Audio/Hifi Store In Bangkok

[Dutchman6]

I need a decent amplifier and a set of speakers, new not secondhand. Nothing fancy and it doesn't need to be really heavy duty, something of good quality, strong yet small with sufficient power for a small room.

I have no idea where to go in Bangkok so if anyone has some good ideas where I'll have most choice and best prices please let me know.

No idea what brands they sell here, back home I'd go for something by Sharp, JBL or Philips and not expensive stuff like Bose so a shop accordingly over here.

[xen]

I was in Paragon yesterday drooling over some of the upper-end sound equipment .on level five i think it was,. but there is also Sony, Tosiba, Dennon etc available there on the same floor. I don't know if you pay more because it is Paragon but there are a lot of brands there so you can compare products.

[Dutchman6]

Well I'd like the spend about 8000thb max on both intergrated amplifier and speakerset which isn't that much in audio land! But it'll play my mp3 collection in a small room so it don't have to be supersonic.

Edited October 16, 2010 by Dutchman6

[CarlBkk]

Well I'd like the spend about 8000thb max on both intergrated amplifier and speakerset which isn't that much in audio land! But it'll play my mp3 collection in a small room so it don't have to be supersonic.

If that's your budget I'd check out the electrical departments of Central Chidlom and Paragon which do have some good mid-range brands like Teac and Denon. You should also check out the Hi-Fi Centre opposite Central World on Rajaprasong - go the closed down Big C and it's beside it, set back a bit. About 6 floors full of hi-fi shops. They're very quiet in there so expect some good sales. Mostly mid to higher end, but more European brands that you'll find in department stores.

[RudieTheFoodie]

1: Go up to the 4th floor of Pantip Plaza where the audio shops are

2: Find somebody selling the "Microlab" brand

3: 2500-3000bt for the worlds finest copy of the Bose micro systems

4: enjoy

[beejoir]

I second that Micro Lab are good and so is that store... good sound for your $$$

[CarlBkk]

1: Go up to the 4th floor of Pantip Plaza where the audio shops are

2: Find somebody selling the "Microlab" brand

3: 2500-3000bt for the worlds finest copy of the Bose micro systems

4: enjoy

Yeah it's a good recommendation. They do sound good and not worth spending on Bose unless you really care about sound detail (so even in that case, don't buy Bose...you buy something more specialised with your money).

I linked my Bose copy to my laptop and was happy for a year...and then it all went wrong.

Edited October 16, 2010 by CarlBkk

[Dutchman6]

I have a set of Microlab pc speakers with boombox... I think I payed 4000thb for them but I'm not really happy with the sound to be honest. Is that the same think you guys mean?

[Dutchman6]

Yup my money was worth shit in the Hifi stores though everything was closed next Big C/Central Plaza at the Hifi building because of sunday. Spend almost 8000thb on an Altec Lansing Expressionist Ultra 2.1 which is pretty enjoyable so far

Still wish I had my cd collection around and about 50.000thb to spend in a high end hifi shop

Edited October 17, 2010 by Dutchman6

[CarlBkk]

Yup my money was worth shit in the Hifi stores though everything was closed next Big C/Central Plaza at the Hifi building because of sunday. Spend almost 8000thb on an Altec Lansing Expressionist Ultra 2.1 which is pretty enjoyable so far

Still wish I had my cd collection around and about 50.000thb to spend in a high end hifi shop

Well if you wanted the best sound for your money then I would have directed you to a couple of excellent mid/high-end 2nd hand shops (where everything is tested), but I think you said you wanted to buy new.

[Dutchman6]

I actually returned the PC speakers today and got back my money. Awesome stuff but dreadfull on my music.

There was nothing there inside the hifi building next to big C/central world plaza.... Closed shops, internet rooms... Security said office only.... I used the entrance on the side of Big C, did security lie to me and is the building split in half or has it just all been closed down?! Powerbuy, Paragorn, Carrefour, Big C, all the same crap up to 10.000thb and than a huge gap untill quality starts at 25.000thb.

So yes CarlBkk please recommend me some secondhand shops! I was recommended this secondhand shop in Panthip but it is non existent... Read it all over the internet and the guy from Mahajak mentioned it as well but it ain't there....

[Skypist]

I actually returned the PC speakers today and got back my money. Awesome stuff but dreadfull on my music.

There was nothing there inside the hifi building next to big C/central world plaza.... Closed shops, internet rooms... Security said office only.... I used the entrance on the side of Big C, did security lie to me and is the building split in half or has it just all been closed down?! Powerbuy, Paragorn, Carrefour, Big C, all the same crap up to 10.000thb and than a huge gap untill quality starts at 25.000thb.

So yes CarlBkk please recommend me some secondhand shops! I was recommended this secondhand shop in Panthip but it is non existent... Read it all over the internet and the guy from Mahajak mentioned it as well but it ain't there....

It's definitely there buddy...in fact I don't mind showing you where! I'm a regular browser (and past purchaser). It's an absolute aladdin's cave of classic kit from the very old (but good) to the very new barely used richman's toys.

There used to be some in Fortune Town (Rama 9 MRT station) but they were struggling...but one might be left. All the others are high end brands plus a few Thai-made brands. The place in Panthip 5th floor (near the back) should be your first stop though.

[Dutchman6]

5th floor Panthip is reserved for IT City only and nothing else, so please explain where it would be!

[CarlBkk]

5th floor Panthip is reserved for IT City only and nothing else, so please explain where it would be!

I can help you with that Mr Dutch. IT city only occupies the front part of the 5th floor, so get the lift by the side of S&P restaurant right up to the 5th floor. Walk out of the lift and you can only follow the aisle forwards with IT city being on your left and various small service centres being on your right. However the FIRST shop on your right is a 2nd hand hi-fi shop! This one specialises in lower end products, mini systems and A/V. Still has some great products within your budget though, but this is not the main shop. Keep walking past IT City and past the car park entrance and you will reach another bigger/busier Hi-Fi shop (called Mr Balance) on your left side. Door always open, windows FULL of equipment. The shop is absolutely stacked full with demos going on too. This is the only place you'll need to get an excellent amp/speakers for your money. In fact I may pop in there myself today as I haven't been for a mooch for a while.

Edited October 19, 2010 by CarlBkk

[Dutchman6]

Gonna be another long trip to Bangkok... Thanx CarlBkk!

[Dutchman6]

So is there anyone here who vouches for Mr Balance? Are his prices reasonable or as high as possible? Is he helpfull as in willing so setup and let you test/play whatever you want to buy and most of all crank up the volume to check for inconsistencies in the equipment?

I'm asking because the second hand stores here don't have no bargains and sure as hel_l won't let me test whatever they sell. They actually had some Soni tower playing for 8500thb, I wouldn't give a penny for it, got angry when I put up the volume...

Edited October 19, 2010 by Dutchman6

[JSixpack]

So is there anyone here who vouches for Mr Balance? Are his prices reasonable or as high as possible? Is he helpfull as in willing so setup and let you test/play whatever you want to buy and most of all crank up the volume to check for inconsistencies in the equipment?

I'm asking because the second hand stores here don't have no bargains and sure as hel_l won't let me test whatever they sell. They actually had some Soni tower playing for 8500thb, I wouldn't give a penny for it, got angry when I put up the volume...

Well, why not just go there and find out? I haven't bought anything there or tried to bargain, but I've been in there and he has a LOT of stuff. Never seems very busy, so I think you have a good chance.

[Dutchman6]

Nah... Thais don't give nothing away for free and it's too much money to spend on some unreliable 2nd handie, rather have a new one for a little more with 5 years guarantee on it. Besides the costs for travel are also better spend on something better over here.

As they say in Holland: A cheap buy is an expensive buy in the end.

[powderpuff]

Mister Balance is 100% reliable.

I have bought & sold with him for years.

[amarin223]

Hi,

I went to mr balance recently. Said hello..not a warm reception though. Next I asked for nakamichi decks, to which he said can't repair bcoz no spare parts available. Huh? There goes my hope to get any naks deck for spares! Looks like he dont want to sell any faulty equipment (to maintain his reputation maybe?) Next I asked about does he have any LS3/5a speakers, to which he replied the price is 32000 baht. I said I wanted to have a look at the item, but he asked me to agree on the price first only then he would take it out from storage...How could I agree on any price without seeing the item plus auditioning it first??? In the end I left the shop without a word...

Been to Fortune Tower next day. Looks like they're having a renovation on the third floor. All the hifi shops were closed (or relocated elsewhere..)

There goes my bangkok hifi shopping : )

[tinfoilhat]

he is a grumpy git, but his stuff is solid