B&W to be offered at Best Buy Magnolia

[Race Car Driver]

Its the race to the bottom that B&W started when they moved production to Communist China. Moved into The Apple Store and now Best Buy!! They are making speakers for their shareholders and not for the audiophile.

Because of this our hi end dealer has dropped B&W except for 600 series for home theater. Now carrying Audio Physic as their top line.

I just sold my B&Ws and moved to Verity Audio :T

I am curious why you sold your B&W's.

[Cactus]

Its the race to the bottom that B&W started when they moved production to Communist China. Moved into The Apple Store and now Best Buy!! They are making speakers for their shareholders and not for the audiophile.

Because of this our hi end dealer has dropped B&W except for 600 series for home theater. Now carrying Audio Physic as their top line.

I just sold my B&Ws and moved to Verity Audio :T

Even with being in Magnolia & Apple, no other speaker brand brings more to the table for a dealer than Bowers & Wilkins. Only supporting the 600 series, they won't be a dealer for long. If your dealer wants to put his eggs in the Verity Audio basket as a better alternative to B&W, he is an idiot!

[btf1980]

I don think the high end market is gone, its just that people are buying different. There is a huge market for high end homes with high end home theaters and listening rooms. Traditional hi-end hifi stores dont really cater or market properly to attract that market thou IMO. They should be working with designers, contractors and the general A&D community more.

I don't know if I agree with that entirely. The high end market is overstated. Many wealthy people just don't care about this stuff. I think outside of the megabuck Wilson, MBL type speakers, the bread & butter of the high end market is not the ultra wealthy. It's mostly middle class to upper middle class guys. These are the guys that trade in, save up, upgrade and more or less keep Audiogon alive.

I used to work for one of the big 3 bond rating agencies, and after that I worked for a pretty well known, privately owned electronics company, so I was around extremely wealthy people for many years. Wealthy like, they own Islands and have lobbyists in their back pocket wealthy. Most of these people would never have any of these big hulking speakers, racks, equipment, thousands of LPs etc in their homes. I have been in many million dollar homes & estates, and stuff like this just doesn't fly. Everything has to fit, be integrated or be kept away and not seen. Nothing messes up feng shui in a study like 802d's and Classe/McIntosh monoblocks. That's just something you will rarely see in a $10+ million home. A few amount of homes I saw had sonos style systems, if that. Most were just bose perfect wave radios, B&O slim style or wall mountable players or some other lifestyle system that was tiny, slim and discreet or invisible. Lots of soundbars too. All things that people here would laugh at.

I think the cult of audiophilia and the upgrading/upgraditis pattern & mindset is something distinct in people who are always chasing the holy grail or something better than what they have currently. Ultra wealthy people have no grail to chase because they can afford everything at the moment, hence it is not important to many of them. And like most people, rich or poor, being an audiophile is not critical. These are just my anecdotal findings. YMMV.

[Kevin D]

Everything has to fit, be integrated or be kept away and not seen. Nothing messes up feng shui in a study like 802d's and Classe/McIntosh monoblocks.

Don't get me started about the CWM-LCR7's we had to install 1" above the baseboard, in the back corner's of the room. Bad enough, but then the designer added velvet curtains stacked right on top of them.

Kevin D.

[SPACEMANRICK]

I don't know if I agree with that entirely. The high end market is overstated. Many wealthy people just don't care about this stuff. I think outside of the megabuck Wilson, MBL type speakers, the bread & butter of the high end market is not the ultra wealthy. It's mostly middle class to upper middle class guys. These are the guys that trade in, save up, upgrade and more or less keep Audiogon alive.

I used to work for one of the big 3 bond rating agencies, and after that I worked for a pretty well known, privately owned electronics company, so I was around extremely wealthy people for many years. Wealthy like, they own Islands and have lobbyists in their back pocket wealthy. Most of these people would never have any of these big hulking speakers, racks, equipment, thousands of LPs etc in their homes. I have been in many million dollar homes & estates, and stuff like this just doesn't fly. Everything has to fit, be integrated or be kept away and not seen. Nothing messes up feng shui in a study like 802d's and Classe/McIntosh monoblocks. That's just something you will rarely see in a $10+ million home. A few amount of homes I saw had sonos style systems, if that. Most were just bose perfect wave radios, B&O slim style or wall mountable players or some other lifestyle system that was tiny, slim and discreet or invisible. Lots of soundbars too. All things that people here would laugh at.

I think the cult of audiophilia and the upgrading/upgraditis pattern & mindset is something distinct in people who are always chasing the holy grail or something better than what they have currently. Ultra wealthy people have no grail to chase because they can afford everything at the moment, hence it is not important to many of them. And like most people, rich or poor, being an audiophile is not critical. These are just my anecdotal findings. YMMV.

Interesting insight into how the super rich look at things compared to an average Joe like myself...... :T

[vn1]

I bought my 802D's at local dealer with 20% off MSRP. I doubt that we can get that kind of discount at Best Buy Magnolia.
Last Saturday I walked into Best Buy Magnolia in Orange County, southern California. I told the salesman that I needed one McIntosh MC501 for the center. The man said 5.5K each sir. I told him that was the MSRP price, no one paid for that kind of price. Then he said sorry that he could not touch the price since McIntosh did not allow.

So B&W selling at Best Buy maybe a good thing for buyers like us because we can demo at more places but in the end money talks.

[Oddiophile]

For more information straight from the "horse's mouth" see the following link:

http://www.stereophile.com/news/bw_heads_to_magnoliaville/

Jim

[Nolan B]

I don't know if I agree with that entirely. The high end market is overstated. Many wealthy people just don't care about this stuff. I think outside of the megabuck Wilson, MBL type speakers, the bread & butter of the high end market is not the ultra wealthy. It's mostly middle class to upper middle class guys. These are the guys that trade in, save up, upgrade and more or less keep Audiogon alive.

I used to work for one of the big 3 bond rating agencies, and after that I worked for a pretty well known, privately owned electronics company, so I was around extremely wealthy people for many years. Wealthy like, they own Islands and have lobbyists in their back pocket wealthy. Most of these people would never have any of these big hulking speakers, racks, equipment, thousands of LPs etc in their homes. I have been in many million dollar homes & estates, and stuff like this just doesn't fly. Everything has to fit, be integrated or be kept away and not seen. Nothing messes up feng shui in a study like 802d's and Classe/McIntosh monoblocks. That's just something you will rarely see in a $10+ million home. A few amount of homes I saw had sonos style systems, if that. Most were just bose perfect wave radios, B&O slim style or wall mountable players or some other lifestyle system that was tiny, slim and discreet or invisible. Lots of soundbars too. All things that people here would laugh at.

I think the cult of audiophilia and the upgrading/upgraditis pattern & mindset is something distinct in people who are always chasing the holy grail or something better than what they have currently. Ultra wealthy people have no grail to chase because they can afford everything at the moment, hence it is not important to many of them. And like most people, rich or poor, being an audiophile is not critical. These are just my anecdotal findings. YMMV.

But this doesnt prove that there are less people out there buying high quality product, just that they buy different. B&W makes product which can be built into walls, and product which is more focused on lifestyle rather than pure performance.

There are more millionaires today than ever, and more people are opting to watch movies at home rather than go to the theater than ever. The market is there, its just that dealers are not responding to it properly.

Dealers need to sell on a total solution including home integration rather then a product like speakers or whats needed to spin a disc. I used to own a magazine that feature ultra hi end homes for sale and had the chance to visit a lot of the homes. One thing they all had in common...home integration, and some type of media room. The problem is not B&Ws product, or people wanting to buy product. IMO its the dealer channel that connects the too.

Best Buy is B&Ws only choice at the moment, but probably not their first choice. If they had their first choice I'm sure it would be that their dealers follow a recommended business model, invest in an aggressive sales team and basically do a 180. Just my opinion of course.

[beden1]

Interesting insight into how the super rich look at things compared to an average Joe like myself...... :T

Please also understand that the thoughts he posted are only his opinion.

[beden1]

I bought my 802D's at local dealer with 20% off MSRP. I doubt that we can get that kind of discount at Best Buy Magnolia.
Last Saturday I walked into Best Buy Magnolia in Orange County, southern California. I told the salesman that I needed one McIntosh MC501 for the center. The man said 5.5K each sir. I told him that was the MSRP price, no one paid for that kind of price. Then he said sorry that he could not touch the price since McIntosh did not allow.

So B&W selling at Best Buy maybe a good thing for buyers like us because we can demo at more places but in the end money talks.

That's the Best Buy that I know!

[RedWolf]

I agree with btf1980's comments. Though I do not consider myself in the same market as the people he mentioned, I understand the look of less clutter. About 70% of my home audio investment was spent working with a team of designers and an artisan making sure my equipment was hidden in architectural details that disappeared and concealing all my high-end speaker cables. I guess this is why I anticipate that B&W will someday make white speakers and I will be first in line.

[dknightd]

Hopefully they will not allow sales in magnolia stores that still have existing b&W dealerships nearby. If all area b&w dealers close, and there is a nearby magnolia dealer, then b&w would be foolish not to offer their product there.

One of our local dealers closed. The other is still alive, but mostly does integration type sales. Local best buy does not have a magnolia. The days of dedicated audio stores are numbered I'm afraid. It was happening anyway, the depressed economy just sped things along.

[tim916]

Hopefully they will not allow sales in magnolia stores that still have existing b&W dealerships nearby. If all area b&w dealers close, and there is a nearby magnolia dealer, then b&w would be foolish not to offer their product there.

One of our local dealers closed. The other is still alive, but mostly does integration type sales. Local best buy does not have a magnolia. The days of dedicated audio stores are numbered I'm afraid. It was happening anyway, the depressed economy just sped things along.

If anything the existing dealer will lose the line. Best Buy will not want to have to compete with nearby dealers.

[dknightd]

If anything the existing dealer will lose the line. Best Buy will not want to have to compete with nearby dealers.

That would be very very unfortunate.

[btf1980]

But this doesnt prove that there are less people out there buying high quality product, just that they buy different. B&W makes product which can be built into walls, and product which is more focused on lifestyle rather than pure performance.

There are more millionaires today than ever, and more people are opting to watch movies at home rather than go to the theater than ever. The market is there, its just that dealers are not responding to it properly.

Dealers need to sell on a total solution including home integration rather then a product like speakers or whats needed to spin a disc. I used to own a magazine that feature ultra hi end homes for sale and had the chance to visit a lot of the homes. One thing they all had in common...home integration, and some type of media room. The problem is not B&Ws product, or people wanting to buy product. IMO its the dealer channel that connects the too.

Best Buy is B&Ws only choice at the moment, but probably not their first choice. If they had their first choice I'm sure it would be that their dealers follow a recommended business model, invest in an aggressive sales team and basically do a 180. Just my opinion of course.

I see your point, but I think that the luxury market isn't necessarily the high end market. You're saying they are buying different. I'm asserting that they never shopped that way at all. The high end market is where the dollars are at. Average Joes keep it afloat, not the wealthy. It really doesn't matter how many new millionaires crop up if they are not buying it, since most hifi gear would not mesh in their living environment. B&W would not survive if all they sold were in wall speakers. Look at all the spectacular setups we see posted here, on audiogon and the net. How many of them are in sprawling mansions on the Hollywood hills or Upper East Side penthouses? Not very many.

Also, there are a whole lot more middle class buyers than there are the uber wealthy. The home installation market is very important, but it is still a niche market overall when compared to everyone else. If you took out the coasts (NY, CA etc) You'd lose a massive chunk of that market. Whereas, there is viability everywhere for normal folk who just want to buy, trade, upgrade high end gear.

[wettou]

I guess that now answers the question as to why B&W put the silver trim around their speakers on the new diamond series...to attract the mass market!

Yes, to go with the wheels

[Cactus]

Yes, to go with the wheels

????? I don't get it.

[wettou]

????? I don't get it.

They install car stereo :W

[Race Car Driver]

makes total sense....

[JustinGN]

I see a lot of people equating this as B&W selling in Best Buy, thus equating themselves with brands like Klipsch or Polk. Put simply, this is NOT the case. The CM series and lower are being offered through Magnolia Home Theater, which are ministores inside select, big-city Best Buy stores in affluent areas, places where B&W could see serious market gains in the "lower" end of their lineup by finally marketing them to a larger consumer base. Of these MHT stores, there's just over 350 of them Nationwide in the USA.

Magnolia AV are the equivalent of ABT, essentially: large showroom stores that specialize in exotic, rare, high-end equipment with incredibly knowledgeable staff and employees. There are only 13 MAV stores in the USA, and all 13 are authorized to carry and demo the Di series from what I understand. Chances are they'll be demoed with other decidedly high-end gear from the likes of McIntosh, Arcam, and Peachtree Audio, the very markets they're aimed at. Speakers like the Nautilus and Signature Diamond still seem to be specialty-dealer only at this point in time, and its doubtful the Custom line will see a showing at Magnolia either, being reserved for serious CI channels.

The only "mass market" gear B&W currently makes are the 600 series, P5 Headphones, MM-1 PC Speakers, and the Zepplin iPod docks, and even then they're built for those who appreciate the nuances of audio but still desire so-called "lifestyle" products. If anything, the move to MHT and MAV is B&W gearing up for a knock-down-drag-out brawl with BOSE, Klipsch and Polk, to finally show consumers what they've been missing out on all this time.

This is nothing but good news for customers and consumers, though it also shows the dire straits dealers are facing right now. We all know B&W would never have made such a move unless it was absolutely necessary (and no, the push into Apple Stores isn't the same thing - in many ways, Apple Stores can still be considered specialty dealers), and we know there's no way in hell they'd let themselves be caught dead in an actual Big Box store like Best Buy, Wal-Mart, or Target, not right now anyways.

So chin up, calm down, and look forward to the future. B&W obviously wants to pick a fight with the current dominant players in the CE arena, and it'll be a glorious battle to watch. Keep giving B&W (and your local, independent dealer) your support.

[beden1]

I see a lot of people equating this as B&W selling in Best Buy, thus equating themselves with brands like Klipsch or Polk. Put simply, this is NOT the case. The CM series and lower are being offered through Magnolia Home Theater, which are ministores inside select, big-city Best Buy stores in affluent areas, places where B&W could see serious market gains in the "lower" end of their lineup by finally marketing them to a larger consumer base. Of these MHT stores, there's just over 350 of them Nationwide in the USA.

Magnolia AV are the equivalent of ABT, essentially: large showroom stores that specialize in exotic, rare, high-end equipment with incredibly knowledgeable staff and employees. There are only 13 MAV stores in the USA, and all 13 are authorized to carry and demo the Di series from what I understand. Chances are they'll be demoed with other decidedly high-end gear from the likes of McIntosh, Arcam, and Peachtree Audio, the very markets they're aimed at. Speakers like the Nautilus and Signature Diamond still seem to be specialty-dealer only at this point in time, and its doubtful the Custom line will see a showing at Magnolia either, being reserved for serious CI channels.

The only "mass market" gear B&W currently makes are the 600 series, P5 Headphones, MM-1 PC Speakers, and the Zepplin iPod docks, and even then they're built for those who appreciate the nuances of audio but still desire so-called "lifestyle" products. If anything, the move to MHT and MAV is B&W gearing up for a knock-down-drag-out brawl with BOSE, Klipsch and Polk, to finally show consumers what they've been missing out on all this time.

This is nothing but good news for customers and consumers, though it also shows the dire straits dealers are facing right now. We all know B&W would never have made such a move unless it was absolutely necessary (and no, the push into Apple Stores isn't the same thing - in many ways, Apple Stores can still be considered specialty dealers), and we know there's no way in hell they'd let themselves be caught dead in an actual Big Box store like Best Buy, Wal-Mart, or Target, not right now anyways.

So chin up, calm down, and look forward to the future. B&W obviously wants to pick a fight with the current dominant players in the CE arena, and it'll be a glorious battle to watch. Keep giving B&W (and your local, independent dealer) your support.

Spoken by a true and loyal Best Buy or B&W employee!

[Cactus]

Spoken by a true and loyal Best Buy or B&W employee!

Or just someone with a good head on their shoulders. It was a great post.

[wettou]

I see a lot of people equating this as B&W selling in Best Buy, thus equating themselves with brands like Klipsch or Polk. Put simply, this is NOT the case. The CM series and lower are being offered through Magnolia Home Theater, which are ministores inside select, big-city Best Buy stores in affluent areas, places where B&W could see serious market gains in the "lower" end of their lineup by finally marketing them to a larger consumer base. Of these MHT stores, there's just over 350 of them Nationwide in the USA.

I visited seven Magnolia Home Theater in California, and on the east coast and let me tell you they suck... I never had a single employee who know anything about what they were selling!!!! I feel sorry for B&W but then again they need to stay in business and local dealers arn't cutting it. B&W wants volume, lets hope the quality is not diminished

I used to live in Seattle and Magnolia HiFi store in Bellevue, WA was outstanding the current ones are a long way from that

[artv4]

my local b&w dealer is pulling their line..... what is happening!!!

[Nolan B]

my local b&w dealer is pulling their line..... what is happening!!!

My guess is they are loosing it and saying they are pulling it. What hifh store would ever simply drop the line?

[Opus007]

Even though I do not like B&W's new policy of selling at Magnolia I can see thier thinking of getting thier product to a broader ranger of customers.This move to Magnolia is not meant to get thier product to the higher lever of thier customer base.

I feel that most B&W products are bought by the middle class and thus the move to get thier product to the middle class is B&W's goal.I have installed phone systems in homes in Beverly Hills,Malibu and high end communities.I have installed systems in movie stars homes and musicians homes and it has always amazed me at what audio system these people have in there homes.

They can afford anything they want and you are more likely to find a Boise system in thier homes or a pioneer elite receiver and some off brand in wall speakers.Everything has to be compact and not clutter up the room.I have yet to encounter a set of floor standing speakers in any of these mansions.

B&W's move to sell at Magnolia in this economy is what they must do.Will you get the same service you have been getting at your local high end dealer ? I really doubt it. All the high end dealers I have ever been to know thier stuff and it is a passion with them , not a job .

Some questions I would like to see answered by B&W or a Magnolia employee are:
Will these employees be Knowledgeable on the product?
Will I be able to audition in home?
Is MSRP the bottom line?
Is there a trade up program?
Am I going to have to fight Magnolia like I have had to fight Best Buy on returns?
Is it the Geek Squad doing the installs?

It will be interesting how this all plays out .
Shaun

[Cactus]

Some questions I would like to see answered by B&W or a Magnolia employee are:
Will these employees be Knowledgeable on the product?
Will I be able to audition in home?
Is MSRP the bottom line?
Is there a trade up program?
Am I going to have to fight Magnolia like I have had to fight Best Buy on returns?
Is it the Geek Squad doing the installs?

It will be interesting how this all plays out .
Shaun

If these are the concerns you have, you should remain loyal to your independant dealer that can handle your specific needs. Putting on Magnolia is NOT a move to replace the specialty dealer. It is to get product in front of the consumer that would never seek out an independant in the first place. Although it may look like they are replacing the specialist because a good number may be losing the line, but consider the possibilities of reasons why. I am sure alot of these dealers are either not paying their bills, or not doing any business period.

Support your local dealer! THEY NEED YOU!

[ZX10 Guy]

To me this is a terrible move. Pioneer did this with the Elite line and look what happened. Carver back when they were viewed as a decent brand went down hill when they started to sell more product via chains like Circuit City. Yamaha, Marantz....the list goes on.

I agree with the others in their assessment with the MHT stores in the BBs. Their sound rooms are a joke. I sat through one of their sales guys boasting how much money they spent on putting together the room while I can hear the one of the premier BB clientele running his own dB contest over in the open floor area. None of their speakers are set up appropriately for a proper audition. And the sales guy looked at me like I had 2 heads when I asked about bringing in my own material for another audition. The higher end products in a manufacturer's line they don't demo nor carry in stock. So you have to risk doing a special order to trust that the speaker will meet your expectations. I don't remember if their policy for returns of special orders is either you eat it 100% or you pay a stiff re-stocking fee. Either way not good if you're faced with no other option. They also don't have nearly the same perks as my B&W dealer which is a 1 year speaker trade up policy and 6 months trade up on electronics.

I can't comment on a full MAV store as there are zero within the driveable area making up a 5 state area.

[Grasynoll]

I remeber seeing Nakamichi in BB probably 15 yrs ago. The salespeople weren't trained and the product might as well have been dropped from Mars. Needless to say that didn't last long.

[bnieman]

Page 6 of the Milwaukee WI area Best Buy ad this week (10/24/2010)

[audioqueso]

Noticed how the word "transparent" is not mentioned, but instead "punch". lol
Well... too bad they're not a publicly traded company. lol

[wettou]

To me this is a terrible move. ....They also don't have nearly the same perks as my B&W dealer which is a 1 year speaker trade up policy and 6 months trade up on electronics.

Agree talk about going down!!! I wished I had a dealer like that are you paying full price for your gear?

[browns1]

Yesterday I visited my local Best Magnolia store (Montrose/Akron, Ohio). I'm in search of a pair of CM7's. The rep there didnt know if they carry them or not. He proceeded to look it up on the Best Magnolia website and replied no but we do carry the CM8.

In any event they have two rooms inapproriately marked as studios. One with everything in it including the full line of DM series. In the other they had a pair of CM8's and a B&W subwoofer - dont remember the model number. The CM8's were powered by a Denon 4311(?) HT receiver and they were connected with 16 guage wire on the top terminals (jumpers were in place) hmmm. Regardless, there were no other CM products in the room or elsewhere for that matter.

I'm sure that at least initially B&W is going to move some product. Its all about sales...right? Frankly speaking - at least at this store Best Magnolia hasnt a clue about what they're doing. Plus - sorry to say but the electronics arent doing any of the products justice. My god during a previous visit they had Vienna Acoustic speakers (small floor stander) hooked up to a $1000.00 HT receiver and honestly is sounded like crapola.

Is this the best they can do...my 2 cents.

[miner]

Best Buy knows nothing but HT - and very little about that. Before ling I expect Rotel to show up in BB also - at least that is a move in the right direction.

[Aiden]

Yesterday I visited my local Best Magnolia store (Montrose/Akron, Ohio). I'm in search of a pair of CM7's. The rep there didnt know if they carry them or not. He proceeded to look it up on the Best Magnolia website and replied no but we do carry the CM8.

In any event they have two rooms inapproriately marked as studios. One with everything in it including the full line of DM series. In the other they had a pair of CM8's and a B&W subwoofer - dont remember the model number. The CM8's were powered by a Denon 4311(?) HT receiver and they were connected with 16 guage wire on the top terminals (jumpers were in place) hmmm. Regardless, there were no other CM products in the room or elsewhere for that matter.

I'm sure that at least initially B&W is going to move some product. Its all about sales...right? Frankly speaking - at least at this store Best Magnolia hasnt a clue about what they're doing. Plus - sorry to say but the electronics arent doing any of the products justice. My god during a previous visit they had Vienna Acoustic speakers (small floor stander) hooked up to a $1000.00 HT receiver and honestly is sounded like crapola.

Is this the best they can do...my 2 cents.

The CM7 will be phased out and the 8 is its replacement.

If you are applying a HPF to your mains then something like a 4311 will do just fine for HT purposes depending on room gain and LP.

As far as placing the wires on the top terminals, you realize that a). Passive biwiring makes NO difference and b). it doesn't make a difference which posts you use when there is a jumper in place. Heck, there isn't much objective evidence proving any benefit of biamping unless you have active crossovers.

[browns1]

Agreed but there is a right way to do things. Of course the 4311 is fine for HT but frankly I wouldnt spend $2K on a Denon HT receiver. They're really not that good (subjective - I know).
Regardless thats not the point. The point is that at least at this store they dont represent the CM series properly and havent a clue what they're doing. I guess B&W knew that going in didnt they.

[Aiden]

Agreed but there is a right way to do things. Of course the 4311 is fine for HT but frankly I wouldnt spend $2K on a Denon HT receiver. They're really not that good (subjective - I know).
Regardless thats not the point. The point is that at least at this store they dont represent the CM series properly and havent a clue what they're doing. I guess B&W knew that going in didnt they.

I can't argue your experience but your post doesn't lend itself to what you are saying, which is where I fail to see your point of view.

Here is what I am referring to...

You mention 16awg- nothing wrong with that for such a short run

Wired on the HF terminals- again, nothing wrong with that when using jumper cables

Speakers are in a dedicated room with what I assume is maybe another pair of speakers- again, what is wrong with that.



The people who criticize magnolias must really have dealers with nice setups because around here the places are pretty ragged and I don't exactly live in the slums.

[Tweir]

In dallas you can hear the same cm9's but with a bi-amp configuration. Using 12gauge wire to each speaker and two rotel rb1092's. In a sound treated room. Haven't seen anything like this at a BB.

[John22614]

I happened to stop by Best Buy Magnolia's new design center in Roseville just east of Sacramento and was blown away with their incredible set up......they had two new piano black 802di's driven by McIintosh mono blocks and high end Mc processor in an acoustically treated showroom plus 803 and 805di's perfectly set up on the opposite side of the room. Plus, Sonus Fabor Cremoras along the side wall perfectly arranged all around a central listening area.

The salesman was very knowledgeable and friendly........the experience was fantastic. He told me this was only one of four design centers planned for California.....the other Magnolias will not be as high end. So, I feel very lucky to live nearby this one.

[browns1]

no matter how you slice it Best magnolia's representation of a product I've always held to a standard of excellence is piss poor to say the least. My local B&W dealer demonstrats the product correctly and has an excellent knowledge of the entire line.

A six foot run is short enough but dont tell me there isnt a difference in (quality) cables.

I purchased and still have my first pair in 1984 (DM1400). I've had many others and in addition to the DM1400's I still have gthe DM2000's and Dm602S3's. Why I would I stray from my current dealer? The discount is better, the after sale service is better and THEY KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

[Canuck525]

Ok, there's no difference in a 6 foot run of cables....

[bnieman]

I happened to stop by Best Buy Magnolia's new design center in Roseville just east of Sacramento and was blown away with their incredible set up......they had two new piano black 802di's driven by McIintosh mono blocks and high end Mc processor in an acoustically treated showroom plus 803 and 805di's perfectly set up on the opposite side of the room. Plus, Sonus Fabor Cremoras along the side wall perfectly arranged all around a central listening area.

The salesman was very knowledgeable and friendly........the experience was fantastic. He told me this was only one of four design centers planned for California.....the other Magnolias will not be as high end. So, I feel very lucky to live nearby this one.

Interesting, I thought Magnolia only had access up to the CM series. They really went all-in with this roll out...

If any of you are in the Milwaukee area, Audio Emporium (http://audioemporium.com/) has been around since 1977 under the same ownership and their showroom and service is top notch. I would highly recommend them over the local Magnolia...

[browns1]

Ok, there's no difference in a 6 foot run of cables....

yeah...I had that one coming. LOL

[Aiden]

no matter how you slice it Best magnolia's representation of a product I've always held to a standard of excellence is piss poor to say the least. My local B&W dealer demonstrats the product correctly and has an excellent knowledge of the entire line.

A six foot run is short enough but dont tell me there isnt a difference in (quality) cables.

I purchased and still have my first pair in 1984 (DM1400). I've had many others and in addition to the DM1400's I still have gthe DM2000's and Dm602S3's. Why I would I stray from my current dealer? The discount is better, the after sale service is better and THEY KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

Everyones experiences will be different. My experiences of the local HiFi shops hasn't been all that great. I personally don't care either since I don't allow others subjective impressions to persuade me in my purchasing decisions.

There is no difference in a 6ft run with cables of sufficient awg assuming the cables aren't defective. Point me to a single DBT where people could or I could point to some where they couldn't. If you CAN tell the difference, I can help you win some money.

I find it ironic how people complain that BB will cheapen the brand with their discounting but repeatedly by the same posters in a later post continue to brag about local dealers give better pricing and discounts.

[Aiden]

Interesting, I thought Magnolia only had access up to the CM series. They really went all-in with this roll out...

If any of you are in the Milwaukee area, Audio Emporium (http://audioemporium.com/) has been around since 1977 under the same ownership and their showroom and service is top notch. I would highly recommend them over the local Magnolia...

Magnolia Home Theater only has access up to the CM line while the Design Centers and stand alone Magnolia Audio Video has the entire line.

I also never make sweeping statements and allow others to come to their own conclusions since they all will vary. Like I said, if everyone went from my isolated experiences of HiFi shops, no one would purchase from them.