Gibson Buys Majority Interest in Onkyo

Subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter Print this article

As part of its continued diversification into the music and audio lifestyle arena, Gibson Guitar Corp just announced a strategic partnership with Onkyo. Onkyo offers Gibson's newly-formed Pro Audio Division substantial technology resources. Gibson will provide Onkyo with its marketing resources and expertise. The result will be an ability to deliver a hopefully superior audio experience to the consumer.

Additional Resources
• Read more industry trade news from HomeTheaterReview.com.
• Read reviews of Oknyo receivers and Onkyo preamps.

Through this venture, Gibson will acquire a majority of Onkyo USA (Onkyo's exclusive distributor for North America and a distributor for Central and South America) and become the second largest shareholder in Onkyo Corporation. Gibson will make a strategic investment in the company, and Gibson Chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz will be given a position on the Onkyo board of directors. Likewise, Onkyo will invest in Gibson, and CEO and President Munenori Otsuki will take a position on the company's Board of Directors. Together, the two entities will form a Hong Kong-based joint venture focusing on design and development of consumer audio products. Through this alliance, Onkyo USA becomes the latest addition to the Gibson Pro Audio division, which already includes KRK, Cerwin-Vega, and Stanton.

"Onkyo makes some of the world's best audio equipment, and this partnership will give Gibson the ability to bring a deeper and more enhanced audio experience to music lovers around the world," says Juszkiewicz. "While people may be listening to more music, they are listening to it primarily in a severely compressed format. The aural disparity between a real system and compressed sound is vast, and as a result, they are simply not hearing tremendously rich sounds. With Onkyo, our goal is to bring the same exceptional experience artists demand in the studio to a larger consumer base."

All agreements are subject to Japanese regulatory clearance, negotiation of definitive agreements and financing approvals of lenders.

Featured Audio-Video News

Are AV Retailers To Blame For Lofty High End AV Prices? -

The audio video has been in a state of flux or some time, splitting sales up between specialty dealers, big box stores, and online sellers. However, the dealers may have had more to do with this than they think.

Latest Industry Trade News

Jaguar XJ Ultimate Unveiled, Features Meridian Audio's Latest Surround Sound System -

Jaguar unveiled the company's new top of the line model with the XJ Ultimate at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show. Amidst all the bells and whistles of the luxury car, is a Meridian Audio Surround Sound System that is claimed to be one of the company's finest.

The 10 Best Sounding Rooms from the New York Audiophile Show 2012 -

Jeremy R. Kipnis visited the 2012 New York Audiophile Show. He went room to room, seeing what the show had to offer. These ten rooms are what he deemed to be the best sounding systems and products presented.

Sony has Biggest Loss in Company History -

Sony has suffered a massive blow in a continuing onslaught of problems for the company. While the news is bad, the company has taken several measures to turn the tide and get the company headed back in the right direction.

Best Buy CEO Steps Down Due to Online Shopping -

Best Buy has been facing struggles against online competition with little success. A change in leadership was deemed necessary and CEO Brian Dunn will accordingly be stepping down.

Samsung Introduces Tube-Based Audio Products -

Samsung has stepped up its game in the audio realm, adding new table top audio systems, home theater systems, and soundbars. Adrienne Maxwell was in attendance at the Samsung event where the new products were announced.

Axpona 2012 Audiophile Show Report -

Ken Taraszka went to the Axpona 2012 show in the first ever coverage of the event for HomeTheaterReview.com. Check out the companies he encountered and what he thought of their offerings.

Western Digital Completes Acquisition of Hitachi Technologies -

Western Digital has long been a market leader in the company's fields, but the newest acquisition to the brand will surely help the company grow into that role even further than it currently is.

Crestron Opens New Customer Experience Center in Southern California -

Crestron has expanded the company's Experience Center locations by bringing one to Southern California and offering southern Californians a chance to immerse themselves in all Crestron has to offer.

Samsung and Sensio Reach Patent Agreement -

Samsung and Sensio have reached an agreement that will allow Samsung to use Sensio's S2D switch technology. The agreement between the company's is good news as it will benefit the consumer.

High Fidelity Meets High Art at AXPONA -

The AXPONA expo returns to Jacksonville, Florida for another year, but this time the show has something unique for attendees: a full on orchestral concert from the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. Read on for more details.