SOUND IDEAS STEREO, INC.
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA

in Gainesville, Florida and very quickly established itself as the premier dealer for high-end audio systems. Over the years, we naturally progressed into home theater, distributed audio/video, lighting control, structured wiring, security and complete automation systems. Today, we stand as a custom hybrid-retailer that provides a “Boutique Style” shopping experience for the best audio and video products on the market. We are North Florida’s leader in residential and commercial integration – positioned on the cutting edge of technology while meeting the everchanging needs of our customers. Sound Ideas' staff of 18 employees are there to help you in every situation.  We have knowledgable sales associates, system designers, technicians, programmers, repair technicians, and service personnel on hand to meet your every needs. With summer coming to a close, the teams found themselves helping our local customers improve their homes. New automation systems and surveillance camera installations were the norm. Work also continued out at our St. John's River project and will likely keep us travelling back and forth for several weeks yet.  Our family also expanded as new installation and repair techs joined our teams and our back office grew to help meet demand. Overall, it was a great year and we would like to thank all of our loyal customers who helped make 2016 a year to remember.  The name of the game for November was McIntosh Labs. It seemed everyone decided at the same time that they were ready to get serious about their home theater and stereo systems. From new turntables to Atmos theaters, people were taking off the gloves and putting together definitive systems. McIntosh helped  by rolling out new models that caught everyone's interest. Jingle Bells will never sound so good.  It's back to business as usual for the teams as they travel across the state installing new systems, enhancing existing installations and generally putting smiles on faces. Installations ranged from White Springs in the north to Key West. Back on the showroom floor, new TVs models wowed visitors with the 65" LG OLED 4K flat panel making customers think they were looking out a window.  While business keeps ticking along in our retail division, our commercial group has once again jumped into the thick of it with Gator City's major renovation. So far we have close to 40 flat panels going up, distributed audio, centralized control and DJ sound reinforcement gear scheduled, with more to come.  The boom in construction of new homes continues to keep our teams up in the rafters. More than ever before, new homes are being wired for integrated security systems that include surveillance camera and remote monitoring options. Between Sound Ideas and our sister company, Safeco Security, we have been helping future homeowners to create safe and reliable houses for their families.   For those already settled in their nests, new products like McIntosh Labs' new music streamers and Rega's recent updates to their classic line of turntables give us fresh ways to add a soundtrack to our quality time at home.  The on-line sales group continued to fill Fed Ex trucks and help our customers turn their traded-in classics into cutting edge wonders. All in all, it has been a wonderful year and we are thankful to all our customers who have made it so much fun.  It was business as usual for Sound Ideas as we finished up existing commitments and dug into our largest commercial project to date, the Reitz Union installation. With over 20 rooms of audio/video and automation, including the Orange & Brew and the Grand Ballroom, the teams will be on campus through the holidays.    Another month, another project for UF. This time we are at the new Gator Football indoor practice field, wiring it for sound. With over 30 massive speakers in the installation, the team will be able to practice with Swamp level volumes.  You would think things would have slowed down with the new year but our installation teams beg to disagree. They have been all across the map. The new Gator Dockside in Spring Hill opened its doors and we spent over 300 man hours helping prepare them for their grand opening. The installation included automation, networking, distributed audio/video and 32 TVs. In Oviedo, work continues on the new 32,000 square foot O2Bkids. Tree thick trunk lines of communication, network and audio lines have been pulled throughout the sprawling new facility. Keeping busy has also given us the opportunity to support our local charities. As Peaceful Paths raises the walls on its new campus, we have been in the thick of it. Security cameras, phone and networking lines, audio, video and much more are all being installed, and Sound Ideas is donating $5,000 in labor to help support their good work. We also helped out at the Rotary Club’s Wild Game Feast, selling them all their PA equipment at a few points above cost so they could clearly announce to everyone what they just ate. On the home front, the resurgence of vinyl records continues unabated. Turntables fly out the door on a daily basis. On March 26th, at 6:30 pm, we are hosting a Needle Drop and Record Swap. Bring a favorite record to play and see how good it can sound. You may also be able to trade a few with other guests. Local record dealers and factory reps will be on hand with prizes and special deals for this first time event.   This seems like a good time for a year in review, and it has indeed been a busy one. Business is booming and 2014 will go down as one of the best years Sound Ideas has ever had. Our commercial division had many fun and challenging jobs. In January we set up the CommandCenter and several conference rooms in the new Gainesville Police Department. Right on its heels came the new Regional Transit System (RTS) building, complete with communications, digital signage, conference rooms and more. The end of this year has our teams all over the state, getting the new Gator’s Dockside in Springhill, and O2BKids in Oviedo ready to roll.