Increased audio sales expected due to lower prices

By Devin Brown

According to a report by the Consumer Electronic Association, electronics spending for the holidays is expected to increase 2.4% from last year. Some Utah dealers believe consumers can get lower prices on audio products till the end of the year.

Klipsch, Paradigm, Denon and Definitive Technology are all currently having holiday sales on audio products. Many dealers believe manufactures want to increase sales as the economy has improved.

Chad Evans, a sales representative for the buying group ProSource, believes audio companies are trying to finish out the year on a “positive note.”

In this image released by Paradigm, this image shows Paradigm's 
current sales. (Paradigm)

“Right now is the best time to buy home electronics,” Evans said. “Manufactures want people to shop. They’re going to make them shop by discounting products that usually are not discounted.”

Evans said audio companies have to report to shareholders. He said manufactures have to focus on audio quality and sales numbers.

“Now we have companies like Klipsch that were once independent who are owned by big corporations,” Evans said. “It’s now owned by Audiovox, they have numbers they have to fill.”

Jared Walth, a manager at AVWORX in Layton, Utah, said he hasn’t seen a big increase in sales so far. He said he expects this week to be slow.

According to Walth, AVWORX will match any prices its customers find on their products. He said he gets a lot of people looking for prices on Sony’s home audio ES line.

Jim Young, the president of AVI Systems in Draper, Utah, said its normal for people to look for sales during the holidays. He said buying a product at a “good price” is a benefit but shoppers need to remember there is more to audio than the price.

In this image released by Klipsch, it shows it's R-20B soundbar sale. (Kipsch)

“People buy on emotion during the holidays,” Young said. “In the audio world its more than just buying the equipment. You need to know how to set it up.”

Young said AVI would sell its customers audio equipment but would also give them options for home automation, video and room layout.

Klipsch’s website currently has its R-20B soundbar marked down $200 for its holiday sale. It's website said it has never done a sale for the holidays “like this before.”

Paradigm has all of its products marked down 15% below MSRP. It also is doing a free center channel speaker with purchase of its Monitor Series tower speakers. It’s website says the sale will run until December 31.

Definitive Technology currently has its Dolby Atmos enabled speakers marked down $200. It’s also giving away free surround speakers with a purchase of tower speakers.

Denon’s website shows most of its AVR receivers on sale $50 to $150 off MSRP.