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Kromer Radio
Categories: Shopping Electronics Automotive Car Stereo Installation Electronics, Car Stereo Installation [Edit]
420 Bathurst StreetToronto, ON M5T 2S6
Neighbourhoods: Kensington Market, Little Italy
(416) 920-6700
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 8 am - 7 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
8 reviews for Kromer Radio
8 reviews in English
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Review from Justin E.
Toronto, ON
8/5/2010
I don't know about you, since I'm not you, but I am frankly done with fly-by-night audio-video stores staffed by crocodile-booted, beady-eyed renegades practising high-pressure sales tactics and demonstrating a curious lack of product knowledge/an excess of cologne.
Kromer is not such a place.
I've been here many times - both doing research for future home theatre purchases and, more recently for car audio installs and repairs. Their great selection of both high-end and reasonable-end gear is matched only by the calm and elegance of the place - especially upstairs where the high-rollers go to play. This is not Bay Bloor Radio - a place where I *always* feel uncomfortable, presumably because I don't have wads of $100s exploding out of my pockets. That's not to say I don't have money to spend - and Kromer, in a nice understated way, seems to get this.
PRICES
About standard from what I can tell. They don't stock a whole lot of cheap (read: shit) gear but you can bargain with them within reason on large purchases.
STAFF
While I wouldn't say the staff leap over the counter to greet you and understand your inner pain, they DO jump to attention when you indicate you're doing more than merely browsing and, as an example, some of their car audio guys have been in the business for 10, 15, 20 years. Serious knowledge there and they're eager to recommend solid solutions for your needs.
SELECTION
There's car audio from JL (which I have and love) and marine audio from Clarion, plus complete compact bookshelf systems from all the usual suspects, headphones from Sennheiser and portables, and high-end components from Monitor Audio, Paradigm, Mordaunt Short, Yamaha, Pioneer, Sharp and more. Solid selection - not every brand in the world but a great place to start your research.
YE OLDE CONCLUSION
I will fight anyone who says that Kromer is not one of the best high-end audio-video stores in Toronto. In my experience they're pleasant, knowledgeable, forthright and don't bullshit around - all winners in my book, especially when making big dollar entertainment purchases. They recommended AMAZING car speakers for me (JL Audio coaxials, 10" JL Sub in a sealed box and matching JL amp), installed them expertly and quickly and when I needed a little repair 2 years later, they only charged me for 30 mins labour. Bad ass!
PS This isn't a knock on Kromer but if ANY sales guy at any A/V store ever tries to sell you a $150 HDMI cable, tell him to fuck right off and go check out http://monoprice.com. Ya herrrrrd? -
Review from B R.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 2/1/2012
Well, it turns out that our slippery friends at Kromer have been spared a call from the Ministry of Consumer Services. The Ministry only handles cases with a value of over $100 and, at $90, my case fell just under their radar. Anyhoo, I'm sending the headphones off to the manufacturer in Quebec for servicing.
So, moral of the story from Kromer:
1) They sold me something they said would last but didn't.
2) They invent stories to explain why they aren't responsible for product failure.
3) They retaliate if you try to exercise your legal rights.
4) Nobody's going to stop them.
So, shop with them at your own peril.3 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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12/6/2011
Kromer never responded to the Better Business Bureau or me. Therefore, I've gone ahead with a… Read more »
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Review from Andre G.
Toronto, ON
8/26/2009
Stopped in here a while back to get an iPod adapter for my car. Based on my research and a few recommendations Kromer was my go-to choice. They were pretty helpful in sorting out what I needed since my car was not compatible with the usual adapters. In talking to them I felt pretty comfortable that they knew their stuff.
When it came to the install, it took about an hour longer than they had said, but I attribute that to a busy Saturday out of their control. They did an excellent and well thought out install. All the wires and new secret switches were well hidden yet very logical in their placement.
The price was very competitive and I felt pretty comfortable having them drill holes in my dashboard. I left a happy customer.
PS - their parking lot is really tight so be careful in there. -
Review from Tina H.
12/11/2010
Nice big store with lots of stuff in it, but unfortunately I came looking for headphones and they don't appear to specialize in that very much. They only had Shure and Sennheiser ones available to try, which are reputable brands but I would've liked more options.
Service was friendly enough, a bit pretentious, and I didn't really feel welcome for some reason. Maybe I like attention too much and this was the only place that left me alone. I got more help/attention at Bay-Bloor Radio and Moog Audio.
Anyway, nothing really blew me away in the headphone (or service) department so I didn't make a purchase.
I guess I'm what you'd call an "audiophile" so I will be checking back when I'm shopping for a home theatre system in the not-so-near-but-eventual future. They wouldn't be my first choice but they're still worth a look.
On the plus side they have a parking lot (where cars appeared to be double parked?) so if you buy a system you can conveniently park there and you're steps away from driving it away. -
Review from Lan T.
Toronto, ON
6/13/2009
I haven't actually purchased any merchandise from this place. I bought my car used 7 years ago. The previous owner installed an after-market keyless entry system which went bezurk shortly after I bought the car. All the garages were charging me over $400 to fix the issue, but Toyota told me to go to Kromer Radio. He said that Toyota charges $90 per hour to take apart my door and fix the problem. Kromer Radio charges only $25 per hour.
Kromer Radio fixed the problem for $25. -
Review from Mitch S.
Toronto, ON
8/12/2009
I came into this place looking for info on a DAC for my iPod and left with a Logitech Squeezebox...A great purchase!
The staff here are friendly and extremely knowledgeable. I spent a solid 45 minutes talking to the guys about hifi and was constantly shown really cool equipment even though it was completely out of my price range.
Kromer's has everything from basic stereo equipment to the extreme that would satisfy any audiophile; check this place out if you're in the market for an upgrade or just need some started equipment. -
Review from Rob B.
Toronto, ON
6/25/2009
Kromer is a great place for electronics. We first got to know the people at Kromers when they serviced our TV. Not only were they fast and professional, they went out of their way coming to our home to fix the TV. They even changed all the batteries in our kids toys while they were there!
When it comes to new electronics they are knowledgeable and, again, go out of their way to help.
Definitely check out Kromers if you're looking for electronics -
Review from Matt G.
Toronto, ON
7/10/2009
I just recently purchased a full car audio system from them. I talked with a sales person (mike) told him i don't know anything and to give me what i needed. I explained what i wanted to use it for, this included using an iphone for music. He was a good guy, nice attitude. i bought the system. spent more than i wanted to aswell. then within two months i had been back 3 times because my iphone kept on cutting out from the speakers, first they changed the deck, next 2 times they gave me a new wire. then the last time i went in someone else told me i had the wrong deck. GREAT so he then showed me the proper deck that i wanted, of couse i had to spend more money for it. i was not happy with this, this other guy gave me very annoying attitude and really was just rude. anyways i FINALLY got the right deck and now it works, only took 2 and a half months from purchase. and they charged me for the new deck after all the bullshit i went through. so all in all . Kromer has good products some of the staff are nice but after it was all done i would have rather gotten the system somewhere else, somewhere where they would show that they appreciate my business
