Ahead Stereo

This shop is within an excellent area — quite simple to reach. The within the shop is neat and well-​organized. We have discovered the product sales representatives to be really informative and helpful in several regions of the shop in which We have shopped every once in awhile. I would personally fall out of my method to store at this particular specific area!

I picked Ahead Stereo to design and install a dedicated media room (for movies and music) and a wired distributed audio system throughout my home. I met with numerous other home theater installers but Ahead was the only one that combined a deep knowledge of the audio side of things without losing sight of providing value for money.
Phil, Ahead’s owner, sets the tone and leads a team that works seamlessly to provide a top-​quality overall customer experience.
I worked closely with Brian who helped me spec out my system and thankfully put up with my numerous questions. Unlike other integrated home system providers Ahead is able to offer serious audiophile brands like McIntosh and B&W. Brian quoted a system to fit my budget but I followed his advice to upgrade particular components and given the results I have absolutely not regretted it.
Patrick and Jordan installed the system, including numerous in-​wall and in-​ceiling B&W speakers, and they worked tirelessly and methodically. After the initial installation the whole team including Phil and Brian made sure everything functioned as intended. Patrick and Jordan came back a few times at no extra charge for some final tweaks.
As I write this I am listening to lossless music streaming from Tidal throughout my place that sounds fantastic (Sonos was fun for a while, but now I can hear what I was missing). Watching movies on a UHD TV with truly superior surround sound reproduction is a revelation.
I would recommend Ahead Stereo without hesitation to anyone who is serious about the quality of their home entertainment system.

Today I went to Ahead Stereo and auditioned two Audeze headphones. I just walked in, had a specific headphone in mind (the LDC-​3), brought my computer with music. They were helpful, had the LCD-​3 in their shelves, and unpacked an Audeze Deckard DAC and amplifier to demo the headphone for me. When I mentioned that the LCD-​3 has a very warm color, they pointed me to the LCD-​X as a more neutral headphone, which was spot on and exactly what I was looking for. They gave me all the time I needed to get a good impression of the headphones, answered my questions competently, and when I walked out without buying anything (I really need to make a finance plan for such an expensive purchase) they were fine, not pushy at all, only mentioned that they would appreciate if I would buy it through them. I liked their service, and I will do exactly that as soon as I can afford it.

Top of the line Audio equipment. Very helpful and knowledgeable, pleasant to work with. Certainly a better experience than the big box stores (which won’t even carry most of what Ahead does), and many higher end brands (like B&W) don’t have online retailers either.
I came in with a list of needs and a budget. I was shown some gear, and we discussed things. I went home to conduct some research and make up my mind. Came back in a few days later and purchased my new Amp and Speakers for a good deal. Couldn’t be happier with how everything went.

After moving to the east side of Hollywood, so far from my fave used shops in NYC I thought I might be «SOL» as fas as making deals especially on used equipment in LA. I went to a small shop in Silverliake/​Los Feliz who was shall we say quaint but not what I was looking for. All I was trying to do was trade a decent pair of Bi-​Wire speaker cables for a like-​level pair of single ended speaker cables, nothing too «snooty» as far as audiophile gear goes. Both gentlemen were friendly and helpful, even the man who was in a waiting pattern with another client. I read most of the reviews for Ahead Stereo and I currently ONLY agree with the 4’s and 5’s, so to speak. My sales agent, upon request, showed me a really nice used cd player at a very favorable price AND gave me no pressure whatsoever! The shop is in an expensive part of town for rent, have a beautiful store that is clean and well layed out and could not have been more patient… and on a hot day boy was that air conditioning great!

We wanted to mount our TV in front of our fireplace and purchase and install a new home audio system. We took our requirements to Best Buy and even bought speakers and paid for installation only to have Best Buy completely blow it. After a Best Buy refund, we checked out Ahead. The owner was extremely knowledgeable. We got exactly what we wanted installed quickly with no hassle. I’ll never go anywhere else for home audio. Our install looks great and sounds great. Exactly what we wanted. I’d give them 6 stars, if I could. Thanks, Ahead.

If you are looking for top quality stereo equipment this is the place to go. They carry inventory that places like Best Buy don’t. I was very pleased with the custom experience, these guys are the top in terms of selection and I love my sound system!

I brought in my Rega RP-​1 turntable to have the cartridge upgraded, and Brian steered me in the perfect direction — an Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge — at a very fair price. He expertly installed the cartridge for me on the spot (included with the purchase), complete with some very sophisticated measuring and finessing. I went home, plugged it in, and was blown away. Sounds sensational. Very happy indeed.

I recently purchased a Rega rp6 turntable, amplifier, and speakers from here and I am undoubtedly a happy customer. They carry high-​end products and if you’re a serious customer, they are extremely helpful, patient, and attentive. I wasn’t able to pay the price in full right away and they were accommodating enough to take a deposit and place the order anyway. They even kept the store open twice after their closing time just to accommodate me. Overall, I am very satisfied with the service I received and I am absolutely in love with my new turntable!

I had been searching for Bower & Wilkins speakers online and the local area. Most of my searches led to custom home installation or Best Buy. Not only did Ahead Stereo have everything I was looking for in stock, but they also cut me a deal!
The staff was very helpful, informative, and told me to let them know if I had any troubles. They were honest and didn’t try and push product or services on me that I did not need.
I will definitely go back to them for future needs!

Decent little audiophile store. One of the only games in central LA outside Magnolia. Friendly staff. Good to see a little shop still operating despite Best Buy and the internet. Prices are reasonable, their collection of speakers and amps is well-​curated, they only deal in quality stuff. I’d like to see them carry more of the little stuff, accessories-​wise… Since Radioshack has decided to stop selling nicer banana plugs and the like, the only option off-​line is the Monster or Rocketfish stuff at Best Buy. Would be cool to have another option for that kind of grab-​bag stuff. They can order anything, mind you… But it would be cool to have a source for a last-​minute grab when you’re in the middle of a speaker project.

AVOID THIS STORE AT ALL COSTS! Now I’m typically a big proponent of supporting local independently owned shops, but this one was a big disappointment. Not only was the worker there (bald guy who works on Fridays around noon) unhelpful, but rude and condescending.
This dude really came of as a total ass and exactly the template of what you associate with audiosnobs. I came into the store hoping to sample some Grado headphones with no particular model in mind, but with every intention to purchase.
The asshat working there seemed to take offense to the fact that I was not sure what model I was particularly interested in and this was made worse by the fact that they have no headphones to try or on display. Further, the same dude with the titanium rod jammed up his ass made no attempt to inform me about any of the cans or answer any of my questions regarding stereos.
During my short time there I just got the sense that my business was not wanted.
Needless to say I didn’t spend a dime here as there’s this thing called the INTERNET! More particularly AMAZON.
Do yourself a favor and save your money and buy online it’s cheaper and more convenient anyways. Perhaps drop into this store being run by the piece of excrement just to try somethings out and TAKE YOUR BUSINESS ELSEWHERE!

I wish I could give them 2.5 stars because they were not particularly bad to deal with, nor were they particularly stellar. I would say average across the board with a decent knowledge of HiFi in general.

If you live in LA I don’t know why you’d go anywhere but Ahead Stereo for your audio needs. Came in a few years ago and bought a Music Hall Turntable. They were extremely informative and helped me to get it going that day by subbing out another needle. Had a small issue with it later and they gave me an entirely new turntable in exchange no problem. Needed a new needle this week and Brian special ordered it for me. Told me to bring in my turntable when it got in and he would install it (I break things with large fingers if I do it) no problem. Needle came in, he installed it and showed me how to do it. Could not have been cooler. Brian knows his shit and went the extra mile for me. Now it sounds like Tom Jones is singing in my living room.

WARNING***
These guys are not who you want to do business with. Ive been lied to, mislead, manipulated and just plain blown off after spending tens of thousands of dollars with them.
THIS IS NOT THE PLACE YOU WANT SERVICE FROM.
The job as been completed and all is up and running. But after much struggle.

I moved to Los Angeles from Chicago in 1999 and have visited Ahead Stereo three times over the years. Each time I have entered the store with the full intention of buying something, only to be completely turned off by snooty salespeople who make it crystal clear that if you aren’t spending $ 5000 or so, you are not worthy of their attention. Each time, I found myself calling the stereo store I used to frequent in Chicago where the salespeople cheerfully answer my questions and ship excellent gear to me tax free.
If you have a lot of money to spend and want to be taken for a ride by a bunch of fake audiophiles, this place is for you. Likewise, if care about audio, only go to Ahead Stereo if you like being treated like a gawky single college kid trying to get past the velvet rope on Sunset Boulevard.
Believe me, that club isn’t worth your time, and neither is Ahead Stereo.

Well, i have to say that until now, I have always given people or company the benefit of the doubt. But now that I have worked with Ahead Stereo three times in the past. I should have known better. They have never been that helpful, and now, after buying another (over 3grand) receiver. They are even more indignant in helping me out.
I bought a Rotel receiver after my Denon burnt it’s self out. So this time, I thought I would go back to Ahead stereo. They have great product, and I thought I could ignore how they make you feel stupid in what you know about stereos.
But now, I have complained for a year that my Rotel wasn’t working properly. Ahead stereo told me it must be the old wiring in my house. (it was brand new wiring less than four years ago) That it was NOT the receiver. I recently moved and plugged the Receiver directly into the tv. And guess what. It wasn’t the wiring in my old house.
The receiver still not working!
On calling the store, and letting them know, that it wasn’t working correctly. Ahead stereo told me to now take it to a repair shop across town. I asked if Ahead Stereo could take it for me. They said they would but would charge me for it??? Even though I have been complaining about this for a year?!
This is the last time I will ever purchase from them, and now will make it my mission to let people know, if you need a place that has great customer service and helpful staff. This is not the place to go. And you can always find expensive stereos, without attitude.

Ahead Stereo helped me with my complete home remodel. They installed all the prewiring and worked with my contractor to make my home theatre system and surround sound throughout the house a pleasent experiance. Since I’m a novice with electronics, Stereos and TV’s their help with a lot of great advice made the install and recommendations of what equipment to get within my budget pleasant. I’m now enjoying many hours of great Music and TV with my new home system. Thanks Ahead Stereo,
Robert R.

If you are looking for b&w 685 speakers, they usually have them in stock.
I would highly recommend them for apartment applications.
On ebay the 602 series still sells for around 400 used, but this newer model has a better bass, and a smaller footprint.
I was concerned about listening to them a lower volume levels, and am finding them to be very accurate across the board.
They are being used for my hifi listening, not in a surround sound project and are paired with a awesome vintage Rotel 100 watt amp.
I did not biwire them initially, so out of the box and not even through the burn phase, I am impressed.
I called Ahead Stereo to see if they had them in stock, they did, their service was very good, so this man has no issues with the transaction.

I have gone into Ahead Stereo several times over the years. Every time I go in there I’m immediately met with either indifference or attitude. The sales people I have interacted with there border on arrogant. It is exactly the kind of experience that turns people off when trying to explore high end audio equipment. There’s a reason why high end stores are a dying breed. You would think with the recession, stores like this would grasp the concept of customer service as a way to differentiate themselves but apparently this idea is lost on the owner and sales staff of Ahead Stereo.
In addition, their product lines are OK but the selection they carry within those lines is somewhat sparse. Yet another questionable decision by management.
I will no longer even bother to visit this store. There are too many other options, even if they are a bit of a drive, where my business is appreciated and I’m treated like a valued customer.