In the AV rental and production world, the purchasing decision often comes down to two paths:

• The “famous” brand with decades of heritage and rider recognition.

• The trusted “chain” or OEM brand that has quietly leveled up—offering solid sound systems, digital mixers, powered speakers, and lighting fixtures that don’t flinch under DMX or sACN control.

This isn’t an attack on premium brands. They’ve earned their place. But in an industry where budgets are tight, logistics are demanding, and clients are focused on results, we need to ask the question:

Is it still worth paying thousands extra for the logo—when modern “chain” gear can deliver the same audience experience in many scenarios?

How I Judge the Right Investment

When I make purchasing decisions for AV gear, I don’t start with the nameplate—I start with what keeps a show running smoothly.

1. Rider Reality

• Corporate events rarely demand specific brands; they demand clarity, reliability, and a clean aesthetic.

• Concerts and high-profile entertainment? That’s where rider compliance matters.

2. Uptime & Support

• Can I get spare parts quickly?

• Are firmware updates stable and properly documented?

• Is service straightforward and local?

3. Engineer Familiarity

• Will freelance engineers feel at home on the desk in 10 minutes or less?

4. Cross-Hire Value

• In some markets, premium brands rent themselves. In others, well-spec’d chain gear moves just as fast.

5. Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

• Purchase price is one thing—depreciation, repairs, and downtime are the real costs.

6. Performance Benchmarks

• Measurable SPL, dispersion, THD, fan noise, dimming curve stability, and color consistency matter more than marketing brochures.

Where I’ve Seen Chain Brands Shine

• Mid-tier powered speakers outperforming big-name boxes for voice reinforcement in tricky corporate rooms.

• Affordable LED fixtures holding color and dimming stability for months with minimal maintenance.

• Digital mixers with intuitive UI making breakout room changeovers faster than flagship desks.

Where Premium Still Wins

• High-profile plenary sessions with 2,000+ delegates where failure isn’t an option.

• Broadcast audio paths where reliability and redundancy trump cost.

• Any scenario with strict rider requirements from artists, agencies, or broadcasters.

The Open Question

So here it is for fellow rental houses, integrators, and event tech teams:

Is it time to stop burning thousands on brand prestige where it doesn’t affect audience experience—and redirect that budget to redundancy, crew training, and logistics—while embracing trusted chain brands for the roles they now do exceptionally well?

Drop your field stories—both wins and horror shows—in the comments. The AV world needs more real-world data, not just brochure talk.