General Info:
Introduction Advanced Audio Systems opened its doors for business July 1, 1986. We have spent the past 19 years earning our customers' confidence and trust by advocating high quality--high value components that have stood the test of time. We have always taken the time to educate our customers with the information they need to make good, informed decisions. We go to a great deal of effort to provide proper demonstrations and to show our customers the benefits of higher fidelity performance. We are confident that we make the best sound and offer the best values in the Northwest. The people who make up the team Advanced Audio Systems are: Bob McPeters, sales ; Larry Heinsen and Mike Gabell, engineering ; Daniel Apahidean, installation ; Burt Goodman, sales consultant/setup specialist ; Ed Paulsen, sales consultant/design specialist ; and myself, Curtis Havens, founder and CEO. The Early Years My career in the home audio business dates back to 1970 ; I was twenty-one at the time. While attending Long Beach State College in Southern California, I began working part-time at University Stereo. At the time I knew very little about hi-fi. The first day on the job, the store was swamped with customers. My first task was to assemble three turntables and then help customers. I acclimated quickly as the pace never slowed up and I shortly became full time, thoroughly enjoying the job. I soon purchased my first quality audio system. After two years with University Stereo, I went to work for a smaller audio store with seemingly greater opportunities. The next two years were very valuable as I began to learn more about marketing and important business operations, like cash flow and accounts payable--how a business actually functions. By 1974 I was confident that I could run my own business. With the help and support of parents, grandparents, and my father-in law, I opened Stereo Haven in Huntington Beach, California. Mentors & Associates Still very wet behind the ears, I somehow managed to survive on my own. Along the way I received some greatly appreciated mentoring from Ike Golan, a man who had been in the audio business for some 40 years. Ike was one of the original founders of University Speakers, in the 1940s, I believe. Ike introduced me to excellent products like the Braun speakers from Germany, Dahlquist DQ-10's ( when Saul Marantz was involved with the company ), Lecson from Great Britain, etc. I had always found myself drawn towards better sounding products, yet Ike's insights were invaluable.