Discussion
What happened? Back in the good old days they were everywhere. Chains such as HiFi Markets, Laskeys, Comet etc did good trade in HiFi.
Is it just because nobody cares anymore? I used to spend many a day auditioning new kit over a coffee at my local.
Or because nobody sells music anymore? I mean real quality music that was recorded by bands that care.
Modern MP3 etc means that the average person has access to a huge library of music, all badly recorded.
I remember hearing Pink Floyd on a HiFi demo that was so dynamic that you literally jumped out of your seat.
What is there now?
Last xmas Rage Against The Machine topped the charts, the first album was amazing! Truly epic quality. Dynamics that made you listen.
Ah well, i remember when all this was fields etc......
It really pisses me off, if in the 80's we had the ability to play music with the fidelity we can for pennies now we would have been delighted. The tech has improved yet the source has declined, a parody of the ability of the modern car against the pot holed back waters we have as main roads theese days i guess.
Darwin is dead, entropy is our sad future.
Is it just because nobody cares anymore? I used to spend many a day auditioning new kit over a coffee at my local.
Or because nobody sells music anymore? I mean real quality music that was recorded by bands that care.
Modern MP3 etc means that the average person has access to a huge library of music, all badly recorded.
I remember hearing Pink Floyd on a HiFi demo that was so dynamic that you literally jumped out of your seat.
What is there now?
Last xmas Rage Against The Machine topped the charts, the first album was amazing! Truly epic quality. Dynamics that made you listen.
Ah well, i remember when all this was fields etc......
It really pisses me off, if in the 80's we had the ability to play music with the fidelity we can for pennies now we would have been delighted. The tech has improved yet the source has declined, a parody of the ability of the modern car against the pot holed back waters we have as main roads theese days i guess.
Darwin is dead, entropy is our sad future.
There are some places about still. Only last week I was invited to an open day at dealer over near Newbury. Admittedly much of it was projectors and surround sound, but there were some beautiful speakers and stereo equipment on display/demo too. Some of the speakers cost nearly as much as my house, but it was fantastic to hear what the real state of the art is like, even if I'm unlikely to ever be in the market.
I think many of the chains that you mention maybe weren't all that in terms of demos. I can't say I ever sat with a coffee listening to track after track in Comet, even back in the day when they actually sold separates rather than one box 'home cinema' systems. I did used to get some demos in Richer Sounds back maybe 12-14 years ago, but haven't been there recently. The last speakers I bought new (PMC) came from Audio T and as a short demo in their tiny room didn't impress me, I brought the shop demo ones home (against a deposit) and had an extended listening session, which lead to me buying them as they sounded much better in my own room.
I suppose these days it's becoming a race to the bottom as so many threads on AVforums seem to be based purely on price: What's the cheapest place I can buy X online type posts, no mention of even listening to them first.
I think many of the chains that you mention maybe weren't all that in terms of demos. I can't say I ever sat with a coffee listening to track after track in Comet, even back in the day when they actually sold separates rather than one box 'home cinema' systems. I did used to get some demos in Richer Sounds back maybe 12-14 years ago, but haven't been there recently. The last speakers I bought new (PMC) came from Audio T and as a short demo in their tiny room didn't impress me, I brought the shop demo ones home (against a deposit) and had an extended listening session, which lead to me buying them as they sounded much better in my own room.
I suppose these days it's becoming a race to the bottom as so many threads on AVforums seem to be based purely on price: What's the cheapest place I can buy X online type posts, no mention of even listening to them first.
Edited by OldSkoolRS on Thursday 10th January 08:34
OldSkoolRS said:
I suppose these days it's becoming a race to the bottom as so many threads on AVforums seem to be based purely on price: What's the cheapest place I can buy X online type posts, no mention of even listening to them first.
I tend to avoid the audio forums on there now, it's all about how much watts for the cheapest price and as you say, no one mentions auditions, room type, music taste etc anymore. One particular poster on there is like a human 'What Hifi' - just reels off links to cheap deals with no thought to anything else. It still amazes me the number of times someone comes on and says "I have a budget of £2.5k, what shall I buy?" It's telling that there are few posts from people with well put together systems (at all budgets).It's no wonder the specialist dealers are struggling.....
Richer sounds used to pride themselves on NOT selling compact systems and how seperates were the only way orward. All mention of that policy has heen quietly dropped!
I think people just want the convenience of the mp3 and don't really understand the quality issues, if you want to make a purse from a sows ear you have to spend avfortune on a decent d/a converter.
We still have two shops in Bristol so I was able to audition my marantz cd when I bought it at sevenoaks hifi which allthough is opposite richer sounds I ended up buying from sevenoaks as the service was far superior
As for laskys well they became part of curries and comet have now gone, not sure I miss either as sadly their service was always awful but now in most places you have no choice other than curries who don't even sell seperates.
The interweb has done for the others, but when a customers idea of hifi is a iphone and a wireless boombox or a korean made 5.1 dvd player to them it is progress from the amstrad tower system they used to own.
Now who remembers mono and the wireless and music centres then?
I think people just want the convenience of the mp3 and don't really understand the quality issues, if you want to make a purse from a sows ear you have to spend avfortune on a decent d/a converter.
We still have two shops in Bristol so I was able to audition my marantz cd when I bought it at sevenoaks hifi which allthough is opposite richer sounds I ended up buying from sevenoaks as the service was far superior
As for laskys well they became part of curries and comet have now gone, not sure I miss either as sadly their service was always awful but now in most places you have no choice other than curries who don't even sell seperates.
The interweb has done for the others, but when a customers idea of hifi is a iphone and a wireless boombox or a korean made 5.1 dvd player to them it is progress from the amstrad tower system they used to own.
Now who remembers mono and the wireless and music centres then?
Without doubt the dearth of good quality recordings is an issue for two channel listening.....I really think the only way these shops and indeed companies can prosper is through 5.1 and also through digital/ripped music....streamers and associated devices have to be the way forward.
I've been a luddite in terms of ripped music....I currently have a reasonably old Copland CD player which at least until three or four years ago was as good as any CD player that cost £1000 or so. My ripped music is in MP3 format because there weren't any FLAC or ALAC or other lossy format's when I first started ripping my CD collection 10 years ago.
The big issue for these shops is that you can't really buy FLAC or ALAC online....if you could buy decent quality digital media decent hi-fi has a future....trouble is the only way to get could quality lossless music now seems to be by ripping from CD!
I've been a luddite in terms of ripped music....I currently have a reasonably old Copland CD player which at least until three or four years ago was as good as any CD player that cost £1000 or so. My ripped music is in MP3 format because there weren't any FLAC or ALAC or other lossy format's when I first started ripping my CD collection 10 years ago.
The big issue for these shops is that you can't really buy FLAC or ALAC online....if you could buy decent quality digital media decent hi-fi has a future....trouble is the only way to get could quality lossless music now seems to be by ripping from CD!
Cheib said:
The big issue for these shops is that you can't really buy FLAC or ALAC online....if you could buy decent quality digital media decent hi-fi has a future....trouble is the only way to get could quality lossless music now seems to be by ripping from CD!
Not quite right, try these for a start and that's not including the mainstream places:http://www.naimlabel.com/catalogue.aspx
http://www.linnrecords.com/
http://www.bowers-wilkins.co.uk/Society_of_Sound/S...
Harrow Audio in Harrow, North London are still fighting the good fight. I've auditioned speakers and CD players in their listening room over the years and always had great service, that I've paid a little more for than from Richer Sounds because of the service I've had. (this is not to knock Richer Sounds at all as I have always had good service from them as well).
They've diversified into AV, MP3 etc, but still have a good selection of 2 channel products and knowledge.
They've diversified into AV, MP3 etc, but still have a good selection of 2 channel products and knowledge.
Marvindodgers said:
Harrow Audio in Harrow, North London are still fighting the good fight. I've auditioned speakers and CD players in their listening room over the years and always had great service, that I've paid a little more for than from Richer Sounds because of the service I've had. (this is not to knock Richer Sounds at all as I have always had good service from them as well).
They've diversified into AV, MP3 etc, but still have a good selection of 2 channel products and knowledge.
Have used these guys for years, top service They've diversified into AV, MP3 etc, but still have a good selection of 2 channel products and knowledge.
There are still some excellent places around, Graham's hifi in North London is one I use, and the new place set up by a Piston header - http://www.hifilounge.co.uk/
I think the current situation in terms of recordings is improving, and has been for several years. Check out https://www.hdtracks.com/, and the others like the Linn and B&W links given earlier in the thread.
I think the current situation in terms of recordings is improving, and has been for several years. Check out https://www.hdtracks.com/, and the others like the Linn and B&W links given earlier in the thread.
I bought my first separates combo from Sevenoaks hi-fi, still some about. I still occasionally get the turntable (a Dual) down from the loft when I can only find a vinyl version of a long-forgotten non-hit and want to listen to it on my MP3 player!
Do Richer Sounds have listening rooms? As regards popular outlets they are quite good in terms of proper brands and staff knowledge.
Do Richer Sounds have listening rooms? As regards popular outlets they are quite good in terms of proper brands and staff knowledge.
Nice reply and well put
My first stereo was a err Fidelity UA8 I think
Then eventually had a Hitachi SDT 7785 thing
Then seperates
Now its mostly via a pc to dac to pre and power amps
Love music love my library have SO MUCH more now by borrowing peoples cd's/ digital libraries etc and most of it sounds fantastic.
My first stereo was a err Fidelity UA8 I think
Then eventually had a Hitachi SDT 7785 thing
Then seperates
Now its mostly via a pc to dac to pre and power amps
Love music love my library have SO MUCH more now by borrowing peoples cd's/ digital libraries etc and most of it sounds fantastic.
I've always found my local dealer, Frank Harvey in Coventry, to be very good in this regard. When I bought my speakers from them they happliy demonstrated everything I asked them to on a system similar to my own. They even have an annual open day with various lovely systems, beer and special offers.
I would also say that Analogue Seduction near Peterborough gave me superb service when buying my turntable a few years back. We must have spent 4 or 5 hours listening to different turntables, arms, carts and drinking tea. When the choice was made he did a great deal, throwing in the Dynavector cartridge for free. All was delivered to my home by the shop, not a courier, then built and set up for no extra charge.
We used to have a hifi shop in Rugby, Sounds Expensive. I tried on a number of occasions to spend money there, as I like to support local businesses. Whenever I wanted to listen to an item they listed it was never available. They said they would call me when it was in, but they never did. They were pricey. I went elsewhere.
I have spent far too much money at Frank Harvey and Analogue Seduction. I spent very little indeed at Sounds Expensive. Sounds Expensive shut a couple of years ago, and I do not miss them one bit. I suspect that many of the hifi shops which have shut deserved to. The great ones are still there.
I would also say that Analogue Seduction near Peterborough gave me superb service when buying my turntable a few years back. We must have spent 4 or 5 hours listening to different turntables, arms, carts and drinking tea. When the choice was made he did a great deal, throwing in the Dynavector cartridge for free. All was delivered to my home by the shop, not a courier, then built and set up for no extra charge.
We used to have a hifi shop in Rugby, Sounds Expensive. I tried on a number of occasions to spend money there, as I like to support local businesses. Whenever I wanted to listen to an item they listed it was never available. They said they would call me when it was in, but they never did. They were pricey. I went elsewhere.
I have spent far too much money at Frank Harvey and Analogue Seduction. I spent very little indeed at Sounds Expensive. Sounds Expensive shut a couple of years ago, and I do not miss them one bit. I suspect that many of the hifi shops which have shut deserved to. The great ones are still there.
Unilet in New Malden are where I tend to go. Very knowledgeable / helpful staff, decent kit (and prices) good demo room.
Plus of course, the ability to take stuff home to demo which is essential. When I was shopping for speakers a few years back I tried several - and one pair sounded so good in their demo room, I nearly got my wallet out there and then - even though they were significantly more expensive than I'd budgeted. They sounded just superb.
Sadly, when I took them home - they sounded completely lifeless, flat and dull! Just didn't suit my room at all.
Plus of course, the ability to take stuff home to demo which is essential. When I was shopping for speakers a few years back I tried several - and one pair sounded so good in their demo room, I nearly got my wallet out there and then - even though they were significantly more expensive than I'd budgeted. They sounded just superb.
Sadly, when I took them home - they sounded completely lifeless, flat and dull! Just didn't suit my room at all.
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