Sound Company

They are very nice on selling their products., but don’t expect any service after the sale. I have a warranty issue with one of their high end products.
When I tried to get help, Bob would avoid helping me.
He monitors who is calling and avoids answering if he sees who is calling. The only way I could get him to call back is by using a different phone line so he couldn’t figure out who is calling.
I finally ran out of different lines and left messages, when I ran out of different phone lines.
he never returned calls.
I had to go around him and go to the maker directly.
If you buy some of their top of the line products, don’t expect any product service from them.

I recently purchased a set of Paradigm speakers from Sound Company for my Home theater setup. I had done my research online and decided on the Paradigms based on what I read on several online audio communities. Sound Company were one of the few licensed Paradigm dealers in San Diego and so I decided to pay them a visit I have to say that the entire experience with them right from the time I visited the store has been top class. Bob really knows his stuff well. Along with demo he also offered some helpful insights into the technology used. I placed the order with them the next day. Once I set up my home theater system I called Bob for an in-​house consultation. He came over the very next day and offered his tips on how to get the best out of my system. I highly recommend Sound Company and would go back to them for future purchases.

Really great service– takes time to explain things as needed but on the other hand does things very quickly when you need it. Install was done really nicely and came back a week late to explain things that still needed clarification. Matched TV price from Amazon and best buy! Visiting store and having Bob not up-​sell was also great.

Just returned to buy yet more speakers. I’m always pleasantly surprised by the total lack of upsell. I’ve actually been buying speakers SC since 97 and they’ve never tried to upsell/​oversell me. This experience was no different.
The products they sell are more oriented towards audiophiles, so no cheap stuff here, but the quality has always been good, as has the advice, so I keep going back.

I have been buying stereo equipment from the Sound Company for thirty years. I have purchased 6 complete systems for myself, my dad and my son. I have been 100% satisfied with all 6 systems and with my interactions with the Sound Company. I believe I got good value for my $. Sometimes I know exactly what I want and make my own selections. Other times I ask for advice. Recently I asked Bob for advice on the selection of a modestly priced subwoofer for my #2 TV/​stereo setup. Bob recommended a Velodyne Impact 12. I got it. It sounds great and represents real value. All of my «box» purchases have been NAD components. My speakers and subwoofers have been Thiel, Celestion, Paradigm, B & W and Velodyne. Jim G

Jeff S.
After spending over $ 10,000 with the Sound Company, and being assured of an excellent sound system, I experienced just the opposite result.
I would suggest never doing business with them. After the original install, they were called back to correct problems for over one year. They never corrected the problems, and as it turns out, sold me equipment that was not designed to work as a system. They even charged me for some of these visits, even though the problems were due to them. My wife overruled my desire to end this process.
The lack of technical expertise, and general follow-​up from the owner, was very disappointing. The installers never really seemed to understand what they were doing, and could not make the basics work for any length of time.
In the end, the owner refused to except that he did not do a good job, and he refused to accept the feedback I gave him, as a result of doing business with another company, that corrected all of his mistakes.
Good luck if you spend your money at the Sound Company!

Sound Company installers Jonathan & Jose did a fabulous job setting up my home theatre system and making it sound terrific! They both went the extra mile to make sure I was happy with the setup.
In addition, Bob Kolkey back at the store is the most knowledgeable guy for home theatre purchases in San Diego.

I just called Sound Company to ask the prices for speaker stands. I purchased a sound system elsewhere and only needed stands.
The employee I just spoke with criticized my sound system, going on and on and on with the reasons I shouldn’t have purchased the system I bought (the system had great reviews on my budget), and how I needed to go into their store to listen to their systems.
All I asked for was their prices for speaker stands!
Absolutely turned off… This experience, along with the other reviews from females… Won’t be stepping a foot into this store!

We bought speakers at Sound Company about ten years ago, and then upgraded five years ago. We’ve been very pleased with our purchases, but besides for quality equipment, what I love about Sound Company is the in-​home service provided by Jonathan and Jose. They have been to our house several times to help install and program televisions, universal remotes, dvd players, and a stereo. They took one of the speakers to the shop to fix it and then returned it and set it up. They even ran HDMI cable in the crawl space under our house so I could hang the television on one wall and keep all the electronic equipment in the armoire across the room. They are intelligent, knowledgeable, experienced, communicate well, and are a pleasure to have in the house. Sound Company’s «house call» prices are fair and their work is excellent.

Purchased high quality speaker cable over the phone. I feel I got sound advice without pressure to upgrade more than needed. Install was at 8:00 a.m. and I was most impressed when the two man crew showed up exactly on time (30 min north of the store). The guys were pleasant and professional, did a good job and left me as a satisfied customer. I would do business with Sound Company again.

I waited many years to upgrade my home electronics, and when I made the move, I wanted to make sure I was getting what I hoped for. I went to some big box stores, and also to another specialty retailer. None were able to match the delightful experience given to me by Bob and Eileen.
I was welcomed into the shop to listen to many combinations of equipment, as often as I felt the urge. I was encouraged to bring in my own music and listen as long as I liked. Bob had a logical answer for every question or concern I had (most were about overcoming the challenges of my less than ideal listening space), and was often able to demonstrate equipment in such a way as to illustrate his answer. His enthusiasm for his profession is amazing — few people maintain their passion doing anything for 40 years, but Bob certainly has.
When I was finally ready to order, I was still unsure about my selection. Bob readily agreed to take back the Paradigm speakers I selected if I (or my wife) was unhappy with them. There was no need — they are everything we hoped for and more. The same is true for the Arcam electronics that are now driving them — fantastic. I’m still amazed at their ability to create a lifelike listening experience, even from compressed streamed sources. I was completely surprised by the improvement in video quality I achieved by running video through the receiver — I just expected it to be a switching device, not a source of an improved picture.
I chose to do my own installation — but one of the installers carried my equipment out to my car, and along the way gave me some very specific tips to simplify some installation challenges. Very knowledgable and helpful — those tips saved me at least an hour, and no doubt, a good bit of frustration.
I just ordered more speakers for my backyard, and I’ll be back again soon to expand the system into more listening areas. I enjoy every visit to the shop. But more importantly, I’m thrilled every time I fire up the system Bob helped me select — it’s musical and cinematic bliss!

In 2011 a reviewer wrote «I need an electronics store that pays as much attention to me as my husband.» Not much seemed to have changed so if you are female, even one ready to drop big money as I was, don’t bother. During my visit to talk about replacing a 10 yr old system completely with new components, the sales man left me in the middle of our conversation 2 times to attend to other customers (male). He could have easily greeted them and said «be with you when I’m finished here.» Can’t comment on the actual equipment. I’m not a ranting feminist, just a professional woman with money to spend who expects good service.

DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH SOUND COMPANY!!!
If you are going to walk in, purchase something and never need help again then this is the place to go. Bob and Daryl will cater to your needs to no end and send you on your way happily with what you purchased.
BUT, if you are getting a system that ever has issues, you are going to regret ever walking into this store.
And, whatever you do, NEVER NEVER NEVER USE THEIR INSTALLERS!!!
They did I horrible job. Everything they touched I had to re-​work. Including ripping open my entire ceiling again to replace their sub-​par cables. Wires frayed and not tightened down, center channel speaker installed upside-​down, wires pulled to length with no slack for moving anything, no clean-​up when completed, horrible attitudes, no professionalism, lying, deceit, no call backs from help calls, all components programmed incorrectly, etc, etc…
I made my mistake of choosing them over Best Buy to try and help out a local company. This install was raped the end of last year and its taken this long to write this review because I just couldn’t handle reliving it. My hands are shaking as I’m typing this, as all the anger is coming back. Feel free to contact me if you want ALL the details. There are so many more negative things that happened to me from Sound Company. I’ve never been treated so disrespectfully in my life.
I thought that if you spent over $ 10k on a new system you would be treated like a king. NOT IN THE SLIGHTEST.
DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH SOUND COMPANY!!!
Can’t say I didn’t warn you. If I can save just one person…

Sound Company is a good shop to find above average audio equipment, but not is the stratosphere of $ 50K turntables. The staff is most helpful in explaining their products. I recently purchased a Rega P1 turntable and the guys gave me great tips and balanced the tone arm in store.
They feature stereos, turntable, and speakers form makers such as Paradigm, NAD, B&W, and Rega. They try to offer the best components in each price range. They are evangelical about finding the best sounding speakers, and often not at the highest price. It is a place where you can bring in your music and try it out in the store listening rooms.

This place was absolutely great! I am a younger guy and when I walked into some of the other HiFi boutiques around San Diego the sales reps normally wouldn’t even give me the time of day. That was definitely not the case here. I walked in and right away I had some one take me into the listening room, show me around, talk to me about everything I could ever need to know, and was extremely helpful. The salesman (Will C.) wasn’t pushy at all (unlike some of the other shops in the area), was very respectful of my budget, and even offered me a discount for being a student. These guys really know their stuff and love being there. Their prices were very fair (no one else had the equipment I was looking at for cheaper, online or in store… that I could find at least). I would recommend The Sound Company to all my friends. If you are looking for new audio equipment you would be crazy not to pay them a visit. It doesn’t matter if you are a log time audiophile or just getting into it this is the place to go!
They just earned themselves a new long time customer!

I have been going there for since 1987, starting with their old San Marcos location. Eventually the San Marcos location closed and they kept the Sports Arena location. I have purchased products off and on from the them through the years.
The are very good at what they do and truly enjoy their jobs. You will not find some pimple face kid working there that is just trying to make enough money for surf board wax. Anyone you talk to there will be an audiophile.
If you think your $ 99 ghetto blaster that you got for your 18^th birthday sounds great, don’t even walk in the door. Not to say that there is anything wrong with what you have, just that you will not appreciate what they have to offer. If you are looking for a cheap deal, go elsewhere, that is not the business they are in. If music stirs your soul and feeling like you are all alone at a concert just for you makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up, plan on spending 2 hours there and leaving with a big smile. If you are looking for uncompromising quality and an honest deal, they are perfect. I could always save a few bucks buying online but local experts like these guys are a dyeing breed. I believe you have to support the local small business man or they will disappear. By the way, try to find an online store that will let you take a $ 4,000 amplifier home for a week to try it out without buying it! Good luck!!! Yes, they did that for me, more than once in fact, and yes, I did return and buy it from them in both cases. Don’t think you have to be an audiophile to be welcome, they are happy to educate you, just be open to learning something new. I recommend you ask for Bob, he is one of the owners.

Super good place and friendly informative techs. Fixed my turntable which just needed a new cartridge when other places I called wanted me to bring both my receiver and turntable for 2 ½ weeks!!! Sound Company took a day and saved me a ton of money and aggravation in the process.

If your a high end audiophile, this is one of the places you want to visit. They sell B&W, NAD, Thiel, Paradigm, Monitor Audio, etc. Everything is usually MSRP, so you can find better deals online. I just like to buy things here because its local.

I bought and amp & pre-​amp from these guys and was totally disappointed with the service I received. I’m not going to go into details but be careful making large purchases, especially if you get floor models…

Like Ian C., I also found Sound Company when I was searching for a pair of headphones. My trip was just a quick in and out to pick up exactly what I wanted, but in the short visit I was impressed with how courteous and helpful the guys running the shop were to me.