Stereo Exchange

Beware of these guys. I spent several months working with their installation department figuring out upgrades and enhancements to my home's AV systems. If you don't have a strong understanding of options in the market and how things work, don't rely on them to figure out what is best for you. I found that I had to vet every aspect of their proposals. I found outright mistakes and blatant attempts to sell me considerably more expensive options that would not add to utility, quality or functionality. Then, after finally agreeing on a solution, they said they would not do the job without a waiver absolving them of damages. After I signed this 11th hour waiver, they told me they would not to do the project. I accepted their redesign suggestions, signed their waiver, and accepted their proposal. I spent months researching and correcting their mistakes. Finally when the time came to proceed, these unprofessional idiots left me hanging. DON'T WAST YOUR TIME WITH STEREO EXCHANGE. more

It's really a great place to visit and buy hi-end audio and video devices. They have outstanding products from the best brands. I had fast e-mail answers, technical support for the products I bought and a very kind treatment when I visited the store to pick my things up. Highly recommended more

It's really a great place to visit and buy hi-end audio and video devices. They have outstanding products from the best brands. I had fast e-mail answers, technical support for the products I bought and a very kind treatment when I visited the store to pick my things up. Highly recommended more

I recently bought a new audio system from this retailer including an integrated amp w/DAC, speakers, stands and top of the line cables. They only had 3' optical cables at the time so I settled for it, expecting to come back once they got in a 6 footer. Now, I realize they specialize in high end audio and carry brands like McIntosh that can get into the tens of thousands of dollars per unit, but I honestly feel like I've received better customer service at a McDonalds spending $0.99 on a snack wrap!! I guess if you only spend $5,000 they just dismiss you until you're ready to drop 5 figures. Even though I walked in with a budget in mind and a good idea of what I wanted, I appeased the salesman throughout his self-assertive pitch and sat through his dog and pony show. I listened to his seemingly endless knowledge of jazz even though he was talking about players who, unbeknownst to him, are actually my friends and he couldn't have been further from the truth. I ignored his air of self-importance as he told me how many of the manufacturers he knew personally, even though he misquoted which city and state the company is headquartered in (like I've never been handed one of their cards at a booth at CES). Mind you, this was an impulse purchase on my part and I can only blame myself for not doing the research, but when I found out after the fact that the manufacturer of the integrated amp had a new model coming to market A WEEK after I purchased this one for a few hundred bucks more, I can assume nothing less than this guy (who self-admittedly knows everyone and everything in the industry) just dumped his back stock on me to make room for the new units. The icing on the cake was when my friend pulled up in front of the store to pick me up with my new gear. I ASKED them specifically if he should pull around to the back before he got out of his car and they told me "no" he was fine there. Of course, within the 90 seconds it took them to find somebody to help me load out (the salesman was apparently counting his commissions and couldn't be bothered) there was a traffic cop writing us a $100 ticket. To appease me, the salesman promised they would "take care of me" when the new optical cables came in. One would assume that meant give me a free cable...NOPE! He offered me $10 off today and said, "if you spend $1,000 or more I can give it to you for free". ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? I spent five grand AND got a $100 parking ticket following their instructions and they can't even throw a stinking hundred dollar cable my way. Not exactly what I would expect from a local stereo shop, especially when I made it clear that this was just an entry level system for me to listen to iTunes with. This place is actually over priced and the sales staff couldn't care less about the customer unless you have an Amex Black card. Take advantage of their listening rooms, then do yourself a favor and buy elsewhere! Pros: High-End Equiptment Cons: Horrible sales staff more

I recently bought a new audio system from this retailer including an integrated amp w/DAC, speakers, stands and top of the line cables. They only had 3' optical cables at the time so I settled for it, expecting to come back once they got in a 6 footer. Now, I realize they specialize in high end audio and carry brands like McIntosh that can get into the tens of thousands of dollars per unit, but I honestly feel like I've received better customer service at a McDonalds spending $0.99 on a snack wrap!! I guess if you only spend $5,000 they just dismiss you until you're ready to drop 5 figures. Even though I walked in with a budget in mind and a good idea of what I wanted, I appeased the salesman throughout his self-assertive pitch and sat through his dog and pony show. I listened to his seemingly endless knowledge of jazz even though he was talking about players who, unbeknownst to him, are actually my friends and he couldn't have been further from the truth. I ignored his air of self-importance as he told me how many of the manufacturers he knew personally, even though he misquoted which city and state the company is headquartered in (like I've never been handed one of their cards at a booth at CES). Mind you, this was an impulse purchase on my part and I can only blame myself for not doing the research, but when I found out after the fact that the manufacturer of the integrated amp had a new model coming to market A WEEK after I purchased this one for a few hundred bucks more, I can assume nothing less than this guy (who self-admittedly knows everyone and everything in the industry) just dumped his back stock on me to make room for the new units. The icing on the cake was when my friend pulled up in front of the store to pick me up with my new gear. I ASKED them specifically if he should pull around to the back before he got out of his car and they told me ""no"" he was fine there. Of course, within the 90 seconds it took them to find somebody to help me load out (the salesman was apparently counting his commissions and couldn't be bothered) there was a traffic cop writing us a $100 ticket. To appease me, the salesman promised they would ""take care of me"" when the new optical cables came in. One would assume that meant give me a free cable...NOPE! He offered me $10 off today and said, ""if you spend $1,000 or more I can give it to you for free"". ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? I spent five grand AND got a $100 parking ticket following their instructions and they can't even throw a stinking hundred dollar cable my way. Not exactly what I would expect from a local stereo shop, especially when I made it clear that this was just an entry level system for me to listen to iTunes with. This place is actually over priced and the sales staff couldn't care less about the customer unless you have an Amex Black card. Take advantage of their listening rooms, then do yourself a favor and buy elsewhere! Pros: High-End Equiptment Cons: Horrible sales staff more

Went way beyond required service for a first time customer. Great selection and superb sales staff. Been to all the other high end stores and they are fine, but this one is the winner. Bravo and ask for the ELF! more

I recently purchased a pair of Totem "The One" speakers from Stereo Exchange and found that as has been my experience in the past I was delighted with the entire transaction from the intitial inquiry to post installation support of the product. It can be a challenge these days to find a retailer that you can trust and work with when spending your hard earned money. The people at Stereo Exchange keep me coming back because I know I can count on them to keep me delighted as a customer. I have recommended Stereo Exchange to friends of mine for their entertainment equipment needs and they too have been delighted with the experience. Stereo Exchange, keep up the good work! more

Being an avid composer, it only made sense to stop listening to all of my music through cheap computer speakers and Radio Shack headphones and really hear what my music and others' music sounded like. I went down to Stereo Exchange and was rewarded with knowledgable, friendly sales staff and a set-up that I frankly can't stop raving about -- it's like having a new set of ears to hear music with. more

First off - I dont work for the store, I don't date anyone that works there, no relatives work there etc! These guys understand their products and they understand service. The real test of a store is when things don't go exactly right. My experience: I bought high end equipment that did not perform as expected, but for reasons that were not clear. My salesman, Alan (who calls himself "the audio elf") was consistent in his follow-up and proactive in calling both me and the manufacturer's tech support to help solve the problem. Rather than my chasing Alan, he chased me, working on the solution! How great is that? And supporting Alan was the owner of the store, who also took the time to get personally involved. They were both genuinely interested in helping me solve the problem (rather than dumping the issue on or blaming the manufacturer). more

Went shopping last week in Soho and came across a store that looks like it is from another era. I am not the audio shopper in the family, I leave all that to my husband, and I must admit to fighting the issue before. I have long thought why spend, aren't all theses chain store alike?Well my excursion has taught me well. I don't want to go into a store with questions only to be read a description from a cue card by a college student , I am more than capable of reading those little signs on my own. When I shop I want someone to know what they are talking about what ever the product. Stereo Exchange has that part down, they answered all my questions and they were polite even though I said I wasn't "buying" today. I was impressed with them so on the weekend I brought my husband down, and he was like a kid in a candy store.I look forward to seeing and hearing it all in my living room. more

I'm a highly discerning listener with little time for the usual bias salesman's product run-around. I was contented to find the salesperson was not so pushy about specific products but rather offered me a plethora of choices to accommodate to specific stereo needs. I ended up with a phenomenal sounding McIntosh Int. Amp and well matched speakers. I would definitely suggest anyone looking for a reasonably good HiFi to at the very least check out Stereo Exchange for themselves. more

I'm really not very knowledgable about stereos but I love music and I wanted to upgrade to something better. The staff at the Stereo Exchange was really low key and helpful. I told them my budget and space requirements and ended up buying a cute little system. more

Set right in the center of where SoHo, Noho, East Village and West Village in NYC - lies one of the most fun shopping experiences one can find in The Big Apple. Stereo Exchange has some of the very best audio/video gear to found anywhere. From moderately priced audio gear from companies like Rotel and Arcam to super high-end gear from McIntosh and an American company called Ayre. They have incredible speakers from Italy called Sonus Faber as well as speakers from Canada (Totem) and Great Britain (B&W) and other cool home-theater pieces. They also have the largest plasma TV to be seen in any store . It is 103 inches. Wow! The staff is great. All the guys there are different but they all love sound and are committed to two-channel audiophile sound while still knowing more about home-theater than just about anyone - anywhere. They do custom install really well and even do repairs. This place rocks! more

After reading some of the reviews on this web site I was really fearful of going into a store like this. This was going to be my first really good stereo system . I went into Stereo Exchange and was greeted by a very knowledgable short ( elfish ) salesman. He listened to what I was looking for and proceeded to move several pairs of speakers for my listening and evaluation. He proceeded to let me listen to several types of music until I narrowed my choices to 2 brands. He then moved 3 amplifiers to also give me the choice of what sounded right for me. I made 2 more visits to the store before I made my purschase and my salesman was as nice to me every time and gave me a tremendous amount of his time and knowledge. I now am the envy of all my friends with my McIntosh- Totem System. Not only did he sell me the best system I could afford but my male friends all agree that this system is a classic. more

I recently saved up to buy my first Stereo System. I managed to scrape together about $3,000. I was able to get a fantastic integrated amp with a built in DAC for my computer called the Decco, a Project Debut III turntable and phono pre, a pair of B&W bookshelf speakers and Transparent speaker cable. I really feel that I got the best for my money and my music has been taken to another level. Thanks guys! more

I read some of the reviews here before I went and my expectations were completely blown out of the water. My sales person was really passionate about the equipment he was showing me (I was looking for a Hi-end computer based system) and I am THRILLED with sytem I walked out with- Totem floor standers, Cayin tube amp and Wavelength DAC. Felt like I had to write something here because IMO alot of times people only write reviews when they have negative experiences and never take the time to write reviews after they have good ones. Don't take my word for it- take a trip to soho and check it out. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! more

Stopped by to audition some $4000-5000+ speakers. Any audio store should be happy to help someone spend that kind of money. Not this place. Salespeople acted like they were too busy to talk, let alone show me speakers. I am not a novice. I walked out. Anybody who goes to this store should know that there are a dozen stores in NYC with better selection, better prices, and much, much better salespeople. No reason to shop here, ever. more

I had medium-range budget but was really not sure how to organize a good system. I am a musician and composer but did not know much about high-end audio. I am really happy with my new system. It change my relation to listening music. Even when the system is turned off I feel good about it. Warm regards. more

Wow! I have not been subjected to this sort of specialty store snobbery since I visited a high-end bicycle shop on the Upper West Side (don't ever do that). One can only hope that the salesmen miraculously become confident enough to lose the need to denigrate those who know less than them about stereos. For those of you not prone to believe in miracles, stay away. more

After reading the previous reviews, I'm not sure if I got lucky or what. Went in for a 5k stereo system and came out with a kick-butt system. The salesman was extremely knowledgeable and personable. Went to a couple of other high-end shops in the city before this visit and SE was by far the least pretentious (especially compared to Sound by Singer). Highly recommended. Pros: Huge selection, freindly atmosphere Cons: none that I can think of more