Για τίποτε ασύρματα ακουστικά και ηχεία μπορώ να δω λίγο μέλλον με το ίδιο brand name. Δεν το βλέπω να μπορεί να συνεχίσει σε ενισχυτές AV ή στο δικάναλο hi-fi. Δεν ήταν επαρκής η προσπάθεια φαίνεται και γι' αυτό και η δυσκολία να βρεις διαθέσιμους νέους Onkyo-Pioneer.
OSAKA -- Japanese audio equipment maker Onkyo Home Entertainment filed for bankruptcy at Osaka District Court on Friday, with total liabilities of around 3.1 billion yen ($24 million).
The Osaka-based company was delisted in August. It was unable to keep pace with changes in how people listen to music, as users shift from audio equipment like compact stereo systems -- once Onkyo's core business -- to devices like smartphones for streaming services.
Two Onkyo subsidiaries that handled original equipment manufacturing -- such as assembling speakers for other brands -- and sales representation of audio equipment filed for voluntary bankruptcy in March.
Since then, Onkyo has essentially stopped doing business except management of an already-sold subsidiary. The company told Nikkei it "tried to maintain business on a smaller scale, but could not stop cash-flow problems from worsening."
Established in 1946, Onkyo supported the audio boom as a household name for speakers, turntables and stereo receivers. But the market transformed in the 2000s as Apple's mobile audio player iPod and smartphones became popular. The dwindling market for analog audio equipment such as stereo sets led to a steady downturn in earnings.
In January 2021, when Onkyo's capital deficit raised the possibility of a delisting, shareholders approved a plan to grant stock options to an investment fund in the Cayman Islands to raise up to 6.2 billion yen in fresh equity. But only some of the options were exercised, resulting in a second consecutive asset deficiency in the fiscal year ended March 2022, which is grounds for delisting from the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
The company sold its core home audiovisual business to Sharp and U.S.-based Voxx International and its earphones and headphones business to an investment fund, both in September. A joint venture between Sharp and Voxx is expected to continue using the Onkyo brand.
"We explored every possible way [to continue business] but could not pay off our debts," the company said.
Yuji Masaki, head of the research department at Teikoku Databank's regional office in Osaka, said "[the company] tried to stay alive through various businesses such as headphones and earphones, but measures were halfway. [Their disposal of businesses] were one step behind in timing as well."
Maker of stereos and speakers doomed by market shift to streaming and smartphones
asia.nikkei.com
