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Excel Audio

4.7 (34 reviews)
Closed 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Updated 2 months ago

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Love the new Aurender. Thanks  Mike.
Mike L.

Mike Rose, the owner is a nice old(er) guy. The first few times I went there, I was just looking around. Didn't buy anything. Mike would patiently answer any and all questions. Whether I was asking about a 20 dollar record or a 5 figure phono stage, I always got a no BS honest answer. Fast forward about 4 months and now I've dropped a little over 10K there. My last piece was an Aurender N10 streamer. I upgraded from my N100H. No comparison. Just like Mike promised. Prior to that, I picked up a ROSE all in one amplifier, dac, steamer for our living room. The perfect one box solution. No messy wires everywhere. Anyhow, if you're looking for a new record or a 6 figure 2 channel system to play it on, Mike is your guy. His selection of records is great too. A little bit of everything. Every time I'm there he has just received a new shipment of vinyl. Great little spot.

Listening area
Jeff C.

Not all proprietors of high end audio stores know how to put together a good sounding system. You can't necessarily tell by the brands that they carry. I've found that it's actually pretty common for equipment that should sound fairly good in theory to be matched together in a way that lacks synergy. This results in audio systems that frankly might not sound all that great. The price tag for a system isn't a good gauge of its sound quality and musicality. I've probably heard more systems costing over $20,000 that don't sound great than systems at more reasonable price points. Seeking "perfection" in certain aspects of sound quality can result in compromises in other aspects and produce music that can sound cold and analytical, but not engaging. Even more uncommon is the ability for store owners to know how to tune audio systems to suit different musical genres and/or individual sound quality preferences. Michael, the owner of Excel Audio, was excellent on both counts. The system that I was auditioning sounded superb for orchestral music and opera, but wasn't quite as good on the jazz and acoustic vocals music that is what I most frequently am listening to. Michael knew which equipment in the system to change to make the sound quality better suit my preferences. Here's another cue that tends to indicate that a proprietor of an audio store knows how to build a musical sounding system. They'll have a substantial display of vinyl records displayed prominently in the store as you walk in instead of having expensive audio equipment "jewelry" placed front and center. I found a limited-edition record that I thought I missed out on buying last year when it released. I was looking through Excel Audio's substantial number of records on display for sale and there it was! What a nice surprise! Excel Audio is worth considering when shopping for audio equipment and also worth a stop to find new record releases.

Brian C.

Wow, just wow. I live in Huntington Beach and don't get to that side of town too often, but that store is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I had a nightmare experience trying to purchase a pair of KLH Model 5's from an online store. Four months after I made the purchase and I was still waiting for a ship date. During my seasons of wanting, I stayed patient, but found an alternative to the KLH's that I thought I wouldn't regret. Enter the Wharfedale Lintons. I thought the cabinets for the KLH's would be beautiful, but the Wharfedales are like fine furniture. The wood grain on the Mahogany is breathtaking and the craftsmanship in unparalleled. But, this isn't a Wharfedale Linton review, this is an Excel Audio review... I got on the Wharfedale site to find a dealer and low and behold, Excel Audio is right up the street. I called the store and Mike answered the phone on the first try. I told him what I wanted, he confirmed stock and I came in within an hour. Mike was just the greatest. He had his demo Lintons already hooked up and ready to play for me. Even had the color I wanted. He played a couple of tunes and they really sang. He He obliged my request to blow them up a bit and I was extremely satisfied with the sound and the look of these retro baby's. He swiped payment and dug out the boxed ones from the back and loaded them up for me in my ride. Not before wifey picked out a couple of vinyls from Mike's incredible record supply to break in these bad boys. While pursuing his records, his stock is just as impressive as his Audiophile equipment. I've never seen so many Mofi records in one store. So let me sum this up for you... Great stock of audio equipment. Great stock of records. Got a great deal. No hassles. Excellent customer service. Mike Rose is a great guy and has a great shop you have to stop by. Bruegger Bagels and Starbucks next to his shop. What a great way to spend your day if you're into music.

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3 years ago

Absolutely the best local shop for high quality audio equipment. A huge selection of new vinyl. Very knowledgeable service.

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4 years ago

The best audio store in Socal. Lots of good stuff the owner is very friendly and knowledgeable.

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7 years ago

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7 years ago

Great customer service, very knowledgeable and helpful. Excellent vinyl selection is a nice plus.

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Review Highlights - Excel Audio

And let me tell you--there's no one I trust more than Mike Rose when it comes to building the perfect setup.

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Bookoff - Costa Mesa - Pokemon cards

Bookoff - Costa Mesa

(285 reviews)

$

Maybe it's the proximity of this particular location to Japanese businesses or perhaps there's just…read moresomething about this part of OC, but I found this Bookoff to be a delight. Sure, the parking can be hectic sometimes. After all, there is a Tokyo Central right next to it, but that's what makes this location so good. You can spend hours perusing the aisles for some good finds but can take a break and get some Pocky or a bento or a Fanta nearby without ever breaking theme. What's even better is it feels like the employees enjoy working here. They greet you warmly when you walk in and that hospitality Japan is known for is reflected in this staff, even if they aren't Japanese and this isn't Japan; the spirit still carries. So does the nostalgia walking through the aisles. If you played video games throughout the 90s to now you'll see pieces of your childhood everywhere you look: a Super Famicom with Chrono Trigger for sale or a Vegeta action figure going Super Saiyan or the many mangas of Rumiko Takahashi such as Ranma 1/2 or Inuyasha. In encapsulates otaku culture through the ages well. Even looking for books of different genres and authors can be found, some new but most used. It doesn't mean they aren't good. It just means they're pre-loved. This means you can get a bargain for some books you might have been meaning to check out for a great price. They also have book sales all the time. If you feel a need to lighten your collection at home, whether it be action figure or games you no longer play, Bookoff buys them from you. It means your cash could go even further if you have things to sell. Though the size of Bookoffs in America does have me wishing they were larger like their Japanese counterparts they do pack quite a lot for the space they occupy. You can spend 15 minutes to multiple hours here, depending on what you're looking for. I say that means it's worth checking out. After all, the worst that can happen is if you don't find anything to tickle your fancy you can always go to Tokyo Central or IKEA right after.

I love this spot. It's one of the OGs, and I've been coming here for a long time. There are some…read moregenuinely great finds--plenty of $1 items, solid deals on DVDs, and every once in a while something really special slips through the cracks. That said, the pricing is all over the place. It's obvious they rely heavily on some kind of algorithm to assign value, and when it works in your favor, it really works. I've picked up items worth hundreds of dollars for a few bucks. But the flip side is rough--things priced at $100 that you could easily find for $10-15 elsewhere. That inconsistency is both the magic and the frustration. Selling to them is another story. They'll give you next to nothing unless it's something truly high-end, and even then, you're usually better off selling elsewhere. The margins are so far off at times that it really makes you wonder who's willing to take those deals. They do require ID and seem to follow the rules, but the reality is this kind of setup attracts people who either don't know what they have, don't care, are impatient, or are desperate. And yes, it also likely attracts people unloading stolen goods because they know the items are valuable, even if the payout is low. The store itself is very DIY. Nothing is cataloged, staff can't really help you with inventory, and what you see is what's available. Customer service is minimal--they're mostly focused on sorting and loss prevention. There's also an awkward dynamic between management and floor staff that you can feel when you're in there. At the end of the day, this place is a gamble. Sometimes you walk out feeling like you scored big. Other times you find something rare and exciting that's priced so high it might as well be untouchable. It almost screams desperation and lack of knowledge on the selling side--but ironically, that's exactly what brings in so much good stuff. If you know what you're doing and have patience, this place can be incredible. If not, it'll just feel chaotic.

FUNK FREAKS RECORDS - 45s.

FUNK FREAKS RECORDS

(11 reviews)

Neat specialty spot. It is located on the second floor of a building, but not too hard to find if…read moreyou keep your eyes peeled. Very hospitable and friendly and welcoming. Can answer any question! It's THE spot for synth and street funk if that's what you're looking for. We bought some vinyl and merch, very happy with our finds. Will be back every chance I get!

"Can you feel it? My funky sensation."…read more -Gwen McRae Anyone sleeping on The Funk Freaks is dreaming. This record store puts most specialty or niche record stores in their place. The vinyl collection consisted exclusively of knockers, slappers, bangers, and heaters. I saw all of the essentials when I dug through the inventory here: Kano, James Brown, D-Train, Vaughan Mason, Graham Central Station, Hot Cuisine, The Strikers, Secret Weapon, and etcetera. Any Prelude, any Sutra, any Westend--Funk Freaks just might have it. I was pleasantly surprised. The customer service earned all the stars I can give too. Loser and Debo managed the kind of authentic professionalism and good humor that most franchises try foolishly codify in a handbook. Congeniality can't be fabricated, and neither can The Funk! Loser played me a copy of Jammin' Big Guitar by Vaughan Mason, and Debo shared a few polished anecdotes about The Funk Freaks' latest tour in Berlin. Neither man was just chilling in the store though. What is most impressive about The Freaks is their assiduous promotion of all that is FUNK FREAKS. Debo and Loser were unpacking several boxes of black sweaters featuring the notorious FUNK FREAKS graffiti that has now garnered international acclaim for Loser, Debo, Unique, Luer, Ney, Bosoe, Irene R., Clos, Lil Man, Phree, Groove, Aysai, and the rest of THE FUNK GANG. Loser only stopped moving merchandise to sell a Funk Freaks t-shirt to a woman who wanted a Funk Freaks shirt for her 2 year old. They're never too young for the Funk. The mother was in such a rush she forgot her credit card; without hesitating, Loser sped down the stairs, the shop is on the 2nd floor, stopped the mother in the lot and handed her the card. I seldom see that level of sheer effort made just to ensure a customer's satisfaction. These guys are freaks in word and deed. They go out of their way to put the classic funk in the correct hands. Do me favor. If you are a Funk Freak, or a Funk fan, please take me with you to the store when you go. I left hours ago, and I already want to be back there with The Freaks where The Funk belongs. In all seriousness: message me before you go. I need to pick up a Parliament single I should not have left there. Please do not go to see The Freaks without me. I need the Funk. I got to have that Funk!

Excel Audio - hifi - Updated May 2026

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