I didn't know Best Buy sold these brands!

[little wing]

I have a job here in Southern Ca for a few weeks, and had some extra time to kill last night, so I stopped in the BB magnolia room in Woodland hills, CA. The first thing I saw was a McIintosh Preamp connected to a tube amp and some high end B&W speakers. I had the sales rep play a CD on this system and it sounded absolutely glorious, as you can imagine! But then we went into a theater room where they had a set of Sonus Faber speakers (about $2500 a pair), an Arcam receiver and an Oppo 95. The sales rep played some tunes switching back and forth between the Arcam and a Marantz 7007, both in direct stereo mode. And I honestly could not tell the difference between the Arcam and the Marantz. No real revelation for anybody here, I'm sure. I just wanted to share this interesting experience.

 

[JerryLove]

Magnolia was (is?) a boutique with high-end (well, low end of high-end: don't think they carry anything over $10k) AV gear. What BB has in store varies *a lot* by location.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Yeah, I would be very surprised if I had walked into BB and saw McIntosh, Sonus Faber, Arcam, Marantz, and OPPO as well.

I would like to have that kind of BB store in OKC.

 

[little wing]

Yeah, I would be very surprised if I had walked into BB and saw McIntosh, Sonus Faber, Arcam, Marantz, and OPPO as well.

I would like to have that kind of BB store in OKC.

Yeah, it was a fun night!

 

[j_garcia]

They acquired Magnolia something like 8-10 years ago, basically to collect some of those higher end names under their umbrella. There were a few separate Magnolia stores for a while, but I think the last local store closed around 5 years ago.

My store up north in Redding doesn't even have a Magnolia section lol, and it is the only BB within like 100+mi. Should still be able to order any of the Magnolia items and get them via any store.

 

[Tweaked]

There is a "Magnolia Design Center" in Dallas that carries all the high end stuff. But we also have a bunch of Best Buy's that have a Magnolia center in them that carry the entry level of the high end stuff, and then a few BB's that don't even have that.

 

[Hicks]

It is nice to see some high end equipment in the Magnolia outfitted Best Buys. In many areas it is the only chance folks have to hear speakers behind the typical big box store offerings.

But I have to wonder how much they actually sell and how long BB will continue to have Magnolia sections.

 

[j_garcia]

I think it depends on the area obviously. In my small town, Walmart is pretty much the best place to get speakers Best Buy is 4 towns over about 30 min away. They don't have a Magnolia section in there because those items won't sell enough to justify it.

 

[ImcLoud]

When ever I go into best buy I play around with there sound room, they have the COOLEST way to pick your equipment, you have a digital touchscreen that reads "wall 1, wall 2, wall3, wall 4" and it shows a diagram of each wall with pics of each product, you tap it and it plays, so you tap your receiver, your sub, your center, your left and right, and they are all on, then go to the wall and control from the avr... I want that setup at my house...

 

[little wing]

They acquired Magnolia something like 8-10 years ago, basically to collect some of those higher end names under their umbrella. There were a few separate Magnolia stores for a while, but I think the last local store closed around 5 years ago.

My store up north in Redding doesn't even have a Magnolia section lol, and it is the only BB within like 100+mi. Should still be able to order any of the Magnolia items and get them via any store.

Funny you say that. I didn't mention the magnolia section was actually a separate entrance right next to the regular BB. You are right a lot of BB stores I see don't have a magnolia section.

 

[Phules]

Yeah, I would be very surprised if I had walked into BB and saw McIntosh, Sonus Faber, Arcam, Marantz, and OPPO as well.

I would like to have that kind of BB store in OKC.

There is a Magnolia BB on the north side of OKC, Ive only been there a couple of times and not in the past 6 months, but there was Martin Logan, and B&Ws there, but only the CM8, CM9, and 600 series were on display.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Magnolia Design Centers are the big one. BB doesn't carry that stuff on their floor, and to my knowledge, they are not supposed to (or allowed to). Magnolia can carry some of the brands, but isn't supposed to go into the really cool stuff. But, the Magnolia Design Centers (MDC) can carry pretty much everything. B&W 801D series, McIntosh (you name it), along with top shelf projectors, screens, etc.

We have a brand new renovated MDC near me which has several Middle Atlantic racks fully custom wired and lit to show off the equipment inside. They are very impressive and truly enviable systems.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

[h=2]From their web site...



All Magnolia Design Center Locations[/h] [h=1]California[/h]
Woodland Hills 21603 W. Victory Blvd. Canoga Park, CA 91303 818-251-3540 View Store Details

Costa Mesa 901 S Coast Dr Costa Mesa, CA 92626 714-913-8021 View Store Details

Mission Valley 5151 Mission Center Rd San Diego, CA 92108 619-358-8021 View Store Details

Mission Viejo 25422 El Paseo Mission Viejo, CA 92691 949-616-1221 View Store Details


Pasadena 3415 E Foothill Blvd PASADENA, CA 91107 626-351-6921 View Store Details

Roseville 1236 Galleria Blvd Roseville, CA 95678 916-780-8422 View Store Details

San Carlos 1127 Industrial Rd San Carlos, CA 94070 650-264-1061 View Store Details

San Francisco 1717 Harrison St San Francisco, CA 94103 415-575-1022 View Store Details


Santana Row 3090 Stevens Creek Blvd San Jose, CA 95128 408-260-3821 View Store Details

San Ramon 110 Sunset Dr. San Ramon, CA 94583 925-242-3600 View Store Details

Santa Rosa 1950 Santa Rosa Ave Santa Rosa, CA 95407 707-236-1161 View Store Details

West LA 11301 W Pico Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90064 310-500-4681 View Store Details



[h=1]Georgia[/h]
Perimeter 1201 Hammond Drive Atlanta, GA 30346 770-391-4732 View Store Details



[h=1]Illinois[/h]
Bucktown 2100 N Elston Ave Chicago, IL 60614 773-342-5828 View Store Details



[h=1]Maryland[/h]
Columbia 8251 GATEWAY OVERLOOK DR ELKRIDGE, MD 21075 410-872-4621 View Store Details

Rockville 1200 ROCKVILLE PIKE ROCKVILLE, MD 20852 301-770-8061 View Store Details



[h=1]Minnesota[/h]
Ridgedale 13513 Ridgedale Dr Hopkins, MN 55305 952-769-3061 View Store Details

Oakdale 8301 3rd St. N Oakdale, MN 55128 651-264-3181 View Store Details

Richfield 1000 West 78th St Richfield, MN 55423 612-326-1072 View Store Details



[h=1]Texas[/h]
Park Lane 9378 N Central Expy DALLAS, TX 75231 214-259-0301 View Store Details

Grapevine 1515 W State Hwy 114 GRAPEVINE, TX 76051 817-421-1561 View Store Details

Galleria 5133 Richmond Ave Houston, TX 77056 713-576-1321 View Store Details

Fry Road 20290 Katy Fwy Katy, TX 77449 281-675-3971 View Store Details


North Rim 17414 La Cantera San Antonio, TX 78257 210-558-1671 View Store Details

Bay Brook 19425 Gulf Fwy Webster, TX 77598 281-554-3961 View Store Details

Woodlands 1550 Lake Woodlands Dr The Woodlands, TX 77380 281-465-2481 View Store Details



[h=1]Virginia[/h]
Potomac Yard 3401 JEFFERSON DAVIS HWY ALEXANDRIA, VA 22305 703-518-7951 View Store Details

Fairlakes 13058 FAIRLAKES SHOP CTR FAIRFAX, VA 22033 703-332-0321 View Store Details

Springfield Mall 6555 FRONTIER DR SPRINGFIELD, VA 22150 703-310-1021 View Store Details

Sterling 45575 DULLES EASTERN PLZ STERLING, VA 20165 571-434-1521 View Store Details



[h=1]Washington[/h]
Bellevue 14404 NE 20TH St. Bellevue, WA 98007 425-747-0850 View Store Details

Roosevelt (U-District) 6308 Roosevelt Way NE Seattle, WA 98115 206-525-1961 View Store Details

 

[Adam]

Surprise, surprise - there isn't one at the Best Buy a couple of miles away. Or anywhere in Arizona.

 

[darien87]

They acquired Magnolia something like 8-10 years ago, basically to collect some of those higher end names under their umbrella. There were a few separate Magnolia stores for a while, but I think the last local store closed around 5 years ago.

My store up north in Redding doesn't even have a Magnolia section lol, and it is the only BB within like 100+mi. Should still be able to order any of the Magnolia items and get them via any store.

Looks like there are still a few stand-alone Magnolia's around. The one I picked up my replacement AV7005 in San Ramon was it's own store. There used to be one across the street from Best Buy in Santana Row that I used to go to all the time but now it's upstairs in the Santana Row Best Buy. A few of the same guys still work there.

 

[slipperybidness]

One of our local BB has the Magnolia center.

I like it, the people working there are actually reasonably educated in the A/V world. At least enough that I will ask their opinion.

I had a good experience with my current Pio Elite receiver from the BB/Magnolia. Got a good price, open box, with all the accessories.

 

[j_garcia]

Looks like there are still a few stand-alone Magnolia's around. The one I picked up my replacement AV7005 in San Ramon was it's own store. There used to be one across the street from Best Buy in Santana Row that I used to go to all the time but now it's upstairs in the Santana Row Best Buy. A few of the same guys still work there.

Didn't know that one was still open. I wouldn't have driven all the way out there for the 7005 I used to go to the one on Winchester too.

 

[darien87]

Didn't know that one was still open. I wouldn't have driven all the way out there for the 7005

Yeah that was quite a trek. Made that run and still made dinner that night. Sometimes my "gotta have it now" mentality really sucks.

Did you get my message about the 7701?

 

[twylight]

The one in Houston @ Richmond Ave is completely awesome...huge rack of Mcintosh in the foyer, 3 dedicated rooms with $20k B&Ws (room is treated at their position as well) and all sorts of good stuff...I actually bought my oppo 105 in there...in stock.

The main guy said they did a little over $1mil the first month...

The curved theater room screen blew the doors off my 120" screen...it was hideously expensive though...

Its worth a trip if you are near one imo...there arent any hifi places left in Houston or I would buy from them.

 

[little wing]

From their web site...



All Magnolia Design Center Locations

California


Woodland Hills 21603 W. Victory Blvd. Canoga Park, CA 91303 818-251-3540 View Store Details

Costa Mesa 901 S Coast Dr Costa Mesa, CA 92626 714-913-8021 View Store Details

Mission Valley 5151 Mission Center Rd San Diego, CA 92108 619-358-8021 View Store Details

Mission Viejo 25422 El Paseo Mission Viejo, CA 92691 949-616-1221 View Store Details


Pasadena 3415 E Foothill Blvd PASADENA, CA 91107 626-351-6921 View Store Details

Roseville 1236 Galleria Blvd Roseville, CA 95678 916-780-8422 View Store Details

San Carlos 1127 Industrial Rd San Carlos, CA 94070 650-264-1061 View Store Details

San Francisco 1717 Harrison St San Francisco, CA 94103 415-575-1022 View Store Details


Santana Row 3090 Stevens Creek Blvd San Jose, CA 95128 408-260-3821 View Store Details

San Ramon 110 Sunset Dr. San Ramon, CA 94583 925-242-3600 View Store Details

Santa Rosa 1950 Santa Rosa Ave Santa Rosa, CA 95407 707-236-1161 View Store Details

West LA 11301 W Pico Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90064 310-500-4681 View Store Details



Georgia


Perimeter 1201 Hammond Drive Atlanta, GA 30346 770-391-4732 View Store Details



Illinois


Bucktown 2100 N Elston Ave Chicago, IL 60614 773-342-5828 View Store Details



Maryland


Columbia 8251 GATEWAY OVERLOOK DR ELKRIDGE, MD 21075 410-872-4621 View Store Details

Rockville 1200 ROCKVILLE PIKE ROCKVILLE, MD 20852 301-770-8061 View Store Details



Minnesota


Ridgedale 13513 Ridgedale Dr Hopkins, MN 55305 952-769-3061 View Store Details

Oakdale 8301 3rd St. N Oakdale, MN 55128 651-264-3181 View Store Details

Richfield 1000 West 78th St Richfield, MN 55423 612-326-1072 View Store Details



Texas


Park Lane 9378 N Central Expy DALLAS, TX 75231 214-259-0301 View Store Details

Grapevine 1515 W State Hwy 114 GRAPEVINE, TX 76051 817-421-1561 View Store Details

Galleria 5133 Richmond Ave Houston, TX 77056 713-576-1321 View Store Details

Fry Road 20290 Katy Fwy Katy, TX 77449 281-675-3971 View Store Details


North Rim 17414 La Cantera San Antonio, TX 78257 210-558-1671 View Store Details

Bay Brook 19425 Gulf Fwy Webster, TX 77598 281-554-3961 View Store Details

Woodlands 1550 Lake Woodlands Dr The Woodlands, TX 77380 281-465-2481 View Store Details



Virginia


Potomac Yard 3401 JEFFERSON DAVIS HWY ALEXANDRIA, VA 22305 703-518-7951 View Store Details

Fairlakes 13058 FAIRLAKES SHOP CTR FAIRFAX, VA 22033 703-332-0321 View Store Details

Springfield Mall 6555 FRONTIER DR SPRINGFIELD, VA 22150 703-310-1021 View Store Details

Sterling 45575 DULLES EASTERN PLZ STERLING, VA 20165 571-434-1521 View Store Details



Washington


Bellevue 14404 NE 20TH St. Bellevue, WA 98007 425-747-0850 View Store Details

Roosevelt (U-District) 6308 Roosevelt Way NE Seattle, WA 98115 206-525-1961 View Store Details

Great info...