By: Dipin Sehdev
In an era where a single click can deliver nearly any piece of audio or video equipment to your doorstep, the art of experiencing home theater and two-channel audio in person is in danger of becoming a lost luxury. But for those who truly care about performance — the goosebumps you get from a perfectly tuned stereo, the way a surround sound mix makes a film’s world come alive — there’s simply no substitute for a properly set up listening room run by experienced professionals.
That’s exactly why Audio Advice’s latest move matters.
The 47-year-old specialty retailer and integrator, headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, has announced its acquisition of The Sound Room, a leading St. Louis-based audio, video, and home automation company founded in 1983 by David Young. It’s a union between two highly respected names in the high-end AV world — and it’s more than just a business transaction. It’s a statement about the enduring importance of brick-and-mortar showrooms, hands-on expertise, and customer service in an increasingly digital retail landscape.
A Meeting of Minds — and Standards
“For over four decades, The Sound Room has been dedicated to delivering cutting-edge technology and personalized service to our clients,” says David Young. “Joining forces with Audio Advice ensures our customers will continue to receive exceptional service while benefiting from expanded resources, expertise, and product offerings.”
That alignment is key. Audio Advice, founded in 1978, is known nationally for three things:
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Deep technical knowledge — from system design to fine-tuning for both residential and commercial spaces.
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Award-winning showroom experiences — meticulously engineered environments that let customers hear and see gear at its absolute best.
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A strong online presence — combining editorial content, design tools, and product sales.
The Sound Room shares those values, making it a natural fit. This isn’t just about growing a business — it’s about maintaining a gold standard in how audio and video gear is presented and sold.
The Value of the Showroom Experience
In the age of YouTube reviews and unboxing videos, it’s tempting to think you can “know” how a pair of speakers or an AV receiver will sound just by reading specs or watching demos online. The reality is far more complex.
A physical showroom offers:
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Proper Acoustic Setup
Even the best gear will underperform in a bad room. Showrooms are acoustically treated to reveal the gear’s full potential. -
Expert Guidance
Seasoned professionals can quickly identify what will work best for your needs, taste, and space. -
Real-World Comparisons
You can A/B test speakers, subwoofers, or displays under the same conditions — something that’s impossible online. -
System Integration Demos
You can see how a complete system — from projector to surround processor to smart home control — works together seamlessly.
Audio Advice’s showroom philosophy takes this to another level. Their spaces aren’t just demo rooms; they’re experiential theaters designed to replicate high-end home setups, giving customers a realistic preview of what they can expect in their own homes.
Why Audio Advice Is One of the Best Dealers in the Country
Ask anyone in the AV community, and Audio Advice’s reputation speaks for itself. For nearly five decades, they’ve built a brand on doing things right the first time — from system design to installation to after-sale support.
Here’s why they stand out:
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High Standards in Curation
They don’t just sell every product available. Each brand and model is carefully vetted to ensure performance, reliability, and long-term value. -
Training and Expertise
Staff undergo continuous training, keeping up with the latest standards in HDMI, room correction, immersive audio formats, and display technologies. -
Customer-Centric Approach
Whether you’re buying a $500 bookshelf speaker or a $50,000 theater system, the experience and service level remain consistent. -
National Reach, Local Touch
Even as they expand — with showrooms in Raleigh, Charlotte, Nashville, Wilmington, and now St. Louis — they maintain a personal, hands-on approach.
Expanding into St. Louis — What It Means for Customers
With this acquisition, The Sound Room’s St. Louis location will continue to operate with its existing staff, ensuring continuity for loyal customers. But they’ll now have access to Audio Advice’s nationally recognized resources, including:
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Award-winning design tools for home theater and stereo setups.
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A vastly expanded product lineup from top brands.
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Access to Audio Advice Live events, where the latest in AV is showcased.
This means St. Louis residents will get the best of both worlds — the local service they know and trust, backed by the buying power and technical expertise of one of the most respected names in the country.
A Strategic Approach to Growth
This isn’t Audio Advice’s first acquisition. Just over a year ago, they purchased The Audio Lab, another long-standing regional AV dealer. What’s telling is how selective they are with acquisitions.
Rather than rolling up as many stores as possible, Audio Advice looks for companies that:
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Share their service-first philosophy.
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Have a strong, loyal customer base.
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Possess deep expertise in both home theater and 2-channel audio.
This careful approach ensures the brand’s reputation isn’t diluted — a problem that has plagued other AV integrators following aggressive expansions.
The Broader Industry Context
The custom integration (CI) and specialty AV market has been seeing steady consolidation over the past decade. Many small and mid-size dealers have been acquired by larger groups, and while that can bring benefits like better pricing and broader product access, it also carries risks.
Poorly executed mergers often lead to:
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Service disruptions — as staff changes or processes shift.
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Loss of local identity — long-time customers feel disconnected.
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Inconsistent standards — when a parent company imposes a one-size-fits-all approach.
Audio Advice’s track record suggests they’re aware of these pitfalls — and determined to avoid them.
Why This Matters Beyond St. Louis
The importance of this acquisition goes beyond the Midwest. For enthusiasts nationwide, it’s a reminder that the showroom model still matters — and can thrive when executed correctly.
Online retail is convenient, but you can’t hear how a Dolby Atmos mix interacts with a properly positioned height speaker array on a web page. You can’t feel the tactile slam of a dual-subwoofer setup through your laptop speakers. And you can’t judge the real difference between a high-end OLED and a flagship mini-LED TV from a compressed YouTube video.
That’s why companies like Audio Advice — with their commitment to in-person demos — are so vital to the future of the industry.
Looking Ahead
With St. Louis now part of the Audio Advice family, expect to see the same blend of hands-on expertise, cutting-edge gear, and customer-first service that has made the company a benchmark in the industry.
“We are thrilled to welcome The Sound Room into the Audio Advice family,” says Scott Newnam, CEO of Audio Advice. “Our shared values of excellence, customer service, and passion for technology make this a natural partnership. Together, we will continue to raise the bar for what customers can expect from an audio, video, and automation company.”
If history is any guide, they mean it.
Final Thoughts
The AV world is evolving, but the core of the buying experience — hearing and seeing the gear as it’s meant to be experienced — remains unchanged. The Sound Room’s integration into Audio Advice’s network ensures that St. Louis will continue to have a destination where music lovers, movie fans, and tech enthusiasts can hear before they buy.
In the process, Audio Advice reinforces what has made it one of the best dealers in the country:
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A refusal to compromise on quality.
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A belief in the power of real-world demos.
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A commitment to customer relationships that last decades.
For anyone serious about building the perfect home theater or stereo system, that’s music to the ears.
