-
September 2025 by Steve Burrell
Top notch customer service and sales. These guys are great for what ever level of audiophile you are. Anything HiFi related, check them out.
-
August 2025 by Chad Hiebert
Ross and company are the best. They know their stuff. If the product and customer service is not of quality and value they don't sell it. Recommended.
-
July 2025 by Patrick McAuley
Best shop in town. Ross is the man. Thank you guys for everything so far. Will be back soon.
-
June 2025 by Neil W
You never forget your first time. I was a teenager—somewhere between 15 and 20 years ago—awkward, wide-eyed, and obsessed with sound. I wandered into Absolute Audio not knowing what to expect. What I found were planar speakers whispering promises of audio nirvana, and an owner who treated a curious kid with the same respect you'd give a seasoned audiophile with a Black AmEx. I left with ears wide open and a memory that’s stayed lodged in my brain like a perfectly tuned note. It was a rare intersection: my father’s enthusiasm for great sound, and my own budding curiosity—it clicked. Absolute Audio wasn’t just a store. It was a spark.
Fast forward to a few months ago—I had a doctor’s appointment nearby and decided to pop in. No expectations. Lance, one of the gents at the helm, welcomed me like I was a long-lost cousin. He walked me through a showroom that could double as a design museum, demoed gear without a hint of sales pressure, and spoke in tones that were equal parts technical mastery and approachable joy. It wasn’t just informative—it was fun, and deeply human. In an era where most stores just want to sell you a box, Absolute reminded me that good audio retail is about connecting people with experiences.
Then, yesterday happened.
My dad’s birthday. My mom, daughter, and I decided to make a family day of it. A little Vietnamese food from Bowness Viet (seriously, if you know—you know), and then a drop-in at Absolute. My dad couldn’t believe it was still there. “Still in Bowness? After all these years?” he said, eyes lit up. This place clearly meant something to him too.
The moment we walked in, Ross—a man who could teach a course on how to make guests feel like family—made a beeline to a giant bowl of Lindor chocolates and handed one to my daughter. Smooth. Future-proofing the next generation of hi-fi heads one truffle at a time.
And from there? Magic. Ross wasn’t selling, he was storytelling. He educated, he guided, he inspired—no snobbery, no jargon walls, and no judgment. I was literally holding a half-eaten sandwich, and not once did I feel like I didn’t “belong.” My family was treated not as browsers, but as welcome guests in a passion project wrapped in wood veneer, tube glow, and impeccable sound.
We didn’t buy anything that day—but man, did we want to.
See, in an age where algorithms push you “what’s next,” where giant online warehouses box your purchases like they’re shipping drywall, Absolute Audio reminds us what audio is really about: not just sound, but soul. It's a place where you can be inspired, educated, and included—whether you're a lifelong collector or just someone chasing the memory of a speaker that moved you two decades ago.
Stores like Absolute carry more than just brands. They carry community. They carry memory. And they carry the kind of integrity you can’t put in a spec sheet. Feeling fortunate to have this experience in my hometown.
-
May 2025 by M L
This is an overdue review of my purchase experience from February, but the delay has only allowed me to fully appreciate the wise decision that Ross and Lance helped me make in selecting the turntable, amplifier, and speakers.
Ross was very knowledgeable and thoughtful—he took the time to understand my needs, my budget, and the layout of my room in order to recommend the most suitable products. He also gave me ample time to test everything in the listening room at my own pace, which made the decision process much more comfortable.
Once I had made my choices, both Ross and Lance handled the setup with impressive efficiency and care.
I couldn’t have hoped for a more pleasant or seamless experience than the one I had at Absolute Audio Video!
-
March 2025 by Brian O'Sullivan
Extremely friendly and helpful staff. Excellent range of hi-fi equipment. Additionally, they went out of their way to help us move our speakers across the country and for that we truly appreciate them. Highly recommend their business!
-
March 2025 by Brian G
Really cool shop. Well thought out selection of items at various budgets. Friendly and knowledgeable staff that are enthusiastic to help customers find the best solutions for their needs and budget.
I phoned ahead to inquire about the availability of a music streamer that I'd been eyeing. I was helped by Lance who confirmed that they did have it and had everything ready to go for me when I arrived. Even with a basically guaranteed sale, Lance was good enough to chat for a bit on my set-up and the cost-effectiveness of this upgrade. Even knowing that I had no intention of another purchase in the near future, he also took even more time afterwards to answer questions about where to best spend money on hypothetical future upgrades.
-
March 2025 by Arthur K.
Chose the place judging on selection and reviews. Had high hopes to build a great home theatre and whole house sound system. The attitude of the owner drastically changed once I decided to return some of the items. Was forced to keep one of the overpriced amps as the “small print” restocking fee was just too much loss. Very disappointing experience.
-
July 2024 by Thilo Kaufmann
If you’re lucky enough to visit this store, Ross is amazing. Not only is does he share some amazing knowledge both on equipment and music, he’s is also a good person.
-
April 2024 by Andrew Barton
It is rare to see this level of customer service and experience in a retail setting these days. The knowledge and guidance no matter the budget is truly amazing.
-
October 2023 by CIPHERWARE
Simply the best audio store I’ve dealt with in the past 40 years; as a minimum, right on par with the other folks I’ve dealt with in my audio pursuits.
-
August 2023 by Drew Turner
I’ve been dealing with James at Absolute for closer to 15 years and he’s never led me astray . I’ve always found it refreshing that price point is of no concern to James . Whether you’re considering purchasing ultra expensive or budget gear makes no difference to James - either way he always enthusiastically gives you 100 percent .I’ve learned much from James these last 15 years . His technical knowledge and product knowledge ( digital , analog etc ) is encyclopedic.He recently replaced the cracked screen of my beloved ( but discontinued) Reasonesence Invicta Mirus DAC he had sold me 9 years ago .Parts were no longer available, but James somehow shaped and created a perfect replacement screen out of a hard piece of plastic .
-
July 2023 by Carolyn Armstrong
Excellent Nordost product recommendation (QSine) and customer service from James . This product has really improved the sound quality of my modest stereo system . Thank you James
-
May 2023 by Monty Caps
I ran across these fine folks online when I was looking for a pre amp. I don’t think I have ever been treated better. Seriously good humans. I can’t thank you guys enough. Highly recommend!!!
-
April 2023 by Marc MacLean
Excellent store. Amazing selection. Very friendly and helpful staff. Lots of parking.Edit:As always, superior service and product. Ross and James are always eager to please, and they go above and beyond. The store and atmosphere are terrific. I always feel very comfortable at the store. No such thing as pressure sales here. Thnx AAV !Edit:Again AAV does an excellent job for me by standing behind their product. So refreshing in this day and age. Thnx James!
