Best stuff at a chain store

[Scryer_360]

Most of what we read about here on Audioholics can only be found online anymore, or if you are lucky enough to live near a independent shop. Hence, most Americans it seems get suckered into hardware built to sell, not built to sound good.

But some of what I see at chain stores is what I'll call promising, not necessarily amazing stuff, but if tweaked right, it'd be alright.

So, just scrolling through what Best Buy, Wal-Mart, and Sears (or any other chain you like) have to offer, what would you say is some of the better hardware on the shelves today?

Working for Best Buy, I'd say Yamaha makes some of the better receivers, and (wait for it) Klipsch is the way to go for speakers.

 

[ErinH]

Most of what chain stores sell, I'd probably buy (receivers, tv).

But, I wouldn't spend a dime on speakers from a chain store. DIY, or internet brand only. Just too many options for a better price. Same can be said for anything, but I buy an amp for power; I buy speakers for sound. IMO, clean power is all the same (amps shouldn't have a sound, imo) so you buy what fits your needs. A speaker is a different story.

My $.02

 

[EYEdROP0]

Most of what we read about here on Audioholics can only be found online anymore, or if you are lucky enough to live near a independent shop. Hence, most Americans it seems get suckered into hardware built to sell, not built to sound good.

But some of what I see at chain stores is what I'll call promising, not necessarily amazing stuff, but if tweaked right, it'd be alright.

So, just scrolling through what Best Buy, Wal-Mart, and Sears (or any other chain you like) have to offer, what would you say is some of the better hardware on the shelves today?

Working for Best Buy, I'd say Yamaha makes some of the better receivers, and (wait for it) Klipsch is the way to go for speakers.

Some of Sony's stuff sounds pretty good. Other then that, youd be better off buying a cheap receiver and bookshelf speakers on craigslist.

 

[skizzerflake]

I've had good experiences with Yamaha receivers, which seem to be fairly decent even at the lower price range, such as you would find in the chain stores. They have decent, laid back but accurate sound, the setup menus are less cryptic than some receivers and they offer decent power for the cost.