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Bay Bloor Radio
Category: Shopping Electronics Electronics [Edit]
55 Bloor Street WestManulife Centre
Toronto, ON M4W 1A5
Neighbourhoods: Yorkville, Downtown Core
(416) 967-1122
- Hours:
Mon-Wed 10 am - 7 pm
Thu-Fri 10 am - 8 pm
Sat 10 am - 6 pm
- Price Range:
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$$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage, Validated
10 reviews for Bay Bloor Radio
10 reviews in English
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Review from Jonathan S.
York, ON
2/3/2012
I'm about as far from audiohilia as one can get. Tone deaf and lacking in rhythm, I proudly announce that my favourite song is whatever's playing on the radio (the sonic equivalent of when being asked "what's your favourite book" answering "I read a lot of magazines").
That said, even I know that once my stereo equipment starts snapping, crackling and popping like a bowl of breakfast cereal, it's time for an upgrade.
I used to buy sound equipment at department stores, when such retail dinosaurs ruled the earth. Mainstream selection and lack of product knowledge among the rent-a-staffers did that in. I flirted briefly with the big electronics chains, but between high pressure tactics, useless add-on warranties and punitive return policies, I decided to look elsewhere.
Enter Bay Bloor Radio.
As an acute sufferer of buyers' remorse, it says something that I have never returned anything purchased from BBR. I chalk this up to knowledgeable, engaged staff who would rather see you walk out empty-handed but fully informed, than make the quickest buck. My tastes may be pedestrian, but I get consistently good advice, and that's worth a few extra bucks. -
Review from Kelly K.
Toronto, ON
11/28/2011
Never having spent more than $30 on earphone before, in May of 2010 I bought a pair of $70 Sennheiser earbuds. Up until this week I had absolutely no problems with them, but for whatever reason one of the sides blew. I called the store to see if by some miracle they had an in-store warranty and if I could replace them or repair them, and they did! Since they took my contact info when I bought them, I was able to exchange them for a new pair without a receipt, no questions (beyond "whats wrong with them?") asked.
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Review from Yvette L.
Toronto, ON
2/1/2011
In 1993, I bought my very first stereo at Bay Bloor Radio. It was a different incarnation of the "Mozart System" you still see advertised in the first few pages of NOW magazine. There was a Yamaha 5-disc changer, a Yamaha amp and Mission (made in Britian) speakers. The whole shebang cost me $799.
I was 20 years old and had saved like crazy for a real stereo. Even at that age, I'd done my research and was put off by stores like Radio Shack and Majestic... a) they were pushy and b) they were selling grey-market garbage and c) they treated me like a dumb kid. Not Bay Bloor. They took me seriously and treated me like a real customer. I've never gone anywhere else since.
Today, in our living room, sits my old Mozart system... with a couple of extra Missions we acquired along the way. It's been through 10 moves, countless abuses and still works faultlessly. I'm about to get the foam rims on the 18-yr old missions replaced at Speaker Shop for $75 each. They'll sound brand-new when I do. (Note: If your cheap speakers go, you won't have this option and will be forced to toss them.)
I'd urge you to consider Bay Bloor for your next electronics purchase. They offer excellent service, are honest and well-priced. Also, even if you're tempted or a little bit short, don't buy a stereo at a box store. They just aren't as good, you'll need to replace it and you'll spend more in the long run. Hey - amortized over 18 years? It's cost me about 52 bucks a year (including the spiffing up I'm about to have done to the speakers) for amazing sound and a reliable, maintenance-free system. That, to any music lover, is a total bargain. -
Review from Tina H.
Updated - 4/3/2011
Pretty decent selection of headphones but unfortunately they run through a wall and receiver with maybe around 50 other headphones. I think this may affect the audio quality. They recently upgraded their headphone wall setup though but I haven't checked it out.
Quite lacking in terms of speakers I can use with my computer. They only carry about 3 sets and none of them sound that good, even though one is priced at over $500.
Service is friendly and helpful.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/11/2010
I actually went to this mall to go to Indigo (which I had a crappy experience at) and decided to… Read more »
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Review from Erin B.
9/17/2010
I am absolutely not comfortable in stores that sell electronics. I'd generally prefer to get in and out as quickly as I can without being noticed. If I'm spotted, inevitably salespeople start asking me questions I don't know the answers to and I feel like the awkward electro-moron that I am.
Lucky for me, someone directed me to Bay Bloor Radio when I told them I was in the market for some new headphones. The store itself is clean and bright, though walking through displays of electronic things and past the special rooms for listening to speakers was intimidating (that's my issue, not theirs).
The staff (and I say staff instead of salespeople because I didn't feel at all like I was being sold to - I felt like I was being helped to find the things that I wanted) were friendly and casual. They steered me in the right direction but also allowed me time to just stand around and listen to headphones without hovering over me. They answered all of my (unsophisticated) questions and helped me find headphones that I am completely in love with for exactly the amount of money I told them I wanted to spend. -
Review from Bella W.
8/19/2008
FTR- BITCHES!! I'm in Canada now!
I used to work with Bay Bloor when I was a Sales Manager for an electronics company. Store visits were fun because I got to travel to Canada. Wait- is visiting Canada fun? Hmmm.....
They offer great high end audio equipment and have great knowledgeable staff.
Eh? -
Review from kai s.
Toronto, ON
1/16/2010
After being a loyal customer of Bay Bloor Radio for the past 10 years, I am dismayed to rate the store with the poorest rating available to me.
I learned that they're great during the sales process: Great consultation, attentive sales attention, and tons of patience. However, I also recently learned that they give you the converse experience when you go in for service.
I walked in because my recent purchase is defective. Upon hearing that it's not a sales opportunity, the salesperson who welcomed me immediately became abrupt and sent me to their "shipping" desk in the back of the store. It goes downhill from there. I spoke to the manager, and the bottom-line is they can't help me and I have to go directly to the manufacturer. In his words, "there is absolutely nothing I can or want to do". They claim that the manufacturer won't allow them to exchange or service the product.
In summary, they're great when they want your money. Once they have it, you're on your own.
I am dismayed to conclude that Bay and Bloor is unsatisfactory and you're better off going somewhere else. Or, make your purchase here and hope and pray that nothing goes wrong. -
Review from Taiyab K.
Toronto, ON
6/11/2009
This store opened in 1946, this was a great era because everyone respected each other and treated each other well - and to this day, Bay Bloor Radio holds the exact same values.
I wanted to buy a pair of headphones, so I went to the usual - FutureShop, BestBuy, The Source, etc, etc. I was greeted with a 'Hello'...followed by salesmen pressuring you into buying something - if you're going ask questions...don't expect any help.
So I had enough, I asked a friend of mine where I should go. He said Bay Bloor Radio, I was like hahahah yeah right. This is an upscale store in a very chic area of Toronto, I doubt I'd get any help unless I was wearing a $3000 suit and what-not.
Boy, was I mistaken. I walked in, greeted with a Hello by the TV staff. Proceed down to the headphone area, looked at the headphones...wasn't bothered by anyone. Took my time, narrowed down a set of headphones and asked the person working at the register if I could test out a pair...
He said yep, one moment as he was with a customer. I said I was interested in three models...now here is what makes that store 'unique'. You can try on the headphones...most stores don't due to hygenic reasons (who wants to share earbuds?). Anyway, the man would sterilize and clean the headphones before I tried them on, and would let me go back and forth - and nope, he wasn't impatient as are most big-box store salesmen.
The first occasion, I said I'd think about it...and he was perfectly fine, unlike most salesmen who just shrug you off. I came back a day or two later, tried them again...and made my purchase. Throughout, the man was extremely helpful and nice.
Bottom line, sure BBR is a bit more expensive than most stores. But it's for the top-notch service you get there.
EDIT: 6/12/09
About 2-3 months ago, the left earbud of my headphone suddenly gave out. I lived downtown the entire time...but never went to BBR because of school. Well, I decided I'd get it taken care of...and boy was it simple. On the box it said there is a 2-year warranty...it was just a matter of bringing in my old headphones and getting a brand-new pair...mind you, the new pair is actually better than what I had - a revised version, with a leather case. -
Review from Monstar s.
Toronto, ON
1/29/2011
We ordered two speaker stands and a speaker bracket from Bay Bloor Radio in December. We paid the full amount and were told that we would receive a call from the store in two weeks when our merchandise arrived. We didn't hear from the store for over 1 month! Finally, my husband called the store only to be told that the speaker stands still had not arrived an that we could come in to the store for a refund. So we went back to the store for a refund only to be passed from one sales person to another because they could not figure out how to make a refund. One hour later, we were still standing in the store with no refund and no speaker bracket. Based on our experience, the poor customer service at Bqy Bloor Radio does not justify their higher prices and we will avoid this store in the future.
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Review from Mike S.
Toronto, ON
9/19/2008 1 photo
If you live in Toronto and listen to the radio you've heard the commercials for Bay Bloor Radio; where a friendly older gentleman will tell you about all the new innovation in the world of technology and why you should hurry down to their store an Yonge and Bloor and start using that credit card. I had never been to Bay Bloor before because well, it intimidated me. I am no stranger to electronics, but this is a very big store and the prices are all in triple digits. When I did finally make the trip to their store I was very impressed the store is sleek and modern and the staff is very helpful. The staff is not only knowledgeable but is friendly as well. Which while you may not think is a big deal to find someone who both knows a great deal about electronics and isn't condescending. It is more difficult than you would think. I would recommend Bay Bloor Radio for when you are going to make that big purchase for a new plasma or home theatre, they know their stuff and their have excellent warranties.
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