Ive noticed that alot of people say support the local car audio shops

[audio_guy 10+ year member]

The guy that owns a shop closest to me told me to set my gains by ear, I haven't been back since.

Wow.. talk about "ignorance is bliss".

Lmao

 

[Wattser93 10+ year member]

Including big box stores, I have 6 shops in my local area. 3 local guys that are good, two big box stores, and a very ghetto shop that I won't step into.

The big box stores are typical big box, some high school kids that have been told to praise Monster cable, sell Kicker amps at MSRP, and tell everybody that once they get a big amp they need a huge capacitor to keep voltage up.

One of the local guys is great. He's willing to BS with a customer even if they're just a tire kicker blowing some time on a weekend. He recommends against a lot of the equipment on his board, telling you that the $500 JL comps are overpriced, and that for the money there's much better ones available, even if he doesn't stock those models. His installs are pricey, but that's what pays the bills. As a DIY guy, he offers equipment at competitive to internet prices, and often lower. He makes the money off of the people that come in and buy equipment at MSRP, and then eats losses on us DIY guys. But when somebody asks me "Where did you get your stuff, it sounds awesome!", I send them his directions.

The other two are decent, but nothing special. There's an "audio shop" where the signs are all in multiple languages, the building is in disrepair, and has broken down cars in his parking lot. I've never gone into that shop.

 

[d77543020 10+ year member]

I can see it now install only shops ,cars are more difficult to put systems in nowadays so good installers will be In demand even if the retail is not there anymore

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

I dont support the local shop in my area(car toys), as I have been in just to see what they have available, and over hearing the sales reps talking to the install guys trying to rip an older man off on some cheap a s s mtx subs installed 12s terminators for $600 with a 5/8 premade box.Yet, If I truely need anything, or have a question, and have tested them, and they are by far HONEST, and PERFESSIONAL, and FAIR, is a shop in Mesquite Tx.called Josephs Car Audio.They are knowledgable, and carry good gear, and have excellent installers,and seem to treat everyone with respect, and within all fairness.Yet, I usually do my own, and have since 89 installs, and buy /have what I need for my buildouts.But, if in the area, swing by and question them on something that not just anyone knows, but only a few, and i am certain that youll be satisfied, as I was, and am.Those guys know theyre STUFF:thumbupw:

 

[xmakeafistx 10+ year member]

I would have to say, the people at my local shop know their ****, and sell some good ****, but act like assholes about it. The guy really does it out of passion for the hobby, but his prices are ridiculous (not as bad as some other shops though.) Every time I try to buy something small there its ******* expensive as ****. Last time I went in there he tried charging me 5 dollars a terminal. And when I said no thanks, he just started going on a rant about how he needs to sell at that price to pay the bill, and how I should be supporting local shops cause they will always be there blah blah blah. Every time I go into the **** shop the guy acts like a total prick because hes all burthurt that online is able to sell cheaper, and I understand his situation but he shouldn't be popping off on me because of it. I mean, i don't bring all of that "oh well online forums say this hurr durr", but when he ask me where i've seen **** cheaper, i'll let him know. He tried going off to me about how KNU wire is ****** as **** blah blah.

 

[t-money 10+ year member]

The guy that owns a shop closest to me told me to set my gains by ear, I haven't been back since.

Whats wrong with setting your gain by ear? I'm old school and that's exactly how we set our gains. You don't need a DMM to set your gains. I've never had a problem and i've been into car audio for 25 years

 

[whitedragon551 5,000+ posts]

Whats wrong with setting your gain by ear? I'm old school and that's exactly how we set our gains. You don't need a DMM to set your gains. I've never had a problem and i've been into car audio for 25 years

Everything especially if you dont know what your listening for.

 

[Mitch86 5,000+ posts]

There are 2 local shops here. One sells directed and thats about it.Overpriced and they know absolutely nothing about car audio. The other carries Memphis and JL and is WAY overpriced on the equipment and install. A buddy of mine paid almost 3k for 2 JL w6s and a J2 1000.1 and J2 4 channel. The install was basic.. prefab box and a "custom amp rack" that consisted of the amps sitting in the tire well with a piece of wood with a plexi window.(which didnt look all that great imo) This shop also knows nothing about audio. Theres usually a 60+ year old woman behind the counter and if she cant look it up on her computer, you are **** out of luck. Memphis 1/0 wire is 7 bucks a foot + tax... There is no way I'd ever spend my money at these shops unless I desperately need something small like fuses or ring terminals and even then they will be WAY overpriced. lol

 

[loud-n-low 10+ year member]

gotta love those shops that think our Sundown, DC,AA, etc equipment is all basement made garbage lol

 

[wickedwitt 10+ year member]

Wow.. talk about "ignorance is bliss".
Lmao

They do that because most people don't have an oscilloscope, or an instruction manual for voltage meter gain setting. JL amps do, most others don't and just say set with o-scope. If you can listen for a change in sound, anyone can set an amp by ear within 5% of gain match.

 

[Why So Cereal? 5,000+ posts]

They do that because most people don't have an oscilloscope, or an instruction manual for voltage meter gain setting. JL amps do, most others don't and just say set with o-scope. If you can listen for a change in sound, anyone can set an amp by ear within 5% of gain match.

This.

There's really nothing wrong with setting gains by ear as long as you know what to look for, if you're after a wwell balanced system, chances are you'll end up level matching by ear anyway. The other methods simply establish somethin of a ceiling IMO. I tried em all and I prefer ear. But that's just me.

 

[Jakerrr 10+ year member]

My local shop actually has a good reputation. They even do some 100 grand plus installs for pro football players but I can tell they're just in it to make money. They charge $200 for a jl audio 8w3. Crazy! Also I think some of the people there are clueless about car audio. One guy even told me the big 3 would provide no benefit at all to a 1000 wrms system with a stock 90 amp alt. instead he told me I'd probably have to spend 170 on a second battery.

 

[sacsking916 5,000+ posts]

i will absolutely not support my "local" shops. there is one i will go BS with if i need something drastic. instead i will drive my happy self 30 minutes away to a shop that takes care of audio enthusiasts. they hold shows several times a year, actually know what they are talking about and are all coo as heck. Lake County Car Audio is where i will go if i need something, outside of that i will just stick to the internet

 

[fullwoofer2121 10+ year member]

I went to a place and a guy said he never installed 10's because 12's were just so much louder. he was selling memphis PR's, orion hcca and american bass subwoofers. most people (even in other categories like car care products and everything else) dont know any better. like the man who goes to autozone and talks about how mothers and meguires are "good wax" when there is stuff a lot better for a few bucks more. sometimes though you reach a level of a product and going up doesnt really make it better. for instance some people talk about how good armour all is. it is the worst thing you can use on a car and some tire stores will void the warranty if you use it.