Io Audio Technologies
Io Audio Technologies is a Dallas-based, family-owned manufacturer of audio, data, lighting, and power cables, connectors, bulk wire, and cable protectors, selling globally through authorized distributors and serving Pro AV, broadcast, and OEM customers with proprietary locking connector families.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersDallas, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Io Audio Technologies does
Io Audio Technologies, founded in 2017 within Knight Electronics, Inc., is a Dallas, Texas-based manufacturer of wire, cable, and interconnect products for the professional audio, data, lighting, and power markets. The company designs and produces a portfolio spanning assembled cables (XLR, DMX, balanced patch, instrument, Etherlatch networking, Powerlatch, and AC power cords), connectors (XLR, mini/Tiny XLR, 1/4" phone, Speakerlatch, Etherlatch, Powerlatch, and IEC form factors in cable-mount and chassis-mount variants), bulk wire (balanced, unbalanced, Cat 5e/Cat 6 network, and DMX), and accessories (KORE and HERCULES cable protectors plus mounting hardware). Its core technical differentiation rests on a set of proprietary locking connector families (Etherlatch™, Speakerlatch™, Powerlatch™) and cable-protection systems (KORE™, HERCULES™), manufactured under TÜV SÜD America certified ISO 9001:2015 processes with 100% outbound inspection and supported by UL/cUL, TUV, and VDE qualifications.
Io Audio sells almost exclusively through authorized global electronic component distributors (Arrow, Digi-Key, Mouser, Future Electronics, Heilind, Master Electronics, Newark, RS, Farnell, plus 20+ regional distributors and part-search aggregators), complemented by a U.S. Manufacturer's Representative network covering all 50 states and international markets. Direct engagement with OEMs is reserved for value-add and custom turnkey solutions, including custom cable lengths, specialty cable types, mechanical/material modifications, discontinued-product replacement, and full turnkey design/manufacturing/assembly/shipping with JIT worldwide delivery. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; revenue is generated through hardware sales of cables, connectors, bulk wire, and accessories, supplemented by professional services for OEM turnkey work. Target segments span Pro AV integrators, broadcasters, AV/low-voltage installers, and OEMs in aerospace, medical, gaming/simulation, agriculture, appliances, automotive, and communications, with AVIXA and NAMM industry-association memberships reinforcing the pro-AV core.
The business is privately held and family-owned, operating as a product line within Knight Electronics, Inc. (founded 1979 by Robert "Bob" Knight), with no disclosed outside institutional investors, no public-market listing, and no revenue disclosure. Leadership transitioned from founder Bob Knight to his son John Knight as President of Knight Electronics in 2014; granddaughter Victoria Knight and her husband Randy joined in 2017 to launch and lead the Io Audio Technologies brand, later expanding the catalog in 2022 into broader industrial interconnect products.
Io Audio Technologies firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Io Audio Technologies
- Legal name
- Io Audio Technologies
- Website
- https://ioaudiotech.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Io Audio Technologies is a Dallas-based, family-owned manufacturer of audio, data, lighting, and power cables, connectors, bulk wire, and cable protectors, selling globally through authorized distributors and serving Pro AV, broadcast, and OEM customers with proprietary locking connector families.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Io Audio Technologies industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Audio/Video Interconnect Products
- NAICS
- Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (334310)
- SIC
- Electronic Components & Accessories (3670)
- akta.pro primary industry
- DJ & Performance Gear (Controllers, Turntables, CDJs, Mixers) (MPAIAJAC)
Keywords
Where Io Audio Technologies is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dallas
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Io Audio Technologies business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales – Cables: Sales of assembled audio, data, lighting (DMX), and power cables through authorized distributors and direct OEM channels.
- Hardware Sales – Connectors: Sales of XLR, Tiny XLR, IEC, Speakerlatch, Powerlatch, Etherlatch, 1/4" phone plug/jack, and lighting connectors in cable-mount and chassis-mount variants.
- Hardware Sales – Bulk Wire: Sales of bulk balanced, unbalanced, DMX, and network (Cat 5e/Cat 6) cable on spools/pull boxes for system integrators and OEM assembly.
- Hardware Sales – Accessories: Sales of cable protectors (KORE, HERCULES), mounting hardware (bolts, screws, washers, nuts), thread savers, and related accessories.
- OEM Value-Add & Custom Solutions: Custom cable lengths, special cable types, specialty product modifications, mechanical/material customization, and full turnkey OEM design, manufacturing, assembly, and shipping services with JIT worldwide delivery.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Quote-based / not publicly disclosed; obtained via authorized distributors |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
Io Audio Technologies product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Io Audio Technologies manufactures and sells wire, cable, and interconnect products including audio (XLR, instrument, balanced patch), data (Etherlatch Cat 5e/Cat 6), lighting (DMX), and power (Powerlatch, IEC) cables, connectors (XLR, mini XLR, 1/4" phone, Speakerlatch, Etherlatch, Powerlatch, IEC), bulk wire, and cable protection accessories for global OEM and Pro AV customers. The company also provides custom cable/connector design, specialty modification, and full turnkey OEM manufacturing services through its parent company Knight Electronics, Inc.
Product overview
Io Audio Technologies is a single-vendor manufacturer of audio, data, lighting, and power interconnect products, organized as a portfolio of related product lines rather than a software platform. The portfolio comprises four core categories — Cables (including XLR Cables, DMX Cables, Balanced Patch Cables, Instrument Cables, Etherlatch Cables, Powerlatch Cables, and AC Power Cords), Connectors (XLR Cable Connectors, XLR Chassis Connectors, Mini XLR / Tiny XLR Cable Connectors, Mini XLR / Tiny XLR Chassis Connectors, 1/4" Phone Plug Connectors, 1/4" Phone Jack Connectors, Speakerlatch Connectors, Speakerlatch Chassis Connectors, Etherlatch Connectors, Etherlatch Chassis Connectors, Powerlatch Cable Connectors, Powerlatch Chassis Connectors, and IEC Connectors), Bulk Wire (Balanced Bulk Wire, Unbalanced Bulk Wire, Network Bulk Wire, and DMX Bulk Wire), and Accessories (KORE Series Cable Protectors, HERCULES Series Cable Protectors, and Hardware). The offering is unified under the Io Audio Technologies brand (a division of parent company Knight Electronics, Inc., headquartered in Dallas, Texas) and is supplemented by a Value-Add & Custom Solutions engineering service for OEM and bespoke cable/connector designs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Etherlatch™: Trademarked line of Etherlatch Ethernet-style connectors and cables for pro AV and networked audio applications.
- Powerlatch™
- Speakerlatch™
- KORE™
- HERCULES™
Products and services
- Cables Broad cable family spanning audio (XLR, balanced patch, instrument), data (Etherlatch Cat 5e/Cat 6), lighting (DMX), and power (Powerlatch, IEC power cords) applications for global OEM and Pro AV customers.
- XLR Cables Assembled XLR microphone/line cables offered in Premium (4-conductor star quad, dual braided shields, CPE semi-conductive insulator), Professional (2-conductor, braided tinned copper shield), and Performance (spiral bare copper shield) tiers.
- DMX Cables Four-conductor 120-ohm DMX cables with aluminum foil and braided tinned copper shielding, purpose-built for stage and architectural lighting control.
- Balanced Patch Cables TRS-to-TRS patch cables in TCH (straight/right-angle configurations), TBK, and M series variants with aluminum foil and tinned copper braided shields.
- Instrument Cables TS plug instrument cables available in M Series, TBK Series, and TCH Series variants, including straight and right-angle plug configurations.
- Etherlatch Cables Cat 5e (L Series Etherlatch with removable housing) and Cat 6 (X Series Etherlatch with braided magnesium alloy shield) networking cables designed for AV over IP and pro audio/data applications.
- Powerlatch Cables Locking power cables including the Powerlatch A-Edison (blue Powerlatch to NEMA 5-15P, 14/2 SJTW, 15A @ 125V AC) and Powerlatch A-B (blue to grey) configurations.
- AC Power Cords Single-phase AC power cables for North American and international markets in 2-conductor and 3-conductor configurations (SJT, SVT, SPT-1 cord types), including 5-15P to C13, 6-15P to C13, C14 to C13, Hospital Grade, UK Type G, and European Type E variants from 10-20A at 120-250V AC.
- Connectors Connector family organized into audio (XLR, mini XLR, 1/4" phone, Speakerlatch, Etherlatch), data, lighting, and power categories covering both cable-mount and chassis-mount form factors.
- XLR Cable Connectors Cable-mount XLR connectors in 3-pin, 4-pin, and 5-pin configurations with black housing and silver pins, plus gold-pin variants.
- XLR Chassis Connectors Panel-mount XLR chassis connectors in B Series (3/4/5 pin, horizontal and vertical PCB, black housing, gold pins), E Series (3/4/5 pin, black housing), JL Series (3/4/5 pin, nickel housing, silver pins, solder cups), and JLX Series (metal-on-metal for improved RF protection).
- Mini XLR / Tiny XLR Cable Connectors Miniature 3-pin (5A/50VAC, solder contacts) and 4-pin cable-mount XLR connectors for compact audio equipment.
- Mini XLR / Tiny XLR Chassis Connectors Panel-mount mini XLR connectors in 3-pin and 4-pin variants across JLX, PH (horizontal PCB), PS, PS-1, and PV (vertical PCB) series, including male and female gender options.
- 1/4" Phone Plug Connectors Cable-mount 1/4" plugs in TCH-R (right-angle, gold/silver plated), TCH (straight, nickel tin housing), M (nickel plated, blue rubber boot), and TBK (gold plated, black aluminum) series with TS (2-contact) and TRS (3-contact) options.
- 1/4" Phone Jack Connectors Panel-mount 1/4" jacks in TJ Series (4-pin mono or 6-pin stereo, silver-plated, switched, full or half threaded nose) and KJ Series (6-pin stereo, black with chrome ferrule, horizontal PCB).
- Speakerlatch Connectors Locking 4-contact speaker cable connectors rated 16A/250V AC with black UV-resistant housing, accepting 3.0mm-10.0mm cable O.D.
- Speakerlatch Chassis Connectors Panel-mount Speakerlatch connectors with flat-tab termination, 4 contacts rated 16A/250V AC, black UV-resistant housing, and J-size panel cutout for front mounting.
- Etherlatch Connectors Cable-mount Etherlatch RJ45-style connectors in X Series (fixed matte nickel-plated shell with PA6 + TPR strain relief, 6.6-9.2mm O.D.) and L Series (removable nickel shell with plastic strain relief, 6.0-8.3mm O.D.) variants.
- Etherlatch Chassis Connectors Panel-mount Etherlatch 8-contact connectors rated 50V in EL8-F-BH (horizontal PCB mount, rear), EL8-F-BV, EL8-F-BK-JL-P (passthrough RJ45, front mount), EL8-F-BK-JL-PR (right-angle passthrough), EL8-F-JL-P, and EL8-F-JL-PR variants.
- Powerlatch Cable Connectors Cable-mount 3-contact locking power connectors rated 20A/250V AC with blue (power input) or gray (power output) housing and 6.0-15.0mm cable O.D. acceptance.
- Powerlatch Chassis Connectors Panel-mount 3-contact locking power connectors rated 20A/250V AC with flat-tab termination, blue (input) or gray (output) housing, D-size cutout, and front or rear mounting.
- IEC Connectors IEC inlet and outlet connectors in C14 (15A/250V, screw terminals, cable mount), C20 (16A or 20A/250V AC, blade terminals 6.35mm), C14SP-63, C14SP-48 (4.8mm), C14PP-48 (push-on), and C6SP-28 (10A/250V, 2.8mm terminal) variants.
- Bulk Wire Bulk cable spools organized into audio (balanced/unbalanced), data (network Cat 5e and Cat 6), and lighting (DMX) categories, sold in 500-1000 ft packaging for OEM and installation use.
- Balanced Bulk Wire B100 (24 AWG, 2 conductors, 500 ft), B500 (23 AWG, 2 conductors, 500 ft), and B1000 (26 AWG, 2 conductors, 500 ft) balanced audio bulk cable series.
- Unbalanced Bulk Wire U100 series 20 AWG single-conductor unbalanced bulk cable available in 100 ft and 500 ft spools.
- Network Bulk Wire Stranded Cat 5e F/UTP CMR (24 AWG), Stranded Cat 6 F/UTP CMR, Solid Cat 5e STP CMR (26 AWG), and Solid Cat 6 F/UTP LSZH (23 AWG) network bulk cables in 1000 ft pull boxes.
- DMX Bulk Wire D1000 series 24 AWG 4-conductor DMX bulk cable in 500 ft spool.
- Accessories Hardware and infrastructure accessories category comprising cable protectors (KORE and HERCULES series) plus mounting hardware (washers, nuts, thread savers, bolts, screws).
- KORE Series Cable Protectors CSL2010X-03 single-piece rubber cable protectors with hinged PVC lid in 2, 3, or 5 channel configurations, 8-ton working load limit, designed for foot and light vehicular traffic at events and worksites.
- HERCULES Series Cable Protectors IO-CP5-HY extra heavy-duty cable protectors with heavy rubber base, solid PVC lid, 5 channels, over 20-ton load capacity, and Wishbone connectors that mate with dogbone connectors for multi-brand fleet deployment.
- Hardware Mounting and chassis hardware including IO-TJ-W washer, IO-TJ-N nut, IO-TS58 Threadsaver (5/8"-27 stainless steel threaded insert for microphone shockmount protection), M3x10 nickel and black bolt and hex nut combos, and M3x8 self-tapping plastic screws.
- Value-Add & Custom Solutions Customization and OEM engineering services offering custom cable lengths, special cable types, specialty products, modified materials and mechanical design, plus full turnkey solutions for discontinued, unavailable, or custom-designed products.
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% outbound inspection and on-site production inspections at headquarters, plus 100% incoming inspections, ensure consistent product quality before shipment.
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Io Audio Technologies
Customer profileSegments10 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Io Audio Technologies technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
Io Audio Technologies partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
36 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.
- Arrow ElectronicscoreGlobal authorized distributor for Io Audio Technologies products; listed as a flagship distributor on the Find a Distributor page (also referenced in Colorado, New Jersey locations).
- Digi-Key ElectronicscoreGlobal authorized distributor; listed among flagship Io Audio Technologies distributors with a dedicated supplier center.
- Mouser ElectronicscoreGlobal authorized distributor; dedicated Io Audio manufacturer page on Mouser.
- Future ElectronicscoreGlobal authorized distributor; Canadian coverage (Pointe-Claire, Kirkland) plus international presence.
- Heilind ElectronicscoreGlobal authorized distributor with presence in EMEA (HQ Poland), APAC (HQ Hong Kong), Mexico, and US (Massachusetts).
- Master ElectronicscoreAuthorized distributor for Io Audio Technologies across APAC (Malaysia, Hong Kong), Mexico, and US (Arizona, Florida).
- Newark ElectronicscoreGlobal authorized distributor with US presence (Ohio).
- RS (RS Americas / RS Online)coreGlobal authorized distributor with US presence (Fort Worth, TX).
- Farnell (element14)coreAuthorized distributor in EMEA (UK Leeds).
- Onlinecomponents.comminorAuthorized e-commerce distributor for Io Audio Technologies products.
- Sound ProductionsminorSpecialty pro-AV retailer/distributor based in Irving, TX.
- Electro SonicminorCanadian authorized distributor (Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal).
- Karl KruseminorEMEA distributor (Germany).
- Clever (CL Ever)minorEMEA distributor (Italy).
- Solsta UKminorEMEA distributor (Redditch, England).
- Hughes PetersminorRegional distributor (ESOP) covering US Midwest including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin.
- Powell ElectronicsminorAuthorized distributor (Florida, Illinois).
- Masline ElectronicsminorAuthorized distributor (Rochester, NY).
- Pioneer Music Group (PMCAV)minorSpecialty AV distributor (Lenexa, KS).
- Jameco ElectronicsminorAuthorized distributor (Belmont, CA).
- Walker Component GroupminorAuthorized distributor (Chandler, AZ; Portland, OR).
- Omni Pro ElectronicsminorAuthorized distributor (Addison, TX).
- Test Equity (Techni-Tool)minorAuthorized distributor (Arizona, California).
- Projections UnlimitedminorSpecialty AV distributor in California (Irvine, Santa Clara, Santa Monica, Lake Forest, San Diego).
- Carlton-Bates (Wesco)minorAuthorized distributor through Wesco.
- Ace ElectronicsminorAuthorized distributor (Houston, TX) for Io Audio products.
- Hutch & Son Industrial ElectronicsminorAuthorized distributor (Evansville, IN).
- Shields Electronics SupplyminorAuthorized distributor (Tennessee - Knoxville, Chattanooga, Bristol).
- Texas Electronic Supply CorporationminorAuthorized distributor (Lubbock, TX).
- Marsh ElectronicsminorAuthorized distributor (Milwaukee/Germantown, WI).
- Synergy Datacom SupplyminorAuthorized distributor (Oklahoma City, OK).
- Knight Electronics, Inc.flagshipParent company of Io Audio Technologies, founded 1979 by Robert 'Bob' Knight; provides 40+ years of manufacturing expertise, OEM design/assembly/shipping capabilities, ISO 9001:2015 and UL/cUL/TUV/VDE qualifications. Io Audio Technologies brand created in 2017 by Victoria and Randy Knight within the Knight OEM division.
- AVIXA (Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association)minorIndustry trade association; Io Audio Technologies is a member (logo displayed in website footer).
- NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants)minorIndustry trade association; Io Audio Technologies is a member and participated in NAMM Show 2020.
- Affiliated Distributors (AD)minorProud member of AD (distributor association) — logo displayed on Find a Distributor page.
- GENIEminorProud member of GENIE (industry group) — logo displayed on Find a Distributor page.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Io Audio Technologies competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Neutrik (Neutrik AG): Swiss manufacturer of professional audio connectors including XLR, speakON (locking speaker), and powerCON (locking power) — direct competitors to Io Audio's XLR, Speakerlatch, and Powerlatch product lines in the Pro AV and broadcast markets.
- Mogami Cable: Premium Japanese manufacturer of high-end analog and digital audio cables used in recording studios, broadcast, and live sound; comparable product positioning to Io Audio's Premium and Professional XLR cable tiers.
- Hosa Technology: US-based manufacturer and distributor of audio, video, and computer cables serving musicians, broadcasters, and AV integrators; directly comparable cable-product competitor in Pro AV and installation segments.
- Switchcraft (HEICO): US manufacturer of XLR connectors, audio jacks, and cable assemblies for pro audio, broadcast, and industrial applications; competes directly with Io Audio's audio connector and cable-mount product families.
- Lex Products: US manufacturer of power distribution, cable assemblies, and locking connectors for entertainment, industrial, and military markets; comparable in locking power cable/connector offerings for stage and industrial use.
- Whirlwind Music: US manufacturer of audio cable assemblies, splitters, stage boxes, and XLR connectors for live sound, broadcast, and installations; comparable specialty audio cable/connector manufacturer.
- Pro Co Sound: US manufacturer of audio cables, stage boxes, multi-pin connectors, and cabling for Pro AV, touring, and broadcast applications; directly comparable in XLR assemblies and stage/install interconnect.
- Canare: Japanese manufacturer of professional audio/video cables, connectors (including 75-ohm BNC and DMX), and patchbays; competes with Io Audio in broadcast, Pro AV, and DMX lighting cable categories.
Broad incumbents
- Amphenol: Global interconnect giant with extensive XLR, audio, and power connector portfolios serving Pro AV, broadcast, industrial, and aerospace markets; broad incumbent competing with Io Audio across multiple categories.
- Eaton (Tripp Lite): Diversified power management company whose Tripp Lite division offers AC power cords, IEC connectors, and PDUs; broad incumbent competing with Io Audio's AC power cord and IEC connector lines at volume distribution.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Io Audio Technologies social profiles
Digital presenceIo Audio Technologies compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance17 records
Io Audio Technologies financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Io Audio Technologies leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Io Audio Technologies funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Io Audio Technologies 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 Io Audio Technologies
What does Io Audio Technologies do?
Io Audio Technologies manufactures and sells wire, cable, and interconnect products including audio (XLR, instrument, balanced patch), data (Etherlatch Cat 5e/Cat 6), lighting (DMX), and power (Powerlatch, IEC) cables, connectors (XLR, mini XLR, 1/4" phone, Speakerlatch, Etherlatch, Powerlatch, IEC), bulk wire, and cable protection accessories for global OEM and Pro AV customers. The company also provides custom cable/connector design, specialty modification, and full turnkey OEM manufacturing services through its parent company Knight Electronics, Inc.
Is Io Audio Technologies a public or private company?
Io Audio Technologies is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Io Audio Technologies founded?
Io Audio Technologies was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Io Audio Technologies based?
Io Audio Technologies is headquartered in Dallas, United States, in the North America region.
How does Io Audio Technologies make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales – Cables are the primary driver. The others are hardware Sales – Connectors, hardware Sales – Bulk Wire, hardware Sales – Accessories and OEM Value-Add & Custom Solutions.
Who are Io Audio Technologies's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Neutrik (Neutrik AG), Mogami Cable, Hosa Technology, Switchcraft (HEICO), Lex Products, Whirlwind Music, Pro Co Sound and Canare. Broad incumbents are Amphenol and Eaton (Tripp Lite).
Does Io Audio Technologies have an API?
No public API is recorded for Io Audio Technologies.
What industry is Io Audio Technologies in?
Io Audio Technologies's product category is Audio/Video Interconnect Products. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAIAJAC, DJ & Performance Gear (Controllers, Turntables, CDJs, Mixers). Its NAICS code is 334310 and its SIC code is 3670.