I've been trialing and selecting speaker and power connections and Stereo Design (and another good…read moreretailer) have been very supportive, lending the products to me for unhurried auditions in my home system. I ultimately purchased Synergistic Research and Transparent Audio products which worked very well for me. Their service and support have been invaluable. And heck, I just plain like these guys. Looking over other recent reviews, I noted a very negative one, bitter about having their effort to pit one dealer against another price wise. It seems to me that the internet purchase culture has further eroded the ethics of the customer pool. In the past, we needed to work harder to identify dealers across the country, call them long distance and shop a product. Today, a couple keystrokes and voila! It's one thing to read a review, see an ad, or remember a product from the past and decide you want it and then go out and shop it on the internet, versus getting a price on a product and then going out to the local demonstrating dealer to educate yourself, listen to it, in order to validate your choice and to then expect the demonstrating dealer to price match. If a price match is your goal then you shouldn't appropriate the dealers resources and time. Let's consider a typical scenario. I go into dealer A who has minimal presence of a product line but is technically a dealer. "Can you get me an XYZ?", "Sure!" says dealer A. "What's the best price?" you ask. Dealer A who will have to do nothing more than order it and take your money says: "25% off". Now, at this point, you think that's great except you really don't want to buy something that expensive without first seeing, touching and listening to it, so you say: "Let me get back to you." You then go out and start looking for a dealer B who does have the XYZ on active display. Do you go into dealer B and say: "Hey, I got a price on an XYZ of 25% off and if you'll match it and demo the XYZ to me I'll get it from you." No, you more likely say, "Hey, I'm interested in an XYZ, can you demo it?" At this point, those of us who don't see the difference, are thinking so what. I'm entitled to get the best price. The problem is that it's dishonest. Dealer B, acting in good faith, is tricked into spending time, resources and in the case of Stereo Design, even lending out the XYZ, to a customer who will never buy it from him. The reality is that a demonstrating dealer cannot stay in business and continue to STOCK/DEMO a luxury product line, in the face of steep discounts. The manufacturers of such products know this and this is why there are often contractual agreements prohibiting such activities. Back to my scenario: Instead, knowing that my motive of primarily wanting to validate my choice would be poorly received, I choose to simply ask for the demo. After consuming significant time, I ask for a discount from dealer B who might only be able to offer 10-15% in the face of his real overhead. Not satisfied, I let dealer B know that I'm willing to give him the benefit of my business if he'll match dealer A's price. Of course dealer B is going to be offended and is going to do what he can to scuttle the UNFAIR competition. Many of you will disagree with my take on the ethics involved here but I suspect that will be due to a one-sided world-view you might possess. The reality is that dealers like Stereo Design, cannot exist in an internet, everything is a commodity world. The manufacturers know this. They know that you won't want or buy a luxury product if you can't first see it , touch it, and evaluate it. While the commodity based, price is all that matters, internet world may allow product to be sold in the short term, eventually, the sales will stop once every retail store front, discontinues demonstrating it. You'll notice that there are some retailers who are catalog/internet based but their overhead is in content. They too are compelled to hold the line on prices because to do so otherwise would undermine their ability to offer the services they offer such as extensive online content and personal consultation. Do I appreciate a discount? Of course, but I try not to let that be the only factor. If your primary goal is the lowest price, then get it, buy it , and don't waste the resources of an unsuspecting retailer.

Stereo Design is one of the best purchase experiences I've had. Over the years, I've been in Stereo…read moreDesign several times along with other mid to high-end audio stores. My experience at Stereo Design far surpasses the other retailers I visited in every aspect. To begin with, their approach is consultative. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and friendly providing helpful information, (general, as well as technical) and quality listening experiences to enable a 100% satisfied purchase. To the music enthusiast, it's important to be able to listen to a variety of equipment at various price points to find the sound that will delight your ears day in and day out. The journey to "finding your sound" is a lot like buying a grand piano - it is vastly about personal preference. Once I decided on my stereo equipment, the team came to my house and did a wonderful job with installation - the neatest in cabling puts my home PC network to shame. My system sounds wonderful. I absolutely recommend them. If you're looking for a great stereo - pass all other San Diego stereo stores and go directly to Stereo Design.

I recently worked with North Bridge to update home audio. Jonathan and Steve are great to work…read morewith. They installed a surround sound system in my home theater/bar room that was also compatible with my turn table. They also recommended a great sound bar for my other tv room that is fantastic for playing music as well. They came to my house and looked at the spaces before they made their recommendations. This was a significantly better and more personal experience then going to a large retail store and the prices were the same. And they actually know what they are talking about and are not pushing specific products. I would highly recommend these guys. They may be putting in an outdoor surround system next year for my patio.

Jonathan and Steve have a unique combination of experience and talent that allows them to integrate…read moreaudio quality, architectural design integrity, and user simplicity while staying current on the latest developments in new products and technologies. We used North Bridge to install a new home theater and multi-room audio system that utilized our existing equipment while augmenting with some new pieces, and they helped us design a custom made built-in cabinet that is extremely functional while matching our home's style. They are really good at listening to their customers' ideas while sharing their own advice, and they are genuinely thoughtful about finding economical ways to achieve your goals. They are incredibly patient, flexible and responsive, and committed to their customer's satisfaction. It's hard to imagine anyone better at what they do.

Exceptionally clear, pertinent information. Greg is patient and thorough I am confident in…read morerecommending Sea Level Sound as the best in San Diego. Sid K.

Greg refoamed two speakers and checked my subwoofer. I brought my own foam. He did an amazing…read morework at an amazing price. No delays and no outrageous promises. To say I'm happy is an understatement, I'm reminded when I play my family's old records, real joy. Thank you Greg!!

one of the last real electronics stores in San diego. They have a really awesome selection of…read morestaple parts like leaded resistors and capacitors, and a huge selection of dip IC's!! Also a mind boggling tube assortment. The owner is super nice and helpful. Forget Fry's Go here! Oh! they have like *all* the Sam's photofacts also!

Woke up this morning to discover the cat chewed through the power cord for our router. I found…read morethis store on Yelp, and gave it a try. Perfect experience. The man there helped me out quickly and pleasantly. It's a great resource to remember, without having to go to a big-box store. Thanks!

I have never personally been to this store, but I am giving it a 5 star rating. Why? Because…read moresomeone in MN is paying people $100 to write negative reviews on this establishment. Hence why several of the reviews are from MN residents and all of the reviews are from the last 3 days. Disgruntled ex-employee? Maybe. Pissed off customer? Could be. Doesn't matter. The people who actually accepted this offer have no self respect and are down right pathetic. Why would you harm someone's livelihood that you've never met for a little cash? Really pisses me off and it should piss you off as well. So yea, the people below are scum, the person who posted this offer on craigslist is scum. Don't listen to any of the reviews before this as they are all dishonest. Let's keep Yelp Legit!

My computer was diagnosed at another computer repair shop as DOA and there was not a file or…read moreprogram left on it. The other shop spent less than 2 minutes looking and didn't care about my opinion or what happened. I took it here for a second opinion and after 5 minutes of looking and hearing what happened he said everything was there and he could save all the files and reload the operating system and then reinstall all the files and nothing would be lost. This sounded too good to be true, but 2 days later my computer is fully functioning with all the programs and files reinstalled. I have to reinstall a couple of my own aftermarket software programs I have the disks for. These guys are awesome and I will be back again. I have used them in the past with great success. The only reason they weren't my first stop originally on this instance was the computer disaster happened on a Saturday and I was looking for an instant fix and Techmate was closed on the weekend. I figured most places would be the same so I tried someone new. I didn't like what I heard and decided to wait till Monday and come to the place I knew I had success with previously. Not all computer repairs are the same. This guy took the time to really listen and look. Techmate is reliable, listens and takes pride in finding and solving problems!

I've been using We Know Best for years. They have always been able to solve the problems with my…read morecomputers, efficiency, quickly and at a reasonable price.

My PC had a heat issues and had stopped running dependably. Alec took care of me and went the extra…read moremile to get it up and working FAST. My go to guys for computer services.

I bought my computer here back in 2008 and have a 5 year warranty. So far I have had good service…read morefrom them. Only now, I am trying to contact them and have them see what is wrong with my computer, but the phone number is disconnected and I don't want to drive all the way to Kearny Mesa just to find that they have relocated. Has anyone had better luck reaching them?

Scott (the owner of Portable Source) contacted me today regarding my review and, offered to make…read morethings right and, he did. Also, they are under NEW management and, they have revamped all of the staff that were the problem, including Jesse in my previous review. We discussed much in our PM's and, his efforts to make things right were admirable and, excellent customer service orientated. Now, even though I am purchasing a Tablet and have no need for the lap top that needed the battery, I still feel it is the right thing to do by penning a 5 Star update for Scott's excellent customer service and, discretion. I do not see that very much these days anymore and, for that Scott, I thank you very much! My fellow Yelpers, for PC or other technological & electronic needs this is your go to store for [them] in this area. I'm going to keep them as my #1 Portable Source (if you will) for all of those needs when I'm in San Diego and, I highly recommend you do the same. The Manger there is Jim, and he will take good care of you. Scott, I'm the one, your the one, Portable Source is the one, just like the song says, "What's in your neighborhood, You're the One: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlMSkkTJVBo

Eh, I built my own comp and when I had it shipped here to SD, it ended up with a few bruises. I was…read moregetting a simple error and had an idea of how to fix it but chose to take it in (because I don't have spare parts lying around that I can swap in and out my comp to troubleshoot). I was told that the price I am paying would be applied towards repair, however they never repaired my comp. So I essentially paid $50 bucks to have them confirm something I already knew...and the guys who gave me my comp back wasn't sure if the guy who looked at it was going to actually put the part I needed into my comp, just felt unprofessional but maybe I am giving it too much thought. I am sure they haven't disappointed others, but for me, kinda.