Thursday, August 24th 2023
Sony Interactive Entertainment to Acquire Audeze, a Leader in Audio Technology and Developer of Award-winning Headphones for Gaming
Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC ("SIE") announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Audeze, a leading audio technology brand and pioneer of high-end gaming headphones. The acquisition will strengthen SIE's efforts to continue innovating when it comes to the audio experience of PlayStation games. Audeze will continue to operate independently and develop multi-platform products, while benefiting from being a part of the PlayStation ecosystem.
Based in Santa Ana, Calif., Audeze develops award-winning headphones for the professional audio, audiophile, and gaming markets. These headphones use Audeze's patented technologies and unique planar magnetic drivers to deliver an outstanding sound experience for consumers as well as recording professionals, including sound engineers at many game development studios. Audeze designs and manufactures its planar magnetic drivers and professional headphones in its California facility.
"Audeze is a premier brand for headphones, and this acquisition highlights Sony Interactive's focus on innovation and providing the best audio experience to PlayStation players," said Hideaki Nishino, Senior Vice President, Platform Experience at Sony Interactive Entertainment. "We're excited to bring Audeze's expertise into the PlayStation ecosystem, building on the great strides we've made with PlayStation 5's Tempest 3D AudioTech and the Pulse 3D wireless headset."
"Sony Interactive provides Audeze with a unique opportunity to scale our business, as we continue with our mission to deliver best-in-class headphones to recording professionals, audiophiles, and gamers," said Sankar Thiagasamudram, CEO at Audeze. "We're also looking forward to contributing to Sony Interactive's efforts to take PlayStation audio experiences to the next level."
Terms of this transaction, including the acquisition cost, are not disclosed due to contractual commitments.
Based in Santa Ana, Calif., Audeze develops award-winning headphones for the professional audio, audiophile, and gaming markets. These headphones use Audeze's patented technologies and unique planar magnetic drivers to deliver an outstanding sound experience for consumers as well as recording professionals, including sound engineers at many game development studios. Audeze designs and manufactures its planar magnetic drivers and professional headphones in its California facility.
"Sony Interactive provides Audeze with a unique opportunity to scale our business, as we continue with our mission to deliver best-in-class headphones to recording professionals, audiophiles, and gamers," said Sankar Thiagasamudram, CEO at Audeze. "We're also looking forward to contributing to Sony Interactive's efforts to take PlayStation audio experiences to the next level."
Terms of this transaction, including the acquisition cost, are not disclosed due to contractual commitments.
32 Comments on Sony Interactive Entertainment to Acquire Audeze, a Leader in Audio Technology and Developer of Award-winning Headphones for Gaming
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They've been making headphones and lots of other audio equipment for a very long time.
Honestly it was pretty fun testing out 8 different sets.... Although I mostly use my Sony WH XM5 which don't sound better but are much more convenient and comfortable for long sessions.
The 4 I use the most actually
They might not have been for you but I wouldn't write off a company based on one set of cans. Audeze is pretty well regarded in the headphone world and Sony must see see a lot of value in them to make a purchase.Astro headsets tend to emphasize sound positioning and bass to ensure users can track footsteps. They are very narrowly focused on a specific group of people for sure.
That said more neutral headsets will typically appeal to a larger group of people. Kind of like how online mattress companies heavily favor a medium firmness mattress as it will accommodate a majority of people.
Their gaming headphones is probably the worse and cheaper of their line.
The best outcome would probably be some Audeze engineers fleeing to start another audio company.
Silicon Valley was built on Davids thinking they could do a better job than Goliathes. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if Audeze was formed similarly.
Hopefully Audeze employees made some money from this deal.
You really are assuming best case scenario, which is extra-ordinarily unlikely. Sony could be buying them just to lock up their engineers much like what Apple does.
It's extremely unlikely that Audeze will get the resources of the entire company as well. People often assume that being bought by a big company means you can access all their resources but that's not how it works. At the end of the day Audeze becomes just another acquisition who's budget and choices are now decided by a mountain of corporate bureaucracy and who's choices will now be shaped based on what makes share-holders money.
Yes there are plenty of other companies in the space but that doesn't detract from fact that a company who has enormous leverage in the music space is now gaining a large chunk of a vertical industry of which they already own significant pieces in. That is without a doubt not good for the industry at large. At a time when we are seeing more and more markets with less and less competitors, Sony eating up a significant market player in Audeze does not assuage any fears that we are seeing further consolidation of power in the hands of the few.
or even worse ... the brand disapear and only Sony remain ...the Mobius was one i tested before going for Edifier's offering.
Sony's Flagship MDR-Z1R sells for about $1500, HiFi man susvara sells for $6000, Audeze flagship LCD-5 sells for 5,000.00, Yamaha's flagship YH-5000SE sells for $5000.00.