First, it's pretty rare that I'll give a bad review to any record store. Just being a record store scores high in my book to begin with. More impressive than the sorted records were the finds that I made in the new arrivals. They did seem to have a good variety of vinyl and with the size of my collection, it gets difficult to find new things to bring home. One downside -- and one that I've seen in many shops -- was in blasting music that didn't exactly appeal to a wide demographic. The clerk seemed to think that he was demonstrating to the clientele how cool he was with his choice of music...I just found it damned annoying. Keep the focus on the customer please. read more

Was not impressed with this record store. We came to visit on a Saturday afternoon and at no point did the staff greet us. Looking through the records, their selection is pretty basic. It's a lot of what you'd expect... AC/DC, Garfunkel, etc. The records are either $6-$10 or $30 which I thought was a lazy technique for pricing and selling vinyl. My husband bought a couple used records and when we came home to play them we were really disappointed to find they were super scratched. read more

Not impressed by this record store. Bought 3 records, got home and realized the quality and shape of them was really poor. Customer service was unwelcoming and many lps were really overpriced. read more

Used to love the store but one one can trust is owner Jason. Great selwction of product but lot of fake people working there.

Deaf Ear is a very cool record and 'pop culture' shop in downtown La Crosse. I stopped by on a whim while traveling through La Crosse for a work trip and was really glad that I did. Not only is the shop very clean and well organized, but the staff was also friendly. Deaf Ear carries a diverse array of goods including table top games (board and card based), comics, and music (mostly CDs and vinyl). The selection is not necessarily extensive, but it is relatively diverse. I found a few good deals on used vinyl and picked up a couple of records. I'm really happy to have found a cool little shop like this in a smaller town like La Crosse. All that being said the prices for some items are a little on the high side. They had a selection of albums from Record Store Day's past and all of them were marked up noticeably. This isn't a show stopper by any means, just something to be aware of. For my money it's worth spending a little bit more to support a place like this and have a cool resource available (particularly if you're local). I'll be sure to stop in again in the future when I'm in the area and hope to find another couple of fun finds. read more

Kind of a groovy little record store, but the new vinyl is a bit overpriced. They have an interesting selection of used records, but it was comical to find rap, R&B, and hip hop in the section labeled "Techno." I would have given Deaf Ear a four-star rating, but the conversation among the employees was off-putting. They were discussing an acquaintance's recent mental breakdown and near death experience in detail at an uncomfortable volume. In fact, I wanted to continue shopping, but it was clear the story wasn't ending any time soon. read more

Deaf Ear is the best selection of music in town and a pretty good smoke shop, but the employees are not overly friendly. They just added comics, games, and collectibles but this is not what they are good at. There are several better shops for comics, Magic, and games in town. read more

Stopped in a few years ago, so the opinions expressed here aren't entirely current. I've been to a few record shops in my day, and this one stood out as pretty clean and organized. Clerk stayed behind the counter for the most part, but directed me to the listening station which was helpful. I found a few things in the discount section, and was happy with what I bought. There was a funny thing that happened here... I looked up a record on my phone was playing the song quietly to myself, when this cranky hippie girl walks by giving me the stink eye real hard then left without buying anything. I just laughed it off. That was weird for sure, still have no idea what that was about. *shrug* read more

Don't bother bringing your used music to sell at this store. It's laughable what they will offer you for your music. They pay generally .25-.50 per vinyl and turn around and sell it for at least $5. The collection I brought in contains Rundgren, The Stones , ELP and other similar bands in nice condition. While checking their used vinyl bins, I noted they had 1 used Stones record, 1 used Rundgren record etc. so if they paid more, their bins would have been full of great used records. Instead the meager selection tells you they have a problem getting good used vinyl to sell. And I know why! read more

You know, I think it's nostalgia that gets 5 stars for me on this one. Sure, it remains to be a very cool record store, but I rememebr going here as a teen and getting my mind blown out of my skull because of how cool Deaf Ear is. Me and as many of my friends that we could pile into someone's car would make a monthly road trip over to Deaf Ear and purge our teen musical cravings. I remember drooling over all the CDs, posters, body jewelry, incense, tapestries, 1in buttons and cute boys. I was in heaven!!!!! I've made the trek back to Deaf Ear since I've gotten older and it brings back all these great memories for me. I still find some cool cds nowadays, but it'll never compare to the connection I had years before. Their store is still awesome, the selection is still great. The employees are really friendly and knowledgable and there are tons of random things taped up around the store that looks like it came from an employee with a lot of time on their hands. I love it. It has the true record store vibe going for it. The prices aren't too bad, especially if you dig through the used stuff. There is a head shop in the upstairs, so it that tickles your fancy, you can get a bong or something while you're shopping. Deaf Ear will always hold a place in my heart. read more

What can I say it's the ear. great selection in music awesome vinyl section good for new and used. they have a smoke shop up stairs and do special orders for music. helpful staff all around great vibe. read more

Have had many good customer service experiences at Deaf Ear over the years. Most recently I ordered a limited edition print of an album and the distributor sent the standard edition. I thought I was going to have to pay an arm and a leg on the secondary market. They could have just chalked it up as a lost sale but instead they went out of their way to track the album down through other record stores. I'm very happy and they've won me over as a long term customer. read more

Deaf Ear Record Exchange is probably the best "small town" record store around. Growing up in La Crosse back in the late 80s and early 90s., I spent many a hard earned McDonalds paycheck there on cassette tapes and CDs, and occasionally vinyl (that I managed to lose in my travels). Despite all of the changes to downtown La Crosse, this place is pretty much an icon...having somehow survived all of the "big box" stores that have arrived over the years. I still visit the store whenever I go back to visit family, and head straight to the used vinyl section. I've walked out with some nice finds over the past few years, all of which were reasonably priced. You can expect to pay a bit more here compared to similar stores in the Cities. Everything is very well organized, in well thought sections and categories. They even have a watered-down new section as well. Rarer vinyl is kept behind the counter on a shelf on the back wall. Other than vinyl, they sell your usual fare: CDs, used videos, used video games, incense, body jewelry, and smoke items upstairs. Not much to do in La Crosse these days...but drink beer, smoke some stuff, and listen to good music. Make Deaf Ear a part of your La Crosse life...I love paying them a visit. read more

Nice selection of used vinyl and CDs, and even cassette tapes. Prices are extremely fair, even is selection can be limited at times. There's also the now standard collection of t-shirts, stickers, posters and other rock merch. Support your local record store! read more

This is probably one of my favorite places in La Crosse since I moved from Texas. It reminds me of home, quite often. There's a lot of selection of vinyl, CD's, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS2 games and even more. They have a neat little selection of collectible toys and good deals on manga, comic books, and more. They also have some great incense. I've never had any problem with any employee, ever at this store! read more

This is a tough one to write. Ten years ago this was four stars plus, easy. I went a week ago... where did the stock go? Maybe the bins are just so extensive that it looks like nothing is there, but there didn't seem to be all that many records. Some decent pieces at ok prices existed... mostly in new arrivals. Perhaps things just get picked over really quickly. Still worth a stop and still definitely one of the better stores in Wisconsin, but not what it once was... at least not this past visit. read more

Have been in this shop a few times but will consider others as every time the choice and obvious preference of HARD ROCK music is blasting to the point of distraction. Yesterday the vulgar lyrics were upsetting. When I asked the clerk to turn down the music - it was done so with scorn and barely noticeable. I would have bought more vinyl than I did if there was more consideration to the customer. read more

A fine store, even if I am biased. An unbiased review came in from a Diamond Comics secret shopper who gave this store 9 out of 10 stars. Like their review says - comics are easy to find here and there are an excellent range of titles. Back issues are cheap and better priced than any other shop in town. Deaf Ear has carried music and underground comics since the 70's, and it now has mainstream titles as well. Love this store - it's the longest running independent music/comic shop in town! read more

A nice find in LAX. Lots of variety and fun things to look through. Great music selection, decent prices, lots of movies and really fun collectibles. Also started a comic subscription as they have a really nice selection, very reasonably priced back issues, and a well organized wall of new arrivals and stuff that came in over the last few months. Worth a dig! read more

Their CD collection is usually pretty picked over although occasionally you can make a good find. With the decline of CDs they have been expanding their vinyl and DVD collections both of which are definitely worth picking through. Also a good collection of posters, and punk/goth jewelry. read more

I've found some of my favorite cds at this store. They can be a little picked over but this happens with most record stores. I highly recommend putting time aside to go through the selection available as items are organized by genre, which is always up for interpretation. Furthermore, check out the new releases as quickly sold-out options are usually there instead of classified by genre. Love that most of the employees have worked there for quite a while and are a great source of information, but know to leave someone alone to peruse in silence. read more

I like this store, a mainstay in La Crosse for many, many years. Reminiscent of the old record stores, with a nice smell of incense and a big display of "tobacco pipes" upstairs. I stick to the music section nowadays. Anyhoo, a good selection of music, but also higher prices. Most used CD's at $8.99, whereas Electric Fetus in Minneapolis are $4.99. You would think it would be the reverse. I'll pay a little more for new stuff to support an independent store. However, for used CD's, I prefer outsourcing when I can get out of town. read more

I find great stuff here every week. Lots of movies (cheap!) and their stock of records has been great. New stuff seems to come in with great regularity. If you're after Beatles or other rarities though be sure to get there as soon as they announce it on FB, because they'll be gone fast! read more