Stewart was very helpful and accommodating. He moved equipment around to help us better understand the options available to upgrade our system. We are very grateful for his help! read more

I bought a "dream" system here about 7 years ago. Stuart was brilliant and patient guiding me through choices that made sense. And multiple times since he has helped me with repairs or a/b testing alternatives and headphone room set ups. old school high class service and advice. highly recommended. read more

This store was a surprise find for us. Our BOSE system that we had mixed feelings about croaked without a warning leaving us cold in the middle of the large unknown landscape that is the universe of audiophiles. We are both very particular about music, and we listen to a wide gamut of music ranging from lots of classical to alternative to a bit of rock as well as bubble gum pop. One has to have variety, that's life -- at least our life. I had noticed that I was not getting anything out of listening to my classical CDs through the BOSE theater system. As years went by the classical CDs were filed away due to this reason. This was very sad but when change happens gradually you do not realize it. We went to another Austin home theater establishment that observed what we were listening to and without hesitation recommended Audio Systems to us. We left the big fancy store and headed towards Koenig with some reservation as neither of us remembered seeing an audio store on this street before. But surely enough there it was, as promised, at the address given to us. When we arrived there was no one in the parking lot and we were very happy thinking oh yey we got the place to ourselves. Boy we were wrong. This store gets plenty of traffic believe me. Audio Systems is no Best Buy, no Circuit City and definitely no Fry's mega store and that's a good thing. Well organized cozy listening rooms are populated with a selection of speakers of various sizes from various companies as well as a variety of sources such as Vinyl, CD, DVD, streaming music players etc. A previous reviewer complains about snootiness in this store. I felt no such thing. Yes one of the associates was very quiet and the other one was very friendly. We also got the "well listen to the speakers and your music and let your ears guide you" but I never thought of that as being snooty. In fact it was a huge relief to be able to sit and just focus on the music and focus on hearing what each speaker offered. There was no pressure, no sales pitch, no attempt to sway us in any direction. We spent close to four hours at the store between the two weekends we went there to listen. What's awesome is they already had tons of music to play on the systems they have available so our first visit (we did not bring any music with us the first time) was not wasted. When we asked questions, the answers were not just informative they also were very educational and in depth. These people know their products but believe in letting people choose what they like based on experience rather than on specs. If you're here to talk about specs, Audio Systems crew will be able to match you and engage you in a meaningful discussion about the technical details too. We are the kind of people that you really can not sell stuff to as a salesman. You can inform us, you can provide support but we never get pressured into buying things and furthermore most of the time we walk out if at all we feel like we're being sold to. Both of us are obsessed with checking prices, reading all the reviews online for anything with a large price tag. We do our research. The prices in Audio Systems matches Crutchfield and other online resellers. The only difference in price is the sales tax we had to pay and we were glad to buy from a local business that clearly cares about what they sell rather than an impersonal online reseller. We are very happy with the pair of speakers we chose and bought from Audio Systems. I am happy recommend Audio Systems to audiophiles as well as those of us who are not pros but have a keen interest in music. read more

I left a set of B&W Speakers for Consignment and I really was not expecting much. I had no success selling them myself and I decided to try Audio Systems as a last gasp. Well it worked. Audio Systems got a much better price than I really had any reason to expect and quickly sent me a check. The can sell stuff and you can trust them to send you the right amount of money if what you have sells. Really could not ask for more. Sean read more

I just wanted to thank the folks at Audio Systems for the level of service we get each time we visit. With audio equipment, there are so many variables that ad and detract tiny amounts of sound quality, for every dollar dollar you spend. However, It's not always the most expensive piece that's going to yield the greatest improvement. Each time I've wanted a new component, they have insisted on taking the time to walk them though what I currently have in place, before any preliminary recommendations. No two systems being identical, it takes real industry knowledge and experience to pair correctly. Then being able to take it home and listen, before you finalize, allows you to have comfort in your purchase. There is a reason they have held my business and many of my friends, for close to 'Three Decades'. I would highly recommend you use their staff as a mental backboard on your next audio decision. Nothing beats experience and nobody in Austin has a deeper audio knowledge-base then the Audio Systems staff. A Huge Thank You, Paul Haynes read more

I have done business with Audio Systems since they moved into their store decades ago. They carry high quality gear from small systems that are not very expensive up to high end. They are a real audio store.They have their own somewhat quirky style, as mentioned in another review, but I appreciate that they don't push me to buy particular products and do not upsell and use high pressure. I like a store that lets my ears and pocketbook make my decisions. Also, they don't try to pile expensive accessories onto every purchase. I have found them honest and reasonable and they have had my positive regard for a long time. No one is perfect...recently, I had a problem with how something was handled. Mark, who runs the store, treated me respectfully, listened to my issue and we reached an agreement with which I am pleased. read more

I can't say enough nice things about these guys. It is rather bittersweet that I write this as they have just announced this great store is closing. I've visited and purchased things from them over the 30 years they have been in business and I can say without reservation that this was the finest audio store I've ever been to. Really gonna miss them. read more

if you are an audiophile, be warned: they have some very nice audio equipment here, the salesman will be so nice as to set up a configuration for you, perhaps even borrow some equipment to try at home. And then you will be hooked and working hard to justify to yourself your wallet-draining purchase of a fine little Audio Research amp. read more

Solid place, trustworthy people, and great audio gear. I first went here 15 years ago. Prices here are competitive, and there's a wide range of price levels, from entry-level to audiophile. I couldn't decide between two amplifiers so the sales person let me test both amps with the same CD and same speakers, so I could make an apples to apples comparison. Try doing that on a Web site! ;-) What's best is that you get fact-based, practical information and advice that comes from an understanding of the factors that influence how we perceive music. read more

I know Mark from his days at Audio Concepts in Houston in the 1970's. He is passionate about high quality audio and is as honest and professional as anyone you could meet. He and his staff are literally the only people I trust for audio advice. They very carefully scout many different brands of equipment and try very hard to deliver you the best sound possible per dollar spent. They understand that audio components do not always sound the same in the store as they do when you get them home, so they go out of their way to see that you listen to them in an environment as similar as possible to your own. For example, when I was shopping for a CD player, they asked me what amplifier and speakers I was using at home and connected those same components to CD players, one at a time, until I had found the one that sounded best with MY equipment. I then got to bring it home and listen to it in my own living room before committing to the purchase. Whether you are shopping for an entry-level system or looking for a way to spend those lottery winnings, Audio Systems will give you the same careful and considered attention and will deliver more bang for the buck than any other audio store in town. read more

I bought a pair of PSB X2T speakers, NAD amp and Sonos connect from this store. I spent several hours at the store listening to various speakers and speaker/amp combinations. I had several long email exchanges with the owners as I was asking for advice about components and they showed great patience with me, as a beginner to the hifi world. Fantastic service, great products. You won't be disappointed. read more

I don't know where some of these past customers were visiting but it surely wasn't Audio Systems. I have purchased all of my equipment from them since 1999 and they have always been nothing but professional and helpful. They have great insight not only to the brands they carry but to Audiophile equipment in general. It's to these two guys, Rice and Stewart that I receive my best information and advice on my upcoming purchases. They are also very patient and work well with your budget no matter how big or small it may be. read more

These guys are great - I didn't feel any sales pressure or snootiness at all.

No, I did not buy a cartridge. I am totally shocked to hear from you MARK ( the guy whos never there). Its a shame when you walk into a Hi Fi store and you get Stuart ( the Pit bull) and Rice ( Mr personality of a wet dish towel) they are suppose to be the PAID professionals and they offer LITTLE in the way of actual advice, instead you get "listen for yourself" or "is it worth the money to you" Blah Blah Blah vague garbage. Its the people that make the Hi Fi hobby what it is. And these two act like there mad or bored to death if you walk in the store. First off I walk in on a Thursday afternoon and the place is DARK all lights off, no stereos playing anything. Then Stuart comes lurking out of the shadows. I ask "is the store closed" and he looks at me like I'm insane and says "no, were not closed". Odd place because ODD people work there. And I bought a ADCOM 555 amplifier and speaker stands from there. That's it in 20+ years. I'm amazed you keep the lights on ! (O that's right you don't) I give 2 stars only because I like some of the brands they carry. Get in and out don't ask questions and your good. I hope this is a lengthy enough review for you MARK. read more