History of Glenn Poor’s Audio Video

Our Humble Beginnings

1940’s: Glenn Poor’s TV and Radio was founded in 1949 by Glenn Poor Sr. and his son, Glenn Jr., to sell and service the new phenomenon, television, with an unusual emphasis on expertise, service and quality.

A Television / Hi-Fi Business is Born

1950’s and 1960’s: Over the following two decades, Glenn Poor’s sold a range of products dominated by television and music systems.

Home Theaters

1970’s: In the seventies, Glenn Poor’s created home theaters, by combining video tape decks, large screen projection television and audio components, and designing stores to showcase this new concept in home entertainment.

Innovation

1990’s and 2000’s: Maintaining our focus on innovation, quality and service, we seek out and sell the most advanced and highest quality products at all price levels. Among the now-famous audio companies Glenn Poor’s has brought to its region are Balanced Audio Technology, YG Acoustics, Avantgarde Acoustic, Smyth Research, Dynaudio, Magnepan, Jeff Rowland Design, Mark Levinson, Bel Canto Design, Apogee, Phase Technology, Aerial Acoustics, McIntosh, ClearAudio, Dunlavy Audio, Evolution Acoustics, and Wilson Audio.

Continuing the Tradition

Today: We continue this tradition with the best, and best value HD and UHD video displays, digital surround systems, whole-house music systems, installations, and consulting. Change is the constant in business and industry. Especially in home entertainment we see how many of the established names in manufacture and retail of even the recent past are gone. Glenn Poor’s has been the exception by keeping up with the changing environment and focusing on serving its customers. We are constantly evaluating our lineup, keeping what is loved (Magnepan 40+ years at GPAV), but always looking for the most cutting edge performance (YG Acoustics, our newest love.)

"I have been going to Glenn Poor’s Audio for almost 35 years. It has always been the premier audio shop in central Illinois. I have purchased all of my speakers (currently Wilson Sophia 3) and several pieces of electronics from Geoff Poor.

His store has a good variety of all the top companies in high end audio. Geoff is extremely knowledgeable and has connections to many of the top designers in the industry. If he can’t answer your question he will call the designer of the equipment and get an answer. If you want a complete system design, Geoff is the person to talk to. Geoff tells you exactly how he feels about certain equipment and gives you the straight information. Over the years having enjoyed going to the store so much Geoff has become a good friend.

You will not find a more trustworthy and informative person in high end audio. He truly enjoys his job and tries to help people. I recommend Glenn Poor’s Audio with the highest confidence."

— Max B.

"I've been in the store a couple of times to look around and was impressed with how much product they have. Then just before Christmas decided I wanted to get some high quality hifi equipment and Geoff and Ryan spent almost a whole Saturday with me auditioning different set ups until I found something that way exceeded my expectations in performance.

These guys really know what they are talking about and don't just sell you the most expensive stuff they have. In fact they helped me find a pair of speakers that eventually I traded in for something 3 times the cost. We are so lucky to have such a place in our area."

— Gary W.

“I recently purchased some Dynaudio heritage specials from Glenn Poor’s after auditioning several comparable speakers. I am extremely happy with the purchase! The staff was knowledgeable and there was no pressure. I would highly recommend this store to anyone purchasing audio/video gear. We are lucky to have a store like this in our area.”

— Bob K.

“This is an amazing store. We went in on a Saturday afternoon with a problem with our turntable. It had been a gift that was not bought at their store.

The friendly and knowledgeable staff solved our issue and did not push us to buy anything. They did let us peruse the store and we were very impressed with the audio-video equipment available in many price ranges.

When we are in the market for new equipment, we will definitely be returning and we would recommend Glenn Poor's Audio-Video to anyone."

— Vickie W.

About Geoff

Geoff Poor started his career in audio as a teen at his dad's Electronics/Hi-Fi store in Champaign-Urbana. He began singing professionally at the age of fifteen where his first job was opening for Jerry Lee Lewis. He later purchased the Glenn Poor's Audio Video stores he had created for his father's corporation, and turned the company into one of the most prestigious high-end audio and home theater retail organizations in the Midwest. Geoff has consulted and worked with some of the most respected names in audio - Niro Nakamichi, Yamaha, MRC, Sony, & more - and in 1992, he was one of the founders of Dunlavy Audio Labs. In the spring of 1995, he left Dunlavy to become a partner at Balanced Audio Technology - a company he helped launch at the 1995 CES. Whether creating music, or the equipment to play it, Geoff Poor is passionate about the art form. His eclectic taste and background, and general all-round knowledge of the musical arts, makes Geoff a special asset in the business of music.