Tweeter, Monster Part Company
By Staff -- TWICE, 10/10/2005
Canton, Mass. — Tweeter Home Entertainment Group has dropped Monster Cable from its assortment.
The 20-year relationship ended on a bitter note when the companies offered differing explanations for the breakup.
According to the A/V specialty chain, the move was prompted by the addition of three new product lines that duplicate the Monster portfolio.
Effective this fall, Tweeter will begin carrying the AudioQuest line of premium cables, interconnects and custom install products, and will roll out the Panamax platform of surge protectors, power bars and components in early November.
In addition, Tweeter this month is adding a new line of cabling and interconnects from current mobile audio supplier JL Audio to compliment the vendor's amplifier and speaker program, and will continue to offer cabling from ProSolutions, which was added to the retailer's assortment last year.
Following the announcement, Monster issued an unusually explicit counter-statement contending that Tweeter dropped its line only after the vendor tightened its credit line with the chain due to increased risk. “The main reason that Monster and Tweeter have parted ways [was] over the companies' inability to reach financial and credit terms,” said Monster's credit and finance manager Tom Silvia.
Tweeter's president/CEO and former chief financial officer Joe McGuire refuted Monster's claim. — Alan Wolf
