Sound By Singer Ltd

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Profound surround sound.. The Scene
It's unsurprising that Sound By Singer is something of a downtown version of the esteemed Lyric Hi-Fi, since Andy Singer was at Lyric before opening his own shop. Sound By Singer is a bit more disheveled than its uptown competition, but no less impressive when it comes to knowledge and supply of hi-end audio-visual equipment. Singer himself is usually around to answer questions or wax philosophical about recent AV developments.

The Goods
A walk through this shop is like a walk through the pages of Audiophile magazine: Runco plasma televisions that start at $16,000 and home theater components from names like Boulder, Krell and Hovland. For a full list of manufacturers (and special offers), see the website.

Recommends

kilboj

Joined 7 years ago

bring your wallet, but keep it close to your body. I used to sell stereo gear, so I enter stereo stores with some skepticism. (This review does not cover video). This place has beautiful equipment, but bear in mind that their job is to sell it to you. no matter how it actually sounds to you. Trust your own ears and bring your favorite CDs or SACDs. They are incedibly nice about letting you take your time to actually listen, and their rooms are specially designed for listening without other distracting noises. The brands tend to be one-offs you may or may not have heard of, since that way they don't face price competition from the big box stores or Crutchfield. Yes, they were $60,000 speakers, but I have heard the best sound I have ever heard in my life in their highest-end back room. It is or maybe isn't a good idea to visit that room; you will get to hear what incredible sound sounds like (the ROOM plays, not the "stereo"), but you might lose control and actually buy it, or you might end up a wee bit disappointed with what you had planned to afford! Be prepared to be mean and change salesmen if you need to - some can be snotty and condescending. If you get that feeling, just insist on talking to with someone else. It works. Too, while they hate for you to do this, if you are not experienced, consider bringing an audipphile friend. But, and this is important, remember that they are YOUR ears, not your friend's, so choose equipment YOU like, not that your friend likes. Lastly, speakers are all - put your money there more than in the electronics. And happy listening for a long time - this quality level of stuff lasts forever. You will die long before it does.