Audio & Video Equipment Manufacturers

The 525 Audio and video equipment manufacturers in the US produce electronic audio and video equipment for home entertainment, motor vehicles, and public address and musical instrument amplification. Products include stereo equipment, speaker systems, televisions, household-type video cameras, jukeboxes, microphones, and amplifiers for musical instruments and public address systems. Large firms typically enjoy scale benefits, while small firms compete by offering specialty products.

Inventory Obsolescence

Rapidly evolving technology and fast product development cycles, which characterize the audio and video equipment manufacturing industry, can lead to inventory obsolescence.

Dependence on Foreign Contract Manufacturing

Although US firms play a significant role in the domestic audio and video manufacturing market, foreign production in countries with lower labor costs is the norm.

Jul 27, 2026 - Pro AV Demand Remains Steady

• AVIXA's May 2026 Pro AV Business Index points to a stable but cautious outlook for US audio and video equipment manufacturers, with modest demand growth tempered by economic uncertainty and cost pressures. The AV Sales Index rose to 53.1, indicating continued expansion as spending on corporate office remodels offset weaker new construction and softer higher education demand. North America outperformed international markets, with a preliminary Sales Index of 55.6, reflecting stronger regional demand. The AV Employment Index slipped to 53.3 but remained in expansion territory, signaling continued hiring despite labor shortages and hiring freezes. Manufacturers may benefit from steady commercial demand, but persistent inflation, tariffs, and customer budget constraints suggest growth will remain measured as buyers delay projects and focus spending on renovations rather than new installations.
• Computer & Electronic Products outperformed the broader US manufacturing sector in June, ranking as the largest manufacturing industry to expand even as the ISM Manufacturing PMI slipped to 53.3, marking a sixth consecutive month of slower overall manufacturing growth. The industry reported growth in new orders, production, backlogs, new export orders, and imports, outperforming overall manufacturing, where exports contracted and employment remained below 50. It also experienced slower supplier deliveries, reflecting continued supply chain pressures, and reported higher raw material prices alongside ongoing tariff and geopolitical uncertainty. Industry respondents said retail electronics sales have stabilized, but cautioned that trade policy uncertainty continues to cloud demand and sourcing decisions. Overall, the results indicate the Computer & Electronic Products industry remains one of manufacturing's strongest performers despite persistent cost and supply chain challenges.
• GoPro’s Q1 results highlight ongoing challenges for the US audio and video equipment manufacturing industry, particularly in discretionary consumer electronics. Revenue fell 26% year over year to $99 million, while camera unit sell-through dropped 29% to approximately 313,000 units, reflecting weak consumer demand. Retail-channel revenue declined 35%, and subscriber counts fell 8% to 2.26 million. The results suggest consumers remain cautious about big-ticket electronics purchases amid economic uncertainty. However, GoPro’s launch of its new MISSION 1 Series cameras and expansion into professional imaging, defense, and aerospace markets underscore how manufacturers are seeking growth beyond traditional consumer markets. The company’s strong performance in subscription and service revenue, which remained flat at $27 million despite declining hardware sales, also highlights the industry's increasing focus on recurring revenue streams to offset volatile hardware demand.
• For the US audio and visual equipment manufacturing industry, ongoing legal and policy developments in early 2026 around tariff refunds could provide financial relief and improve planning certainty, according to the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). The US Chamber of Commerce and the CTA filed an amicus brief on March 4, 2026, calling for an efficient, orderly refund process for tariffs now deemed unlawfully collected under IEEPA. The case affects thousands of businesses, particularly smaller firms that absorbed tariff costs. For AV equipment manufacturers, a streamlined refund process could help restore cash flow and offset prior cost pressures tied to imported components. The organizations also warned that delays or third-party involvement could complicate reimbursements. Overall, the outcome highlights the importance of timely refunds and clearer trade policy for manufacturers managing global supply chains.

Industry size & Structure

The average US audio and video equipment manufacturer operates out of a single location, employs about 20 workers, and generates $9 million annually.

• The US audio and video equipment manufacturing industry consists of about 525 firms that employ about 10,487 workers and generate about $4.7 billion annually.
• The industry is concentrated; the top 50 companies account for 84% of industry revenue.
• Large firms are generally the US subsidiaries of foreign companies, which include Samsung, Sony, and LG Electronics. Multi-national conglomerates dominate the industry. Large US companies include Bose and GoPro.
• While television manufacturing is included in the industry, foreign-owned firms produce the vast majority of TVs sold in the US. TVs assembled in the US typically use parts from abroad.