov is than my previous SSP. It’s light years ahead and the sound is now as good as the picture. The manual is as thick as a phone book! This thing is so sophisticated or as simple as you want.

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The 28b3s still kickass. But the 4b3 is really dry.

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**Mike** · June 13, 2020, 10:47 PM

The plot thickens...

In Unusual Saturday Statement, B&W Says, In Effect, We’ll Speak for Ourselves, Thank You - Strata-gee.com

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**wgerman** · October 27, 2020, 11:50 AM

Sound United completes acquisition of Bowers & Wilkins | What Hi-Fi?

Sound United has finalised its acquisition of Bowers & Wilkins. The acquisition includes all worldwide third-party distribution and licensing agreements under which Bowers & Wilkins premium audio products are currently sold.

The news of a deal was first revealed in June this year when Sound United announced "a preliminary letter of intent to acquire Bowers & Wilkins".

Geoff Edwards, who was previously B&W CEO and will continue as President of the Bowers & Wilkins brand at Sound United, commented: "This acquisition represents a new era for Bowers & Wilkins and offers a fresh opportunity to focus on what we do best: building the industry’s finest loudspeakers. We’re looking forward to combining our organisations and becoming a part of the industry’s strongest portfolio of premium audio brands."

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