Innovative Audio Video Showrooms - New York, New York

Porsha Chiac

I can relate closely to Rob Ciere's experience below with my visit to this showroom. While I truly appreciate the effort it takes to operate a brick-and-mortar store in Manhattan, I found my visit much less less enjoyable than I had hoped.

As a woman very involved and interested in home theater, I felt quite lectured to about Wilson speakers and their superiority over other brands. I did not come in to audition that brand. Despite my 20 years of experience in the industry, the salesperson didn’t inquire about my interests or preferences or future purchase plans. Instead, the conversation seemed focused on informing me about the brand rather than engaging in a dialogue about what I was looking for.

I genuinely want this store to thrive. It would greatly enhance the customer experience if salespeople asked customers what they hoped to find, rather than projecting their own preferences. Being in the business myself, it’s important to remember that the goal is to understand and meet the customer's needs.

To future visitors: I encourage you to explore this store, but be prepared to steer the conversation back to your own interests if you find yourself caught in a lengthy discussion about other specific brands. Ultimately, this experience should center around the audio and home theater hobby and most importantly you, the listener.

Rob Ciere

Just a weird experience overall. I had called previously to see if they were an ATC dealer. They confirmed yes and we had a brief conversation in which he/they conveyed on how they were much more than just sellers of speakers. They pride themselves on getting someone absolutely happy with their new system.

Great, but I explained I had done my research and already decided on speaker and just needed a dealer/distributor at this point. They insisted I would come in and have a chat to make sure I was happy with my choice.

I called them 3 days later when in their building for a different chore to see if they had time for a meet and greet so I could see who I was dealing with. They agreed to see me on short notice (1 additional star for that) and I went down to their showroom. 20 minute wait, no problem I called last minute.

This is when it became uncomfortable. He (and please forgive, I am extremely bad with names) asked me what I was looking at. I explained I was between active 50’s and 100’s pending room size. I mentioned I was familiar with the ATC brand and had done my research. He then said he had some 20’s to listen at but really didn’t care for ATC. I was then invited to a listening room with some Wilson AleXX and continued to praise these over ATC’s and let me listen to them, without me asking for this and or questioning my choice. I then got a lecture on the current state of politics and he let no doubt that it was one way or the highway………. I gave him the benefit of the doubt and let him know what I usually listen to, which he complete ignored and started something completely irrelevant to me. I told him the system/speakers were out of budget and not of interest. He then ratcheted up the sales pitch on how bad ATC was in comparison to Wilson and I should really buy Wilson.

Long story short, I sit here listening to my SCM100ASLT with a big grin on my face. Happy with my purchase and research done beforehand. If you are into Wilson’s maybe consider them if you are of a specific political party, otherwise please ignore them as a serious dealer.

Richard Frederick

I just had an amazing experience at Innovative Audio. I had heard about them from Steve Guttenberg’s Audiophiliac podcast. First, I just want say that the folks at Innovative are outstanding professionals. I truly appreciate the time and information they shared. If you are in the market for the very best systems, this is definitely a place you need to visit. The sound of their equipment is “mind blowing,” amazingly clear and detailed with the very best soundstage I have ever experienced. Your ears will THANK YOU!!

Roy

I am in the market for a Rega Planar 6 and doing my research, I saw this store as a local Rega retailer and decided to give them a ring. The man I spoke to was helpful and took down my information. Their website states that there are listening rooms where one can make an appointment to demo records on their inventory to make an informed decision before buying. When one is spending good coin on quality equipment this is generous as most places won't do this. Sadly, my schedule only allowed Saturdays for me to come in. When I asked if Saturday's were a possibility he told me he had to check with someone else (as someone would have to come in for this, even though it states that they are opened on Saturday as well) and this is when he took my information down.

He did ask when I was looking to purchase this turntable and I let him know that if it a right fit for me, I would purchase it soon (as I have the budget set aside for this). I guess that answer wasn't good enough for him as he did end the call with something about someone else reaching out to me to make an appointment. However, looking at their website it did say that one could call them to schedule one. Yet he couldn't tell me if I could come in on the only day that I could.

I am, almost a month later, still waiting for this call back. I called on 3/18/22 at 3:50 PM.

Unfortunately this kind of unprofessional behavior is what helps drive these places out of business. Maybe a 1600 dollar turntable wasn't enough of my money for me to be worth their time or help pay that months rent. Just because a business has been around since the 70s doesn't mean it'll be immune to the online marketplace.

Luckily for me, there is another Rega retailer nearby. A mom and pop vinyl shop in Queens a short N train ride from Manhattan. I gave my information to the person working there and they put me in contact with what I presumed to be the store owner who took their time to go over set up options with me.

TL;DR unless you're purchasing a 100k sound system with a 30k cartridge or have been a past client, they won't follow up with you.

James Peterson

I purchased a pair of Watt Puppy Speakers from Innovative Audio a few years ago. I moved to CT and lost my some parts and wanted to order a new set of feet for the speakers. I called Wilson, and they said that I would need to order the parts from a dealer. No problem, so I called Innovative Audio to purchase the feet. The sales person whom I spoke with refused to sell me just the parts unless I hired them to to a professional "set up" in my new home. I can't believe that they refused to just sell me the parts. I called another New England dealer, explained my situation, and ordered the parts not problem. Dropped shipped right to me. This is totally consistent with my experience at Innovative audio. Its sad that there are so few high end dealers in NYC. And these guys just want to separate money from clients.

Terry Gruber

I have had only good experiences at IAVS. My latest was when I called to arrange a service call because I was not getting sound through my NAD system playing a movie on Apple TV. Instead of simply putting me down for a service call Bruce sent me multiple emails about how to trouble shoot the problem having done a ton of research. 3 days later after many emails and calls and try the last suggestion worked. Bruce gave me the confidence that I could try different settings as my first line of defense and try to do it myself. The cost was zero so thanks Bruce and Innovative for being awesome.

Ryan Wong

Elliot demo'd a bunch of great gear for me and was more than kind throughout the whole showing. They have a whole range of products and the showroom is pristine. If you're looking for HiFi equipment, they're great at tailoring a system together for your needs. Check them out!!

Daniel zzz

Wonderful shop, with full range display of gear from top brands such as Wilson, Spectral, D'Agostino, MSB, dCS and much more. High end audio served how it deserves. Thank you and keep rocking