Apple is set to buy headphone maker Beats Electronics for US$3.2 (€2.3) billion, it has been reported.
The Financial Times says the deal could be announced as early as next week, marking Apple's largest ever acquisition.
Founded by rapper and music producer Dr. Dre and fellow music producer Jimmy Iovine in 2008, the firm produces 'Beats by Dr. Dre' headphones and also runs a music streaming service.
Beats Electronics received US$500 million (€361.4m) investment from Carlyle Group last September, valuing the company at more than US$1 billion.
It has been reported that Apple is contemplating a Spotify-like on-demand music service.
Some technology analysts have speculated that the purchase plans are motivated by acquiring Beats' streaming arm rather than the headphones division.
Apple is sitting on a US$133 billion (€96.1bn) cash pile, and chief executive Tim Cook has said the firm has "no problem" with spending large sums of money to acquire top companies.
Apple and Beats have not commented on the reports.
Dre, a former member of NWA, compared his company to Apple in an interview in 2011. He said "We're trying to eventually be second to Apple. And I don't think that's a bad position".
