Westone Audio & Etymotic Enter New Era Under Fidelity Collective

The move brings two long-running in-ear audio brands into a new structure focused on renewed product development, R&D investment and rebuilding operational infrastructure. Fidelity Collective says it plans to re-establish engineering and lab facilities in Chicago, alongside sales operations in Dallas, as it looks to revitalise both businesses.

Westone Audio and Etymotic each carry serious history in the in-ear category, albeit from slightly different directions. Westone Audio traces its roots back to the 1950s and has long been associated with custom in-ear monitors, hearing protection and stage-use products for musicians and performers. Etymotic, founded in 1983 by Dr Mead Killion, built its reputation around research-led hearing technology, precision in-ear listening and high-isolation earphones, with the ER4 series becoming something of a reference point for accuracy-minded listeners.

Fidelity Collective’s leadership team also has direct links to both brands. Sam Roney brings experience across Dekoni Audio, Grell Audio and Dark Matter Audio Labs, while Tal Kocen, founder of Dekoni Audio and Dark Matter Audio Labs, previously worked at Lucid Hearing during the period when Etymotic and Westone Audio were acquired. Gary Boyer, who was involved with both brands under Lucid Hearing, will remain with the company as Executive Vice President.

According to Fidelity Collective, the intention is not to dilute the identity of either brand, but to give both fresh momentum in the personal audio, hearing protection, custom monitor and professional in-ear markets. Sam Roney, CEO of Fidelity Collective said: 

Westone Audio and Etymotic are brands with genuine history and credibility, 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.

Kocen described the move as “incredibly personal”, noting that both brands already have strong foundations and established communities around them.

The acquisition is a useful reminder that legacy engineering names still carry weight, particularly as the IEM sector becomes increasingly crowded with fast-moving boutique brands. The challenge now will be whether Fidelity Collective can build upon that heritage and foster genuinely compelling new products. 

For more information visit Etymotic and Westone Audio