(July 3, 2025) One of Germany’s most historic audio brands is changing hands. beyerdynamic, best known for its handmade-in-Heilbronn headphones and century-long legacy in pro and consumer audio, is set to be acquired by Cosonic, a Chinese manufacturer whose client list includes names like JBL, Philips, Huawei, and Beats. The deal, which was signed on June 5th, will transfer full ownership of beyerdynamic GmbH & Co. KG and its general partner to Cosonic’s Singapore-based subsidiary for a preliminary price of $139 million.
At first glance, the acquisition has raised some eyebrows. After all, Cosonic has built its business in the high-volume OEM and ODM manufacturing space, supplying components and complete products to other brands. beyerdynamic, on the other hand, has staked its reputation on craftsmanship, with many of its best-known products, like the DT 770 Pro and DT 1990 Pro headphones, still manufactured in Germany. Concerns about quality dilution and brand erosion are easy to imagine.
But private conversations with a source familiar with the deal suggest a different narrative is unfolding – one centered on growth, continuity, and long-term investment.
According to CEO Andreas Rapp, who confirmed the transaction in an interview with German tech outlet heise.de, the move was necessary for the company to continue innovating and expanding its offerings. “The shareholders have recognized that future investments cannot be financed with the current structure,” Rapp said. “They have therefore decided to sell the company to an interested party who will not only continue beyerdynamic's 100-year history, but also take it forward to continue to survive in the international markets."
And that "interested party" appears ready to let beyer be beyer.
While Cosonic’s core business may lie in outsourced design and production, our source says it has a strong appreciation for what makes beyerdynamic unique. From management and engineering to brand cachet, beyerdynamic brings something very different to Cosonic’s portfolio, and that’s exactly why the acquisition was pursued. So, to concerned beyer-fans, know that all signs point to beyerdynamic’s management team remaining intact and operations, including manufacturing, to remain in Heilbronn.
This aligns with Rapp's public comments, in which he stated that all employee contracts and agreements will remain valid and that the Heilbronn facility will continue to operate as before. “Beyerdynamic will continue to operate as an independent company in the future,” he told heise.de.
Although the acquisition may seem abrupt to outsiders, the process has been underway for nearly six months. Jiahe Intelligent Technology Co., Cosonic’s parent company, formally disclosed the deal to investors earlier this month, stating that the transaction includes not just 100% ownership of beyerdynamic’s limited and general partner shares, but also all outstanding shareholder loans.
From a financial perspective, the acquisition is expected to help strengthen beyerdynamic’s two-pillar business: pro audio—largely manufactured in Germany—and the consumer/gaming segments, which have primarily been built in Asia. For Cosonic, the acquisition enhances its brand-building ambitions and opens new pathways into Europe and North America through beyerdynamic’s global distribution network.
Pending final regulatory approvals in Germany and China, the transaction is expected to close within three to five months.
For now, the message from both parties is clear: this isn’t a reboot—it’s a reinforcement. And if things go according to plan, beyerdynamic’s future may look a lot like its past: German engineering, global reach, and a steady focus on high-performance sound.
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