I am looking for something other than Fry's for home theater show rooms to preview different speaker combinations. Anywhere in the Bay Area is good SF is getting to far out for now.

Thanks!

 

Audible Difference on El Camino near Stanford. They have 2 or 3 high-end demo setups in the showroom.

Magnolia in Palo Alto has some mid-end brands, certainly better than Fry's.

 

Excellent, I can drop in there today at lunch time I work here in Palo Alto.

 

Thank you very much for the lead I went by for lunch spoke with Alan and fell for the B&W speakers...there tops on my list for the money.

 

I haven't been to their new showroom but their old one had lots of dream equipment. Lots of gear you would never see at Fry's, etc.

http://www.centurystereo.com

 

You should consider or listen to the Martin Logan Requests.....those will blow any B&W speaker out of the water.

I have this setup along with a Krell Integrated A/V amp and single cd transport for the audio and it's one accurate system. I play piano and listen to some symphony recording with this setup and it places every sound perfectly

In the midwest Ovation had a similiar product line to Magnolia out here on the west coast. What A/V components are you driving the speakers with?


Rick

 

Rick - I am working to a budget I know there are some killer audio systems and spearker combinations, but they are out side of what I am willing to spend.

But with that said I am using the Outlaw Audio 990 Preamp/7500 power amp combination. (http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/index.html) I think it is pretty tuff to beat there quality and price point.

 

No worries, I totally understand the "budget" thing. I bought all this stuff way back in college when I was working for Ovation in sales. We had a special employee accomodation package that allowed us to get most gear at 30-40% off retail and in some cases 40% off cost on Monster Cable, etc. This shows you how much this stuff is marked up! I would never spend full retail on home audio after knowning this. This might give you some negotiation leverage next time you walk into Magnolia since those sales guys all have quite a bit of Margin to work with. Or find a buddy who works there...that's what I do these days

rick

 

Check out Hermary's in San Carlos 386 El Camino.

House of Music, San Francisco, 555 Ninth Street

 

goto magnolia home theatre get definitive speakers.

 

Since you are in the south bay these are closer to you.

Try http://www.audiblearts.com/ in downtown Campbell. They just moved to this site and have really nice rooms set up. Also definitely try SF Stereo in Mountain View on the El Camino near San Antonio, very nice stuff. http://www.sfstereo.com/

I would personally steer clear of Magnolia unless you just go there to listen. Their prices are REALLY high if you ask me. At magnolia I would look at Sonus Faber speakers. At SF stereo I would listen to the dynaudios.

You have a nice amp preamp set up for a good budget. I would consider something nicer than the Definitive Tech speakers.

Another option is to listen to what you like at storefronts and then shop for second hand equipment at www.audiogon.com or www.videogon.com

Martin Logans are nice speakers but I feel their soundstage falls apart very quickly if you are not in the "sweet spot". they also tend to be very larger (as most electrostats are) and you need a big room for them.

Lately I've been a big fan of Von Schweikert speakers, good value. You can hear them at Audiable Arts.

One more thing. You mention B&W's being high on your list right now. They are good speakers, but I feel it is important to listen to them with your own front end before purchasing. They can some off as very forward and bright with some solid state components (unless you like that sound).

Good luck!


PS. It probably doesn't need to be said.... but stay away from Bose!

 

UCrazyKid: hahaha, yup just make sure to stay away from BOSE! They are probably the best at marketing......like HRE but not necessarily the best product


Weis: Definitive Technologies are my fav. all around speakers and a good buy for sure if you are looking at their towers with integrated powered subs. I love their bi-polar technology that really fills the room with sound for movies! I have a pair of the BP20's and they are still running strong after 10+ years


rick

 

Just remember that prices are negotiable everywhere! Doesn't cost you a cent to bargain down.

+1 for getting used equipment. If you get the right equipment it will hold most of it's value except for anything with a Dolby/DTS Processor. Technology keeps changing making those things boat anchors after a few years.