Place to try out/buy headphones in NY

[xmetalxcorex]

Sorry if this doesn't relate to some people but I figured with the millions and MILLIONS of people in the New York area this thread could definitely prove helpful to many.

I've searched through online yellowpages and general Sennheiser/Grado/Beyerdynamic yahoo searches....but can't seem to find a SINGLE STORE in the NY area that has any of these for sale...and thus available for individuals to actually LISTEN to before plopping down $$$ on the internet.

I'm new to the area so maybe I'm doing something wrong... Does anyone have any suggestions?? Thanks a lot!

 

[Davie]

There are several stores that sell these brands, but it is harder to find a place that will let you audition in advance. The Stereo Exchange, on Broadway just north of Houston, carries Grado and AKG and let me try out my Grado SR60s before buying them. Grado's are also available at a number of other high-end audio stores.

B&H Photo Video, on 9th Avenue near Penn Station, probably has the best overall headphone inventory, including Sennheiser, AKG and Beyerdynamic (but not Grado, I think). They have a listening station where you can try out some of the models but since it's in the middle of a noisy store it's not all that helpful. However, their 7-day money-back return policy means that you can try them out at home. I've taken advantage of this, and it's one of the main reasons I shop at B&H.

J&R Music World, near City Hall, has a good selection of Sennheisers (but not the HD497, for some reason!), as well as some of the Sony CD series. They also have a listening station but it doesn't work that well and most of the headphones are shot. They offer a 14-day return for store credit. Since you can buy just about anything at J&R, getting a credit from them isn't such a bad deal.

One of the best-kept secrets in NYC audio is that etronics.com has a retail outlet on the Lower East Side. It's a bit out of the way but they have by far the best prices in the City. They carry Sennheiser, Sony and some others. Unlike alot of other Sony retailers they carry a couple of the models that are well regarded at head-fi, the 7506 and the CD3000.

Finally, I'll mention Virgin Megastore. They offer neither an audition nor a return option. However, they are the best place to find a selection of the mid- and low-priced Sennheisers: HD202, HD497, PX100, PX200, PXC250, MX300, etc.

It should also be mentioned that Headroom, one of the sponsors of this forum, has a better selection than any of these stores (with the possible exception of B&H) and has a 30-day money back return policy.

 

[xmetalxcorex]

Wow Davie, you came in for me big time!!!! Great post!!! Thanks a lot!!! You're the man!!! I'll check out B&H the first chance I get!