Harman/Samsung Buys an Empire in Sound United From Masimo

[Verdinut]

Let's not ignore that a great portion of the youth never went to an acoustic instrument concert, or a performance of a full symphony orchestra or of an opera featuring singers who don't need amplification of their voice. On top of that, a great percentage have been listening to MP3 recordings without the absence of audible distortion. Actually, they don't know how good it is to listen to high quality recordings with good quality electronics and speakers. Those are reasons explaining to a great extent, a lack of interest in high fidelity and the reduction in sales of decent quality audio stuff.

 

[TLS Guy]

I am going to heartily disagree with this. While it may be true for you, it’s not true for everyone. I may concede that you shouldn’t chase teen frequencies at the expense of the overall system. But really? 25-30hz extension should be ignored? Cmon mark, have some fun.

I'm talking about a single pair of speakers and not subs. Before the days of subs many speakers had F3s in the 25 to 30 Hz range. Once subs came along F3 went up into the 45 to 55 Hz range making subs close to mandatory. So this affects WAF.

The lowest frequency of the double bass is 41 Hz, and some double basses with extensions can reach 30 Hz.

Some orchestral bass drums can reach as low as 20 Hz. So that is why an F3 of 30 to 25 Hz is adequate because of room gain. The fundamental of the lowest note of a 13' organ stop is 16 Hz, but all the others are above that.

Movies are now crazy with distracting gratuitous bass. Now I give you there is the odd scene that makes deep bass and subs impressive. However I now find movies with repeated gratuitous bass where it adds nothing to the story and is actually distracting.

Those effects rattle the room and even the crockery in the cabinets downstairs.

Deep bass really permeates and is another negative for spouses.

So for most music the lower limits I suggested are adequate and make for excellent reproduction in the home assuming good engineering.

As I have said many times before, subs are the least important item in an audio system. On these forums and others you would think it was the most important speaker and item in audio system, when it is in fact by far the least important.

 

[highfigh]

I'm talking about a single pair of speakers and not subs. Before the days of subs many speakers had F3s in the 25 to 30 Hz range. Once subs came along F3 went up into the 45 to 55 Hz range making subs close to mandatory. So this affects WAF.

The lowest frequency of the double bass is 41 Hz, and some double basses with extensions can reach 30 Hz.

Some orchestral bass drums can reach as low as 20 Hz. So that is why an F3 of 30 to 25 Hz is adequate because of room gain. The fundamental of the lowest note of a 13' organ stop is 16 Hz, but all the others are above that.

Movies are now crazy with distracting gratuitous bass. Now I give you there is the odd scene that makes deep bass and subs impressive. However I now find movies with repeated gratuitous bass where it adds nothing to the story and is actually distracting.

Those effects rattle the room and even the crockery in the cabinets downstairs.

Deep bass really permeates and is another negative for spouses.

So for most music the lower limits I suggested are adequate and make for excellent reproduction in the home assuming good engineering.

As I have said many times before, subs are the least important item in an audio system. On these forums and others you would think it was the most important speaker and item in audio system, when it is in fact by far the least important.

When I started selling audio, we noticed that as people grew older and 'grew up', they wanted less bass. It was fun when they were younger, but they eventually realized that the way they were listening, the sound wasn't balanced and the old way was actually annoying. They also realized that they didn't need to peel paint with SPL.

Some grow out of it, some don't.

 

[Big-Q]

I think this is a better situation for the brands. The best situation would have been to just stay Sound United and not take the silly Masimo diversion.

 

[TLS Guy]

I think this is a better situation for the brands. The best situation would have been to just stay Sound United and not take the silly Masimo diversion.

Not that simple. Sound United was owned by a private equity company controlled largely by Mitt Romney, and they wanted to cash out. Masimo paid far too much for it, and had not clue how to properly run it.

 

[lovinthehd]

Not that simple. Sound United was owned by a private equity company controlled largely by Mitt Romney, and they wanted to cash out. Masimo paid far too much for it, and had not clue how to properly run it.

The Bain/Romney buyout of D&M Holdings was before a different group, DEI (under another politician, Darryl Issa) held and formed Sound United.

 

[TLS Guy]

The Bain/Romney buyout of D&M Holdings was before a different group, DEI (under another politician, Darryl Issa) held and formed Sound United.

You keep track of that stuff much better than I do, so I stand corrected. Any how it Sound United have obviously been a corporate football and it is no wonder there are quality issues.

I really do hope they have a stable home. I think they do have too many brands, especially speakers and that area is in massive need of rationalization. I would be surprised if there are not major changes announced in the coming months.

One thing I really do believe is that there is a huge need for small elegant gear that sounds good and does not break the bank. I know our friends are not happy with what they are forced to use which is s sound bar and a small ghastly sub that is far from musical.

Some idiot MBA, and probably a bunch, have sold the idea that making bulky receivers with an intimidating bunch of terminals on the back and a bunch of power amps most would not use gives flexibility. Well it does not. Most would be really happy with a small two channel streaming device with a DAC that could connect to a TV and powered or active speakers of a size and style they want and also a sub if they want.
I know a lot of our close friends would be buying that and really enjoy it. Nothing of the sort exists and this is why we are in such a sorry mess and confronting our end game. This was ALL avoidable with good design and execution.

 

[lovinthehd]

You keep track of that stuff much better than I do, so I stand corrected. Any how it Sound United have obviously been a corporate football and it is no wonder there are quality issues.

I really do hope they have a stable home. I think they do have too many brands, especially speakers and that area is in massive need of rationalization. I would be surprised if there are not major changes announced in the coming months.

One thing I really do believe is that there is a huge need for small elegant gear that sounds good and does not break the bank. I know our friends are not happy with what they are forced to use which is s sound bar and a small ghastly sub that is far from musical.

Some idiot MBA, and probably a bunch, have sold the idea that making bulky receivers with an intimidating bunch of terminals on the back and a bunch of power amps most would not use gives flexibility. Well it does not. Most would be really happy with a small two channel streaming device with a DAC that could connect to a TV and powered or active speakers of a size and style they want and also a sub if they want.
I know a lot of our close friends would be buying that and really enjoy it. Nothing of the sort exists and this is why we are in such a sorry mess and confronting our end game. This was ALL avoidable with good design and execution.

Always interested in "business" history somewhat. Plus have purchased my various Denons from the various eras.

Will be interesting what Samsung/Harman does. I don't expect no change at all. There are good 2ch choices in line with what you describe now, no reason for a soundbar unless silly WAF or lack of creativity is involved.

 

[TLS Guy]

Always interested in "business" history somewhat. Plus have purchased my various Denons from the various eras.

Will be interesting what Samsung/Harman does. I don't expect no change at all. There are good 2ch choices in line with what you describe now, no reason for a soundbar unless silly WAF or lack of creativity is involved.

I am not aware of any that are simple to use, handy and cost much less than AVR and have a small footprint. I know of nothing like I have in mind.

 

[lovinthehd]

I am not aware of any that are simple to use, handy and cost much less than AVR and have a small footprint. I know of nothing like I have in mind.

Hard to know what your parameters are. It exists. If an adult can operate a phone or modern operating system well, just what does "simple" mean?

 

[Eppie]

Outlaw has the RR2160MkII for 2 channel listening for $1000. Just lacks HDMI but has digital and analogue inputs, effects/DSP loops and bass management.

RR2160MkII Stereo Receiver

Outlaws all over America praised our RR2160. The smooth playback and the art-deco design resonated with those of us still spinning singles, EPs, and LPs. A superb phono pre-amp, four pure analog audio, line level inputs, a Burr Brown DAC, streaming capabilities via a phone app and built-in...

outlawaudio.com

Want something compact? WiiM and Aiyama do that.

WiiM | Redefining Home Audio: Affordable, Innovative, Hi-Res Sound

WiiM unveils a new era of home audio – an ultimate wireless sound system that paints your home with stunning sound, room by room, through a whole-house WiFi network.

www.wiimhome.com

 

[highfigh]

Not that simple. Sound United was owned by a private equity company controlled largely by Mitt Romney, and they wanted to cash out. Masimo paid far too much for it, and had not clue how to properly run it.

Mittens hasn't been involved in 15 years and he had nothing to do with SU. Not defending him, just trying to keep the facts straight.

Massimo buying SU is a classic case of "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should".