Sound United buys Onkyo consumer audio division

[Robert Zohn]

Sound United, owners of Denon, Marantz, HEOS, Polk, Defnitive Technology, and Classé adds Onkyo consumer audio division, which also includes Pioneer, Pioneer Elite, Teak and Integra. The deal was announced at SID and was covered by Dealerscope.

Being a factory direct Denon, Marantz, and Defnitive Technology dealer I can say Sound United is a first class company with the excepional customer and dealer support.

[LordoftheRings]

That sounds like a smart expansion Robert.

[LordoftheRings]

Anthem and Yamaha and NAD, are they thinking to join Sound United too?

Dealerscope, any relation to Verticalscope?

[Zoland2020]

What would this mean for Onkyo and Pioneer, does that mean their AVRs will now be on par with Denon & Marantz in the future?

[Robert Zohn]

Dealerscope has no relationship with Verticalscope. Dealerscope is one of the USA's Consumer Electronics trade publications and they also own CE Week NY.

Dealerscope was reciently purchased by IFA and Berlin company that also puts on a CE trade convention and has trade publications.

[spudeus]

I have a Denon AVR and am happy with it, but admit to mixed reactions to this news. With half of the biggies under one umbrella, less consumer choice? Or worse, faux choice (lots of identical products with different decals)?

[DVD Josh]

Originally Posted by Zoland2020

What would this mean for Onkyo and Pioneer, does that mean their AVRs will now be on par with Denon & Marantz in the future?

I have been very underwhelmed with Denon recently. I'm a Onkyo loyalist and always thought they had a nice features/performance to pricepoint ratio. I hope it stays that way.

[Robert Zohn]

Denon and Marantz we owned by D&M before they were aquired by Sound United and D&M and now Sound United treat the Denon and Marantz brands loyal to their original roots. Marantz typically being the step-up line on a model by model basis.

So I expect they wil not want to disturb the dealer network and end user followers of the Onkyo, Integra, Teac, Pioneer and Pioneer Elite brands.

[LordoftheRings]

I also see that Sony is not part of that group. ...And neither Arcam and Cambridge.

* I used to like Onkyo/Integra, and I still like their simple design today.
They build some quality products, they put weight on some...power.
I also like Yamaha products.

I would like to see Dirac inside Yamaha Aventage and Integra premium pre/pros and AV receivers.

Denon/Marantz lead in features; they used to have sold build quality, they still do but much lighter now.
Would anyone like to see some measurements of the Marantz AV8805 AV Surround Sound Processor ($4,499)?

[JohnAV]

I like Danny Revines comment on Dealerscope

Wow! so now our choices in AVRs is expansive. We can either buy something from Sound United, or Sound United, or even Sound United!

Personally I don't like so much under one ownership, its a bad sign.

Robert are you discussing Teac? That is part of Gibson, which Onkyo only had a minority investment.

[HDTV1080P]

In the future it appears many companies are merging to become one company. Which well result in less choices in A/V receivers as companies make less models to choose from. The demand for A/V receivers has went down with the average consumer only wanting the stereo speakers in their flat panel screen.


The average consumer experiences surround sound at their local commercial movie theater and uses a two channel stereo setup at home.

[cheez avenger]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

In the future it appears many companies are merging to become one company. Which well result in less choices in A/V receivers as companies make less models to choose from. The demand for A/V receivers has went down with the average consumer only wanting the stereo speakers in their flat panel screen.


The average consumer experiences surround sound at their local commercial movie theater and uses a two channel stereo setup at home.

Or Soundbars.

[Agent Kay]

The sad dilution of Pioneer continues

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

In the future it appears many companies are merging to become one company. Which well result in less choices in A/V receivers as companies make less models to choose from. The demand for A/V receivers has went down with the average consumer only wanting the stereo speakers in their flat panel screen.

The average consumer experiences surround sound at their local commercial movie theater and uses a two channel stereo setup at home.

...Or a soundbar. They are popular under a flat panel on the wall.

[cheez avenger]

^ echo!

[LordoftheRings]

Originally Posted by cheez avenger

Or Soundbars.

I've read HDTV1080P post and I replied to it, and after I saw your post above ... right on!

[HDTV1080P]

Yes sound bars are another choice but they do not offer true surround sound since there is no rear speakers.

[sapiendut]

I never knew that TEAC is part of Onkyo. I thought Teac and Tascam are the same company but not part of Sound United.

[LordoftheRings]

TEAC is not part of Pioneer?

Also Technics and Panasonic and Esoteric?

[Clark Kent]

I'm really hoping that Marantz sticks around in the United States. Their SACD line remains the player of choice for serious audiophiles.