Fidelity Collective has officially acquired Westone Audio and Etymotic, bringing two long-established names in personal audio under the same ownership group.

The acquisition was finalised on May 15, 2026, with the companies now operating under the leadership of Sam Roney as CEO and Tal Kocen as COO. According to the announcement, the goal is not to dramatically reinvent either brand, but instead to build on their existing foundations while investing in future product development, engineering and infrastructure.

For many audio enthusiasts and industry veterans, both brands carry a lot of history. Westone Audio has been around since the 1950s and played a major role in the development of custom in-ear monitors for musicians and stage performers. Its products became especially well known among touring artists and professional users who prioritised comfort, passive isolation and reliable monitoring in demanding environments.

Meanwhile, Etymotic built its reputation on precision tuning and research-driven audio products. Founded in 1983, the company became closely associated with highly accurate in-ear sound and class-leading isolation. Its ER4 series in particular went on to become something of a reference point for neutral in-ear monitoring and detail retrieval.

Etymotic’s hearing protection products also gained a strong following over the years thanks to their ability to reduce volume levels without heavily altering tonal balance, something many traditional earplugs struggled to achieve.

One interesting aspect of the acquisition is that the new leadership team already has direct history with both companies. Tal Kocen previously worked alongside Westone Audio and Etymotic, while Gary Boyer will remain involved as EVP to help maintain continuity moving forward.

Sam Roney also brings experience from several other audio-related ventures, including Dekoni Audio, Grell Audio and Dark Matter Audio Labs. Fidelity Collective says both brands will retain their individual identities while receiving renewed investment into R&D, staffing and product development.

The company has also confirmed plans to expand operational infrastructure, including the return of sales operations in Dallas alongside engineering and lab facilities in Chicago.

In a statement accompanying the announcement, Sam Roney described Westone Audio and Etymotic as brands with “genuine history and credibility,” adding that the intention is to bring fresh energy and long-term investment while respecting what made both companies successful in the first place.

Tal Kocen echoed a similar sentiment, noting that the acquisition feels personal because of his previous involvement with the brands and their communities.

The acquisition gives Fidelity Collective ownership of two brands that complement each other quite naturally. Westone Audio remains strongly associated with musicians, stage monitoring and custom-fit IEMs, while Etymotic continues to hold a reputation for accuracy, isolation and hearing-focused audio design.

Further announcements, including new products from both brands, are expected over the coming months.