Mergers of major brands, will this help the A/V industry?

[Tony V.]

With the recent merger of Denon and Marantz (bought by Sound United) and Onkyo buying Pioneer and other companies doing the same, do you see this as a game changer in the A/V industry?

I see one advantage in that when they share design features between them this could make for a better design and reliability something that has been gettting worse in recent years. Onkyo with their failing HDMI boards for example.

Thoughts?

 

[Matthew J Poes]

I guess yes and no.

No because I just don’t like the idea of small
Companies getting swallowed up into large corporations. It’s not a rational issue, I just feel like something is lost. The small and direct connection you get with an independent company. As if small companies care more about me and my happiness, rather than profits.

Yes because in fact these companies gain access to resources and economies of scale they wouldn’t otherwise have. Companies can make better products with better parts for less money. Customer service and warranty support can be enhanced and stabalized. There are a number of companies that have bought up brands I love and made them better, along with ensuring their future. There are brands where that is not true.

 

[Matthew J Poes]

Oh and I’ll just mention that with the brands you mention, my biggest fear is the lack of differentiation amongst be product lines. So far some differences remain. My hope is that we don’t end up with the car industry. Where a corporation has 3-4 brands, each is marketing a different client, but where the products are really the same. Just with differences in parts quality and appearance.

 

[Tony V.]

With Onkyo now using the class D amp technology from Pioneer in their higher end receivers I see this as a good thing for them but I agree that the line between the different brands is getting blurred

 

[Todd Anderson]

There's definitely a blur occurring – despite Onkyo/Integra saying differently, the AccuEQ room correction sure feels like a modified version of MCACC.

 

[AudioThesis]

Denon and Marantz is fine. Onkyo and Pioneer I see as two failing companies trying to get back on track. The average consumer might not understand that statement, but those in the industry will.

The thing about Denon and Marantz is that Denon still focuses mainly on latest technology and full-featured products, while Marantz focuses more on amplifier and sound quality over the latest and greatest. Marantz also holds value well where Denon is usually sale-happy.

I don't see it as a plus when two competing companies partner up. I do see it as a plus when brands like Polk or Definitive Technology are now under the same umbrella as D + M. Even Polk and Def Tech being under the same umbrella I view as OK because one is more centered around musical delivery with passive speakers while the other is more about home theater with active speakers. Sound United also carries Classe now, but that is a different price point altogether.

 

[Tony V.]

Onkyo and Pioneer have had a strong following for many many years, Ive never had issues with either brand, My new Onkyo RZ 920 is a very solid sounding receiver. I know they had their HDMI board issues but that was dealt with several years ago and should not be held against them. Im certainly not the "average consumer" and I dont see the comment as valid.

 

[AudioThesis]

Thats because their issues do not fall on the consumer side.

 

[Tonto]

SVS was small company when they started. Hard to beat their bang for the buck. Seems like they always get swallowed up though and then get more expensive. Here's hoping Chane doesn't follow suit!