University Audio

What University Audio does

University Audio is a privately-held specialty audio and home theater retailer operating from a single showroom at 402 South Park St. in Madison, Wisconsin, founded circa 1989 and led by Managing Member Ben Gottlieb. The store sells premium two-channel HiFi systems and complete home theater, audio-video, and home automation solutions, drawing on a curated catalog of more than 30 premium brands including McIntosh, Bowers & Wilkins, Sonus Faber, Luxman, Hegel, Paradigm, Innuos, Marantz, NAD, Anthem, Chord, Clearaudio, Rega, Sony, and Control4. The company does not develop proprietary technology; its value proposition rests on multi-brand curation, expert staff consultation, hands-on in-store demonstration, and custom installation services rather than on any in-house product or software platform.

The business generates revenue primarily through hardware resales across new, open-box, demo, and pre-owned inventory tiers (with item pricing spanning roughly $400 to $15,000+), supplemented by design and installation services for full home theater and Control4 automation integrations. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via the Madison storefront, with parallel reach through phone, email, text, and a Sale & Preowned e-commerce section on the company website. The firm employs 1-10 staff, has no disclosed institutional investment, serves the greater Madison/Wisconsin market, and operates as an independent authorized dealer whose competitive position is built on longevity, brand portfolio breadth, and in-store expertise rather than scale or proprietary IP.

Name

University Audio

Legal name

University Audio

Website

https://universityaudio.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

University Audio is a Madison, Wisconsin specialty retailer selling premium HiFi and home theater equipment from more than 30 brands, plus custom design and installation services, serving individual residential audio enthusiasts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Consumer Audio/Video Retail

SIC

Retail-Radio, Tv & Consumer Electronics Stores (5731)

akta.pro primary industry

AV Receivers, Amplifiers & Hi‑Fi Components Retail (CRACAEAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hi‑Fi / Audiophile Components (DACs, Amps, Turntables, Streamers) (CRACANAI), Home Theater Audio Systems (AV Receivers, Speaker Packages) (CRACANAH), Speakers & Subwoofers Retail (Soundbars, Surround, Smart Speakers) (CRACAEAF)

Keywords

• Home audio retail
• High-fidelity equipment
• Home theater systems
• Audio installation services
• Premium stereo components

Headquarters

HQ city

Madison

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales: Retail sale of premium audio equipment including amplifiers, speakers, streamers, turntables, cables, and home theater components from luxury brands.
2. Design and Installation Services: Full theater audio/video/automation design and installation services for home systems.
3. Preowned and Sale Items: Sale of preowned, open-box, and demo audio equipment at discounted prices.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

University Audio is a specialty retail store that sells premium home audio, video, and home theater equipment from over 30 high-end brands, including two-channel HiFi stereo components and full surround sound systems. The company also provides complete home theater audio/video/automation design and installation services, and operates a sale/preowned section offering discounted open-box and demo equipment.

Product overview

University Audio is a retail store offering curated home audio, video, and home theater products and systems. Their portfolio centers on HiFi 2-channel stereo systems and complete home theater installations, complemented by a sale/preowned section featuring discounted equipment. They carry multiple product categories including amplification (power amps, integrated amps, preamps, surround receivers), digital sources (streamers, DACs), speakers (floorstanding, bookshelf, center channel, in-ceiling), turntables, cables, and acoustic treatments. Their services span product sales, system design consultation, and installation, with products sourced from over 30 premium audio brands including McIntosh, Bowers & Wilkins, Paradigm, Luxman, Hegel, Marantz, NAD, Anthem, Sonus Faber, and Innuos.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HiFi Systems (2 Channel Stereo)

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

32 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• McIntosh ElectronicscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUniversity Audio is an authorized dealer for McIntosh Laboratory electronics, including amplifiers, preamplifiers, and integrated amplifiers such as the MC7205 Power Amp and C220 Tube Preamplifier.
• Bowers & WilkinscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer for Bowers & Wilkins speakers including the 603 S3, 702 S3, 707 S3, and HTM72 S3 center channel models.
• Sonus FabercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer for Sonus Faber premium speaker systems.
• NAD ElectronicscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCarries NAD electronics including the M23 V2 Power Amplifier and surround receivers.
• Hegel ElectronicscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer for Hegel integrated amplifiers including H190v and H120 models.
• Anthem ElectronicscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCarries Anthem Electronics products including the MRX720/MRX520 surround receivers.
• Luxman ElectronicscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer for Luxman electronics including the L507z Integrated Amplifier.
• MarantzcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCarries Marantz products including the Cinema 40 surround receiver and Model 10 Integrated Amplifier.
• Chord ElectronicscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer for Chord DACs and digital audio products.
• AudioquestcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCarries Audioquest cables including the Rocket 22 speaker cables.
• Paradigm SpeakerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer for Paradigm speakers including Monitor SE 6000F floorstanding speakers and CI Home in-ceiling speakers.
• InnuoscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCarries Innuos music streamers including Zenith MKIII and Pulsar models.
• BluesoundcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer for Bluesound music streamers and wireless audio products.
• SonoscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCarries Sonos streaming speakers and multi-room audio systems.
• Control4coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer and installer for Control4 home automation systems.
• SonycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCarries Sony projectors and televisions for home theater installations.
• Transparent CablecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer for Transparent Cable premium audio cables.
• NordostcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCarries Nordost audio cables and power products.
• ClearaudiocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer for Clearaudio turntables and vinyl playback equipment.
• Pro-Ject TurntablescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCarries Pro-Ject turntables for vinyl enthusiasts.
• Rega ResearchcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer for Rega turntables and audio equipment.
• DynavectorcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCarries Dynavector phono cartridges for turntable upgrades.
• DegritterminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer for Degritter record cleaning machines.
• HRS (Audio HT)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCarries HRS (Audio HT) isolation stands and equipment supports.
• Salamander DesignscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer for Salamander Designs audio furniture and cabinets.
• SanuscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCarries Sanus speaker stands and TV mounts.
• VicousticminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer for Vicoustic acoustic treatment panels and soundproofing products.
• Moon Electronics (Simaudio)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCarries Moon electronics products from Simaudio.
• RotelcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer for Rotel electronics including the T11 FM tuner.
• ParasoundcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCarries Parasound amplifiers including the A23+ Power Amplifier.
• PSB SpeakerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer for PSB Speakers including the Alpha IQ streaming speakers.
• Stewart FilmscreenscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer for Stewart Filmscreens projection screens.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• Best Buy: National mass-market consumer electronics retailer that competes with University Audio on home theater, Sonos, and entry-level audio, but does not match its specialist 2-channel HiFi curation or design-installation service model.

Direct peers

• Gramophone: Maryland-based specialist audio retailer with showrooms, custom installation, and a curated lineup of premium 2-channel and home theater brands. Directly comparable business model — premium specialist with design/installation services.
• Safe and Sound: Hi-Fi and home theater specialty retailer with a showroom, custom installation services, and a focus on premium 2-channel and surround systems. Closely comparable in scale, curated assortment, and service offering.
• ListenUp: Denver/Colorado-based premium audio/video retailer with showrooms, custom installation, and a comparable portfolio of audiophile brands. Same business model: specialist retail plus installation services in a regional footprint.
• Audio Advisor: Premium online audio retailer carrying many of the same high-end brands University Audio carries (McIntosh, Bowers & Wilkins, NAD, Marantz). Direct competitor for audiophile 2-channel and home theater customers; competes primarily on price and selection rather than showroom experience.
• World Wide Stereo: Multi-location premium audio/video retailer in the Mid-Atlantic with showrooms, custom installation services, and a similar premium-brand portfolio (McIntosh, B&W, Sonus Faber, Control4). Closest direct peer in business model combining retail, custom install, and curated audiophile brands.
• Magnolia (Best Buy): Best Buy's premium audio/video retail brand operating showrooms inside or alongside Best Buy stores. Directly competes for the same premium home theater and audiophile customer with overlapping brand assortments and custom installation services.
• Crutchfield: Long-standing consumer electronics and home audio retailer known for expert advice, broad catalog, and strong customer service. Directly comparable to University Audio as a specialist audio/home theater retailer, though Crutchfield operates nationally and primarily online.

Others

• Bowers & Wilkins: One of University Audio's key brand partners (also competing indirectly via B&W's own direct-to-consumer channels). Listed here as a peer because B&W's expanding D2C strategy is a structural threat to specialist retailers like University Audio.
• Sonos: Both a partner (University Audio is an authorized Sonos dealer) and a structural threat — Sonos's streaming/multi-room products appeal to the same customers University Audio targets with traditional HiFi. Listed as a peer because the D2C and direct-install models compress the specialist dealer's role.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/universityaudio
• Facebookfacebook.com/universityaudiomadison
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/university-audio-shop

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about University Audio