Mail order audio equipment

The nostalgia of mail-order audio equipment! In the pre-internet era, many audio enthusiasts relied on mail-order catalogs and companies to purchase their gear. Here are some notable mail-order audio equipment companies from the past:

  1. Radio Shack (1921-2015): Although not exclusively an audio equipment retailer, Radio Shack was a popular destination for mail-order audio gear, including amplifiers, speakers, and accessories.
  2. Circuit City (1949-2009): This electronics retailer offered a wide range of audio equipment, including hi-fi systems, amplifiers, and speakers, through their mail-order catalog.
  3. Stereo Exchange (1960s-1980s): This company specialized in high-end audio equipment and offered a mail-order catalog featuring products from top manufacturers like McIntosh, Marantz, and Sansui.
  4. Audio Advisor (1970s-1990s): Based in New Jersey, Audio Advisor offered a mail-order catalog featuring a wide range of audio equipment, including amplifiers, speakers, and turntables.
  5. The Audio Store (1980s-1990s): This company, based in California, offered a mail-order catalog featuring high-end audio equipment from manufacturers like Krell, Threshold, and Audio Research.
  6. The Speaker Store (1980s-1990s): As the name suggests, this company specialized in mail-order speaker systems and offered a wide range of options from various manufacturers.
  7. Hi-Fi News (1960s-1980s): This UK-based magazine also offered a mail-order catalog featuring audio equipment from top manufacturers like Naim, Rega, and Cambridge Audio.

These companies played a significant role in making high-quality audio equipment accessible to enthusiasts and audiophiles. While many of these companies are no longer in operation, their legacy lives on in the form of online forums, social media groups, and online retailers that continue to serve the audio community.

In recent years, online retailers like Amazon, B&H Photo, and Musician's Friend have become popular destinations for purchasing audio equipment. However, some mail-order audio equipment companies still exist, offering a more personalized shopping experience and often featuring exclusive products or deals.