Audio stores in Washington DC???

Whether Soundworks folks are stuck-up or not I don't know. Anyway, you better drop in there for the simple reason they have by far the largest selection of decent gear to sample in the area.
Check out their website....

http://www.soundworksonline.com/

Agree that Soundworks has the best selection I have ever seen and I have bought some gear from them as well. I haven't been there for awhile, but it used to be if you read about it they had it. Ask for the sales manager. If it's the same one I dealt with, he's ok.

I travel to DC frequently and visited Soundworks once. Once was more than enough. Pretentious, snobby salesman. The entire ambience made it impossible to enjoy the listening experience. If this kind of treatment is of any importance to you, save your time and forego the visit.

Thanks for the replies! I will surely check out Deja Vu and JS. I went to Soundworks on a previous trip and did not like the staff either, although the selection is very good. They were reluctant to turn on cold amps(?). They are not very friendly, that is for sure and I have read online complaints from their customers. Thanks for the info - Arthur

JS Audio
4919 St. Elmo Ave.
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
301-656-7020
http://www.jsaudio.com/
Nice, professional, interact with Bethesda/Chevy Chase clients -- fairly expensive lower end and up

Soundworks
10526 Connecticut Ave,
Kensington, MD
301-929-8600
Wide range of products and many listening rooms, loose in their client care and demonstrating equipment (bordering on dis-organized), it's more of a hands-off approach, there are customer complaints on the web and there's no website

Dynamic Sound
6401 2nd Pl
Washington DC 20012
202.726.3941
Never visited, only has 3 lines of speakers, they feature VMPS speakers which use ribbons (I would like to hear these), also have Von Schweikert which is very, very well known and respected brand of speaker.

Gifted Listener
5720 Pickwick Rd
Centreville, VA 20121
703-818-8000
Nice guy named Tom, is set up almost exclusively for 2-channel listening, been in business long time.

United Home Audio
10820 Guilford Rd, Suite 209
Annapolis Junction, MD
1-866-482-8346
They carry high-end stuff and some affordable stuff. Crazy website, but it looks like they've been doing it for some time. Not clear about their relationship to the Audio Visual Solutions home theater folks in same location - different suite.

Deja Vu Audio
1401 Chain Bridge Rd, Suite 203
McLean, VA 22101
703.734.9391
Heard from others that owner is nice and knows a lot, they carry good equipment. open on Sunday after noon.

Audio Clinic
12160 Tech Rd
Silver Spring, MD
(301) 587-0070
Mostly home theater installation, would need to check if set up for 2-channel audio listening to compare speakers

Audio Visual Solutions
10840 Guilford Rd. Suite 402
Annapolis Junction, MD 20701
301-604-8111
Haven't seen or explored website. Maybe they are new.

Near Field Audio
Columbia, MD
443-878-9725
not open on Sat or Sun

The Listening Room
Old Court Road
Pikesville, MD
410-239-2020
open only on Saturday and Sunday

Doctor Audio
5732 Buckeystown Pike
Frederick, MD
301-663-1000