What products to go with for a high end home theater store?

[DimitriG]

I am in the process of opening up a hi-end audio/visual home theater store.....among the names we've decided to carry are Canton, Meridian, Mission, Denon, New Vision (TV), Nexus (TV) possibly, Dream Vision, Mordaunt Short, considering - Genelec, True Audio,Sunfire and Final. Since you guys are all experts I would love to get your opinion on what would be the best lines to carry for a complete high end home theater package. All comments are welcome!!! Feel free to give more than one recomendation for each category, TV, Reciever,

 

[majorloser]

you'll need to rep a screen and projector company. also wouldn't hurt to rep a home automation company.

 

[Seth=L]

I don't if you have audio/video cables in there, so add those if you haven't.

I would consider Paradigm, they are well known and popular everywhere. Maybe also consider Yamaha for receivers. If you are really cool get Sherwood Newcastle.

Where are you opening the store? Demographics and what other stores near you have can play a big part in what you succesfully sell.

 

[DimitriG]

Thanks.....we are opening up in Winnipeg, Mb, Canada........We don't want to compete with Box stores, future shop, best buy etc, that's why brands like yamaha, Harmon Kardon, JBL, wouldn't be our first choice....plus we are trying to concentrate on 3-4 brands of speakers, and 2 brands of receivers......Have you heard of New Vision, or Nexus Tvs?
We will also cater to the Pro sector......night clubs, restaurants, corporate, etc.

 

[corysmith01]

We don't want to compete with Box stores, future shop, best buy etc, that's why brands like yamaha, Harmon Kardon, JBL, wouldn't be our first choice

I don't know about up there, but here in the US, both Circuit City and Best Buy (in their Magnolia section) have started carrying Denon.

As for the Yamaha, if you concentrated on the RX-V models and carried solely those, I think you'd be in good shape as those get lots of buzz for being solid competitors in the high hundreds/low one thousand price point receivers. Marantz would be another popular choice. I agree that Paradigm would be a natural choice for you being a Canadian manufacturer. Energy also. Good luck.

 

[GlocksRock]

How about Rotel, Runco, Krell, Martin Logan, there are lots of high end brands, these are just a few.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

theater seating & furniture.
acoustic treatment products & construction
carpet with popcorn & reel designs
ISF calibration

 

[Audioholics]

RBH Sound may not be a big name but their Signature Series line is amazing and will sell itself in your demo room. Dealer margins are excellent. It's at least worth a phone call to Daren Egan, their VP of marketing and sales.

You'll also give those Canadians a place to go buy and demo speakers when we talk about RBH... lol.

Other than that, you might want to contact CablestoGo/Impact Acoustics (Joe Cornwall). Their RapidRun line is simply groundbreaking in terms of its field termination ability. No one else can terminate HDMI and DVI in the field, to wall plate or pigtail.

I also like NHT, Dali... don't know their margins though.

 

[no. 5]

oo, Dali and NHT.
what about Sonusfaber, KEF, Monitor Audio or Vienna Acoustics, for speaker recomendations (Bolzano Villetri too if you'r feeling realy crazy ), and I'll second Marantz and add NAD and Parasound for recievers/amplifiers.

 

[Seth=L]

How about Rotel, Runco, Krell, Martin Logan, there are lots of high end brands, these are just a few.

Rotel is tied in with Classe' and Bower & Wilkins, they usually all go together from what I have seen.

 

[jcPanny]

Canadian Speakers

How about some Canadian speaker companies like Axiom, Paradigm, and PSB. You wont find any of these in big box stores.

 

[jaxvon]

I'd advise against Genelec. I've used their monitors and they don't strike me as being anything special, nor high value. Vandersteen is a speaker brand I would *highly* recommend considering. I was speaking with one of my local dealers that used to carry Vandersteen speakers, and he said that Richard Vandersteen is probably the nicest guy in the industry to work with.

www.vandersteen.com

 

[BMXTRIX]

B&W for sure for speakers - very well known and respected with incredible long term resale value.

Likewise, Monster products are a go to name. Maybe not everyones favorite when they know better, but for J6P, Monster is THE go to cable brand and an easy sale.

Velodyne subwoofers - well... They definitely have some brand recognition and their top tier products (digital drive) are not touched by big box stores.

Finally - AVOID RUNCO - If you are serious about doing front projection, and want to do a service for your customers, I would simply avoid Runco. If you want some better custom install level projectors, take a look at Sim2 or Projection Design. Of course Sony has some decent stuff, but JVC may be a better choice. Then on the mid level, Sharp makes a bunch of stuff.

Finally - think about the control systems/remotes that will be available. Becoming a Crestron or AMX dealer can really help with the biggest jobs, and then the Universal Remote Control products open up some possibilities for custom installation work.

 

[no. 5]

Velodyne is a good call, Earthquake could be fun too.
you may want to consider AudioQuest cables as well.

 

[emorphien]

How about some Canadian speaker companies like Axiom, Paradigm, and PSB. You wont find any of these in big box stores.

I don't know if Axiom sells through any retail locations.

Another Canadian company would be Totem, but that's not something I'd really see being successful for home theater. Could be worth having for 2 channel people.

 

[DimitriG]

our competitor carries Rotel, Runco and martin Logan....similar brand to M Logan is Final......what you think of it? or Maurdaunt Short?

 

[DimitriG]

Good call but our competetors carry these lines and honestly i would rather concentrate on a few lines that I can get dealership (exclusivity on) and not compete with other companies....however it might be a good idea.
so far we got a go on Cantons, Meridian, Maurdant short, RBH wants to work with us, and REVEL, possibly Mission, TOTEM showed interest.

 

[DimitriG]

Yes, Totem is also a hard sell, very hard, primarily due to their price point.

 

[Seth=L]

What about klipsch, lots of people seem to like klipsch. Audiophiles usually don't, but not every customer is an audiophile.

In all fairness, Sony receivers sell. Even if they suck, they do sell.

 

[DimitriG]

B&W for sure for speakers - very well known and respected with incredible long term resale value.

Likewise, Monster products are a go to name. Maybe not everyones favorite when they know better, but for J6P, Monster is THE go to cable brand and an easy sale.

Velodyne subwoofers - well... They definitely have some brand recognition and their top tier products (digital drive) are not touched by big box stores.

Finally - AVOID RUNCO - If you are serious about doing front projection, and want to do a service for your customers, I would simply avoid Runco. If you want some better custom install level projectors, take a look at Sim2 or Projection Design. Of course Sony has some decent stuff, but JVC may be a better choice. Then on the mid level, Sharp makes a bunch of stuff.

Finally - think about the control systems/remotes that will be available. Becoming a Crestron or AMX dealer can really help with the biggest jobs, and then the Universal Remote Control products open up some possibilities for custom installation work.

Very good info, I will consider all of it....... Runco is definately out, Velodyne....good choice gotta look into it......Do you have any recomendations on RBH and REVEL?
What about NEW VISION for TVs?