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About

A Maryland Hi-End Audio Traditional Family Business Since 1978

Welcome to The Listening Room!

My name is Michael Hoatson, and music has been a lifelong passion for my family. It all began with my grandfather, "Pop-Pop" Donald Hoatson. He painstakingly built an amplifier and turntable and that spark ignited a passion. As a lifelong audiophille, he turned his hobby into a full business in 1978. 

Since then, we've proudly served the Chestertown community and music lovers from the DC Metro Area and beyond. We're a short drive from the hustle and bustle, offering a haven for those who crave exceptional sound and personalized service. And now, we're taking those exceptional service standards nationwide via our website!

Delivery that Goes Above and beyond. We offer amazing tiers of delivery within a radius of our store in Chestertown, MD.  

  • Free delivery within 100 miles for orders above $1000
  • Free delivery within 200 miles for orders above $5000
  • Free delivery within 400 miles for orders above $10000
  • Above $20,000, FREE DELIVERY AND SETUP WITHIN THE CONTIGUOUS UNITED STATES.  I personally delivery and setup your system to ensure it sounds amazing and you are 100% satisfied.

It's more than just about getting your system up and running – it's about ensuring it performs at its absolute best in your unique listening space. Witnessing the joy on a customer's face when they hear their favorite music come alive in a whole new way is incredibly rewarding.

90-Day Product Functionality Guarantee. I stand behind every product we sell. If your item has a defect or failure within the first 90 days, we’ll swap it out for a brand-new unit — no questions asked. Because quality and satisfaction matter.

Honesty and integrity are the cornerstones of our business. We believe in building relationships, not just making quick sales. Our team is here to guide you, not pressure you. We'll happily answer your questions, set up listening sessions, and ensure you find the perfect audio components to fit your needs and budget.

We're all about transparency. We'll readily point out features that might not be worth the extra cost, saving you from buyer's remorse. We also offer competitive pricing, with special discounts for repeat customers, system purchases, and gently-used demo equipment. And if you find a better authorized dealer price, just let us know – we'll match it! We offer the best out-the-door pricing in the business!

At The Listening Room, it's about more than just selling equipment. I (still Mike but use the "we" since I employ help occasionally) am passionate about helping you create a dream audio system that brings your music to life. Ask around locally or check in audio groups and you'll see pictures of speaker, amp, preamp and audio component boxes meticulously stuffed in the back of my van. 4-5 days per week I deliver amazing high fidelity audio equipment to customers in the MD, DC and Northern VA area to Florida and almost anywhere east of the Mississppi.

Your passion is audio and my passion is making your dream a reality.

Let's chat about your vision, and we'll work together to design a setup that exceeds your expectations.

Welcome to the family! We look forward to helping you rediscover the magic of music.

Sincerely,

Michael Hoatson

3rd Generation Owner, The Listening Room

Testimonials

Thank you for the amount of time that you spent educating me and recommending products - I am left with a system that I will be enjoying for many years to come.

I am a Listen Room customer for life and will continue to recommend this brand and the awesome and thoughtful individuals that work here.

Kory K.

Tampa, FL

Having dealt with Mike for a few years now, I find him to be both incredibly knowledgeable and highly reasoned. Both traits are seldom found in individuals within the audiophile community. He will not only tell you why a particular piece of equipment fits within your system, but he'll both show and explain why. Highly recommended.

Brad F.

Maryland

Worth the Drive!! Mike's The Listening Room is the best hi-fi boutique in the USA, hands down. Mike's a great guy, extremely knowledgeable, and eager to help you set up your best system. No pressure at all. Good prices. Even more, the shop is located in the charming historic town of Chestertown, MD, with lots to do and see. And a bonus: enjoy browsing through a huge record collection! I drove 90 minutes each way, and would have driven even farther.

Joe S.

Delaware