Synaptics Confirms Its Acquisition of Packetcraft

During its scheduled Q2 results call, Synaptics Incorporated confirmed the acquisition of Packecraft, the recognized Bluetooth LE Audio software stack vendor. Already a leading supplier of wireless technologies, Synaptics now added leading embedded Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) stacks and software, positioning the company as one of the strongest suppliers of Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast broadcast audio software.

In an unexpected turn of events as the company returned to the NAMM Show for the first time in five years, Marshall Group AB, the new Swedish-Anglo company created in 2023, announced they sold the majority stake to private equity fund HongShan Capital Group (HSG) from China. The major selling shareholders - Altor, Telia Company, Time for Growth, and Zenith VC - have all entered into an agreement with HSG in a deal valuing the company at 1.1 billion Euros. The Marshall family will retain a meaningful stake of over 20% in the company.

DPA Microphones, the recognized Danish manufacturer of high-quality condenser microphone solutions, has announced the acquisition of the majority share of Vienna-based Austrian Audio. Founded in 2017 by former AKG Vienna employees, Austrian Audio quickly created a global presence, offering a distinct range of large diaphragm and recording microphones that builds on AKG’s heritage and is completely complementary to DPA’s microphone portfolio.

EssilorLuxottica just expanded its presence in the hearing space with the acquisition of an AI-driven tech startup in France and its talented team. The company, Pulse Audition, is just one of hundred of startups currently pursuing the concept of hearing glasses, in this case adding an edge with unique AI-based speech enhancement and noise reduction processing technologies embedded in the frames. The technology promises to accelerate the Nuance Hearing Glasses project.

Knowles Corporation announced that the sale of its Consumer MEMS Microphones (CMM) business to Syntiant Corp has successfully closed. As the trends towards edge AI integration into MEMS microphones accelerates, the acquisition enables Syntiant to deliver on its vision of end-to-end solutions integrating sensors, processors and software, while Knowles offloads its low or no-margin business in a still favorable market moment.

The future of Electro-Voice, Dynacord, RTS Intercom, and Telex audio brands is now in the hands of Triton, an investment entity registered in Luxembourg and headquartered in London. That’s the result of the announcement that the Bosch Group will sell its security and communications technology product business to Triton Partners. With the sale of its Communications, Security and Safety Systems, Bosch is refocusing on its mobility, industrial, and consumer business.

The Belgium company Newauro, created in 2022 following the acquisition of Auro Technologies by an investment group, was now acquired by the Goerdyna Group (Dynaudio and Goertek Europe, based in Denmark). To manage the integration and continue to commercialize Auro 3D technologies in the global market, including for automotive applications, the group announced the integration of NewAuro and the launch of Goer Dynamics B.V. in Belgium.

The Revox Group is again manufacturing an improved version of the famous Revox B77 reel-to-reel analog recorder. And to expand the company's activities, Revox partnered with Horch House and its founder, Volker Lange, that created a successful analog master tape business, and already sells a significant catalog of music available on reels copied directly from masters. Expanding on those existing synergies and know-how, Revox now announced an acquisition and operational merger with Horch House.

Bose Corporation announced the acquisition of McIntosh Group, the parent company of renowned high-performance and luxury audio brands that include McIntosh and Sonus faber. McIntosh Group manufactures ultra-high end amplifiers, speakers, turntables and other audio products, significantly expanding Bose’s portfolio. The combined forces of Bose and McIntosh Group also opens new opportunities in the automotive sector.

QSC, the Costa Mesa, CA-based audio manufacturer has announced that it is being acquired by Acuity Brands, Inc, an industrial technology company that supplies lighting and building management solutions. Acuity is based in Atlanta, Georgia, with operations across North America, Europe, and Asia and it acquired QSC not because of their audio amplifiers and professional audio loudspeakers, but because the Californian company has greatly expanded its systems integration business under the brand Q-SYS.