Atlanta to Charlotte Audio Dealers?

[Dinsdale]

Those who live (or have lived) in this region, please recommend any audio gear dealers.

I'd like to listen to and compare floor standing speakers. I've dutifully done my research on this forum and elsewhere, but there's no substitute for listening. I've got cheap speakers with big woofers, and I need to prove to myself I can get bass response out of little woofers in a tower configuration, plus significantly better overall sound, before I invest. I'm not really interested in the subwoofer route at this time.

Anyway, I got my receiver at Musicians Friend in Asheville, and my turntable at Higher Fidelity in Charlotte. Those two dealers were good to deal with, but I don't think they have the selection I'm looking for. Thanks in advance...

[LeeDempsey]

Sound Systems, Inc. on Monroe Rd in Charlotte carries B&W and Sonus Faber speakers, McIntosh, Rotel, Marantz, and Denon electronics (they used to carry Cary Audio, but I don't see it listed on their website any more), and Rega turntables. I bought my B&W DM603S3 towers there after auditioning about 8 different brands within my $1,000/pair budget, including Paradigm and Monitor Audio. I couldn't be happier. My understanding is that the newly-released B&W 600 S4 series is even better.

The Paradigm dealer in the Charlotte area is Freeman's Stereo/Video. They used to only stock home audio at their Lake Norman store, which is kind of off the beaten path, but I understand that they now stock home audio at their Independence Blvd store, which is more centrally located.

Good Luck!

Lee

[PTgraphics]

There is a Vandersteen dealer on Lake Norman in NC.

Pat

[LeeS]

For Atlanta, I can highly recommend Sound & Cinema in Alpharetta and Audio Alternative in Lilburn.

[Dinsdale]

Thank y'all - my wife and I will plan some day trips to Atlanta and Charlotte. If there are any other dealers other forum members know of in these parts, please let me know.

I don't have a fraction of the experience of other forum members listening to a variety of equipment; with so many manufacturers, I need to only focus on speakers I can hear. One hangup I have with buying used speakers is that if I don't have listening experience with them, I don't have any basis for selecting them.

LeeDempsey, I appreciate the recommendations - $1K a pair (+/-) is what I'm looking for, and B&W, Paradigm and Monitor are brands on my list.

PTGraphics, I appreciate the Vandersteen mention - if I know they're in the area, I can focus on them in the forum archives. And LeeS, from what I've seen online of your recommendations, I should be able to do comparisons. As has been observed before here, a lot of places may be authorized dealers, but don't have equipment in stock to compare.

Thanks again...

[woody]

http://www.underwoodhifi.com/

around the atlanta metro area.

[No Static]

For Atlanta, I can highly recommend Sound & Cinema in Alpharetta and Audio Alternative in Lilburn.

I'll second Audio Alternative. They're good guys...

David
www.walw.org

[Kent Teffeteller]

Hi,

In Chattanooga, TN there is College Hi-Fi Stereo owned by DB Hall. He has LSA Speakers and Definitive Technology speakers. His sign says CHF Stereo and he's on Lee Highway. Friendly and has superb customer service. He also has Marantz electronics and CD/DVD/SACD players. He also carries some Denon gear and has lots of used gear.

[LeeDempsey]

You're welcome Dinsdale. In the $800 - $1,200 floorstanding tower category I auditioned speakers from:
B&W
Paradigm
Monitor Audio
Boston Acoustics
Infinity
Klipsch
Polk
JBL

My musical tastes run toward 1950's/'60s rock, acoustic/folk, and light jazz. I listen to very little music recorded after 1975. I knew as soon as I heard the B&Ws that they were the speaker for me. But I could see how the Paradigms or Monitor Audios could be preferred by someone with slightly different musical tastes.

FYI, the only negative comment I have about Sound Systems (and I've bought about $3,000 worth of stereo components from them) is that, IMHO, their target client has changed to the person who wants to buy a full home theater setup and have them install it. They just don't seem to be as warm as they once were to "walk-ins" who just want to come in and audition individual hi-fi components.

Lee

[PTgraphics]

Taylor House - the Vandersteen dealer - has used & new speakers. He works out of his home on the lake. He usually has trade in's so you might want to look him up and see what he has.

I agree with the above comment on Sound Systems.

Pat

[Dinsdale]

FYI, the only negative comment I have about Sound Systems (and I've bought about $3,000 worth of stereo components from them) is that, IMHO, their target client has changed to the person who wants to buy a full home theater setup and have them install it. They just don't seem to be as warm as they once were to "walk-ins" who just want to come in and audition individual hi-fi components.

Lee

Thanks for the tip; too common these days. The old hi-fi guys I've talked to at home theater stores are sympathetic, but don't have much to show me.

It's a familiar story here, but I was going to try the Klipsch floor standing speakers at Best Buy, since I knew the name, but they were only prepared to demonstrate them with DVD's, and amidst all the ambient noise in the store I gave up on them.

That experience, and discovering this forum, has started this odyssey. Plus my wife is tired of looking at my old speakers, so I can seize the opportunity. :)

[JA Fant]

LeeS,
whom can take care of me, for both Sound+Cinema and Audio Alt?

[woody]

yo dinsdale, where in s.c are you? i know of a few dealers around that might be helpful.

[WHitese]

Lilburn, north of Atlanta off I-85 is Audio Alternatives..then in Marietta off I-75 N you have Atlanta Audio (best TT setup guy)...

[Dinsdale]

yo dinsdale, where in s.c are you? i know of a few dealers around that might be helpful.

I'm in the upstate - nothing but home theater up here, or audio with a minimum selection. I just need a place with enough gear to make comparisons, and maybe if they have a receiver comparable to mine (lo-fi) to compare speakers.

I make an annual pilgrimage to Chastown; anything down there, or Cola?

[Dinsdale]

Lilburn, north of Atlanta off I-85 is Audio Alternatives..then in Marietta off I-75 N you have Atlanta Audio (best TT setup guy)...

Are Saturdays really busy there? I'd rather go then than during the week.

[LeeS]

LeeS,
whom can take care of me, for both Sound+Cinema and Audio Alt?

Ed Scruggs at Sound & Cinema.

Mike Burns at Audio Alternative.

[Dinsdale]

Thanks to all for your advice – I ended up at Audio Alternative in ATL, listened to their speakers (in my price range), and ended up with the Vandersteen 2ce Sig (above my range). (Thanks to PTgraphics for introducing me to that name). I was concerned if I made the trip to CLT to Sound Systems, they might disappoint based on your responses.

We listened to smaller towers, but I needed more bass, so we moved to a used Mirage with powered woofers, which I almost got. Then I made the mistake of asking to listen to the Vandersteens, and really liked them, so I had to justify the added expense in my mind.

If I lived closer to good stores, I would have taken more time to listen to more new and used speakers that you all suggested. As it was, I had to make a second trip to pick them up – they wouldn’t drop ship them to my house because of some Vandersteen policy about overlapping dealer territories.

I can’t say enough good things about the staff at Audio Alt – they seem to be willing to work within whatever parameters you give them, used or new, 2 ch or HT. Nice guys.

Now I think I need more power than my 80wpc Denon receiver can supply, so I’m dutifully researching the archives for recommendations. Thanks again to all who responded!

[LeeS]

Congrats, the Vandersteen's are great speakers. A long-time classic.