Article: Soundline Wellington's new showroom

[Michael Jones]

You can view the page at http://www.audioenz.co.nz/content.php/64-Soundline-Wellington-s-new-showroom

[DodgyConnection]

When I visited I was a little horrified to hear that there was a Home Theatre demo room only - a sign of the sales percentages of HT v two channel I guess. While the polished concrete floors and white wall of the main store look fantastic, I can't see how such a reflective room is going to show off the best sound quality. The big Quads are in that room and I was told the would be demonstated there too -very strange approach IMO.

[Michael Jones]

My understanding is that the shop is viewed as a "showroom", rather than a demonstration room. And that any serious demons would take place in the home of the customer.

[Gary.M]

Ohhhh, call in the Exorcist!


...And that any serious demons would take place in the home of the customer...

[neil]

Whilst minor demons can be dealt with at the shop!

[Michael Jones]

And that any serious demons would take place in the home of the customer.

Demons in the typing fingers definitely. Call I blame autocorrect for this?

The line should read "And that any small demos..."

[Gary.M]

Still having trouble with those demons Mike? ;-)


... Call I blame autocorrect for this?

The line should read "And that any small demos..."

[KevinO]

When I visited I was a little horrified to hear that there was a Home Theatre demo room only - a sign of the sales percentages of HT v two channel I guess. While the polished concrete floors and white wall of the main store look fantastic, I can't see how such a reflective room is going to show off the best sound quality. The big Quads are in that room and I was told the would be demonstated there too -very strange approach IMO.

To be fair , the shop isn't quite fininshed.Charles tells me that the intention is to treat the area where they have most of their 2 channel gear ; carpets and some wall linings are on the to do list.
I've spent many many hours ( and mucho doleros) at both shops in Welly.The new shop is designed to meet the needs of a changing market , as Darrin says. Lots of "lifestyle" gear; whilst audio purists may turn up their perfectly formed noses at the concept , it sells and pays the bills. New shop looks great and should meet their requirements. Great thing- my partner walked in the other day and saw the screen with wall mounted Merdian speakers and said to the guys " that's cool". Somehing for some unscrupulous bugger to exploit

[Neal]

Congrats on the new venue , must come down to check it out.

In terms of the new venue make no apology for the new format. I'd rather that the shop stays in business than goes under to under trying to compete with margin selling retail electronic stores that have the odd bit of real hifi gear.

From my experience , dealing with you guys has been more about what will work in your lounge / system than what sounds good on the floor. Your lucky / fortunate to have Charles working for you how I'd describe and NZ's answer to Ken Kessler.

I've had some great customer services out of some of the Wellington audio shops over the last 25 year. Unfortunately many have fallen by the wayside. However , the advice & service from Charles of Soundline last year which led to the choice of a MC cart within my budget range left me with one of the best experiences I've had. Charles was also kind enough to service my turnable and fit the MC cart within the price of the cart. His wealth of experience is just worth popping down to listen to.

I compare this service I bought when buying a HD camcorder worth 3 times the price from a well know retail electronics store, I ended up buying from an overseas reviews as the store new nothing about the cameras, two weeks later I'm in the same store and the salesperson remembers me and asks how the radio clock is going !

[Antipodes]

Charles is one of the best.

[DodgyConnection]

Charles is one of the best.

Indeed he is a true gentleman, I have always had extremely pleasant (and memorable) dealings with him. He will take the time to discuss Hi-fi above and beyond "the sale."

But I stand by my original criticism that the lack of a dedicated two-channel room is a bit shortsighted. It's all very well to have a showroom - essentially a more polished Harvey Norman approach - and organise "home demos" on top of that (a much more time consuming and difficult process) but really I can do that on the 'net - I want to go to a hi-fi store to listen to the product.

[kaka]

I've had magnificent service and advice from Charles - but it was another of the team that transitioned me from McLaren to Plinius. He knew exactly what every one of their components and cables sounded like, and provided good advice based on my feedback. The then Soundline team rotated gear home from the shop so they could check them out in detail.

I dropped in to pick up a cable while they were in mid-build and was also surprised that two channel testing is out in the shop. I wonder how much of it they sell now, maybe the call was based on the space available.

[KevinO]

Whilst I completely agree about Charles , just a mention about Darrin. He came round to my place this afternoon ( public holiday and all) to diagnose me isolate a problem I've been having with one of my new speakers. He offered to come over ; problem diagnosed ( unfortunately not fixable today).But the gesture of coming over in his family time was greatly appreciated .So I do think the service at Wellington Soundline is exemplary ; I've been dealing with them for 10 years and have to say that this level of attention is routine for them.Just great guys to deal with.

[Ross F]

Yep. My visit to Soundline today was extremely useful. Darrin spent some time identifying the specs of my "antique" phones and recommending contemporary solutions. A sale will probably result when $$ become available. A completely different attitude from some tossers who call themselves salesman.

[bigburner]

Ohhhh, call in the Exorcist!

Exorcizo te, omnis spiritus immunde, in nomine Dei Patris omnipotentis, et in noimine Jesu Christi Filii ejus, Domini et Judicis nostri, et in virtute Spiritus Sancti, ut descedas ab hoc plasmate Dei Michael Jones, quod Dominus noster ad templum sanctum suum vocare dignatus est, ut fiat templum Dei vivi, et Spiritus Sanctus habitet in eo. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum, qui venturus est judicare vivos et mortuos, et saeculum per ignem.

Nigelus Minus Titicus.