Linea Research is known as a manufacturer of high-power Class D amplifiers and Digital Signal Processors, with a strong knowledge of audio networking and software products, including remote monitoring. Headquartered in Letchworth Garden City, UK, Linea Research was formed in 2003 by a team of experienced professional audio specialists, that previously led the product development efforts at Harman’s BSS Audio, and were responsible for creating world renown products such as the Soundweb and Omnidrive processor range, or the Varicurve multiband parametric equalizer.
Focusrite plc paid £12.6 million (GBP) for Linea Research Holdings, which has approximately £1 million of cash. The initial consideration is approximately £12.1 million of cash paid on completion and the remaining £0.5m to be paid in cash subject to certain performance conditions relating to the period ending May 2023.
Linear Research current product portfolio includes a range of professional audio amplifiers, including the M Series of high-power, multichannel Class D amplifiers with advanced DSP and network control, together with signal processors for sound systems, audio networking and software products. Two of the original founders, Davey Smalley, Commercial Director, and Ben Ver, Engineering Director, will continue to lead the business post-acquisition. In the year ended 28 February 2022, Linea’s unaudited revenue was £5.2 million, with its business resulting from both its own branded products, but also OEM products that it supplies to audio companies from all over the world, including Martin Audio.
Focusrite’s subsidiary Martin Audio is a significant customer of Linea – Linea technology is behind the successful iKON amplifier series (pictured above) that powers Wavefront Precision line arrays seen on live tours and at prestigious festivals such as British Summer Time in Hyde Park. The acquisition strengthens the critical source of supply of amplifier modules for Martin Audio and will enable greater integration of loudspeaker and amplifier technology in Martin Audio products.
However Focusrite confirmed also the intention to continue to develop the sales of Linea products through third-party distribution and to OEM loudspeaker customers, which include many famous professional loudspeaker companies in the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain or Brazil, or Danley Sound in the US, as an example.
According to Focusrite, by extending the Group’s business into new products and markets, which complement its existing offerings, the acquisition is strategically aligned with its previously communicated aims of growing the core market base, expanding into new markets, and increasing lifetime value for customers.
Linea Research was formed in 2003 by Davey Smalley, Ben Ver, Pip Wilson and Paul Williams, all of whom had worked together previously in the professional audio industry while at BSS Audio and Harman Professional. Having spent much time doing basic research and developing critical pieces of technology, the company produced its first product, the X-Pod Class-D amplifier with integrated switched-mode power supply and DSP. Success followed, and to this day the X-Pod product line is being adopted by some very prestigious clients who have collectively now deployed thousands of these units. Since then the range of amplifier, DSP, network and software products have greatly expanded, culminating in the current M and C series of processed amplifiers and the ASC48 system controller.
Every aspect of a Linea product; be that hardware, software or DSP algorithm creation is produced by Linea’s team, which have decades of combined experience in design and manufacturing. The integration of Switched-Mode Power Supplies, very high power sonically transparent Class D amplifiers, networked Digital Signal Processing and the associated control software are all non-trivial and are all areas in which Linea Research is well recognized. These are the demanding technologies increasingly needed in modern audio systems, and Linea are able to offer them all.
“It is an absolute pleasure to welcome Davey, Ben and the entire Linea team to the Focusrite Group. We know the team and the business well given that Martin Audio is a major Linea customer. This will lead to many synergies and is expected to improve gross margin for both Martin Audio and the wider Group. Linea’s products are globally recognized as best in class and we are all excited about the opportunities and possibilities that lie ahead with the collective expertise of the Linea and Focusrite Group R&D and sales teams,” says Tim Carroll, Chief Executive Officer of Focusrite Group.
In a joint statement Davey Smalley and Ben Ver, Directors at Linea commented: “We are delighted to be able to continue the Linea success story from within the Focusrite Group. Having seen the support and growth of the brands within the Group, we believe this provides us with a secure foundation to further our R&D efforts and product portfolio, strengthening the Linea brand while continuing partnerships with our long-standing OEM partners. This can only be a good thing for our customers, end users and very much our staff.”
www.linea-research.com
www.focusriteplc.com
