A Sign Of the Times

[1KW]

Yesterday I was in NYC visiting my wifes brother when we decided to walk around SO HO. I accidentally on purpose fell upon the store StereoExchange which claims itself to be the best HI FI store in the city. WHAT A HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT . While name brands such as Meridian, Mcintosh and Sonus Faber products to name a few were on display, the store was dirty, the listening spaces were open on 2 walls making it difficult not to hear the sound from one system blairing into the next and the store was quite a mess. I was expecting something far more upscale and hi end then I saw. These products were displayed so you could not listen to them. The Meridian system with the Soolos was right near the front door so you could see them. The system was set up to catch your eye not impress you with how it sounds. When I went to listen however there was so much noise ( it is as I stated near the front door and the register) . The room is wide open and two stories tall and the system sounded like a cheap system due to the poor way it was set up. Zero stereo imaging. If I did not know that Meridian makes top notch equipment capable of amazing performance I would scratch my head and wonder why someone would not just by a bose radio instead. That was pretty much my brother in laws comment and I could not argue with him as the room sounded terrible. The next room had the sonus faber Elipsa and Cremona speakers set up for viewing but not listening. My brother in law lifted the string grill on the Elipsa speakers and the leather had so much dust on it that the leather looked light gray instead of black. I saw they did have 3 more intimate listening rooms which I wanted to go into but they were all locked and only one girl at the register seemed to be working in the store. I can't say I would every go back or buy anything from them. With out this forum I would be lost on what to and what not to buy.

[jdandy]

David.......That is a shame, but hey, it's New York. "Just buy it buddy, or get outta here."

[metaphacts]

David, Stereo Exchange is in the process of remerchandising the store. In addition, one of the key employees is out after shattering his leg. Dave and Ann Wasserman are on a vacation of more than a week for the first time since they opened the store in the early 80s. The Elipsas likely have dust on them because they had been in the window for the past 6 months. After turning their demos, these were going to be put on active display. No excuses just background info.

Stereo Exchange is a tough environment, even when they aren't making changes. But there are 7, not 3 listening rooms in addition to the open spaces you note. You missed the Meridian theater which is in one of those rooms. Given that the injured sales guy has been the No 1 Meridian sales guy in the country based on that theater, I'd have to say it's probably pretty good.

Perhaps the next time you're in New York you can call ahead and ask to speak with Dave about a visit. I know you shouldn't have to but I'm sure you'll have a much better experience if you do. Dave may be the nicest person in our industry.

[prepress]

Stereo Exchange is where I bought my speakers and a turntable upgrade. But that was way back in the early '90s and before many stores turned to home theater when that became the big thing. There were different people working there as well.

It's also where I had my first audition of the MC501s, and the area was open on one side. It sounded good but there was no sense of "wow" at what I heard. At least they used the same CD player and speaker cable as I have. But it did look as if there was some sort of change to the place going on, especially toward the back. This was last spring.

You might try Innovative Audio or Lyric Hi-fi next time you're in town. Either one will be a very different experience. That said, there may be changes happening at SE, as metaphacts said. And I remember the rooms as being comfortable to listen in. So another try may be worth it once things are set up.

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by prepress

Stereo Exchange is where I bought my speakers and a turntable upgrade. But that was way back in the early '90s and before many stores turned to home theater when that became the big thing. There were different people working there as well.

It's also where I had my first audition of the MC501s, and the area was open on one side. It sounded good but there was no sense of "wow" at what I heard. At least they used the same CD player and speaker cable as I have. But it did look as if there was some sort of change to the place going on, especially toward the back. This was last spring.

You might try Innovative Audio or Lyric Hi-fi next time you're in town. Either one will be a very different experience. That said, there may be changes happening at SE, as metaphacts said. And I remember the rooms as being comfortable to listen in. So another try may be worth it once things are set up.

The guy I mentioned who is injured has been there since the 80s as has The Audio Elf. There are some new guys for sure and the store has more than its share of great alums: John DeVore, Joe Cali, Jon Zimmer among others.

Seeing Lyric and Innovative in addition will give you a nice overview of the Manhattan high end scene.

[BearCubinNY]

I have done business with all three stores over the last decade. An informed consumer would do best at Stereo Exchange. It's definitely not the prettiest, but you won't get the hard sell or attitude that you'll definitely get elsewhere.

Reg

[two dot]

I'll also make a plug for In-Living Stereo... they carry a lot of brands thats I respect.

In Living Stereo

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by two dot

I'll also make a plug for In-Living Stereo... they carry a lot of brands thats I respect.

In Living Stereo

Good Guys. Very cool shop.

[prepress]

I remember a guy at SE, George, who was the resident analog guru. It was he who turned me on to the VPI PLC conditioner (which I bought) and I also got the MkIV upgrade for my VPI 'table there.

I popped in there back in '07–'08 when I was researching a new TV. Video seemed to have taken over a bit. That was too bad.

Oh, and there's Park Avenue Audio as well. That's another place I went on my TV quest. I discovered they're a McIntosh dealer also, which I didn't know.

[cmalak]

I live in Boston now and feel blessed to have a retailer like Goodwins High End close by to me. Some of the best listening rooms (3 2-channel and 3 HT). Great staff - knowledgeable and no attitude. Great selection of products. I used to live in Manhattan and I have been to Sound by Singer (now closed but has migrated to an online model), Lyric Hifi, Ears Nova, and Stereo Exchange. And all of them had varying degrees of attitude and in many cases poor listening rooms. Not my cup of tea. The professional high end audio retailer is becoming an anachronistic phenomenon and certainly is becoming harder to come by. Folks like our very own Legend Audio & Video (Ivan) and the folks at Goodwins are the exception not the rule