Audio Advice, Inc. is a specialty consumer electronics retailer in the United States, specializing in home and portable audio, home theater, and smart home technology. Audio Advice operates as both a retailer (in-store and online) and custom systems installer/integrator with branches in Raleigh, North Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina.
Audio Advice's main areas of specialty are:
Home theater systems and components
High-end audio systems and components
Whole house audio systems
Home automation and control systems
Lighting control systems and shading systems
Home security systems
Home networking
In 1978, Leon Shaw founded the firm in Raleigh with original partner Ira Dorne. Shaw graduated from Wake Forest University in 1976 with a degree in economics and spent two years working for Sam Goody before opening the first Audio Advice location at the Brentwood Square shopping center.
In 1979, Audio Advice opened a high-end audio showroom featuring audio electronics and loudspeakers from Acoustat, Conrad Johnson, Mirage, Series 20 and Denon turntables.
In 1981, the company relocated to Ridgewood Shopping Center. Audio Advice became a dealer representative of Audio Research in 1981.
In 1984, Shaw bought out Dorne to become sole owner. In the mid-1980s, CD players were added.
Lexicon (company) introduced the first Dolby Surround Sound processor in 1988. A Lexicon dealer, Audio Advice became the first store in the Research Triangle area to display a full surround sound system.
In 1989 a full-time custom salesperson was hired to help expand sales of another new product category: whole house audio systems.
In 1991, Audio Advice moved to Haverty Square Shopping Center. From 1991 to 1995, Shaw served as a board member of the Professional Audio Retailers Association.
After 10 years with the company, in 1994, Randy Cribb became a part owner.
In 1997, Audio Advice began selling the Lutron lighting control system. The company was the first audio/video Triangle dealer to show this category.