Took my girlfriend's early-80s turntable in because the needle needed replacing, and this place absolutely blew me away. It's tucked away, but once you step inside, you're surrounded by some of the most incredible sound systems and turntables--it honestly feels like a hidden gem for audio lovers. The staff couldn't have been nicer. They checked out the turntable and let me know the needle was just dirty, then cleaned it for free. No upselling, just genuine help. They did recommend upgrading the turntable down the line, which I'm definitely considering after my trip. If you're even remotely into stereo gear, this spot is a must-visit. It's basically the Amoeba Records of high-end audio. 10/10. read more

This place is nothing short of heaven. The gear is all next level, sure, but it's the friendliness of the staff and the way the place feels that has me coming around. From getting educated on different amp/speaker pairings to their listening sessions that raise money for LAUSD ... I just might need to move in. read more

Common Wave Hi-Fi - High Fidelity Audio Equipment Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Had a wonderful experience here. Went in because I was having a few issues with my turntable that I couldn't quite pinpoint. Thought that I potentially needed a new stylus and cartridge. Wes went above and beyond in diagnosing the issues, thoroughly explained why these issues were occurring, and resolved all of them. I did end up getting a new cartridge that I'm extremely pleased with. He didn't try to upsell anything, he gave me the options that were best for my specific turntable and situation, which I really appreciate! The amount of knowledge and expertise this guys has is uncanny. Also, even though Common Wave has a lot of high end gear, and what I have and was looking for was definitely on the lower end of the spectrum, I was still give incredible service, time, and attention. I wouldn't mess around with any other hifi shop in LA, this one is the one to go to! read more

I bought a pair of speakers from Common Wave many years ago and had a decent enough experience with Wes that I was inclined to go in occasionally when I was in LA. I liked his selection of gear and how he curated his store. Each time, Wes looked at me like he didn't know me or I was an inconvenience. The final straw was a month ago. I was the only customer in the store and Wes barely looked up from the tonearm geometry lesson he was lecturing to one of his sales staff. My wife and I quietly walked out, both saying "what an ass" when we were in the car. I'll never go back. read more

i bought a new amp and preamp from Common Wave Hi-Fi. I was impressed by the variety of hi-fi, setups, and listening spaces. it is a compendium of hi-end bliss. I got great advice, service, and delivery of my new system. i would recommend it to music lovers who want to take a deeper dive into music listening. read more

Before coming here, I hated going to hi-fi stores. Let's be honest, too often the experience feels intimidating, transactional, or downright unwelcoming. But let me be clear: Common Wave is the best hi-fi store I've ever been to. I absolutely loved coming here. This weekend, I visited two stores: Common Wave and another one that starts with a "U" and rhymes with "fire sale." Let's just say, at the "fire sale" store, I felt like I was an inconvenience, a burden. A sales guy that looked like a homeless man with a beanie wouldn't let me audition any speaker that had to be moved or relocated,...he basically just handed me an iPad and walked away. He couldn't get rid of me fast enough . Not exactly the kind of service you hope for when investing in high-end audio gear. Then I walked into Common Wave--and the difference was night and day. Wes and his team didn't just treat me like a customer; they treated me like a friend. They put the play back into the demo experience, making it fun, engaging, and collaborative. I introduced them to a couple of my go-to "torture tracks" for auditioning speakers, and instead of rushing through the demo, they got excited. They wanted to go around the store, trying out different gear, just like you would at a buddy's house. Wes and his team have not forgotten that this hobby is supposed to be fun, it's adult play. These guys get new gear in all the time, and I felt like they were having just as much fun as I was even though they work with this equipment all day long. But here's what really sets them apart: rather than just trying to sell you equipment, they take the time to ask about your goals, what you feel is missing, and what you're looking to improve. They don't push products on you--instead, they genuinely try to help you get the most out of what you already own, offering advice and insights to improve your setup. They genuinely care, and more than that, they're interested in you. And that's the magic of Common Wave. The people here aren't just knowledgeable--they're passionate, welcoming, and the kind of people you'd want to grab a beer with and chat about music for hours. I can't say the same for other hi-fi stores. They've earned my business for life. In fact, I literally want to go back to the store just to hang out with them. That's the type of experience and relationship they create. This is how a hi-fi store should operate. This is the gold standard. I won't go anywhere else, and you shouldn't either. read more

I have nothing but amazing things to say about my experience shopping here. They were incredibly knowledgeable and helped me find the perfect speakers and amp for my home. They also took the time to let me listen to all different kinds of speakers before I made my decision to buy. I'll def be back. read more

I liked the store had really cool vintage speakers everywhere I just wasn't sure if I could listen to any of them and they weren't playing any music in store. I think they were repairing speakers though so what do I know. But I wish they would've helped me a little bit I'm thinking of buying a hi fi system in the future for my tea shop. read more

Like someone else in the thread below, my experience was not positive. When I finally found the place and was buzzed into the gate, I felt like I was interrupting three guys working on audio equipment at a big table. Wes showed me around. He professed a great deal of technical knowledge but didn't ask any questions. I asked him to follow up with me on a couple of products that I was interested in buying, and he never did. I even called to follow up--no response. Maybe I didn't fit his profile of a true audiophile. Maybe walk-ins aren't welcome. Maybe it depends on who's walking in. Or maybe he should move his business to the westside--I'm sure some folks in Boyle Heights would agree. read more

Wes + team were super helpful and knowledgeable in guiding me to the perfect setup without any pressure. The equipment is top notch, and the entire space is such a vibe! If you're serious about sound, this is the best spot in LA to explore and elevate your listening experience! read more

My wife and I recently purchased a pair of speakers and a network music streamer at Common Wave HiFi in L.A. The staff was very welcoming and knowledgeable. A special thanks to Dmitry who not only spent time in setting-up different speakers for us to compare, but also fine tuning the location of the Totem Loons until we were happy with the soundstage. I look forward to going back again for our future audio needs! Highly recommended! read more

Loved the store and what the store provided and their knowledge/product selection. Went in with my partner. Orange haired employee kind of didn't seem he wanted to talk to me though. He showed me this EAR audio tube preamp I was very interested in that was on sale. Was going to follow up with him but a few days or weeks later (can't quite remember, it happened a year or 2 ago..) my girlfriend tells me he's been messaging her like crazy, asking to see her and stuff. Messaging her then apologizing making the excuse that he was drunk, then messaging her again on instagram. They did not even exchange information, he found her through common waves followers which makes it even more weird. Extremely creepy distasteful behavior. Again, loved the store but can't go back after that experience. Don't want to drive people away from the store but if he's still there, I can't return and still have self respect. read more

As someone who loves music, and enjoys calm ambient settings, this was an absolutely perfect place to visit. I have recently discovered the Hi-Fi world, and Wes (the owner) did an outstanding job at giving me the key details and specificities of how turntables and speakers function, and bonus... he has an excellent taste in music. There is a wide range of amazing speakers, records, turntables, etc. I definitely recommend making an appointment and coming in. read more

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This is one of my favorite places in LA. Great advice, great knowledge of HiFi components and a really cool staff. read more

Common Wave Hi-Fi - Showroom floor - High Fidelity Audio Equipment Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I went to Common Wave with three other friends to pick up a NAD C3050 limited edition integrated amplifier that my friend had special ordered and was ready to pick up. Ironically I introduced him to Common Wave and had suggested that he purchase the unit from them. Well, suffice to say, that I won't be recommending them anymore. So, what happened? When we arrived at the store we were met with an off-putting pretentious audiophile attitude from their employee who acted like he didn't want us there and that we weren't legitimate paying customers. I myself was in the market for some new speakers and asked to listen to a pair that they had on the show room floor and he told me they weren't hooked up and didn't offer to do so, even though all the associated electronics were clearly there. I repeated my request, inquiring what the issue was and he begrudgingly changed some cables around and set up the system. The issue was apparently he is lazy! Then he asked me what I wanted to hear and essentially refused to hand me the iPad that they use to stream music to the system. I listened to one song and then we left because this guy was clearly going to continue to fight me and make it a chore to hear another. Overall others in our group ended up purchasing some records and we picked up the integrated amp and everyone in the group said they felt unwelcome. They clearly don't want to create an inviting atmosphere for their customers and in the future I will go to any number of other high end audio stores in LA that truly appreciate their customers and go out of their way to create an inviting customer experience. read more

I recently purchased a new Hi-Fi setup from Common Wave. I had an idea of what I wanted but no clue how to configure it and pair the devices. I worked with Wes and after a demo I knew I wanted to pull the trigger. Wes recommended all the necessary gear to get the best sound of my setup. Everything he recommended was top notch. These guys are pros, they know their shit and carry quality gear. The communication was excellent, I was kept in the loop all along the way as everything was being shipped. They worked with me and the room I had to setup the gear and they came to install everything as well. I couldn't be more pleased with the experience. They have a pretty cool record shop in the store as well. I would highly recommend checking out Common Wave if you're in the market for Hi-Fi gear. Prices were fair market value and I didn't feel like I was being oversold or ripped off by any means. 10/10 read more

I am a newbie to the world of turntables and speakers and am happy I stumbled upon this shop run by Wes. After speaking with Wes for a few minutes, it is very clear that he knows what he's talking about and that he truly loves what he does. I communicated my needs and preferences to Wes and he was able to provide excellent recommendations on a turntable, amp, and speakers. He also gives great advice and throws in a setup for your turntable. After setting everything up, I am extremely happy with the sound quality. If you're considering purchasing audio equipment, you have at least give his store a visit, you won't regret it. read more

If you love music like me and want to experience it at its highest stage, then make an appointment with Wesley. One of the best investments I've made. Imagine being addicted to hifi sound in your own home. read more

Common Wave Hi-Fi - High Fidelity Audio Equipment Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I have been planning to build my dream stereo for a while, and after visiting many local shops, I stopped at Common Wave HiFi. From the moment I walked through their doors, the general ambiance and attention to detail made me feel like this was the right place. There really isn't another showroom like it! I was able to audition the different speaker and components I was interested in, and many I had never heard of. (I must commend their patience in guiding me through the selection process. After all this time, and with all my research, making a "final decision" was a bit daunting, but they took the time to educate me about the latest advancements while also respecting my deep-rooted attachment to vintage audio quality) And, as someone who has spent years researching and dreaming about every component of my stereo, I was actually surprised by the level of knowledge and expertise displayed by the Common Wave staff (I thought I knew a lot!). Their genuine interest in my vision and commitment to understanding my preferences and needs helped me create a system better than I could have hoped for. As I sit here writing this review, I am surrounded by music that feels like it's coming to life in a way I never thought possible. My dream stereo is now a reality, and I owe it all to Common Wave HiFi for not only making it possible but for exceeding my expectations. Thank you, Wes and the rest of the Common Wave team, you have earned a customer for life! read more

Don't be fooled into thinking that a place that has all this seemingly upscale audio equipment actually knows what it's doing. Took my record player to get set up last week and the first red flag was the owner telling me I would need warm sounding cables to go with my system. I've spent years researching audio specifications and am up to date on the technical specifications but lack the engineering finesse to assemble things myself. To be curt, if you actually take the time to research audio cables, old audio engineers will tell you the best cable does not have bells and whistles. As one industry specialist put it, "Ultimately, all you need from a good quality speaker cable is low resistance, capacitance, and inductance. That's quite simple for manufacturers to produce without any unnecessary alchemy. If you know where to look, you can find inexpensive cables with the desired basic specifications listed." You can also read up on the premiumization of the audio cable industry that occurred in the 80s, there are plenty of forums about it. Second red flag was being quoted $125 over the phone and being charged $135 in person. Sure, it's $10, and I'm not going to complain about that when I'm in person in your store. What I will complain about, however , is the fact that, for a supposed expert, the guy servicing my table did not know his way around my brand new table, asking me if I had played with it before bringing it in, and if I had indeed bought it new. Third red flag in here was the fact that the owner had a record player set up but could not figure out the source of static noise within the setup. Lastly, taking a look around, this place really seems like the place that up sells by selling pretty audio equipment on grounds that they have specialty knowledge. Read any amount of forums on tube amps and you'll see what I mean. Needless to say, this place was filled with over the top tube amps. Won't be coming back any time soon read more

great prices for patches, good attitude, killer soundtrack, nice selection of bands to choose from

On May 18, 2021 I made an appointment at Common Wave to purchase a pair of JBL L100 Classic 75 speakers. Given the limited number of speakers being produced, I prepaid the purchase hoping to get a pair. In January, Wes ordered two pairs of the speakers with one pair designated for the store. Due to the pandemic causing production delays, only one set was received. In an act of kindness, Wes allowed me to have this set of speakers--something he did not have to do. On his off-day, Wes delivered the speakers to my residence without charging. What I respect most, Wes kept me posted when the speakers would be shipped to his office and delivered to my residence. The speakers were received in excellent condition. Common Wave is a class enterprise. I will continue to purchase audio products from this establishment. I highly recommend Common Wave for your audio needs. read more

If you are looking for the very best in audiophile sound, Common Wave Hi-Fi is amazing and I highly recommend! They will gladly work with you to find the best sounding equipment within your budget and you will not be disappointed! The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and will help guide you to put together a system that will produce amazing sound! I've been incredibly happy with what they put together for me. read more

Went today and walked out with a beautiful new pair of LCD-2s. Wes, the owner spent time with me chatting about my existing listening setup, gap I was looking to fill, and shared a wealth of knowledge about hifi and gear in general. First hifi store I'd visited outside of NYC and was an excellent experience. Advance appointment required, but this morning I was able to book one for midday. Stayed for a little over an hour listening to 5 different pairs on an amp/dac that was setup for me to test with, then on my own. The store is gorgeous as well. Will be back and thanks again Wes! read more

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Going to this business was a total waste of time. Not at all consumer friendly and has a class A attitude. Only wants to sell you what he wants to sell you and refuses to budge on price. If a merchant can't do what a customer asks the merchant to do, that merchant shouldn't be in business. I don't care how many years or how much experience they have. His inability to listen to what I asked for and acknowledge me as a customer, not even a thank you for coming, cost me 3 months delay. I went somewhere else and got what I wanted without fussing over prices, inventory, or availability. read more

This place has ushered in a new appreciate for music and sound that I craved forever. Save yourself years of trail and error by listening and exploring the advise and equipment of Common Wave. Wes' advice and knowledge will save you a bunch of money and most importantly time. You will get access to real audiophile knowledge for free by shopping here. Everything he suggested and, ultimately, sold me, from music to equipment, has been something to treasure for years to come. HIGHLY recommended for the novice to expert appreciator of sound and music. read more

This is the best hi-fi store in Los Angeles. Great records too. If you play your cards right you might even get to hear something special. Support the man. read more

Wes was very gracious to open his store last Sunday for our local audio club. Fantastic store, equipment, and venue; a unique place. I encourage every audiophile to visit. Great LPs for sale at reasonable prices. read more

I have been searching for a competent audio specialist to help me create a system for my new place for the past year when I finally came across Common Wave.  They were by far the most patient and helpful people I have ever dealt with and the system they put together is absolutely fantastic!  My son is obsessed with playing my old records now, southing we can finally share, and I owe it to the Wes and the Common Wave team.  They were able to walk me through all the options for my space, sonic tastes, and digital need. When we were done, I knew that the system was the right one for me.  I couldn't be happier. read more

Wes is so knowledgable- I am in love with my Klipsch Fortes that I got from him. He is very comfortable breaking down the features of the speakers for someone new to purchasing like myself. He made me feel super comfortable and is great to coach about taste, features, and the styles of each speaker. His store is a candy shop of fabulous taste and he truly cares about helping each client get exactly what they need! read more

This place is great. The staff is full of knowledge and have many years of experience. I spoke with Randall, who is pure genius. Dedicated 45 minutes to demo products and answer my questions. I highly advise anyone seeking audiophile products to come here first. read more

Wes really knows his stuff and he's a good dude. We wanted high quality sound for our house within a reasonable budget and he came to the house, advised on speaker placement, system type, and effectively gave me a very detailed lesson on how to maximize the quality of our sound. It was like going to hi-fi school. I'm actually excited about music again for the first time in years. Anyway - then I visited the shop to pick up some components and it's an awesome place to listen to music and test out different equipment. He hosts a bunch of different events and it's a decked-out industrial space in Boyle Heights. Pretty awesome operation he's running and I'd definitely recommend it. read more

Beautiful light-filled space. Gorgeous audio equipment. But most importantly, gracious and knowledgeable owner who takes his time to give you his full attention and clearly has passion and expertise read more

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Absolutely inspiring space curated by an awesome dude. Just go.

This shop is as good as it gets. Wes provides expert advice (in a super friendly way, which is rare in the hifi arena in my experience) and carries only the best stuff. I demo'd some setups and plan to come back to purchase here as soon as I've moved to new place. If you're in the market for new components, system, or audiophile grade vinyl, you definitely should check out this shop. read more

Awesome home audio store in Boyle Heights. I called and talked to the Owner, Wes, who was very friendly and took the time to explain everything in detail. One of the best customer service experiences you will have. His prices are very fair and his equipment is all top notch. Very happy with my home audio system. read more

Wes has an incredible setup - demo any track with different amps and different speakers and pick out exactly what's right for you. He'll work with your budget so you can bring home a killer system. Was having a real downer of a month and Common Wave lifted my spirits. Will be going back soon to pick up a new record player! read more

Stopped by Common Wave after my vintage receiver bit the dust and ended up getting a new NAD receiver and Rega Turntable. The space is amazing, the owner Wes takes time to find you the best option you can afford all while explaining the ins and outs and demonstrating all the amazing gear on display. Audio gear is not something you should buy on specs alone ( online ) and it's great to know that there is now a place in LA to experience it in style. read more

Went in for a demo this year and Wes was extremely helpful. It was my first foray into high end audio. He educated me on the various components. He helped me put together a great system. I ended up with a pair of beautiful Klipsch Forte's and NAD amp/streaming set up. Extremely happy with the great service and equipment. read more

Common Wave handled the audio for my restaurant in DTLA and the end result was great. Our system is awesome, especially for what we paid. Also important was the customer service I received from the owner (Wes) who has been very helpful and extremely knowledgable. Taking the time to write this review because I know it's a new company/store and wanted to say thanks for the great service. read more