Best HIFI Stores LA/Orange

In Anaheim:

https://scottwalkeraudio.com/

BTW, I am not too far to the south (North Tustin area) and if you want to hear what soundstage and imaging are all about, we can arrange a visit. 

Contact Elliot @ Acoustic Image and see what Tonian currently offers.

https://www.acousticimage.com

DeKay

Upscale audio, I actually drive from Vegas area to Upscale, excellent staff and if Kevin is their when you visit all the better. ✌️🎶

Sibelius

Excel Audio, Newport Beach

Hear This!  Check out Wolf Von Langa

No B&M retailer can give you a big selection of high end speakers.  Go to an audio show to narrow it down.  Then visit.

+1 for Upscale Audio, huge selection of speakers: B&W, Divialet, Focal, Fyne, JBL, Klipsch, KLH, Monitor Audio, Spendor, Tannoy, Wharfedale

I'm a big fan of high sensitivity speakers.  I haven't liked horns and also have been unimpressed by the single/coaxial driver full range speakers out there.  

High end audio stores lean strongly toward the low sensitivity speakers.  I have my ideas why but that is another discussion.

First, you don't need to stick to 8 ohm speakers unless your amp has specific limitations (low current capabilities).  Most sensitive speakers are 4 ohm.  They do need to be well designed so that they don't' have low resistance dips.  But the 3 speakers below are well designed.

I know of three good options: 

1.  Legacy audio Focus SE.   A very nice full range speaker 95.5 db/m.   

2.  Aric audio is making a new full range high sensitivity speaker specifically for his line of SETs.  I think these may turn out to be a good option but isn't available right now.

3.  Tekton's line of full range speakers.  the Ulf is 100db/m.  Moabs and Encores at about 96 db/m.  Great full range speakers with excellent midrange.  They use 2 sets of midrange drivers with excellent results. They also have started offering upgraded crossover components as a result of enthusiasts doing their own upgrades.  The downside is they don't' do fine woodwork so if paint isn't good enough for you, you're out of luck.  

Jerry

+1 Upscale. Call ahead. 

Tekton are definitely not high-end speakers mid-fi at best.

Thanks for all the responses-most appreciated.

My local list of shops now include Common Wave, Sunny Components (Covina), Alma Audio (SD), Upscale and Destination HiFi.  They offer Stenheim, Acora, Legacy, Devore and Coherent.  Aretai makes a speaker that fits my needs but I have to go to Oregon to hear them. All speakers in the $15K to $25K range.

@magnuman thanks for your opinion.  Don't start that old debate.  It is so 2022.

if you are near San Diego, there are a few down here as well. Audio Element and Stereo Unlimited

I haven't studied their speaker lineups for match with 300b amps, but I know both these shops provide great service offering high end product >>

Audio Element, in Pasadena

Brooks Berdan, in Monrovia

Carlsbad2,

what debate is that? everyone knows that tekton are not high-end speakers and they're ugly to boot, give me a break and go listen to some real high-end speakers lol

Brooks Berdan is closed or moved to Seattle area.

No B&M retailer can give you a big selection of high end speakers. Go to an audio show to narrow it down. Then visit.

I recommend having a listen my speakers at Shelleys in Woodland Hills. It is the Yamaha NS5000. I have gone to most of the stores in Los Angeles area, and they are very high end. Great audio stores.

Destination HiFi to listen to some CODA amps and or Legacy speakers.

Pick up the current issue of Stereophile Magazine where they review the Moab Be ($30K/pr) and decide for yourself.

BTW, their speakers are offered in the same color as my ’64 Corvette, Ferrari, grigio titanio.

@yyzsantabarbara 

Ah so -- Brooks Berdan is in the process of relocating to the Seattle area.  However, it seems there may still be some sales activity at the old Monrovia location.

Their phone message indicates the store is open on Saturdays 11am - 5pm and they take appointments Tuesdays through Fridays.  (Closed Sundays and Mondays)

I'm not sure what is left there, though.

Here's their number -- 626 359 9131

+1 Audio Element, Carlsbad or Pasadena, very knowledgeable, lots of turntables and cartridges and great setup.

+1 Shelley's Woodland Hills

+1 Upscale (Call ahead, definitely)

Another vote for Upscale. Great service.

@carlsbad2 Thanks for the mention! My loudspeakers are complete, the first production sample is being finished now to send out for review along with my Super 2A3 SET just to highlight how well they’ll work with lower powered amps. They’re not only suited for SETs, but also work well with up to 250 watts per channel (I’ve tested this in depth using some old QSC pro sound amps just to see how they handle SS clipping at high power). I should have these on up my website within the next week or so. 

I reached out to Aric and they sent photos of the prototype.  Very responsive.  Thanks

Looking for extremely high efficiency drivers at 8 ohms for my 300b amplifier.

@langla4 

How efficient do you need?  What’s your minimum amp wattage?  If you need an extremely high efficiency speaker like 100db+ maybe target specific speakers to demo rather than dropping into audio stores that may not have efficient enough speakers 

I have two amps:  an EL34 and a 300b.  The later will max out at around 9 Amos while the former does 4.  I’m not big on horns except for those way out of budget.  I’m focusing on 91db+ at 8 ohms. The Focal Sopra 2 and 3, Devore Gibbons,   Stenheim 2.5 and Acora are my focus for now but I’m open minded and willing to listen to all suggestions.  I’m open to used as long as they are in SoCal.

Venice Audio is probably worth checking out.

Venice Audio

Audiogen in downtown is also probably worth checking into. Their range of brands is small, but they carry TuneAudio speakers, very high efficiency. As well as Diapason Speakers, also pretty efficient.

Audiogen

Thanks,  I’ll give both stores a call.  They advertise exactly what I’m looking for.

Upscale Audio and talk to Joel if he’s available. He’s a great guy. As was mentioned above: call ahead. Schedule an audition for Tannoy Turnberry’s. I have a feeling they’ll push you in to Fyne instead since looks like they are stepping away from Tannoy a bit nowadays, but I like them better than the Fynes. Make sure they have the Scottland made ones from existing inventory. I hear some are now being made in Chaiii-nuh.I had a 300b amp with the Turnberry’s and it was heavenly. If you can swing the $, go for the Kensingtons. I received an email from them that they are heavily discounting the blems. If your room is big, go for Canterbury!

Connect with Randy at Optimal Enchantment.  He’s the best in the business and awesome to work with - small showroom; he’s a 1 on 2 operator.  Carries Vandersteen and others - my Vandersteen 5s are amazing 

Second for Optimal Enchantment.  Also check out the Audio Salon in Santa Monica - very high end gear. Wienhart designs in Bel Air also carries some good equipment lines and consignment.

Scott Walker Audio. Has Acora from Canada - said to be the bomb! Expensive as in close to 40K but granite cabinets. Has Magic, and Ideon, for example 

RIP old school Brooks Berdan. It was such an awesome place at its peak. 
 

Upscale is awesome and Ken there is a great guy. 
 

Audio Element is solid too. 
 

I still need to check out Common Wave but have heard great things. 
 

The vibe at Shelley’s hasn’t resonated with me since their renovation. It used to feel more genuine enthusiast to me and now feels more elitist. 

@druckpress That's the vibe I've got too from multiple places mentioned here. Shame because being in sales, never write anyone off.