Monaco Audio Video

I bought a pair of Dynaudio Focus XD speakers from Ian at Monaco. The speakers are great! Everything I wanted. Ian’s customer service was excellent as well. He was helpful from the start, auditioning several models for me. Once I ordered the XDs he followed up with me regularly, and he pulled some strings to get them shipped quickly, all the way from Denmark. Very impressed.

Just called Monaco to inquire about setting up my home theatre system and explained that some of the speakers are in-​ceiling speakers and came with the house (which I just bought and moved in to) and that I was looking into purchasing a receiver as well. The response on the other end was as follows «Quite frankly if we won’t be installing our product we’re not interested in installing your speakers.» When I asked if I were to purchase the receiver from them if they would then hook everything up the response was, «Look, lemme be real honest here. It would cost $ 125 an hour to hook up the speakers.» Which was then followed by an extremely long and silent pause in which I thought we had been disconnected. I said hello and asked if he was still there to which he finally responded «Yeah, I’m here I’m just waiting for you to respond.»
Clearly they’re doing well as a business if they can afford to be as rude as this guy was, regardless of knowing how extensive or profitable the job would be for them. He simply assumed it was a waste of their time because it wasn’t their product and couldn’t care less about how he spoke with a potential customer.
One star in place of not being able to give your business ZERO stars.

I was walking down Lake Ave. when my gf and I spotted this store. I recently started getting into the more serious HIFI/​Audio equipment when I first approached this store. And I was amazed at the different high-​end equipment in the store and what was on display. I had approached one of the sales reps (I sadly forgot to get there names throughout the whole time :() about purchasing and learning more about vacuum tube amps and definitely walked away learning alot. Biggest thing though was the fact that I had the chance to demo what I wanted and with what they originally had set up on it and what they suggested with it. This is definitely the type of customer service that is a lost art. I ended up walking away with the Primaluna amp and would definitely come back to flesh out any of my audio systems needs in the future.

Wide variety of higher end audio that can fit various budgets, plus the monaco team is so friendly and fantastic to discuss everything home audio… they even sell SONOS which I ended up buying there. Will def do business again, thanks again guys!

Looking for retailers to demo higher end (higher than big box retail) audio equipment is not an easy task, but luckily I found Monaco AV through KEF’s authorized dealer website. When I first called to inquire about listening to some KEF towers, I was greeted over the phone by a gentleman named Ian. Not only did he answer my initial inquiry, but he took the time and interest and asked what I listed to, what other equipment I may be using, and remembered my name at the end of the conversation. Wow! Notice to all other retailers — It doesn’t take alot, but does take some effort to establish a relationship with a potential customer.
When I arrived for a demo, Ian was helping another customer, but Allen was available and assisted my wife and I through not only the demo, but demo’ed other speakers available. Allen was very accomodating and personable and when Ian was free we all were listending and discussing the various speakers attributes. It was THE BEST listending experience at a retail store. It was as if we were listening to music and speakers with friends that were very knowledgeable enthusiasts. I thought I would just go and listen to 1 or 2 sets of speakers, and ended up there for over 90 minutes listening to an array of options, because they were so accomodating and it was a very comfortable enviornment… there is an art to sell without being pushy, and letting the product along with the sales knowledge sell itself… and that’s what it was.
It gets better… I wasn’t exactly enthused with the original speakers I came to listen to (everyone’s ears and preferences are different), but Ian suggested I listen to Martin Logan Motion Series towers (same price range), and he was spot on with his recommendation.
It gets even better… I wasn’t initially looking to purchase that day, but when I inquired about a quote, they were very competitive, and they even carried the media console I was also separately interested in. Larry even went online to show current online pricing and showed his prices were competitive… that was an impressive move as we all know shoppers are always price checking online, and instead of ignoring or coming up with excuses, he cut all that out of the equation.
In today’s day and age of onlline e-​commerce, Larry, Ian and Allen reminded me of how its still crucial to have an inperson discussion with fellow enthusiates who CARE about their customers, take the time to understand their listening preferences, take the time to curate a good blend of different options, take the time to take into account everyones different budgets, and take the time to find the best option based on those budgets.
EXTREMELY impressed on the focus to customer service, and will definitely recommend to others that I know for Audio /​Video /​Home Automation inquires.

In the age of Best Buy and Amazon, it’s nice to know that some specialized boutique stores like Monaco still exist. Larry and Allen were fantastic people to meet and talk with. They helped steer me to a beautiful pair of speakers (KEF LS50’s) that, not only sounded great, but were within my meager budget as well. These two are really passionate about what they do, and will allow you to demo to your hearts content. I definitely prefer the level of service here vs Best Buy/​Magnolia or any other big box retailer. Prices are also inline with every reputable big box & online retailer, and you don’t have to worry about the UPS guy throwing your multi thousand dollar equipment over your fence.
In Conclusion, Monaco is a 5-​star boutique HiFi/​AV retailer. Service is on another level vs big box retailers. Prices are inline with online stores (plus the instant gratification aspect). So why buy your HiFi & A/​V gear anywhere else?

It’s rare in this modern age of «big box stores» and online retailers to encounter truly stellar customer service. However, today I encountered just that. A little over a month ago I purchased a pair of Klipsch Hersey IIIs from Allen and Larry at Monaco, and about a week ago I noticed a problem with one of the tweeters. So today I boxed them up and took them to the store. I was expecting the standard run around and to end up having to ship my speakers back to Klipsch for repair. What I got instead was one of the best customer service experiences of my life. Alan and Larry took my speaker apart, confirmed the problem and then, using the tweeter from their floor model repaired my speaker and sent me on my way. From the moment I stepped in the door to when I left 90 minutes later I was the most important customer they had. When you step up to the world of high-​end audio, Klipsch, Martin Logan, KEF, you’re purchasing an elite product. So it is fitting that the customer service provided by Monaco is on a par with the brands they sell. I look forward to having an opportunity to do business with these two fine individuals again. Thank You again, Allen & Larry!

I finally decided to buy some proper equipment to listen to music. I moved to Los Angeles from Germany 2 years ago and, only having my computer desktop loudspeakers, started to be seriously music-​deprived. While I am used to the serious high-​end equipment of my dad, I am no way able to spend that kind of money. But I hoped I could find a store to sell me some quality 2-​way system for what I can afford. I tried Monaco in Pasadena. Well, I only can say: I was very lucky to find a place like this in my first attempt. They listened carefully to what I wanted and walked me through the possibilities. They didn’t spare any effort to play different combinations of loudspeakers and amplifiers for me. They gave real expert advice (I did a lot of reading afterwards, and everything they said turned out to be well reasoned), and when the system I liked most (Parasound P5 and A23, KEF R500, MIT SL3/​5, very balanced for piano and voice) turned out to be too expensive, they helped out with selling to me the system on display for a substantial discount. They really helped me to realize my affordable dream stereo.
No need to emphasize that they have a large range of fantastic systems in their store to listen to anytime. Their home theater section also look breath-​taking, although I am no expert in this. If you are interested in high-​end audio this is definitely the store to visit. They deserve everybody’s business and will have mine soon again.

Great store. Very helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable staff. It was great to go to a store that had product to listen too. Their mini theater room was a great demonstration.

I was looking all over the place for businesses to demo some floorstanding speakers and everywhere I tried I couldn’t get anyone to answer the phone. I luckily found Monaco AVs number on Google and gave them a call to see when they closed so I could swing by and demo some speakers. When I called Ian gave me the best phone experience I’ve ever had from a business. He was so nice and helpful when I just wanted to know when they closed. He went out of his way to find out what I was looking for instead of just saying the time they closed and hung up like every business I’ve ever called before.
Once I got to the store they were extremely helpful, knowledgeable and extremely enthusiastic about the products they were demoing for me. Once they narrowed down the type of music I like and what I wanted from the loudspeakers I was looking for, Larry the owner of the company demo’d me a set of electrostatic speakers from Martin Logan. I’ve never heard of either the type of speaker and the brand. Regardless these things blew me away with what they could do. The soundstage was incredible as well as the overall tonal range it could deliver. After some more talking with the team there about the speakers I knew I wanted these speakers but I needed more time to think about it as well as look up some more information on speakers I demo’d.
I ended up coming back a few days later to demo them again because I had to be sure if I was going to end up buying them. Once I did I realized that I had to have them. We discussed the price and they were willing to work with me to help me stay around the budget I had to work with.
I would HIGHLY recommend these guys to anyone looking for Home Theater equipment or Hi-​Fi equipment and service. These guys know what they’re talking about as well as have the enthusiasm you rarely see in this type of business anymore. I will always recommend anyone I know to them and I will always be using Monaco AV for any of my future Home Theater/​Hi-​Fi needs.

Larry and Allen personally delivered KEF R900 speakers this afternoon as soon as they received them in their store. They set up the speakers for my PeachTree GrandIntegrated x1. The speakers sounded wonderful. Larry and Allen tell me that after about 100 hours of the break in period R900 speakers should sound even better. They were professional about ordering, informing me about delivery, and setting up the speakers. Not too many stores sell just an A/​V component any more. Many stores sell audio/​video systems and charge a lot more. I highly recommend Monaco Audio Video.

Just recently purchased the KEF LS50 from Larry and Allen at Monaco. Met them originally at the audiophile T.H.E. Show in Newport beach. Both were very knowledgeable and helpful – and fun to talk to. They were very responsive to my questions and let me spend several hours auditioning gear at the store.
Great selection and service. Great team!

I highly recommend Monaco’s. I walked in just as they were closing, and yet they spent 30 — 45 min with me. I didn’t know much about audio equipment and they were very patient, answering all my questions, and showing me various amps and speakers. I don’t live in the area, so they worked with me over the phone once I got home to set me up with a GREAT amp, a power conditioner and various cables. I would shop there again in a heartbeat.

Monaco is amazing! For me, it is the customer service that means so much. I am just not a very technically savvy person. The people at Monaco were so patient and helpful teaching me how to use my system and when I screw something up or have a problem, of any kind, they are always available to help me. I just call, they walk me through it, and I’m back on track. They are the best!

I have to HIGHLY Recommend Monaco AV Solution Center Store, they team is very knowledgeable, the products are Top Notch, and the home audio solutions they have are almost unimaginable. I was looking for an upgrade of my Home Theater and ended up finding out about the Home Automation solutions that are just so cool! After my visit there I realize that I have several projects ahead to achieve total Home Automation and I am looking forward to working with the Team of Monaco AV Solution Center Store to get there.

Purchased Kef R series speakers here. The place was still setting up when I visited. Larry and Ian is very knowledgeable about their products, as well as other brands they don’t carry. Delivery of products was prompt, as promised. They were a pleasure to deal with. Would definitely go back for future products to complete home theater system.