Audio46
Audio46 is a New York City-based specialty retailer (founded 2013) selling headphones, IEMs, DACs, amplifiers, and audio accessories from 100+ premium brands through a hybrid DTC model combining a physical store with nationwide e-commerce, serving audiophiles, professionals, and gamers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersNew York, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Audio46 does
Audio46 is a New York City-based specialty retailer of headphones and high-fidelity audio equipment, founded in 2013 (originally as Orb Headphones). The company operates a hybrid direct-to-consumer model combining a flagship physical retail store at 29 West 46th Street with nationwide e-commerce fulfillment, selling over 100 premium audio brands including Sennheiser, Sony, Audeze, Focal, STAX, Chord Electronics, Beyerdynamic, and others. Product categories span over-ear and in-ear headphones, planar magnetic and electrostatic designs, DACs and headphone amplifiers, portable music players (DAPs), DJ and studio equipment, microphones, cables, and accessories, with prices ranging from under $10 to over $6,000.
The underlying technology is a Shopify-based e-commerce storefront augmented with an accessibility widget and live human chat support; Audio46 does not develop proprietary technology products. Revenue is generated through one-time hardware sales with no subscription or recurring model, supplemented by financing partnerships with Affirm, Afterpay, Klarna, and Shop Pay, a price-match guarantee on authorized dealer pricing, and free standard shipping above defined minimums. The company emphasizes expert in-store demos and a content marketing engine (blog reviews, YouTube channel, active social media presence) to attract audiophiles and convert high-consideration purchases.
The customer base is broad and fragmented, targeting individual audiophiles as the primary segment alongside studio/professional users, gamers, DJs, podcasters, and fitness users. With 1-10 employees and no disclosed external funding, Audio46 operates as a bootstrapped specialty retailer. The company has received a Shopper Approved 5 Star Excellence Award and maintains a 4.91/5 Google rating across 226 reviews, reflecting strong customer satisfaction within its niche.
Audio46 firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Audio46
- Legal name
- Audio46
- Website
- https://audio46.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Audio46 is a New York City-based specialty retailer (founded 2013) selling headphones, IEMs, DACs, amplifiers, and audio accessories from 100+ premium brands through a hybrid DTC model combining a physical store with nationwide e-commerce, serving audiophiles, professionals, and gamers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Audio46 industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Consumer Audio Electronics Retail
- NAICS
- Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (33431)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Headphones & Personal Audio Retail (Earbuds, ANC, DACs) (CRACAEAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Audio Accessories (Ear Tips, Cables, Stands, Cases, Transmitters) (CRACANAM), Pro Audio & Recording Equipment Retail (MI-adjacent) (CRALAEAC)
Keywords
Where Audio46 is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- New York
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Audio46 business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales: Audio46 generates revenue through one-time sales of headphones, earphones, in-ear monitors (IEMs), DACs, amplifiers, cables, accessories, and other audio equipment. Products range from budget items under $10 to high-end audiophile gear exceeding $6,000. The company is an authorized dealer of all products they sell.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Variable product pricing across all categories |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Audio46 product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Audio46 is a specialty audio equipment retailer operating an e-commerce storefront at audio46.com and a physical flagship retail store in Midtown Manhattan. The company is an authorized dealer of over 100 premium audio brands, selling headphones, in-ear monitors, DACs and headphone amplifiers, portable music players, cables and adapters, accessories, and DJ/studio gear ranging from budget items to ultra-premium electrostatic headphones priced above $6,000.
Product overview
Audio46 is a specialized headphone and audio gear retailer operating as both an online store and physical location in New York City. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of audio products including headphones (over-ear, on-ear, in-ear monitors), DACs and amplifiers, cables and adapters, accessories (eartips, earpads, cases, stands), music players/DAPs, Bluetooth audio devices, and DJ/studio equipment. Audio46 serves audiophiles, gamers, music professionals, and casual listeners through authorized dealer relationships with over 100 audio brands including 64 Audio, Audeze, Beyerdynamic, Campfire Audio, Chord Electronics, FiiO, Final Audio, Focal, HIFIMAN, iFi Audio, MoonDrop, Noble Audio, Sennheiser, Shure, Sony, and STAX. The store provides product demos, expert advice, and sells both new and open-box items.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Headphones and In-Ear Monitors Wide selection of over-ear, on-ear, and in-ear monitors (IEMs) including audiophile, gaming, studio/professional, and sports categories from brands such as 64 Audio, Audeze, Audio-Technica, Beyerdynamic, Campfire Audio, FiiO, Final Audio, Focal, Grado, HIFIMAN, Meze Audio, MoonDrop, Noble Audio, Sennheiser, Shure, Sony, and others.
- Planar Magnetic and Electrostatic Headphones High-end audiophile headphones featuring planar magnetic drivers (Audeze, Dan Clark Audio, HIFIMAN) and electrostatic technology (STAX, Final Audio) for premium sound quality.
- DACs and Headphone Amplifiers Desktop and portable DACs (Digital-to-Analog Converters) and headphone amplifiers including products from Chord Electronics, FiiO, iFi Audio, Ferrum, Audeze, and others.
- Cables and Adapters Audio cables including headphone cables, IEM cables (2-pin, MMCX), and adapters (3.5mm, 6.35mm, 2.5mm balanced, 4.4mm balanced, XLR, USB, Lightning), plus Bluetooth cables and adapters.
- Audio Accessories Eartips (including AZLA SednaEarfit MAX, Mithryl, Crystal, XELASTEC, Foamax; Final Audio; Spinfit; Strauss & Wagner), earpads, carry and storage cases, headphone stands, and power accessories.
- Music Players / DAPs Portable high-resolution music players and DAPs (Digital Audio Players) including FiiO M33, Sendy Audio KYLIN, and other models.
- Bluetooth and Wireless Audio Wireless headphones, earbuds, and Bluetooth-enabled audio equipment including Sony WH-1000XM6, Focal Bathys, Beyerdynamic Amiron series, Bluetooth DACs, and Bluetooth speakers.
- DJ and Studio Equipment DJ headphones, studio reference headphones, audio interfaces, microphones, and podcast gear including Beyerdynamic DT series, Pioneer DJ equipment, and Focusrite interfaces.
- Audio46 Gift Card Audio46-branded gift cards redeemable across the Audio46 product catalog for consumer purchases.
Companies that use Audio46
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Audio46 technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Audio46 partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- 100+ Audio Equipment BrandscoreAudio46 is an authorized dealer of over 100 audio equipment brands including Sennheiser, Sony, Beyerdynamic, Focal, Audeze, Astell & Kern, Campfire Audio, 64 Audio, Chord Electronics, Meze Audio, Noble Audio, MoonDrop, FiiO, and many others. These are brand partnerships where Audio46 resells their products as an authorized dealer.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Audio46 competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- HeadAmp: HeadAmp is a smaller specialty retailer focused on amplifiers, headphones, and high-end audio with deep enthusiast expertise. Niche online-only retailer with overlapping assortment and customer to Audio46.
Direct peers
- Drop (formerly Massdrop): Drop is a community-driven e-commerce destination for enthusiast audio gear (headphones, IEMs, DACs, keyboards) with crowd-developed products and deep discounts. Compares to Audio46 as a community-and-discount-focused online audio retailer.
- Music Direct: Music Direct is a specialty retailer focused on high-end audio, including turntables, headphones, and hi-fi components. Comparable to Audio46 in premium-audio specialization and enthusiast customer base.
- Headphones.com: Headphones.com is a long-standing online specialty headphone retailer offering curated selections, reviews, and customer service very similar to Audio46. Both compete directly for the audiophile buyer shopping online for premium and IEM gear.
- Moon Audio: Moon Audio is a specialty retailer focused on high-end headphones, IEMs, cables, and DACs, with deep content and custom cable offerings. Directly comparable to Audio46 in assortment, customer base, and premium-audio specialization.
Broad incumbents
- B&H Photo Video: B&H is a major New York-based electronics retailer with significant audio category presence including headphones, IEMs, recording gear, and microphones. Overlaps Audio46 geographically and across multiple product categories.
- Adorama: Adorama is a New York-based major consumer electronics retailer with strong pro audio category presence. Competes with Audio46 locally and online across headphones, IEMs, and audio production equipment.
- Crutchfield: Crutchfield is a long-established US consumer electronics retailer known for deep product expertise, content, and customer support. Overlaps Audio46 in home/personal audio, DACs, and home theater accessories.
- Sweetwater: Sweetwater is the largest US music instrument and pro audio retailer with an extensive catalog spanning headphones, monitors, interfaces, and DJ gear. Broader portfolio but overlaps Audio46 in the studio/pro headphone and audio interface categories.
Others
- Trew Audio: Trew Audio is a pro audio retailer specializing in location sound, headphones, and recording gear for film/broadcast professionals. Adjacent to Audio46 in the pro/studio headphone category but serving a more professional B2B-leaning customer.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Audio46 social profiles
Digital presenceAudio46 financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Audio46 leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Audio46 funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Audio46 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 Audio46
What does Audio46 do?
Audio46 is a specialty audio equipment retailer operating an e-commerce storefront at audio46.com and a physical flagship retail store in Midtown Manhattan. The company is an authorized dealer of over 100 premium audio brands, selling headphones, in-ear monitors, DACs and headphone amplifiers, portable music players, cables and adapters, accessories, and DJ/studio gear ranging from budget items to ultra-premium electrostatic headphones priced above $6,000.
Is Audio46 a public or private company?
Audio46 is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Audio46 founded?
Audio46 was founded in 2013. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Audio46 based?
Audio46 is headquartered in New York, United States, in the North America region.
How does Audio46 make money?
One revenue line is on record: hardware Sales.
Who are Audio46's main competitors?
HeadAmp is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Drop (formerly Massdrop), Music Direct, Headphones.com and Moon Audio. Broad incumbents are B&H Photo Video, Adorama, Crutchfield and Sweetwater. Trew Audio is listed as an others.
Does Audio46 have an API?
No public API is recorded for Audio46.
What industry is Audio46 in?
Audio46's product category is Consumer Audio Electronics Retail. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRACAEAG, Headphones & Personal Audio Retail (Earbuds, ANC, DACs), with a secondary code of CRACANAM, Audio Accessories (Ear Tips, Cables, Stands, Cases, Transmitters). Its NAICS code is 33431.