Fidelity Collective has acquired Westone Audio and Etymotic, bringing two respected names in professional and enthusiast personal audio under new ownership. The acquisition was completed on Friday, May 15, 2026, with both brands now operating under the leadership of Sam Roney, CEO and Tal Kocen, COO.
The move by Fidelity Collective marks a new chapter for Westone Audio and Etymotic, two brands with deep roots in in-ear audio, hearing protection, professional monitoring and precision listening. Both companies have demonstrated decades of innovation across products used by touring musicians, audio professionals, hearing specialists and music enthusiasts around the world.
The new leadership team has familiarity and long-standing connection with both brands. Tal Kocen previously worked with Westone Audio and Etymotic, while Gary Boyer, remaining on board as EVP, reinforces continuity as the brands enter this next chapter. Alongside this, CEO Sam Roney has extensive experience across the audio industry through his involvement with several established audio brands including Dekoni Audio, Grell Audio and Dark Matter Audio Labs.
Westone Audio
Westone Audio has been in business since the 1950s. The brand played an important role in the development of custom in-ear monitors for musicians, with its background in hearing protection and acoustics helping shape products used on stage, in studios and by serious listeners. Westone Audio has been used by professional musicians and performers who need comfort, isolation and dependable sound from their in-ear monitors.
Etymotic was founded in 1983 and is known for its research-led approach to hearing and sound. The brand has helped define the high-isolation, precision in-ear listening devices, with products developed from auditory research, diagnostics and hearing protection.
Etymotic’s ER4 series has been cited as a reference point for accurate in-ear sound, while the brand’s wider product range serves musicians, professionals and listeners looking for clarity and faithful sound reproduction. Etymotic’s hearing protection products are also widely recognized for solving one of the biggest frustrations with traditional earplugs by maintaining clarity and balance while reducing volume.
Maintaining Identities
Under Fidelity Collective, both brands will invest in a new generation of products. The company’s focus is on maintaining the distinct identities and core values of each brand, while bringing expanded R&D, product development and long-term investment into the mix.
“Westone Audio and Etymotic are brands with genuine history and credibility,” says Sam Roney, CEO of Fidelity Collective. “Tal and I share a vision of bringing startup-level energy to these epic legacy brands while fully respecting the heritage they’ve built over decades serving musicians, audio professionals and hearing protection users.”
“We are investing in R&D, product development, engineering and the long-term future of both companies. We see enormous opportunity in these brands and want to build on the incredible work that has already been done over many years. The goal is not to change what made Westone Audio and Etymotic special, but to bring fresh momentum, new ideas and renewed innovation to both brands moving forward.”
Complimentary Brands
The acquisition gives Fidelity Collective control of two complementary audio brands. Westone Audio has a strong connection to professional musicians, custom in-ear monitors and performance-focused listening, while Etymotic has deep technical credibility in accuracy, isolation, hearing protection and research-based audio design.
Fidelity Collective has also confirmed plans to continue investing in staffing, engineering, product development and operational infrastructure as both brands enter this next phase, including the re-establishment of sales operations in Dallas and engineering and lab facilities in Chicago.
Both brands will continue to serve their existing audiences, including professional musicians, stage performers, engineers, hearing-conscious listeners and music enthusiasts, while expanding into new product categories and market opportunities.
Further product announcements from both Westone Audio and Etymotic are expected in the coming months.
