Dealer Profile
Genesis Audio Ltd.
Columbus, Ohio area
| President | |
| John Senters | |
| Key Statistics & Information | |
| Opened | 1996 |
| HARMAN Brands Supported |
Arcam, JBL Synthesis, Mark Levinson, Lexicon and Revel |
The HARMAN Luxury Audio Group is proud to have some of the best high-end consumer electronics partners across the globe. Each month, we have the pleasure of learning a little bit more about one of our dealers or distributors. This time we spoke with John Senters, President of Genesis Audio in the Columbus, Ohio area.
How long have you been in business?
24 years
How many locations do you have?
We have one company facility and one installation warehouse, both located in the greater Columbus, Ohio area. Our 7,000 sq. ft. company facility features two floors of showrooms, with three dedicated home theaters, one dedicated audio listening area, an outdoor patio, and a kitchen highlighting control solutions.
Our installation facility provides storage for equipment, tools and staging areas for client installations.
How did Genesis Audio get its start?
Genesis Audio was founded in 1996 by three friends with a shared passion for audio, video and custom installation. After hearing the initial release of Revel’s first speaker at CES, the Gem, we became one of the first Revel dealers in the U.S. Our roots were in home audio equipment but as the home theater wave arrived in the late 1990s, we added Lexicon to help accommodate the need for more custom video installations while offering a true high-end audio solution from Mark Levinson. In 2013, the torch was passed onto the current owner who had been on the Genesis Audio team since early 2000 and has furthered our commitment to high-end theater with the addition of the JBL Synthesis brand.
How many people on the Genesis Audio team?
We have 14 people on the Genesis Audio team who provide sales, installation, logistics, administration and management. It’s a small, talented team that we have tried to build to give us all the pieces to the puzzle. They come from different backgrounds, yet collectively they are able to span the sales, design and implementation of all our jobs.
Thoughts on the importance of training?
To actively serve your customers and provide the luxury experience, you need properly trained people. That requires a considerable investment of time, money and effort, just like any other endeavor. We believe in our people, and we believe in training. After our experience at the HARMAN facility in Northridge, California and witnessing the science and process behind product development, we now believe it’s essential. It’s pretty simple — quality employees want to do a great job. You need to provide the tools for them to do that.
What do you like most about HARMAN Luxury Audio products and which lines do you feature?
First, we are proud to offer the complete line from HARMAN Luxury group: Arcam, JBL Synthesis, Lexicon, Mark Levinson and Revel. As audio/video enthusiasts, we value the history of the brands, the build quality, engineering and remain energized and passionate about each of the brand’s value, at their respective price-points. As an audio/video dealer - we appreciate that the brands we have invested considerable time and effort over the years – HARMAN has reinvested in these brands making them again, the reference, and of course, respected by our team and our clients.
How do you think the luxury audio industry is currently doing?
From our vantage point in Central Ohio, there is a resurgence. We had a lull where product lines became stagnant and there wasn’t a lot of innovation taking place. Now, we are seeing changes industry-wide, and a reinvestment in the HARMAN brands. Arcam and JBL Synthesis have both expanded their product lines, Lexicon is redefining itself, and Mark Levinson has revitalized their entire product line. We think there is a new growth in the luxury space and our other brands also show this resurgence. Similarly, video is breaking new barriers with resolution and surround capabilities that have not just evolved, but drastically changed. Now we have substantial improvements across the AV table and bluntly, give us some real talking points because deep down, we know they significantly improve the music and theater experience.
What is Genesis Audio’s mission?
Our mission has remained the same as when we started – is to deliver the experience to our client in the most realistic way that we can… implementing a solution that leverages both our brands and our expertise to deliver a level of satisfaction they can’t get from anyone else. We try to deliver a solution for our client that exceeds even our own expectations and the solution really becomes our own brand of perfection. And that is tough. But if we work to that, strive for that, then we are true to our mission.
You have the floor. Anything else you want to share with us about Genesis Audio that you would like the world to know?
Our team members have been involved with brands of the HARMAN Luxury for almost 40 years. We’re passionate about AV and nearly all of us own a Harman component. We are blessed, our passion and commitment to this industry is stronger than ever. We’re constantly evaluating where we’re going and what’s on the horizon, and how we can make future technology becomes today’s reality. Sometimes it feels like we are dancing, because we are always looking at ways to improve what we do and how to do it better. If you’re not looking ahead, you’re left behind.
GenesisAudio.com