Samsung's Audio Empire: The Brands You Didn't Know Were Connected
When most people think of Samsung, images of sleek smartphones, massive QLED televisions, and cutting-edge home appliances come to mind. What rarely enters the conversation is the fact that Samsung is also one of the most powerful forces in the global audio industry. Thanks to a landmark acquisition, the South Korean tech titan quietly controls some of the most respected and beloved sound brands on the planet. Whether you're rocking out with a pair of wireless headphones at the gym or filling a concert hall with professional-grade speakers, there's a good chance Samsung's fingerprints are all over the hardware.
Understanding which audio brands fall under Samsung's corporate umbrella isn't just a fun piece of trivia — it can genuinely inform your purchasing decisions, help you understand product ecosystems, and give you a deeper appreciation for just how far Samsung's reach extends beyond consumer electronics.
The $8 Billion Deal That Changed Everything
In 2017, Samsung completed the acquisition of Harman International Industries for approximately $8 billion — the largest acquisition in the company's history at the time. Harman, founded in 1980 and headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, had spent decades building and acquiring a portfolio of world-class audio brands. When Samsung absorbed Harman, it didn't just gain a single company — it gained an entire dynasty of sound. Today, Harman operates as a Samsung subsidiary while its individual brands continue to function with a high degree of independence, preserving the identity and engineering culture that made each of them famous.
The Audio Brands Under Samsung's Roof
1. JBL
Perhaps the most recognizable name on this list, JBL was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing. Today it is one of the best-selling audio brands in the world, known for its portable Bluetooth speakers, headphones, earbuds, and professional loudspeakers. JBL products are found everywhere from living rooms to major music festivals, and the brand enjoys enormous recognition among casual listeners and audio professionals alike.
2. Harman Kardon
Known for its elegant design and rich, room-filling sound, Harman Kardon has been synonymous with premium home audio since 1953. The brand is a favorite among audiophiles who want high performance without sacrificing aesthetics. Harman Kardon's speakers and soundbars are commonly found in upscale homes and have been integrated into premium automobiles from BMW and Volvo, among others.
3. AKG
AKG Acoustics is an Austrian audio equipment manufacturer founded in Vienna in 1947. The brand built its legendary reputation on professional studio headphones and microphones used by recording engineers, musicians, and broadcasters worldwide. AKG headphones have been included as the default earphones in Samsung Galaxy smartphones in recent years, a direct benefit of the Harman acquisition.
4. Mark Levinson
For those who believe audio is an art form, Mark Levinson represents the pinnacle of high-end sound reproduction. Founded in 1972, this American brand is revered in audiophile circles for its ultra-premium amplifiers and audio components. Mark Levinson equipment is also featured prominently in the luxury audio systems of Lexus vehicles, giving the brand a dual identity in both the home and automotive worlds.
5. Lexicon
Lexicon has been a force in professional audio processing since the early 1970s. The brand is particularly celebrated for its digital reverb units, surround sound processors, and recording studio equipment. Serious home theater enthusiasts and professional recording studios have long trusted Lexicon to deliver reference-quality audio processing.
6. Infinity
Infinity Systems was founded in 1968 in California and quickly became famous for its innovative loudspeaker designs. The brand has been a staple in the car audio market and continues to produce well-regarded home and car speakers that balance performance with accessibility.
7. Crown
If you've ever attended a large concert or live event, you've almost certainly heard Crown amplifiers at work. Crown International is a professional audio brand that has been powering large-scale sound reinforcement systems since 1947. Its amplifiers are the workhorses behind some of the world's largest touring rigs and installed venue systems.
8. dbx
dbx is a professional audio brand best known for its dynamic range processors, equalizers, and signal processors. Used extensively in recording studios, live sound applications, and broadcast environments, dbx equipment helps engineers shape and perfect sound at a technical level that most consumers never see but always hear the results of.
9. Soundcraft
Soundcraft has been building professional mixing consoles in the United Kingdom since 1973. Beloved by live sound engineers and studio professionals, Soundcraft mixing boards are found on concert stages, in broadcast facilities, and in recording studios around the globe. The brand represents the professional backbone of the Harman portfolio.
10. Revel
Revel Speakers is a California-based brand that produces some of the most scientifically engineered loudspeakers available to consumers. Drawing on rigorous acoustic research, Revel designs its speakers to deliver exceptionally accurate sound reproduction, making them a top choice among serious audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts.
Why This Matters for Consumers
Knowing that these brands share a common corporate parent has several practical implications. From a product ecosystem standpoint, Samsung has been able to integrate Harman audio technology — particularly AKG and Harman Kardon — directly into its Galaxy smartphones, tablets, and smart home devices. This means consumers who buy Samsung hardware are often already benefiting from decades of Harman acoustic engineering, even if the branding isn't immediately obvious.
From a quality standpoint, it's worth noting that Samsung has largely allowed Harman's brands to operate with their own engineering teams, design philosophies, and brand identities intact. The acquisition was not a move to consolidate production under a single generic label, but rather a strategic investment in expertise and market reach. Each brand continues to target its own audience and price segment, meaning the purchase of a JBL portable speaker and a Mark Levinson amplifier represent very different experiences despite sharing the same ultimate corporate parent.
The Bigger Picture
Samsung's dominance in the audio space is a reminder that the consumer electronics industry is far more interconnected than it appears on store shelves. The next time you pick up a pair of AKG headphones, crank a JBL party speaker, or admire the craftsmanship of a Harman Kardon soundbar, you're experiencing the results of a multi-billion dollar vision — one that turned Samsung from a smartphone and television giant into one of the most comprehensive audio companies in the world.
- JBL — Consumer and professional speakers, headphones, and portable audio
- Harman Kardon — Premium home audio and automotive sound systems
- AKG — Professional studio headphones and microphones
- Mark Levinson — Ultra-high-end amplifiers and audio components
- Lexicon — Professional audio processing and home theater
- Infinity — Consumer and car audio speakers
- Crown — Professional power amplifiers for live events
- dbx — Signal processors and dynamic range tools
- Soundcraft — Professional mixing consoles
- Revel — High-performance audiophile loudspeakers
Whether you're a casual listener or a dedicated audiophile, Samsung's portfolio ensures there is a brand — and a product — designed precisely for you, all backed by the research, resources, and scale of one of the world's largest technology companies.