The Absence Of Local Audio Dealers - January 2026

I recently had a commentor from one of our YouTube videos about younger audiences discovering the enjoyment of hearing what music can sound like with a good performing audio system and the importance of visiting local dealers vs. buying/shopping online without audition:

Here's what one of our viewers had to say:

"I agree with most of what you say in this video. But, it assumes that new purchasers have access to local brick and mortar dealers. That, unfortunately is not the case for many of us. I live in the Orlando, Florida area. Despite the fact that it is the 20th largest metro area in the U.S. it is an audio desert. The option of even hearing equipment ahead of purchase is often not available. I’ve been playing with audio since 1972 and currently have 9 systems connected in my home - so I can navigate this situation. I really don’t see good options for young people. As I don’t know where they go to be introduced to quality audio."

@audibleeleganceincR

And here was my response:

"I understand completely which is why my business is not predatory upon areas that are being served with brands that I sell. Sadly, we are rare in this aspect.

There are multiple reasons why this has happened with causation from both manufacturers and consumers alike and it all got really started with the advent of "Custom Installation" and the willingness of manufacturers to fragment market shares in order to increase sales. What this led to was their sending their prospective customers to dealers to do the demos so they could make the sale. That happened to me numerous times.

Then, along comes the internet and folks got into what was called "showrooming" where they themselves would use a local dealer for demonstrations and then make the purchase elsewhere, often times to avoid sales taxes. This really demolished morale and was far worse in effect than the custom installers using us. That has now been magnified by power mail order sites. In one case, we had a distributor, who we represented, happy to steal our sales by selling direct if a consumer gave them a call about anything while being promoted by the "audiophile magazines." It was a very incestuous relationship between the magazines and distributor. 

Now manufacturers don't think twice about competing with the very own dealers for sales. So, it's up to the consumer to support the remaining local dealers they do have and, by this process, encourage others to become a dealer as well. Or, take the effort to visit the nearest brick & mortar dealer.

While I don't see this really happening, I do take some hope in watching Barnes & Noble expansion plans of 60 new stores in 2026 despite the Amazon guggernaut. (Some folks have figured out that the Amazon algorithms actually limit choice and thereby crush the serendipity of browsing. AI will only make this process more efficient, not better. You see, alternative thoughts are precluded. Just like when you browse on the internet for something and suddenly your screen is loaded with advertising of those sort of products and sometimes for months!)

The final knife, however, may be the combination of reckless federal spending driving up national inflation (including the cost of employing folks) now combined with the addition of another federal act driving up the cost of imported goods and imported parts. Of my dealer class (those who started businesses 40 years ago, I know of only 3 remaining.

We can offer our expertise but we cannot make the consumer buy. So, I thought I would give you some insights as why I believe you don't have a local dealer."

-Lou