I've been trialing and selecting speaker and power connections and Stereo Design (and another good retailer) 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. read more

Stereo Design is one of the best purchase experiences I've had. Over the years, I've been in Stereo Design 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. read more

Awesome experiences at this showroom/store. You're not being led to buy something more expensive than you desire (and believe me there is a lot of temptation here), and the follow-up technical support and service was great. read more

Do not shop at this dealer. When I shopped around for home theater equipment and found a lower price not only would Stereo Design not match it, they called the dealer representative and tattle tailed on the other retailer forcing them not honor the lower price. The net result is that Stereo Design will never get a dime of business from me and the dealer rep lost a sale of equipment as I will find other product from another manufacturer. Conducting business this way will never earn you a loyal customer base. read more

One of the best in the county for AV systems, and mid and high end audio. This is not a big box store. They only carry brands they like and are reliable. Well, they probably try and make a profit. For information, comparisons of components and brands, they are great. Also, they don't follow you around, and will leave you in a sound room with the remote for volume. I have purchased an Acoustic Research pre amp, Magneplanar speakers, and custom Sub woofer and crossovers there. Also, I sold the Maggies on consignment, no fuss and all I had to do was get them to the store. read more

Recently purchased a Salamander Synergy equipment cabinet from Stereo Design. I could have ordered a similar unit online, but wanted to see the product in person and customize the finishes. You can't do that with point and click shopping. (Thanks for the advice and guidance, Steve.) I ended up getting exactly what I wanted for a competitive price. Everyone I encountered was courteous and professional and I felt like a valued customer. I'm new to San Diego and glad I found this place. I'll be back. read more

This is the best stereo store in San Diego. I have been shopping here exclusively for over ten years. On my last visit john was very helpful in advising me on the selection of new speakers. You won't get this level of expertise and customer service anywhere else. read more

I had bought an all-Meridian home theater system from Steve at Stereo Design a few years ago and I moved to Austin TX a year and a half ago, bringing my Meridian equipment with me. The valuable system sat in the garage since then, being a very complicated system to hook up properly. I couldn't find anyone in TX who knew anything to help me put it back together. Then I called Steve at Stereo Design (who doesn't even sell Meridian any more.) Steve enthusiastically offered to guide me in putting things back together. With his amazing knowledge of anything audio/video and his steel-trap memory, he worked with me (pro bono) for at least an hour over the phone, through several problems, to ultimately and successfully help me get my Meridian system cranking again. That's sterling customer service, of the absolute highest order, that you don't see very often anymore. The Meridians sound spectacular again...thanks to Stereo Design and Steve! Jim H read more

if I could rate zero stars I would. I called stereo design to try and schedule a repair on my naim stereo of which they are a authorized dealer. I also wanted to install a new flat screen and additional speakers outside. the first time I called left a message because they are only open 11 to 7 Wednesday t Thursday. I got thru on a Wednesday and was told I would receive a call back. two weeks later I still had not received a call and decided to call again-left a message-no return call-following day called got thru and was told the installer was out would not know when he would be back and seek another place and hung up. so anyone out there that is willing to use this company would most assuredly lose their money-my belief is its simply a scam company now read more

This place is filled with employees with lots of experience in the mid to high end audio products. The staff don't over sell or over promise, on their products. Pretty straight forward sales team that seem to have a passion for what they do. I always enjoy going to Stereo Designs, they know all about their products, and always enlighten me on something, every time I go in. read more