Page 1 of Sevenoaks Sound & Vision. What`s your view?

As a Sevenoaks bod I am just interested to hear Joe Publics views or experiences.
Cheers.

This item was edited on Monday, 14th May 2001, 14:38

I suppose I have to admit I`m always a bit over-awed by Sevenoaks, but this probably comes from the time before they spread their wings and took over a lot of smaller independent shops.

I remember there was one in Leicester that I used to window-shop in, but never dared to go inside as there were never any prices on anything, and because I didn`t want to look silly - it looked like a real audiophile`s paradise, and as I didn`t really know my google-pin from by scuzzlebut I knew I would have felt a little out of my depth !

However, with their mainstream advertising in Home Cinema, Home Entertainment etc, they certainly do seem a lot more approachable, and their product range has blossomed, shifting towards AV products almost seamlessly.

It`s just a shame that the Nottingham branch isn`t central, as it`s out in the suburbs at Sherwood (that`s not your shop is it Andrew ?).

So, from this Joe Bloggs - they were posh, but now they look more amenable to budget plebs like me !!!

Hope this helps....

Bit disappointed with the Oxford Branch.

Contacted them on 8/5/01 re Missiom FS2 speakers, and they suggested I pop down the next day and hear them.

Popped down next day. The guy I spoke to was off, and apparently hadn`t mentioned that I was coming.

I asked to see the Mission speakers, and was shown them fixed to the wall around a TV, but no offer was made to let me hear them.

After a few minutes I asked to hear them, and the Final Destionation DVD was played. (Rather begrudgingly I felt).

I asked if they had the usual demo DVD with the Eagles and Saving Private Ryan, and was told no, because it was "illegal for a shop to play a region 0 DVD", which apparently this demo is.

I mentioned that the sound didn`t appear to be coming out of the Mission speakers. They checked and discovered that a different make of speakers had been connected, and suggested that if I really wanted to hear the Mission speakers, I should make an appointment for another time.

I left and went to Audio-T up the road and purchased my speakers there.

I`m not complaining as such, but you asked for our views and experiences.

clayts first of all thanks for the positive comments about Sevenoaks. Yes we are are moving more towards AV. (note the name change from Sevenoak Hi-Fi to Sevenoaks Sound & Vision) Although we will not forget 2 channel hi-fi multi channel is the way forward. (Orbital 5.1 oh yes)

As for not knowing your google-pin from your scuzzlebut, oh dear oh dear.

Am I the Notts shop? No I am the new all improved with prices in the windows wait for it.............Leicester shop. so if you are in the city please pop in. Have a look round, have a coffee, buy the stunning Arcam DV88. I will get you off the Encor. (sorry is this sounding like a sales pitch.)

To find us, get to the city center. Ask for o`neill`s pub and we are 4 doors along. (with beer in hand no doubt)

All the best,

Andrew.

ps:what is the diference between a google-pin and a scuzzlebut?

This item was edited on Wednesday, 16th May 2001, 13:11

Normann, sorry you had a bad time at Oxford.

Please keep your views and experiences coming, good or bad.

Cheers,

Andrew.

ps: What speakers did you get in the end and how are you getting on with them?

Hi Andrew,

Ended up buying the Polk Audio RM6600 speaker package.

Three months ago I couldn`t spell DVD, so I`m new to DVD`s, amplifiers and surround speakers, and don`t pretend to know much about them.

I was able to read various magazines and compare specs and comments to come to a decision re a DVD player and receiver. But when it came to speakers, there appeared to be so many packages out there and everyone said you need to hear them to decide. So effectively I limited myself to what I was able to listen to locally.

My wife wanted something small and my kids wanted a 100 watt RMS subwoofer.

I had read a couple of good reports on the Polks, they sound very good, (to my ears anyway), and they meet my family`s requirements.

So all in all I`m very happy with them.


Norman

Thanks for the invite, Andrew.

I may soon be spending more time in Leicester jobwise (if I get promotion) so I`ll definitely pop in - no chance of `borrowing` the Arcam for the weekend is there ?!

clayts, your spot on when you say "no chance of `borrowing` the Arcam for the weekend is there ?!"

See you soon,

Andrew.

Nornann, I havn`t heard the polks. maybe I should check them out.

You say "they sound very good, (to my ears anyway)". At the end of the day it`s only your ears that count. But don`t let that be the end of it, it only gets better. (wife permitting)

yours upgradingly,

Andrew.

ps: Don`t give up on Sevenoaks, we are not all bad.

Up in Newcastle, the Sevenoaks shop is just around the corner from Richer Sounds, so I usually set off with the intention of going to both of them. I go to Richer Sounds, have a browse unpressured, look in the windows where everything has a price on etc., you know the type of thing.
Then I go to Sevenoaks which has a few pricey looking systems in the window without prices, about 3 staff in shirts and ties standing inside looking as if they`ll pounce and grill you into submission as soon as you set foot inside. The only time I ever went in was when I could see they were all busy. Definitely too formal for casual browsing. Sorry:)