Razer Justifies Audio Business with THX Acquisition

Well, There goes the neighborhood.

George Lucas couldn't have envisioned in 1983 that his then company, THX, would one day be owned by a PC peripheral maker, but that's exactly what is happening now more than three decades after it was spun off from Lucasfilm. Razer, a company best known for its computer mice aimed at gamers, has gone out and acquired the majority assets of THX, the audio firm announced today.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, though THX did say that it will continue to operate as a standalone company underneath the ownership of Razer, and with its same management in place.

The title alone paints a pretty clear picture that Razer is now owner of all of the audio specifications established since Return of the Jedi.  (so to speak). 

Fact of the matter is, companies are bought and sold on a daily basis and is one reason why they remain profitable and expand into new markets.  How is this acquisition going to help Razer?  That remains to be seen however a quote in the PC Gamer article tells me that they bought it because they could.

As for Razer's interest in THX, Tan explained to Venture Beat in an email that he's been fan of THX for the greater part of his life and, after working with THX on a speaker product several years ago, he has a high confidence level in THX's team of designers and engineers.

Back in the 2001 HP bought Compaq and while the purchase worked out for both companies it was largely done "because they could".  There was no financial trouble or mutual benefit, they just did it.  Fast forward 16 years and HP is now split and no longer a driving force in the market.  

Will that happen with Razer?  I doubt it.  Eventually THX will get flipped but not until we see THX certified mice and computer cases.  Heck, we might even see ear buds with theater quality sound, not because it is possiable but, because they can.

Related Web URL: http://www.pcgamer.com/razer-levels-up-audio-busin...