Should Installers Be Curators Too?

One of the questions EI has been asking recently is whether installers should think about their role a little differently.

Traditionally, the relationship has been fairly straightforward. Installers recommend equipment, design systems, oversee installations and support customers once everything is up and running. The focus is naturally on delivering a reliable, high-performing solution that meets the client’s needs. But is that enough?

After all, most customers don’t invest in a home cinema, Hi-Fi system or smart home because they love technology. They invest because of the experiences that technology makes possible. The films, music, sporting events and moments shared with family and friends are ultimately what justify the investment.

Which raises an interesting question. Should installers be doing more to help customers discover great content?

Take immersive music as an example. Many in the industry spend time discussing Dolby Atmos processors, loudspeaker layouts and acoustic treatment, yet how many customers are regularly introduced to genuinely outstanding immersive recordings? One recent example is Immersed, the Grammy Award-winning album from Justin Gray. Soon to be available on Kaleidescape, it represents a remarkable demonstration of what immersive music can achieve and could be a perfect introduction to the format for many clients.

The same applies to music streaming more generally. Spotify remains hugely popular, but there is a growing world beyond mainstream streaming services. Platforms such as Tidal and Qobuz continue to attract listeners looking for higher-quality experiences, while software ecosystems such as Roon help users discover and organise music in ways many never realised were possible.

In fact, the recent growth reported by Qobuz suggests that specialist, high-quality platforms are finding an increasingly receptive audience. Perhaps that’s not surprising. Once people experience what a truly capable audio system can deliver, many naturally become more interested in the quality of the content feeding it. Sure, there will be clients that are extremely knowledgeable about music and in need of little help, but even here, engaged conversations can encourage a closer relationship. Also, there are many people who could really do with some help in perhaps rediscovering the joy of music or even finding it for the first time.

Movies offer similar opportunities. Installers often spend considerable time demonstrating a system during handover, but what happens afterwards? Keeping an eye on standout new releases across the major platforms or recommending overlooked classics and hidden gems could provide genuine value to customers long after the installation is complete.

Some businesses may even wish to formalise the process. A monthly email featuring recommended albums, films and immersive experiences could become a simple but effective way of maintaining contact with customers. More importantly, it demonstrates an ongoing interest in how people are using and enjoying their systems.

This isn’t about becoming a critic or content creator. It’s about recognising that the experience matters just as much as the equipment.

After all, it seems a shame to go to all the effort of designing and installing a wonderful system only to leave people wallowing in mediocre content. Let us know what you think. Get in touch to have your say, dan@essentialinstall.com