this place is amazing! Super friendly staff very knowledgeable. Willing to go that extra mile! Great deals, great selection for every budget. Greg and Igor are top notch! read more

I never really use Yelp but this is a special situation. The tall bald dude (probably Igor) was very - as the other low rating yelp reviews stated, ARROGANT. Just seems like an unfriendly fella. When leaving the store the first thing that came to mind was arrogant. Reading these other reviews it's seeming like a theme. Did not seem like he wanted me in his store being that I'm younger and don't have as much money to spend as these big ballers. I set up an appointment to demo some equipment the store had and wanted to inquire about some phono preamps without the promise of purchasing but then just felt kind of pressured to because from the vibe of it, seemed like he wouldn't be happy demoing his products without purchasing something (after purchasing, he seemed more open to allowing me to listen to stuff, but was still stand-offish). I love Hi-fi audio and told him I'd for my ears to learn different hi-fi systems as well as looking for stuff to purchase. Walked between different rooms comparing songs and everytime I left a room I just felt uncomfortable in the open areas like I wasn't wanted there, lots of one-worded responses when asking about the different systems, didn't see one smile on any of the employees faces. No thank you's for supporting their businesses or anything. I was listening to a song in the room with the Mcintosh system, he had the volume set to 90 and either the streamer or receivers or whatever set to %50... I had opened the door to check something out and he walked over without saying anything and turned it down to %10 and I said "sorry was that too loud?" and he said "no, %50 was is fine, just can't blast it too loud because these speakers have been sold"... Makes sense yeah, but why turn it down to %10 when that was the volume you had it set at? and why the passive aggressiveness... 1st time I went there a few months ago I didn't have an appointment and couldn't listen to anything which makes sense, mostly dealt with the old man who also didn't seem like he wanted to give me the time of day, second time was the taller dude who was just not pleasant at all. Lastly, the old Asian fella. As I was leaving, he was at the front desk, I was looking at the items a little bit and he must have been trying to make small talk or something but all that came out was "so what did you buy"? told him I got a preamp and he didn't really say anything. That wasn't a big deal but really? Along with your coworkers being douche bags that's it? I also said thanks, didn't get one back or even a "have a nice day" (didn't expect one back) and got out of there with a sour taste in my mouth. I'm already pretty discouraged from going into hi-fi stores being that almost everyone in the business come at you like bad boujie car salesmen. After this experience it's just that much more discouraging. Hi-fi salesman love to judge. You are not pleasant people and it shows. I love Hi-Fi audio and I am in love with a good conversation where I can learn about why someone is so passionate in something I also admire. I love that there are hardware and software that a music and movie experience to something more beautiful than it already is, but the people in it are ugly. Thank you for a terrible experience! read more

I do not live in B.C. but, I buy across the country. For some reason B.C. has a very competitive market. They want your business and will back it up with excellent service and pricing. The folks at the Hi-Fi Centre were great to deal with and gave me better pricing and free delivery above what I could get in my own province of Ontario. This is my second order: 4 REL subs in all. They even did a follow up and asked me how the new subs integrated with my Maggie 3.7's Post Covid, it's a different world out there and your purchasing options should reflect this. Buy out of province if necessary, but at least check out this retailer and buy with confidence read more

they are a terrible company to do business with. How can you not ever pick up your call, called all week long and never got to speak with anyone read more

Great service. These guys have some pretty nice stuff here. We bought a Rega turntable, Naim amp, CD player and speakers. The guys that work here are super nice. We keep coming back. Be prepared to spend some money! We always see Raymond and he takes care of us. read more

Very knowledgeable and only carry top tier gear. Have always been willing help me out and answer questions.

The sales people here are the biggest absolute arrogant pricks. One of them gave me a run around when I inquired about my headphones that I bought FROM THEM. The guy on the phone sent me on a run around to apparently go to a place in Burnaby to send the unit for repair. Called them after and the other guy apologized and gave me a sob story about how his colleague is a jaded old geezer. Very unprofessional. One day the online shopping business will crush this place, and I can't wait for that to happen. read more

I'm not some rich hardcore audiophile who slaps down $10000 for adamantium speaker cables, which this store appears to cater to, but I scrimped and saved for some half decent stereo components to go with a Linn LP12 turntable that I managed to score. I was impressed by an asian sales dude named Frank, who was patient with my questions and cobbled a pretty decent system together. It's the best stereo system I've ever had and I'm quite pleased with it. He has continued to be friendly over the past couple of years when I've called to ask several numbskull questions. Some of the other salespeople seem a little aloof, but generally are friendly and helpful when questioned. Parking is a pain, but if you are looking for higher end gear, then this is a good place to go IMHO. read more

After much research I purchased an entire system from Greg. I can't say enough how he went above and beyond from initial purchase to final set up to assist me in making the right decisions. Sometimes spending a little more on quality saves you money later. Thanks Greg! read more

I am so impressed with the Hi Fi Centre, particularly Greg K. He has been extremely helpful, providing with excellent advice that meets my needs. He is very knowledgeable of the various systems; their pros and cons and the future direction of audio systems. He installed my system which was very helpful. If you are looking for a hi fi system that meets your needs and excellent service, I would highly recommend the HI Fi Centre. read more

Owner of HI-FI centre in Vancouver (Igor) is THE Most arrogant unhelpful business person I have ever met or dealt with. If you ever have a problem with any products purchased from his store, forget about him helping you....he has your money and plenty more so really has no interest. He actually berated me in an email (which I saved ) and he actually seemed quite happy about it...I was totally shocked and disappointed. Igor's response was that he wanted me to beg him to help make the products he sold me work...unbelievable but no surprise with someone who has so much and really does not care about customer satisfaction. read more

I went to every single audiophile store in Vancouver in order to buy a DAC. The Chinese guys at Pat's Audio store ignored me as soon as I stepped in the store, as I'm not Chinese. Commercial Audio guys were really nice but have limited systems for digital audio. Then I went to HIFI Centre. I talked to Greg. He talked to me for a bout 30min before showing me anything. We talked about digital systems, NAS, DACs, speakers, etc. He drew charts and diagrams, and answered all my questions patiently. I'm an electronic engineer so my questions were quite technical and it amazed me how much this guy know about sound. Then we went to a couple of demo rooms and tried several systems. Not only people at HIFI Centre are professional and know what they're talking about but also understand how to talk to customers. I told them right off the bat that I have a low budget, but I was treated with respect. I certainly go back there and will buy my audiophile equipment from them. read more

I bought a Rega turntable here and Dennis set it up perfectly. Beautiful listening rooms. Knowledgeable about Rega history and products. Excellent service. Fair prices. I am very glad to have bought from a hifi speciality shop rather than anyone else in town who carries this brand turntable. I know I wouldn't have gotten the same service elsewhere. read more

I had a specific speaker in mind I wanted to audition and Igor took care of setting them up before I arrived. I ended up purchasing them and the speakers were delivered and installed some time later. There was a very minor issue with one of them and Igor ordered a new pair for me. Great service I must say. I recommend anyone who is serious about sound to visit Hi-Fi Centre. Hubert Z. read more

I bought the B&W Panorama 2 sound bar online. shipped very fast and arrived within 2 business days. The setup process was a bit bumpy with trying to get the sound bar to work with Telus PVR box, but Igor at Hi-Fi Center worked with me remotely to get it up and running. The Panorama 2 is awesome and was set up in time to enjoy the Tragically Hip farewell concert on CBC. I have been a fan of B&W speakers for about 8 years and would definitely buy from the Hi-Fi Center again. read more

absolutely the worst place to shop!!! i bought some "new" bowers & wilkins speakers and an amplifier from them. it wasn't long before i found out the speakers were actually demos. i sent multiple emails and make many phone calls to igor. he did not do anything for me except he told me he owes me one. the amp had a hum in it when i hooked up my turntable. i phoned the salesman (a chinese fellow) and asked if he could come to my house and help me figure it out (like he implied he would when i bought it). he told me he would come up for 50 bucks. i reluctantly agreed. then he refused to come up at all. so i attempted to return the amp. when i got to the store the salesman refused to do anything for me. so i asked igor for my money back. he told me no refunds. i was not told there was a final sale policy when i bought it. igor told me it is on the receipt. i looked at the receipt, couldn't see it. i moved my thumb and there it was all sales final no refunds. the print was so small my thumb covered it. i had to keep the receiver but had to buy other equipment to get rid of the hum. igor is the owner. he was given this business from his daddy. i have read other reviews saying how arrogant he is and i agree!!! he has no respect for his customers and he can't be trusted. read more

GREAT SERVICE!! I received an email notice of a sale with a great deal on a B&W sound bar. I now live in Kelowna, so I could not make the sale date. I called and talked to Igor who worked out on-line billing, and delivered the item to my hotel in Vancouver the same day, packed and ready for me to ship (a bit to big to check as luggage on the airline). This is some of the best service I have ever received from a retailer! read more