Audio One
Audio One is a Hampton Roads, Virginia specialty retailer and professional installer — founded in 1978 and operating four stores — that sells and installs car audio, mobile video, security, marine, and powersports electronics for individual vehicle, boat, and powersports owners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1978
- HeadquartersVirginia Beach, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Audio One does
Audio One is a privately held, Hampton Roads, Virginia-based specialty retailer and professional installer of mobile electronics, founded in 1978 and operating four physical storefronts in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, and Newport News. The company sells and installs car audio, mobile video, security and remote start systems, marine audio, motorcycle and powersports electronics, vehicle lighting, and accessories, with custom fabrication (enclosures, dash integrations, vehicle-specific builds such as Jeep Wrangler Tesla-style screens and classic-car upgrades) as a core differentiator. The technology stack is third-party hardware — Sony Mobile ES, Rockford Fosgate, Hertz, Kenwood, Compustar, Linkswell, KC HiLites, Heise, Amp Research — integrated by certified in-house technicians rather than proprietary products, with standard consumer software connectivity (Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Google Maps, Waze).
The business model combines hardware sales with professional installation services, priced on a quote basis with financing and lease-to-own options available, and backed by a lifetime installation warranty on most work. Customer segments are exclusively SMB/consumer — individual vehicle owners, boaters, and powersports enthusiasts — with no enterprise or B2B contracts disclosed. Marketing runs through a local content-marketing engine (38+ blog posts, project galleries, YouTube/Facebook/Instagram), SEO-optimized location pages, and community event participation (VA Beach Jeep Fest, Pink Ride Golf Tournament). Distribution is retail-storefront only; no e-commerce purchasing capability is indicated. The company holds Top 50 Sony Mobile ES Dealer recognition (2023) and is a member of the Mobile Electronic Specialists of America (MESA) trade association, supporting brand credibility in a fragmented regional market.
Audio One firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Audio One
- Legal name
- Audio One
- Website
- https://theaudioone.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1978
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Audio One is a Hampton Roads, Virginia specialty retailer and professional installer — founded in 1978 and operating four stores — that sells and installs car audio, mobile video, security, marine, and powersports electronics for individual vehicle, boat, and powersports owners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Audio One industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Automotive Electronics Installation Services
- akta.pro primary industry
- Car Audio & In‑Vehicle Entertainment Retail (CRACAEAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- AV Receivers, Amplifiers & Hi‑Fi Components Retail (CRACAEAE)
Keywords
Where Audio One is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Virginia Beach
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Audio One business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Product Sales: Sale of car audio equipment including stereos, speakers, subwoofers, amplifiers, head units, marine audio, security systems, remote starters, GPS navigation, dash cameras, and lighting products from major brands.
- Installation Services: Professional installation and integration services for all products sold, including custom fabrication work. Services include lifetime installation warranty.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | — | Product Sales with Installation |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Audio One product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Audio One sells and professionally installs car audio, mobile video, vehicle security, and remote start systems across four retail locations in Hampton Roads, Virginia. The company also provides marine audio, powersports/motorcycle audio, vehicle lighting, dash cameras, GPS navigation, and custom fabrication services, pairing third-party branded products (Sony Mobile ES, Rockford Fosgate, Hertz, Compustar, Linkswell) with certified installation backed by a lifetime labor warranty.
Product overview
Audio One is a car audio, mobile video, and security installation company operating as a single unified installation service rather than a software platform. The company provides a comprehensive portfolio of installation services centered on mobile electronics for vehicles, boats, and powersports. Core offerings include Mobile Audio Systems (car stereos, speakers, subwoofers, amplifiers from brands like Sony Mobile ES, Rockford Fosgate, and Hertz), Mobile Video Systems (rear seat entertainment), Security & Remote Start Systems (Compustar security and remote start), Marine Audio Systems (watercraft stereos and speakers), Motorcycle/Powersport Audio, Vehicle Lighting (KC HiLites, Heise products), and Custom Installation & Fabrication services. The company sells and installs third-party branded products (Sony, Rockford Fosgate, Hertz, Kenwood, Compustar, Linkswell) rather than manufacturing its own products. All installation services come with a Lifetime Installation Warranty.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Mobile Audio Systems Complete car audio system installations including car stereos, speakers, subwoofers, amplifiers, stereo receivers, head units, and satellite radio from brands like Sony Mobile ES, Rockford Fosgate, and Hertz. Professional installation with lifetime labor warranty is provided. Target customers are individual vehicle owners in Hampton Roads, Virginia.
- Mobile Video Systems Rear seat entertainment systems and mobile video solutions for front and back seat car video technology, sold and professionally installed for individual vehicle owners.
- Security & Remote Start Systems Aftermarket security systems, remote starters (including CompustarPRO CMX with factory FOB integration), keyless entry, and smartphone-controlled vehicle security, plus Compustar 852A alarm systems. Protects against theft and relay attacks. Installed for individual vehicle owners.
- Marine Audio Systems Marine-grade audio systems including marine stereos, marine speakers, subwoofers, and amplifiers built to withstand water, salt, and UV exposure. Sold and installed for boat, jet ski, yacht, fishing boat, and pontoon owners.
- Motorcycle & Powersport Audio Systems Powersport audio solutions for Harley Davidson motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, and specialty vehicles including Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator customization. Weather-resistant systems designed for outdoor elements.
- Custom Installation & Fabrication Professional custom design and fabrication services for automotive and marine audio/visual products, including custom enclosures with fabric, leather, and carpet finishes. Lifetime installation warranty on all work.
- Dash Cameras Dashboard cameras for vehicle safety and security recording, sold and installed for individual vehicle owners.
- GPS Navigation Systems Vehicle GPS navigation systems providing location details, convenience and security features, sold and installed for individual vehicle owners.
- Vehicle Lighting Upgrades Vehicle lighting upgrades including lightbars, dash lights, underglow, rock lights, and accent lighting. Includes Heise Chase rock lights, KC HiLites light bars, and Heise JP901RGBKT accent lighting kits.
- Linkswell Tesla-Style 12.1" Screen Installation Android-based Tesla-style touchscreen display installation for Jeep JLU and compatible vehicles. Features Android 9.0 OS, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Google Maps and Waze navigation, USB music/video player, 4x45 watt amplifier with DSP, and on-screen climate controls.
- Sony Mobile ES Head Unit Installation Sale and professional installation of Sony Mobile ES premium head units including the XAV-9500ES (10.1" HD touchscreen, wireless CarPlay/Android Auto, HD Radio, hi-res audio) and XAV-9000ES (6.75" wireless high-resolution digital media receiver). Target customers are individual vehicle owners seeking premium audio upgrades.
- Rockford Fosgate Ranger Audio Roof System Installation All-in-one audio roof system installation for select 2018+ Polaris Ranger XP 1000 models. Features Element Ready weatherproof construction, Color Optix LED lighting, overhead mounting for water ford capability, and plug-and-play installation.
Quantifiable outcome
- Lifetime labor warranty on most installations
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Audio One
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Audio One technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Feature2 records
Audio One partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Mobile Electronic Specialists of America (MESA)minorAudio One is a proud member of the Mobile Electronic Specialists of America, a trade organization for mobile electronics retailers. This membership provides industry networking, best practices, and credibility through association with other professional installers.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Audio One competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Linkswell: Aftermarket Tesla-style screen manufacturer whose Jeep-compatible units are sold and installed by Audio One. Adjacent as a key product partner whose channel strategy could either amplify or disintermediate Audio One's installation role.
- Compustar (Firstech): Manufacturer of remote start and vehicle security systems that Audio One installs (e.g., CMX, 852A). A core supplier whose product roadmap and dealer terms directly affect Audio One's security/remote-start revenue line.
- Rockford Fosgate: Audio equipment manufacturer whose products (speakers, subwoofers, amplifiers, Ranger audio roof systems) are a core line for Audio One. Relevant as a key vendor whose brand and product strategy materially shape Audio One's offering and pricing.
- Mobile Electronics Specialists of America (MESA): Trade association for mobile electronics retailers of which Audio One is a member. Relevant peer as it represents the broader professional installer ecosystem Audio One competes within and benchmarks against.
Direct peers
- Car Toys: Multi-location car audio, video, and security retailer in the Pacific Northwest. Closely comparable business model to Audio One: physical storefronts, professional installation, multi-brand product mix, and lifetime installation warranty on work performed.
- Audio Express: Multi-store car audio and mobile electronics retailer operating across multiple U.S. states. Directly comparable to Audio One in category breadth (car audio, security, remote start, marine) and services-led retail format.
- Crutchfield: National car audio and mobile electronics retailer headquartered in Virginia, offering product sales plus an installer network. Directly comparable to Audio One as a customer-facing car audio retailer, with overlap on Sony, Kenwood, and other brands sold by Audio One.
- Stereo Advantage: Multi-location car audio and mobile electronics retailer in the U.S. Comparable to Audio One in storefront model, professional installation focus, and multi-brand product offering.
Emerging players
- Sonic Electronix: Online car audio retailer with installation partner network. Comparable to Audio One on product categories and brands, but competes through a primarily e-commerce/DIY model with outsourced installation rather than owned retail locations.
Broad incumbents
- Best Buy (Geek Squad Auto Installation): National big-box retailer offering car audio installation through Geek Squad. Overlaps with Audio One on installation services and product mix (head units, CarPlay/Android Auto, dash cams), but as a generalist retailer rather than a specialist.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Audio One social profiles
Digital presenceAudio One financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Audio One leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Audio One funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Audio One 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 Audio One
What does Audio One do?
Audio One sells and professionally installs car audio, mobile video, vehicle security, and remote start systems across four retail locations in Hampton Roads, Virginia. The company also provides marine audio, powersports/motorcycle audio, vehicle lighting, dash cameras, GPS navigation, and custom fabrication services, pairing third-party branded products (Sony Mobile ES, Rockford Fosgate, Hertz, Compustar, Linkswell) with certified installation backed by a lifetime labor warranty.
Is Audio One a public or private company?
Audio One is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Audio One founded?
Audio One was founded in 1978. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Audio One based?
Audio One is headquartered in Virginia Beach, United States, in the North America region.
How does Audio One make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are installation Services.
Who are Audio One's main competitors?
Others on record are Linkswell, Compustar (Firstech), Rockford Fosgate and Mobile Electronics Specialists of America (MESA). Direct peers are Car Toys, Audio Express, Crutchfield and Stereo Advantage. Sonic Electronix is listed as an emerging player. Best Buy (Geek Squad Auto Installation) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Audio One have an API?
No public API is recorded for Audio One.
What industry is Audio One in?
Audio One's product category is Automotive Electronics Installation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRACAEAI, Car Audio & In‑Vehicle Entertainment Retail, with a secondary code of CRACAEAE, AV Receivers, Amplifiers & Hi‑Fi Components Retail.