Schiit Happened: The Story of the World's Most Improbable Start-Up

by Jason Stoddard, Mike Moffat

"Despite, or maybe because of, their self-effacing nature, Schiit Audio has become the powerhouse headphone amp company over the last few years. From afar, it looks like they did it with ease...but the truth is much more complicated."--InnerFidelityFor everyone who didn't win the venture capital lottery,or everyone who wasn't born with a trust fund,for everyone who doesn't have rich relatives...This is the story of how real start-ups work. This is how to turn a dream into a multimillion dollar business—without selling out, without spending a mint on marketing, and without losing your sense of humor.Meet Schiit Audio, a company born in a garage that went on to change the face of high-end personal audio—challenging the idea that everything must be made in China, rejecting old ideas about advertising and social awareness, and forging our own unforgettable brand. This is our (improbable) story.Here’s to your own stories—and your success!

Genres: Business

383 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 22, 2014

About the author

By day, Jason Stoddard is just another frustrated engineer-turned-ad-guy who is busy twisting the minds of millions of consumers for his evil corporate masters. At night, he writes science fiction that has been seen in SciFiction, Interzone, Strange Horizons, Talebones, and Futurismic, among others. Unfortunately, none of the agents or editors have yet believed his line that if he had a book deal, there would be less advertising in this world.

Reviews

[Christopher Marko · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a relatively recent Schiit customer, I was drawn to this book because of the interesting personality of the company and the incredible value/quality of the products.

Jason and Mike have written a fun and insightful book on the company, and Jason has distilled his years of knowledge in Audio and Marketing startups into a fun and easy read.

I was really surprised with how much I learned about the audio industry, technology, and thought process in designing products.

Jason has a wealth of business knowledge and doesn't hold back on sharing his critical thoughts.

Hey look, I wrote a review and I didn't even make a Schiity pun ;)

Edit: Jason has continued his book over here: (sign-up required) https://www.head-fi.org/threads/schii...

[Colin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably a 3.5. Why did I read it in three days then, you ask? Because I came back from holiday, and needed something to do while jetlagged, that's why. This is an interesting book about an interesting company. It's by an old-school engineer, with a sense of humour to match (he called his company Schiit, so you probably have an idea what you're getting). There's a fair amount of technical detail about the products, which makes me wish I understood it more. There's a lot of USA-pride, as you might expect. There's a sense of a very solid ego, probably deserved, but which still rubbed me as a in Brit in the wrong way.

[Richard W. Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Schiit gear flashback to the 80s

Interesting but mostly marketing hype.
I purchased a Mani and an Asgard 3.
The Mani uses opamps so it's really not hifi. It was cheap but not as cheap as comparable products.
Asgard amp is just slightly disappointing with no remote and very limited inputs
The thing that comes through over and over is they're almost total disregard for their customers.
It seems they already had the big company ethos when they were working from the garage.
Anyway a good read it you're interested in this phenomenon they call schiit

[Jani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book as its about audio devices, is written in a entertaining style and a grounded story about entrepreneurship. The book is about the ups and downs of starting a manufacturing company in modern day US. The book includes many good ideas about running a business and building a business in a world that is full of management books that feel far from the reality of running a company. I'm into audio gear so that might have an impact on the rating, but I think the book is anyway worth reading for everyone interested in entrepreneurship.

[Paul Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Educational and humorous.

The writing is crisp and engaging. I learned a ton about business as well as audio.
It was much much more than a glorified faq and much more than a marketing brochure. However, once you read this, you’ll have learned that, in fact, it was marketing! That’s some deep Schiit right there!
Can’t wait to grab my cans and head up to the
Schittr. I’d love a coda on that decision and adventure.

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really terrific and enjoyable read. I think it helped to have watched several interviews of Jason and Mike talking Schiit prior to reading as the book has an appreciated stream of consciousness approach about it. While reading, I could hear Jason and feel his excitement about audio and starting a small company. Overall, a great read if those are two areas of interest to you.

[Andy Wise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the result of a sifi writer starting a very successful electronics company. Mostly marketing but also a nice primer for those interested in niche electronics manufacturing and marketing. Also available free on head-fi.org.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A concise, entertaining retelling of Schiit audio's history. I feel like I have a better grasp of the complexity of electronics now although there were large swaths of pages that I did not understand at all due to the assumed technical knowledge.

[Jeremiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too much time in the weeds, but still a very enjoyable read about a company in a field I am a hobbyist in. If you are a fan of headphones, or starting small businesses, you'll enjoy this.

[James Haring · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelling.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, quirky and irreverent!

A little too technical at points, but really fun to read and insightful as well. Recommended for audiophiles who appreciate value and humor.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m writing this review a few weeks after reading Schiit Happened. I picked the book up after purchasing a few Schiit products. I also enjoyed watching a few interviews with Jason Stoddard. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp...

The book was equal parts history of the company and also Jason’s thoughts on audio. I enjoyed learning how the company started small and didn’t feel the need to expand too fast. My favorite line was Jason’s ideas on how high performing employees don’t care much about being recognized but instead value money and freedom. Hell yes..agree. Keep the awards and give us something extra in our paychecks.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to listen to music without doing anything else.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a look into the life and times of a crazy startup, it is great. Helps that the cast of characters are an interesting bunch. As an engineer, I wanted more explanations of the technical bits. At times, though, the book wants to be a business manual, which falls flat. The book was written as a series of blog posts, so some of the tone seems to shift at times.

Read to learn what goes into their products and how amazing their success truly is.

[Xiao Xiao · Rating 4 out of 5]

A coworker recommended the book to the whole team as the best book on (human) management he has ever read. Overall I enjoyed the read, and very much liked the non-bs advices it gives. One that particularly resonates is this - The way to keep good people is to give them money and freedom. Cut out the cheerleading and sugar-coating.

[Eric Nusbaum · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book a little self serving. I enjoy reading books from small business owners and how they made it in their industry, but the narrative of this book is a little over the top. Reads more like bragging rights than a biography of a company.

[Igor Gentil · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing account of how Schiit Audio came to be, written beautifully by one of it's founders! Highly recommend!

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging book that is hilarity for geeks.