Do you buy your gear from a local shop, online, or a mixture of both and why?
Do you buy your gear from a local shop, online, or a mixture of both and why?
I used to buy from a mixture of both about 12 years ago (im a bargain hunter). Then I switched to Ebay, forums, craigslist, casually browsing local pawn shops. and now (to a lesser degree) Offerup and LetGo apps/websites. I'm slowly fading away from this hobby as I've been focused on other things. But if I come across a excellent deal I'll snatch it up and plan to use it later.
I learned with car audio equipment its best to buy used if you love bargains. The retail markup is pretty high and online retailers lower their prices and another tier from that is re-sell prices which can vary (along with condition and reliability/warranty). But overall as long as you know what to look and check for, buying used is the only way I get my equipment now.
Variety of online shops. If possible, used here. I am a big fan of used/refurbished products.
2014 Honda Accord LX
JL Audio C2-650, Pioneer 12" Shallow Sub
MMATS HiFi 6150, Rockford Fosgate R500X1D, Helix DSP Pro MK1
Online , mostly from China , Korea , et cetera !
American made stuff costs too much .
Mostly my local shop, I have a great relationship with them so I usually get stuff cheaper there than online. I will buy odds and ends like wire/RCAs offline usually though, or any brand they don't deal with.
Most of my gear has been bought from guys I've met here or on DIYMA.
New Car... Stock Stereo
From the shop that did the install.
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I have purchased a couple amps direct from MMats, seems they don't have any dealers in the PNW? I am building an enclosure with a subwoofer I purchased from Madisound. I used Muciscar NW out of Oregon for my 335i and will probably use them for much of the gear for my X6. I am not averse to using local Seattle/Tacoma shops but am not aware of any that I am confident in.
BMW 335i E92 Morel Hybrid 402, Jehnert XE200, JL 12W3v3-4, Twk 88, JL XD500/3 and XD600/6
BMW X6 F16, Helix SDMI25 -> Helix DSP Ultra, Amps, MMats HiFi-6150D & 4250D, Arc Audio KS125.4 Mini. Front Stage Dyn Esotar 430, Esotec MD 102, Illusion Audio C8. Rear Stage, Morel Hybrid 402, Rear pillars OEM. Sub, ScanSpeak Rev 28W.