We learned Wednesday that private equity powerhouse Bain Capital has apparently found a buyer for D+M Group, selling it off to another private equity company – Boston-based Charlesbank Capital Partners. CCP is the owner of DEI Holdings, a division of which is Sound United LLC, parent company of Polk Audio, Definitive Technology, and Polk BOOM. It is Sound United that will now also take over D+M Group and its brands Denon, Marantz, HEOS by Denon and Boston Acoustics.
Denon
Longtime Industry Executive Ken Furst Passes Away
“Yeah, Ken Furst…he can be a bit of an acquired taste,” a mutual acquaintance once said rather euphemistically as he described Ken Furst to me several years ago. I had just met Ken as a competitor, in a verbal exchange rich with no small amount of taunting and extreme sarcasm. Or as Ken would probably describe it, in an exchange of friendly banter and wry humor. The better I got to know Ken over the ensuing years, the more I realized his version of that exchange was probably more accurate than mine.
Ken Furst died peacefully in his sleep this past Saturday night, December 17th. He was way-too-young at only 66 years old.
Learn more about Ken Furst’s passing… [Read more…] about Longtime Industry Executive Ken Furst Passes Away
Marantz & Denon Add Auro-3D to Select Models
Firmware Upgrade Brings New Technology to Top Models
Marantz and Denon both announced this week that they are offering a firmware update that adds Auro-3D, a popular surround sound system in Europe, to two top models in each brand. This upgrade will make these models the most comprehensive home theater center available today – featuring Auro-3D, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X – the most advanced surround sound technologies available.
See more about this move by Marantz and Denon…and about Auro-3D… [Read more…] about Marantz & Denon Add Auro-3D to Select Models
Control4 to Sell Denon Products Directly to Dealers
Control4 Corporation announced today that it will begin offering Denon products to Control4 dealers through a web portal at which products from both brands can be purchased. The move is a first for both brands, as far as we’re aware, and represents a potential expansion of Denon’s distribution channel.
See more on this new Denon/Control4 relationship… [Read more…] about Control4 to Sell Denon Products Directly to Dealers
Denon Intros Two New Atmos AVRs
Denon announced two new A/V receivers (AVRs) on Wednesday, both sporting Dolby’s latest Atmos surround sound technology and, hedging their bets, ready for DTS:X with a free firmware update later this year. These new AVRs are moderately priced and, as is the rule these days, absolutely packed with features.
See more on these new major home theater contenders from Denon… [Read more…] about Denon Intros Two New Atmos AVRs
D&M Holdings Borrows $25 Million to Build More HEOS
An independent commercial finance company, Siena Lending Group, announced last week that it has worked with North Mill Capital to close on a three-year asset-based revolving credit facility in the amount of $25 million with D&M Holdings, Inc. and D&M Canada, Inc. Siena says that the funds will support D&M’s growth and their “seasonal working capital requirements.” It will also, apparently, help Denon grow their HEOS line. Why do we say that? Read on…
See more on this, including how this deal connects to Denon’s HEOS line… [Read more…] about D&M Holdings Borrows $25 Million to Build More HEOS
D+M Group Issues Response to Sonos Lawsuit
BREAKING NEWS
Earlier today, we reported that wireless music system powerhouse Sonos had filed a lawsuit against Denon in regards to its HEOS line of wireless music systems. The lawsuit alleged, among other things, infringement on four of their patents and asked the court for an injunction to stop HEOS products from being sold.
Today, we received a statement from D+M Group, the parent of Denon, in response to this lawsuit.
See the D+M Group’s statement on the Sonos lawsuit… [Read more…] about D+M Group Issues Response to Sonos Lawsuit
Sonos Sues to Halt HEOS
Congratulations Denon, your new HEOS system is so successful that wireless music monster Sonos has taken notice…and filed a lawsuit to stop it. It has been a open secret since we first learned of HEOS this past June that HEOS is meant to attack the same wireless music player market that Sonos essentially invented. Many have tried to take on Sonos…but none have come close to replicating the features and performance Sonos introduced to consumers. Until HEOS…
See more on this development. Will Denon fight? Or license?… [Read more…] about Sonos Sues to Halt HEOS
A Deeper Dive into the World of Dolby Atmos; Is This Audio’s 3D?
GUEST POST
Is Dolby’s new Atmos format the next frontier in surround sound processing? Or will it merit a repeat of Paul Klipsch’s famous line: “Ho, hum, another breakthrough”?
You’d certainly think the former after prowling the aisles at the just-concluded CE Week in NYC. Both Onkyo and Pioneer showed prototype Atmos-enabled A/V receivers (complete with demonstrations under what must be called “challenging” conditions) while Yamaha, Denon, Marantz, and Integra all indicate they’ll be ready with an array of products in late Q3 or early Q4 this year. But will Paul Klipsch be proven prophetic once again, even if posthumously? That remains to be seen.
The Thinking Behind Atmos…
[Read more…] about A Deeper Dive into the World of Dolby Atmos; Is This Audio’s 3D?
CE Week 2014 – As Others Talk Atmos, Denon Talks Heos
At times during CE Week 2014 we felt as though we were caught in some kind of a clash of the unknown Greek gods – Atmos vs. Heos. In one corner – Pioneer and Onkyo announced, displayed, and demonstrated the all-new 7+ channel Dolby Atmos surround sound systems…with a fair amount of fanfare. In the other corner, calmly confident Denon executives showed HEOS, the company’s new wireless multi-room Sonos-killing (they hope) system. Who would win the day???
