Once an industry leader under Greg Mackie, now unable to innovate in his shadow - Staff Firmware Engineer LOUD Audio Employee Review

Fun company to work for.

Pays the minimum wage possible.

You’ll learn to operate independently in a low-structure environment Some individual contributors are committed despite the challenges

There is a persistent lack of clear direction or long-term strategy. Multiple CEO changes over time have contributed to inconsistent leadership and shifting priorities, with little transparency into where the company is headed. Even basic employer-brand elements—such as maintaining an up-to-date Glassdoor presence following rebranding—are overlooked, reflecting a broader lack of organizational alignment and attention to detail. The company hasn't been called "LOUD Audio" since 2018 and has officially rebranded to Mackie as of 2025. The CEO listed on Glassdoor is 3 CEOs out of date. Careers stagnate here. There are no defined growth paths—advancement typically only happens when someone leaves or when external hires are brought in above existing employees. In those cases, compensation is rarely adjusted to remain competitive. Accountability is inconsistent. Policies are enforced unevenly, which undermines leadership credibility. For example, employees are required to work in-office five days a week, while senior leadership (including HR and IT) does not meet that expectation. The elimination of work-from-home flexibility has added a meaningful burden without delivering clear benefits. In the absence of a strong in-office culture, collaboration model, or improved accountability, the policy feels performative rather than purposeful. The company tends to follow a “path of least resistance” approach. Systemic issues are avoided rather than addressed, and efforts to improve processes are often de-prioritized. As a result, unresolved problems accumulate and are pushed onto the employees doing the work, increasing workload without improving outcomes. Morale is low and the environment often feels disengaged. There is frequent internal friction and minimal collaboration, while larger operational challenges remain unaddressed. There is also little investment in tools, systems, or infrastructure. Inefficient processes persist, and requests for improvements—especially those that would benefit the customer experience—are rarely prioritized. While the company positions itself as customer-focused, that focus is not reflected in resource allocation.