It’s one thing to see sales data from sources such as the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), but if anyone had any question about the revival of stereo, they need to attend events like AV Therapy’s seasonal marketing promotions.
Each year, the N.H.-based specialty retailer/custom integrator AV Therapy holds spring and fall marketing events to bring together local music fans while showcasing its products and services.
Kicking off its 2026 festivities, the technology integration company held its spring marketing event, shifting gears to a certain extent. For the spring event, John Rein, principal partner of AV Therapy, held an event that not only appealed to traditional audiophiles and music fans, but an event to reflect the latest trends in home AV.
“At AXPONA I saw a lot more young couples and single females, which is a demographic I never thought we would ever reach,” says Rein.
“We see turntables everywhere. I don’t see all-analog everywhere, we have people streaming, and high-end is exploding. High-end is taking over our business. I keep bringing in more expensive components to meet the demand. People with money are looking for more ways to spend money.”
AV Therapy Remains Loyal to Core Customers
With its location in Southern New Hampshire, roughly 50 miles north of Boston, Rein and the staff at AV Therapy know their clientele are primarily looking for high levels of performance and value. So, while increasingly catering to more of the luxury, high-end side of the home AV market, the integrator has not forgotten its long-time clientele.
“We didn’t go super high-end for this show,” comments Rein.
“We are doing a lot of mid-fi for this show. For this event we are showing brands like SVS and Advance Paris.”
Another trend beyond the increase in high-end product sales AV Therapy is experiencing, Rein points out is that Gen X (born between 1965 and 1980) are returning to the hobby of music listening. Stepping up and rediscovering their love of music, he says these consumers are purchasing products from manufacturers like Linn and Luxman.
Circling back to some of the products and companies on display during the Spring 2026 event, Nick Brown, vice president of marketing for SVS, was on hand demonstrating the company’s Ultra Evolution Titan loudspeakers and the SB-3000 R/Evolution Subwoofer.
Using components from Luxman and Linn to round out the demo system, Brown explained the SVS product features and he answered questions from event attendees.
Following a similar approach as Brown, Joe Yerardi, director of strategic accounts for Advance Paris, demonstrated products like the A10 Classic Integrated Amplifier and the NOVA A-i190 Integrated Amplifier.
Reiterating the point on the revival of home audio, Rein emphasized the reception by AV Therapy clients for the spring event has been overwhelming with the event quickly filling its attendance quota.
“The first day we sent out the invitations, more than 140 people had responded,” adds Rein.
The latest episode of the AV Trade Talk Podcast focuses on the topic of stereo and the growing trend of analog rooms in the design community. To check out the discussion with Paul Bochner from AHT New York Metro and Joseph Cali from Gryphon Audio LA, click here.