Frustrated by existing loudspeaker vendors, a CE Pro Top 100 dealer has launched its own speaker company.

The integration company is Advanced Electronic Solutions (AES), El Cajon, Calif. Its principals Sean McDermott and Rich Apgar have joined two other partners in founding Current Audio, which made its debut at CEDIA Expo 2008.

"Other manufacturers have had to adjust for them to remain profitable," says McDermott, who is president of Current Audio. "As they have adjusted, they have not taken into account how it affects installers. … First they cut their reps, then R&D, and then the quality of their speakers."

McDermott says his company won't fall into that trap.

As integrators themselves, the folks at Current say they really listen to installers. Indeed, "installers" are the key, McDermott asserts. "We're not just asking the presidents of [integration] companies," he says. "We're asking the people who do the…