High End Equipment Demand

ZaneO · 12-12-04, 11:09

I am looking into opening an audio shop and would like some opinions. We are trying to get a feel for some high end brands. I realize that this is a fairly broad question, so any input would be very appreciated.

There is already a dealer who sells JL, Alpine, Eclipse, etc. We understand that those are the more popular brands, but we feel that there are some other high end brands that are equal or better in performance and price.

One line we are looking into specifically is Diamond Audio. How do you guys feel it compares to something like the JL line (speakers, subs, etc.)? Do you think there is enough demand for high end that isn't so well-known?

Thanks for your time.

NavindraLR · 12-12-04, 11:50

ive heard diamond audio makes some good stuff, but to tell you the truth, most of the stuff i would buy, as well as my friends, are jlw7 subs, alpine components, alpine indash, and some jl or alpine amps... are u saying u dont want to sell those brands, or u want to sell more ontop of them? because they are very very popular especially with the import tuner crowd

ZaneO · 12-12-04, 11:55

There is already a dealer in town, and we cannot sell Alpine and JL Audio due to dealer restrictions.

We realize that they are the more popular brands due to magazines, etc., but that doesn't mean they are necessarily the best. They are awesome products, and if we could sell them, believe me we would.

hftw Audi 6 · 12-12-04, 11:57

Infintity components, kicker, Jl, eclipes subs, alpine, kenwood and pinoneer decks (especially in-dash tv's) are just a couple of very popular sellers around my area. a good 6 people i kno have that pinoeer in dsah tv with or without the navi on it, and kicker's/JL's are huge out here too! I would just say carry the brands that would sell because in the end the competition between you and the other buisness will come down to quality of work and pricing. Get to know your customers and give the ones that come back again and again a break. These people won't hesitate to spread your name around and with good work to back your name, that will put your buisness ahead of the other one(s).

hftw Audi 6 · 12-12-04, 12:00

Just sell wut you can get your hands on whether it is being sold by some1 else or not, like i said b 4 it will come down to quality of work and pricing IMO.

scottabir · 12-12-04, 12:04

Mcintosh amps are suppose to be real nice

Rockford Fosgate are big sellers here. Pioneer, PPI, Sony (decks), are all popular and come in a wide price range of products.

ZaneO · 12-12-04, 12:05

hftw Audi 6 - You cannot sell products that another dealer is selling, and we are not going to sell just anything.

We realize what the big name brands are. Some of the best stuff out there isn't the most popular.

scottabir · 12-12-04, 12:19

Some not so poplualr brands: Boston Accoustics, MBQuart, Mcintosh amps, Cerwin-Vega (pretty popular has high end stuff too), esoteric audio (wires, connections),Nakamichi, soundstream,Zapco,Xtant are a few underrated names in my book.

ZaneO · 12-12-04, 12:23

Right and we are looking into some of those very brands.

andriver · 12-12-04, 12:27

Zane, have you visited any of the audiophile forums for info?

ZaneO · 12-12-04, 12:29

I have checked out some of them...which ones do you know of?

andriver · 12-12-04, 12:39

Zane here's one my son use to read http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/ . I am sure there are a ton of others that some of the members frequent. Good luck on your new venture.