My wife and I had a great day at The Audio Emporium learning more about Hegel and YG Acoustics. Excellent inventory and prices. Dave was knowledgeable and patient even making sure my wife's questions and comments were addressed. Had to begin with the Hegel H190 (purchased). Looking forward to seeing how the amp works with my Kef speakers. By the way, if you're close by, stop in and listen to the YG Acoustics Cairn bookshelf speakers. Absolutely amazing. read more

This is an excellent source for high end - esoteric audio and home theater equipment and services. This is pretty evident the moment you walk in. The staff really knows their stuff. What is not evident, is their awesome customer service. They have taken care of me several times. They have always exceeded my ridiculously high expectations. read more

In 1996 I had business in Milwaukee, WI and stumbled upon Audio Emporium. Having an insatiable love of hi-end audio that began with a modest Marantz receiver, my quest over the years for better sound had some hits, but mostly misses. I made it a practice to visit high end audio stores in my business travels throughout the United States. Residing in the NY, Metopolitan, there were innumerable audio shops available to support my dabbling in the hobby. Audio Emporium was and is clearly superior to all of the rest, because Dave Holmes is as knowledgeable as he is unassuming. Dave took the time to work with me to put together an incredible, musically satisfying system within a relatively modest budget. That system ended obsessing over components and led to total immersion in the music. While my wife never quite understood my audio obsession, she happened to walk into my listening room when the system was playing Rebecca Pidgeon singing Spanish Harlem. In the ultimate tribute to Dave, she remarked "I have to admit, if I close my eyes, I'd think that singer was in the room. I guess what you spent was worth it." Mikey likes it! My reliance on Dave's guidance did not end there. Dave recently helped me put together an office system that would ring-out the nth degree of musicality from vintage nearfield desktop monitors. The relationship I have with Dave has spanned nearly three decades, and he has shown me every consideration in getting me to the audio mountaintop. No pressure, always a good deal. Audio Emporium is my go-to shop. Highly recommended! read more

Dave and his staff have been taking care of my audio needs for 27 years. They carry a wide variety of high end audiophile products. I recently moved out of state to Panama City Beach and was in need of a part for my Bowers and Wilkins speakers. Even though Dave no longer carries this line he was able to help continue his excellent service by getting me in touch with B&W's support group and I literally had the part in 4 days. With all the online businesses out there, It's is important to remember that boutique Audio stores are a gem and offer way more then recommendations. The offer continual service adding value to your shopping experience. I for one will continue to highly recommend them to anyone looking for superior products for all different kinds of budgets and to treat your ears to something magical. Tell them Don sent you. read more

This is a review of an Audiogon purchase I made from this store. Dave was courteous, but I do have three complaints with how he handled my purchase. 1. He was hurried whenever we spoke on the phone. I understand he wants to make a sale. Unfortunately, when I made my purchase, he was rushing me through everything and spoke in a very hurried tone. This led to my next two complaints............... 2. He failed to take down my complete address, despite me pointing out that there is an apartment number. Of course UPS did not deliver to me, and I have to pick up this item now (of course the place is only open on weekdays when I work). 3. He assured me that he would send me an email with the UPS tracking number. Never got one....so I had to call him, twice. First time, he assured me I would get one, never did get it, and the second time, he read it off to me. I give this place three stars because they seem to have a good collection of audiophile products and they post on Audiogon, but the level of attentiveness to my order did not match the quality of their products. If you are ordering over the phone, please make sure they read back to you the shipping address, and be prepared to followup with them. Come on guys, I know you guys can do better! read more

I've worked with Dave and his team at Audio Emporium for 13 years. I've purchased electronics equipment with serial upgrades from him. Dave is extremely knowledgeable in his chosen profession. He is a "straight shooter" and I'd highly recommend his business! read more

I've been a customer of Audio Emporium since 1978. I remember walking in shopping for speakers, and being blown away by the sound of a pair of Magneplaner Tympani 1D's. I had never heard any audio gear sound that lifelike before. Over the last 35 years, I've bought other sets of Magnepans from them , along with all of the other gear that goes along with high end audio and video. Just the fact they they are still around and providing great service over thirty years later, pretty much says it all. I can honestly say that I have never had a bad sales experience shopping there. read more

After asking the owner for a written official store policy for product returns and/or customer satisfaction guarantee, he declined. A simple email was sent to me indicating that "...all sales are final..." after I kindly requested this information. Audiophiles beware, stick with a reputable dealer that has taken the time to publish and stand behind an official store policy. This dealer is clearly is subpar. Look to larger, well staffed, and manufacturer approved dealers in Chicago and Chicago suburbs. Do not risk your well earned capital at this establishment. read more

Dave is always honest and forthright in his opinions of equipment and matching. Recently bought a Hegel H-80 to pair with a speakers that I had not purchased from Dave. Perfect match, audio nirvana. Highly recommended! read more

I recently had the pleasure of working with Dave the owner in assembling a complete system from scratch. It was nothing but an enjoyable experience from my first visit to installation in my home. Dave was incredibly knowledgable and honest in helping me put together a high end system that could achieve what I was looking for. It was refreshing to work with someone who will suggest components based on performance regardless of price. Other competitors I visited seemed far more concerned with profits. Straightforward suggestions that got me performance and product reliability is what i wanted and received from Dave. I highly suggest taking the time to visit the team at Audio Emporium and soaking up the knowledge. You will be in great hands getting the sound and system you always wanted. I have know doubt who will handle all my audiophile pursuits in the future. 5 stars all the way. P.S. taking the time to write this review has been one of my few breaks from listening to my amazing sytem. read more

After my son and a friend each purchased sound equipment from Audio Emporium, I thought I'd give them a try when deciding to enter the world of high def. Although they are a small store, they sell only high quality products that they know everything about and can explain how their product stacks up against others. After I was educated I checked out the internet for education and found that what they recommended was solid for my needs. We purchased a Paradigm speaker system and an Anthem receiver. That was two years ago, and this past week we learned what service is all about. Our subwoofer was popping all the time and they sent it to Paradigm for a warranty repair. Unfortunately when we got it back, it still occasionally popped and we took it back in again. This time they sent us home with one of their floor models and let us try it to make sure there wasn't anything else that was causing the problem. Everything worked great with the loaner and we returned it after a couple of days. Without hesitation the owner gave us a new sealed in the box Paradigm subwoofer. He said that Paradigm had a chance to fix it once, and with the holiday season it would be wrong to send it back in again and make us wait. THAT IS SERVICE, AND IS THE MAIN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A BIG BOX STORE AND A PLACE LIKE AUDIO EMPORIUM. If all you shop for is price, you will probably not shop here. But if you understand that a purchase should be about price, quality, and service then I would buy from them any day. read more