Audiobook options without Kickstarter: AuthorsRepublic? PublishDrive?

in a recent edition of Author Update, the changes in Audible were highlighted.

First of all, as a consumer, this shucking off of responsibility toward the author makes me “want” to quit my Audible subscription. I usually try to find direct ways to purchase audiobooks from authors, esp always on Kickstarter—as @Thomas Umstattd Jr. suggested/pointed out.

But as an author business, I have two audiobooks ready and about to be launched, and I need to decide how to launch them. Also, where to get reviews for them if they’re not on Audible (yet).

While I realize Thomas encourages KDP and the Amazon biome, with this new change is WIDE too complicated for start-ups? Would love to hear what others are thinking about the Audible thing.

UPDATE:
Here’s another view of the Audible Nightmare: