Parts Express
Parts Express is a privately held U.S. e-commerce retailer of audio components, electronic parts, and speaker-building supplies, serving DIY hobbyists, home audio enthusiasts, car audio buyers, and professional installers through its website, commercial accounts, and OEM/ODM services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersSpringboro, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Parts Express does
Parts Express is a privately held, direct-to-consumer e-commerce retailer based in Springboro, Ohio, that specializes in audio components and electronic parts. Founded in 1986 (with an operating history reference of 1996–2026 on its website), the company sells through its own website across nine product categories: speaker components, home audio and video, pro audio, car audio, electronic parts, connectors and adapters, wire and cable, tools and supplies, and battery and power. The platform is a catalog-based online storefront with no mobile app or developer API, supplemented by a niche customer tool (the Woofer Replacement Tool) that helps buyers match replacement drivers to existing speakers.
The company serves a mix of consumer and business customers. Consumer segments include home audio and video enthusiasts, car audio hobbyists, and DIY electronics builders. Commercial segments include professional audio installers, integrators, and venue operators, served through a Commercial Accounts program, OEM/ODM manufacturing services, and an Installer/Integrator Referral Network. Community engagement is supported through the TechTalk Forums and a Customer Project Gallery, supplemented by organic social channels (YouTube, Twitter/X, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest) and a Brand Ambassador Program. Customer service is delivered via phone (800-338-0531) and online contact forms.
Revenue is generated primarily through one-time retail merchandise sales of hardware and components, with secondary B2B revenue from commercial accounts and OEM/ODM services, plus gift certificate sales. Pricing is set on a per-unit basis, pricing is not publicly disclosed at the catalog level, and orders are fulfilled with free shipping promotions and a 60-day no-hassle returns policy. The company has 101–250 employees, no disclosed institutional investors, and no parent company, making it a founder/family-controlled independent operator.
Parts Express firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Parts Express
- Legal name
- Parts Express
- Website
- https://Parts-Express.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Parts Express is a privately held U.S. e-commerce retailer of audio components, electronic parts, and speaker-building supplies, serving DIY hobbyists, home audio enthusiasts, car audio buyers, and professional installers through its website, commercial accounts, and OEM/ODM services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Parts Express industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Consumer Audio Components
- NAICS
- Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (33431)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Electronic Parts & Equipment, Nec (5065)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Electronic Components (Resistors, Capacitors, Inductors) Retail (CRACAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Audio Accessories & Consumables (Cables, Stands, Cases, Strings, Picks, Heads) (MPAIAJAF)
Keywords
Where Parts Express is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Springboro
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Parts Express business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Retail merchandise sales: Direct sales of audio components, speakers, amplifiers, electronic parts, cables, tools and supplies through e-commerce platform. One-time transaction-based revenue from product sales.
- Commercial accounts and OEM/ODM services: B2B sales to commercial accounts and custom OEM/ODM manufacturing services for business customers
- Gift certificates: Gift certificate sales for consumer purchases
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard retail pricing for individual consumers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Parts Express product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Parts Express is a direct-to-consumer e-commerce retailer selling audio components, electronic parts, and accessories for DIY speaker building, home theater, pro audio, and car audio applications. The catalog includes speaker components (woofers, tweeters, drivers), home audio and video equipment, professional audio gear, car audio systems, discrete electronic parts, connectors and adapters, tools and supplies, battery and power solutions, and wire and cable. The company also operates OEM/ODM custom manufacturing services and commercial accounts for B2B buyers, supported by a Woofer Replacement Tool and the TechTalk community forum.
Product overview
Parts Express is an e-commerce retailer and distributor of audio equipment and electronic components, organized as a single platform with multiple product category modules. The core offering consists of Speaker Components (woofers, tweeters, drivers for DIY speaker building), Home Audio & Video (home theater and audio equipment), Pro Audio (professional sound reinforcement gear), Car Audio (automotive audio products), Electronic Parts (components for circuit assembly), Connectors & Adapters (cables and connections), Tools & Supplies (installation equipment), Battery & Power (power solutions), and Wire & Cable (electrical wiring). The company also operates an OEM/ODM Services division for custom manufacturing and provides a Woofer Replacement Tool as a customer-facing utility. The platform functions primarily as a catalog-based online store with no apparent API, SaaS components, or mobile application offerings.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Speaker Components Replacement speakers, woofers, tweeters, drivers, horns, and related components for DIY speaker building, repairs, and custom audio projects. Targeted at DIY speaker builders, audiophiles, and hobbyists.
- Home Audio & Video Audio and video equipment for home entertainment systems, including speakers, receivers, and home theater components. Targeted at consumers building or upgrading home theater and home audio systems.
- Pro Audio Professional-grade audio equipment including amplifiers, subwoofers, drivers, horns, and PA system components. Targeted at professional audio installers, DJs, venue operators, and sound engineers.
- Car Audio Automotive audio components including subwoofers, speakers, amplifiers, and accessories for vehicle sound systems. Targeted at automotive audio hobbyists and installers upgrading car audio systems.
- Electronic Parts Discrete electronic components such as resistors, capacitors, integrated circuits, and semiconductors for audio applications. Targeted at electronics hobbyists, repair technicians, and makers.
- Connectors & Adapters Audio connectors, adapters, and cables including SpeakON, XLR, TRS, RCA, and specialty audio connections. Targeted at audio installers and DIY builders.
- Tools & Supplies Tools and supplies for speaker building, repair, and audio installation projects. Targeted at DIY builders and professional installers.
- Battery & Power Power supplies, batteries, and power management solutions for audio equipment. Targeted at audio installers and electronics hobbyists.
- Wire & Cable Audio wire, speaker cable, and interconnect cables for various installation applications. Targeted at audio installers and DIY builders.
- OEM/ODM Services Custom OEM/ODM manufacturing services for business customers requiring custom audio products or branded audio components. Targeted at commercial businesses and brand owners.
- Commercial Accounts B2B commercial account program offering volume purchasing, business account terms, and dedicated support for professional installers, integrators, and commercial businesses.
Companies that use Parts Express
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Parts Express technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Parts Express partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Parts Express competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Crutchfield: Crutchfield is a direct competitor operating an online catalog and call-center-driven retail model for home audio, car audio, and home theater components with strong DIY/installer customer overlap to Parts Express.
- Sweetwater: Sweetwater is a major online retailer of music gear, pro audio, and recording equipment with a heavy DIY/pro customer base that overlaps Parts Express's Pro Audio and home recording buyer segments.
- B&H Photo Video: B&H Photo Video is a large online retailer of audio, video, and electronic equipment serving both consumer and professional buyers, with overlapping Pro Audio and Home A/V assortments to Parts Express.
- Full Compass Systems: Full Compass Systems is a Pro Audio, lighting, and AV retailer with a B2B commercial account model that closely parallels Parts Express's installer/integrator commercial business.
- Markertek: Markertek is a specialty retailer of audio, video, and broadcast equipment serving production and professional installers, with overlapping Pro Audio customer segments to Parts Express.
- Guitar Center: Guitar Center is a multi-channel retailer of musical instruments, pro audio, and recording gear; while music-instrument focused, its Pro Audio division competes with Parts Express in amplifiers, mixers, and PA components.
- Mouser Electronics: Mouser Electronics is a major distributor of electronic components (resistors, capacitors, semiconductors, connectors) directly overlapping Parts Express's Electronic Parts, Connectors, and Wire/Cable categories.
- Digi-Key Electronics: Digi-Key is a global distributor of electronic components with a catalog model that competes with Parts Express's electronic parts business and similar DIY/pro/engineer customer base.
- Parts Connexion: Parts Connexion is a specialty retailer of high-end audio parts, capacitors, resistors, and DIY hi-fi components directly comparable to Parts Express's premium audio components assortment.
Broad incumbents
- Amazon: Amazon is a broad incumbent online retailer that competes with Parts Express across audio components, connectors, wire, and electronic parts via marketplace listings from Parts Express's own suppliers and competitors.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Parts Express social profiles
Digital presenceParts Express financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Parts Express leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Parts Express funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Parts Express M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Parts Express
What does Parts Express do?
Parts Express is a direct-to-consumer e-commerce retailer selling audio components, electronic parts, and accessories for DIY speaker building, home theater, pro audio, and car audio applications. The catalog includes speaker components (woofers, tweeters, drivers), home audio and video equipment, professional audio gear, car audio systems, discrete electronic parts, connectors and adapters, tools and supplies, battery and power solutions, and wire and cable. The company also operates OEM/ODM custom manufacturing services and commercial accounts for B2B buyers, supported by a Woofer Replacement Tool and the TechTalk community forum.
Is Parts Express a public or private company?
Parts Express is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Parts Express founded?
Parts Express was founded in 1996. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Parts Express based?
Parts Express is headquartered in Springboro, United States, in the North America region.
How does Parts Express make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Retail merchandise sales are the primary driver. The others are commercial accounts and OEM/ODM services and gift certificates.
Who are Parts Express's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Crutchfield, Sweetwater, B&H Photo Video, Full Compass Systems, Markertek, Guitar Center, Mouser Electronics, Digi-Key Electronics and Parts Connexion. Amazon is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Parts Express have an API?
No public API is recorded for Parts Express.
What industry is Parts Express in?
Parts Express's product category is Consumer Audio Components. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRACAKAA, Electronic Components (Resistors, Capacitors, Inductors) Retail, with a secondary code of MPAIAJAF, Audio Accessories & Consumables (Cables, Stands, Cases, Strings, Picks, Heads). Its NAICS code is 33431 and its SIC code is 5065.