HARMAN & Sound United: Amplifying Audio's Future

About this episode

Lyle Smith discusses HARMAN's acquisition of Sound United and its impact on the audio industry.

In this episode of Audio Talks, host Oisin Lunny welcomes Lyle Smith, president of the Sound United Strategic Business Unit at HARMAN, for an in-depth conversation about HARMAN’s recent acquisition of Sound United and its ripple effects across the audio industry. Lyle shares his personal journey into audio, from formative childhood experiences and a defining first concert at Red Rocks, to his passion for building relationships and elevating iconic brands. The episode also examines the promise of future product innovations and commitment to the audiophile community. Lyle Smith highlights the emotional connection people have with music, the challenge of balancing technical specifications with emotional appeal, and the responsibility to preserve brand authenticity. The conversation is rich with anecdotes about legendary brands—Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz, Polk Audio, and more—and the importance of keeping their DNA intact within the HARMAN ecosystem.

People in this episode

Host: Oisin Lunny

Guest: Lyle Smith

Topics covered

• audio industry
• acquisition
• product innovation
• brand authenticity

Keywords

• HARMAN
• Sound United
• Bowers & Wilkins
• Denon
• Marantz
• Polk Audio

Mentioned in this episode

Products: HARMAN, Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Marantz, Polk Audio

More episodes of Audio Talks

• How Concerts Became Cultural Moments · April 27, 2026 · 1h 4m
• New Years (R)evolution · January 19, 2026 · 1h 4m
• Lessons from the Godfather of Digital Music · December 19, 2025 · 1h 25m
• Live Music Reimagined: Holograms, XR, and the New Era of Concert Innovation · December 4, 2025 · 34 min
• How AI and Immersive Audio are Rewriting the Rules of Listening · November 21, 2025 · 34 min
• The Power of Musical Score in Film, Stage, TV and Interactive Media · November 7, 2025 · 43 min