Audio Authority^® Company Profile

In 1976, Jonathan Sisk opened a retail Hi-Fi store in Lexington, Kentucky called Audio Authority^®. His goal was to offer upscale and higher end audio and video component systems to the public along with specialized installation services. At that time, there were no reliable, ready-made switching systems available, so like many retailers, he decided to build his own switching system. He contacted a friend, Jonathan Gertz, and together, they designed and built the first Audio Authority switching system in the service department of the retail store.

Sisk had some very innovative ideas about product demonstrations. He realized that often times, better quality loudspeakers were more difficult to sell because they were generally less efficient than lower priced speakers and therefore played at a lower volume when switched using the same amplifier and source. This difference in efficiency was confusing to many customers who were fooled into believing that the louder speaker sounded better. Sisk suggested to Gertz that different loudspeakers should be "compared" or demonstrated at the same volume level. He believed that an "equal volume comparison" would allow the customer to evaluate the differences in each speaker's frequency response, spatial imaging, and other sound characteristics so that the customer could actually choose the loudspeaker pair with the best performance. So, he and Gertz designed a "efficiency compensation" circuit that allowed two pairs of speakers with different efficiency ratings to play at the same relative volume level when switched using the same source and amplifier. They called this mechanical switching device a Comparator.

Another novel idea incorporated into the first Comparator, the Model One, was AutoDamping™. Being knowledgeable about acoustic principles, Sisk understood that merchandising many pairs of different speakers in a retail showroom created another problem when switching or comparing different models. The drivers inside the unselected speaker pairs became passive radiators when the currently active speaker pair was playing. This passive radiator network of unselected speakers absorbed much of the energy or sound coming from the speakers being played. So, Sisk and Gertz devised a circu it that electrically disconnected (shorted) speakers not being played, thereby automatically damping them as passive radiators and improving sound quality in the showroom.

The final innovation in this first Comparator was SilenTouch™ which was a circuit that briefly interrupted (muted) the signal during the switching process. SilenTouch insured noise-free switching with no amplifier "thumps" or transients. These ideas are still employed in the newest digital Audio Authority switching systems.

When the first Comparator was installed in Audio Authority's retail store, it worked very well and news of the advanced switching system quickly spread to other retailers through sales representatives, and later, trade shows. Audio Authority moved to a new retail location and changed the name of the retail business to Ovation Audio/Video™ while the manufacturing side of the business retained the trade name Audio Authority. Comparators were manufactured in the basement of the retail store which proved to be a valuable arrangement, especially since new electronic products like satellite dishes, projection televisions, high-powered car audio amps, and VCRs were rapidly coming to market and needed to be demonstrated. It was, in many ways, the perfect arrangement; Audio Authority personnel understood the needs of retail consumer electronic dealers because of the company's own retail needs.

In the early 80s, car audio became a very hot product category that was unfortunately, very difficult to demonstrate. As the industry grew, it became clear that the different car audio manufacturers had very different philosophies about how their product should be designed for a car's electrical environment, but there was little, if any, consideration given to how a retailer would demonstrate their products. There was no industry standard for grounding schemes, input/output voltage levels, wiring color codes, connector types, etc., and it's still pretty much the same today. So, AudioAuthority designed the Model 210 AutoSound Comparator that demonstrated 20 radios, 10 amplifiers, and 20 pairs of speakers. The 210 was an instant success largely due to the fact that like home audio, the 210 switched only the audio signal, not the DC to power the products on display. DC power was provided with a separate DC power management system. Also, the 210 had a special AutoMatch™ circuit that allowed common ground and floating ground components to be switched without causing smoke and fire.

Car audio switching products lead to development of special Hybrid™ DC Power Supplies and Modular Autosound Display Fixtures. These new product categories were growth opportunities for the company and suddenly, it became clear that the company could no longer focus on the retail portion of the business and the manufacturing enterprises without one side or the other suffering. Additionally, in 1982, Audio Authority began designing and manufacturing intercom systems for the banking industry, so resources were strained. The decision was made to sell the retail portion of the business and in 1986, Ovation Audio/Video was sold to Mr. Gary McCormick in Indianapolis. He expanded Ovation in to other mid-western markets and continues to be one of the best specialty retailers in consumer electronics today. Audio Authority focused all resources on manufacturing and new product designs, and in October 1990 moved to a new manufacturing facility where we continue to grow.

In 2000, our company's focus began to expand into the home audio/video accessory market with the introduction of the Model 9A60 VGA to Component Video Converter. In that same year, we introduced the Model 1177 AutoSelector™ with special Signal Sensing circuitry to automatically select which source component should play. We had also broadened our line of HDTV Signal Distribution amplifiers which were the backbone of early HDTV demonstrations by large retail companies. Since then, the popularity of our solution-oriented audio and video products for residential use has blossomed into a large part of our business, and our products now include:

• Matrix routers for component video
• Distribution amplifiers for HDMI, DVI and component video
• Switchers for HDMI, DVI and component video
• Video Signal converters for HDMI, DVI, RGB, VGA and component video
• Digital audio converters
• Cat 5 based HDTV Signal Distribution products

For many years (since 1982) Audio Authority offered OEM services where we designed, manufactured and serviced several versions of intercom systems that were distributed and sold through other companies. In 2005 we introduced our own, branded intercom system that we began to market on a factory-direct basis through a network of authorized OEMs, distributors, and dealers. The Series 1500 Intercom System is a completely new and modern design, and has met with phenomenal success in the banking and pharmacy markets.

As we move forward, we will continue to develop and support our AccessEZ, line of digital switching systems that have the flexibility, power, and serviceability to meet the needs of major, multistore corporations and specialty retailers around the world. We will also continue to refine our industry acclaimed HDTV signal distribution systems for both the commercial and residential markets, along with signal converters and other useful consumer electronic products that provide value to the marketplace.

Bob Sollee, President