The internet contributed to the near-death of the Brick and Mortar audio shop that you and I remember from the 70's. If you want to actually hear and see a wide range of different high end gear, go attend one of the larger audio shows. I am sure there is something not too far away from you, in LA or Vegas or somewhere else near the west coast, that somebody here could recommend. Also, with the direct to buyer model adopted by some manufacturers there are greater opportunities to try stuff in your own home/system that you could return (sometimes with a restocking fee) if it doesn't work out for you.
Nowhere to hear speakers and amps anymore!
When I started buying stereo equipment in the 1970’s (yes, I’m old) in Seattle, there were many retail stores where I could hear and compare equipment. I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1982 and found the same number of great stores until 2000 when they started disappearing and now there are none! There are plenty of Home Theater contractors, but I can’t find an audiophile store anywhere short of going to LA or back to Seattle! Is there an “audio desert” in my area? Seems like an opportunity for someone! Am I missing something?
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Some Best Buys’ have the Magnolia section, but it’s not universal. I feel like Magnolia has been reduced - the selection and quality is nowhere near what it was at the University or Bellevue location. The level of knowledge of the salesperson is also very different from what we may have been accustomed to in the original stores. Still worth the time if you happen to be in a Best Buy that has a Magnolia section, but definitely not the same. |
@aldermine - Audio desert? I've lived in San Francisco since 1973 and just a few months ago auditioned (along with a few others) Marten speakers at Audio Vision in San Francisco. There is also Music Lovers Audio in both San Francisco and Berkeley. If you just do a google search, these and a few others will come up. |
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