The articles that I read on it don't imply that it was a merger, but rather a direct buyout on the part of Directed Electronics.

I would say that the buyout could be a result of either poor profitability, or Def Techs readiness just to sell out and cash in.

That brand always struck me as being a bit odd. I never cared all that much for the sound, but man, did they ever advertise.

Customers would come into the store pre-qualified, almost "Bose-ish" (to coin a term if it's not already patented and copywritten).

The consumer mags would publish an article about how great they sounded and most of the people who bought them never even bothered to listen first.

Who was I to argue?