Beyerdynamics, the German audio brand known for its headphones, has been sold to the Cosonic Intelligent Technologies, the Shenzhen-based audio company that also has stakes in other brands, including Philips, JBL, Beats, and Huawei. The deal concluded to the sum of US$139 million (~RM592 million).
In an official press release, the transaction values Beyerdynamic at roughly 14 times its 2024 net profit. Moreover, the acquisition means that Cosonic gains access to the German audio brand’s subsidiaries globally. Additionally, it also had sales conducted on playforms including Amazon, JD.com, Alibaba’s Tmall, and Douyin.
Cosonic also released a press release, separate from Beyerdynamic’s, saying that it is confident that the deal will close quickly due to the “lack of antitrust or national security hurdles in Germany or the US.”
“In summary, after the completion of this transaction, it will help the company to broaden its product and technology layout, build diversified market channel capabilities, accelerate the process of globalization, and enhance the company’s sustainable operating capabilities and global market competitiveness.”
This isn’t the first time a major audio brand has been sold to a Chinese company. In 2011, Stax, the Japanese high-end audio company, was 100% acquired by Shenzhen-based audio brand, Edifier.
(Source: Music Business World, ChannelNews, What Hi-Fi, GearSpace)
