Stopped by to see what they had and scored a live James brown vinyl for a decent price! Friendly cashier and good music playing in the background for your search. read more

Academy Records & CDs - Music & DVDs Near Me - New York, New York

The store was pretty busy and we couldn't tell who worked there/who was also browsing which was fine because we were there out of curiosity. There seemed to be a huge selection of classical records, international music CDs, a few pop records and DVDs. read more

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Their strength is in classical and jazz CDs and vinyl, but I was floored by some of the most solid finds in the used recent arrivals section of vinyl. Prices are a bit painful, with many/most used vinyl at $30+. read more

The only place where you can get quality CD's especially if you're into classical or jazz. Lots of preowned copies in NM condition for a great price. Service is good. read more

Academy Records W. 18th Street Street NYC! Support local businesses. This review is for Vic my favorite Yelp Vinyl Collector! Order on line. Music Legends area of Manhattan has places like this historic record shop. If you haven't visited it's a must for any collector. I like to browse. Many of the music shops have closed over the years. I haven't been here since Covid. I'm hoping they survive. I could hang out listening to the music for hours. Price is no object if you find what you're looking for. I'm sure they can check their other location too. If you don't find what you're looking for ask. They're very knowledgeable and helpful! read more

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I love Academy Records!  I don't have a vinyl player, but I have a Blu-Ray DVD player.  Call me crazy but I love mine.  This store has used DVDs and I loooooooooooooooooove browsing their selection, which changes all the time.  Their DVDs are mostly in pretty decent condition and their always priced accordingly.   The staff is nice and pretty helpful. read more

Academy Records & CDs - Music & DVDs Near Me - New York, New York

I will visit them this afternoon,got some classic old school hip hop CD's from Jay Z,Nas,Fabulous,Mobb Deep,Ludricus and hipe they accept

What a great experience it is to shop at Academy. The stores is on 18th in the Flatiron district so I've never been there before, but I wish I had... Upon entering I was greeted and then asked if I could use some help. It felt like a genuine interest so I mentioned a few artists I'm always in the market for. The clerk stopped what he was doing and went to work on the computer digging through what he had catalogued. To my surprise they had a couple of titles on my all-time must have list. This isn't why I give 5 stars though. The titles were in a storage facility several blocks away. The clerk called to see if someone was available to bring them over. The "runner" was out and not available. He said I could come back in a day or so and they would have them in store. When I thanked him for checking and explained I was traveling and only here for the next 30 minutes or so he went over to whom I believe was the owner/manager. The next guy walks over and asks a couple of questions, then tells me to hold on. 20 minutes later I was checking out with my 2 items. They literally had someone go get them from an off-site storage, during the middle of the day, in Manhattan! Unreal customer service... wish I could shop here every day... Anyway, the the store is clean, organized and well lit. The vinyl is up front when you walk in and you can expect new releases from Ride to Robert Johnson and everything in between. Used titles were mostly classic rock with some 80's mixed in. All vinyl was in VG+ condition and were sold in a protective sleeve. Pricing was right on point for quality. It does seem that many of the shoppers were browsing the used CD's (lots of World Music) and the used Blu-rays. All in all I highly recommend. Check their store on Discogs and call ahead for your order so it can ready for you... read more

Academy Records & CDs - Music & DVDs Near Me - New York, New York

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There is really very little to complain about here. Sure, the staff cracks jokes about their very own clientele, but if you want a healthy selection of classic rock, jazz and classical, all for prices averaging less than ten dollars, this is the place to go. They have a cheapies section consisting of four dollars or less CDs, with some nice cuts in Rock, Pop, Metal, Classical, Jazz, and Hip Hop. In addition, their vinyl selection is fairly sizable, and they have a Blu-Ray selection rich in both blockbuster and arthouse films. (Many used Criterion releases too) Overall, a great place to go if you're looking for anything music related, and don't want to break your wallet. read more

Academy Records & CDs - Music & DVDs Near Me - New York, New York

My son is a vinyl fiend! He loves to scour thru records and find lost treasures. Dad, Houses of the Holy!! (I have the CD) Wait a second, $30 bucks?? I notice most of the Led Zeppelin albums are similarly priced. I had all these albums back in the day.. Academy Records & CDs is a nice place, very clean and organized. We waited on Sunday morning and were the first ones in the store. They are more rock oriented, we bought a AC/DC album (Let there be rock) for $8. My son loves rock but he was also looking for some 80s/90s Hip Hop. The selection of records was limited for this genre. Our verdict? Well organized store, very clean and a little higher priced for a teenager. read more

Decent selection, good prices for NYC, but nothing you can't get in a smaller town at a better price. Not nearly the epic scale of Sonic Boom in Toronto or Amoeba in LA, not nearly as eclectic as Stairway in Ann Arbor or Vintage Vinyl in St. Louis, and not as unique or edgy as Used Kids or Singing Dog in Columbus......yes, I've pissed away a lot of money on CDs over the years. Decent, but not great. 3 stars and a pic will do ya. read more

The best store for Classical Music on LP in NYC. Unfortunately, their prices are not going down, and lately there have been lots of stray boxes in the way all over the place, but the turnover there is quick and you never know what you'll find. Be sure to check out the (sometimes locked, just ask) case for some of what they think is more rare/desireable/expensive. Even more importantly, their records are usually in impeccable shape. I don't know where they find them! Head over to City Bakery across the street when you're done, for a nice cappuccino! read more

Now this is more like it! A straight up STACK of solid records for $33! After spending over an hour in the busy, tight squeezed, random found record store we were buzzing! And couldn't wait to get home & spin. Take a look at the photos to see what we are talking about, & I have too say again - All for only $33! Sometimes in the smaller shops when you discover a nice find for $3 or $4, there is almost guaranteed to be imperfections in the sound quality. Not so here. All sounded great, crisp & clean, normal pops & crackles that are found on aged vinyl but even that was a rarity on this purchase. How do they do it for so cheap? It may have something to do with imports. The double LP Billie Holiday is from Germany, not a word of English is to be found on the entire LP sleeve. But the quality of the 70 yr old recording is fantastic! Will definitely be back for more! read more

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let me start this review off know that I have a medical condition it's hard for me to breathe wearing a facial covering my review of this record store is based on the fact that 2 1/2 years into the Covid they're still making people wear facial coverings in the store my wife went in to ask them if they're still requiring facial coverings and the guy at the door was not very pleasant with her we turned around walked out And went to another record store one that allows customers in without facial coverings. read more

I discovered this place after looking through a guidebook in a nearby Anthropologie store. Although the street outside wasn't very busy, the store seemed to be packed with people. The place was pretty cramped and the spaces were narrow, so it was hard to squeeze by people. Obviously this is because they have so much stuff there! It was funny to see that they were selling VHS tapes. I haven't seen those for a while! The prices for used things were good, but not much better than the used record stores in my hometown. And the prices for new CDs were no better than any place I can think of. Perhaps by New York standards, this place was awesome, but I just thought it was okay. Part of my problem was also that I couldn't find anything used that I wanted! The used selection was pretty picked over, probably because of all the people who visit it. I'm sure this place was once great before it made its way into tourists' radar, but now it's just okay. read more

Laughably bad. Miserable experience. Unfriendly and perhaps even a bit condescending. Avoid. Their prices aren't great either.

OK let me share, when I found this store I called on ahead and I was informed that they were looking for hip hop and Spanish records 'wow;! That's what I had so I took it all away down to 18th street all the way from The Bronx in a neatbox and a man went through it I saw that he didn't take everything and informed me that the ones he left out where we're not up to specs But here's the thing he didn't go through every single album to confirm that, he checked every other album and then those that he did want so what was I supposed to do take the rest back with me hell no I left them with the man and said screw it, so for the ones that he did accept a got $50.00 bucks for it and went home but here's the deal The ones that I left behind he took it back with him into the store Now I've been doing this a long time Collecting keeping records that kind of thing My records couldn't have been up to specs Because I had it since 1983 However if anyone looked at it you would see that that we're fairly kept so I wonder what would happen to those records now would they throw it out or will they Restore them I don't know The thing is I feel that in some way even though I voluntarily left it myself that I got the shaft for my goods so anybody coming to this particular establishment Be aware and ask questions before going to this place or you may lose your time like I did. I don't think that the transaction went fairly. read more

Excellent classical collection at great prices especially box sets. Just don't expect help from the staff

Aw love this place so much! They have such a huge selection of classical music which I love the most. My friend found a lot of records of her favorite rock bands and we were so happy about decent prices! Staff is lovely , they can easily help you to find whatever you're looking for if they have it :) Glad I found this store!! read more

Solid record store that met my expectations for a record shop in NYC. Staff was really cool. Spot was tight (like I prefer) in size. This was my first record shop experience in NYC so it lived up to the hype! (Whatever that hype may have been lol) I found some good vinyl reissues that I've been searching for at my go to spots at home for a while. Overall very pleasant experience and I'll definitely go back whenever in the area. The only negative thing I can think of is that there weren't tons of records. Vinyl isn't all the store focuses on so it's not really an issue. They have tons of cds, cassettes, and dvds and such so if you in to any type of physical media then you'd be happy here for a few hours searching through bins and stuff. I give it a solid 4 1/2! read more

The good: their selection was fine and their prices on used DVDs and Blu Ray were actually pretty good. The bad: I happened to stop in here on a Record Store Day just to see if they had a certain title. Due to capacity restraints they had signage outside explaining that you'd have to wait in line to get into the store. Totally fine. So after waiting in line for a bit, I get inside... only to find out that they're not participating in RSD. Maybe put that on your signage so that all those people standing out front who you know are probably here to shop those titles don't waste their time? When I asked the guy behind the counter about it, he launched into a long-winded speech about how RSD isn't helping record stores. Once I got the gist I tried to save him his breath and change the subject because there was another record I saw listed on their Discogs that I was curious about. He kept talking AT me about the RSD thing for a couple minutes even when I tried to change the subject, twice. Finally I asked him about this other title they had online and he looked it up, said it was in their warehouse nearby. They were asking $40 for this record which is a tad high (most of their vinyl prices were high) so I asked him point blank "Would you take $30?" He doesn't actually answer me, but instead calls the warehouse and says he could go get it and be back in 10 minutes. I say ok, wait around for 15 minutes. He gives it to the cashier and they try to charge me $40 for it. I asked him "Didn't we say $30?" And the guy just acts like I'm an idiot or something and says, "$30? No... I couldn't sell it for $30." Total waste of my time (and his). I'll chalk it up to poor communication skills but yeah, customer service isn't great and the prices are kinda steep. Wouldn't come back here again. read more

Have been there for three times? Anyway, I want to mention three things about the store. First, their background music definitely demonstrates the staff's outstanding taste. One time when I came into the store, a dark and slow style of Jazz? was played (which is a style I rarely heard before) matched perfectly with that day's weather and left me so deep impression. Second, you can tell the staff has profound knowledge about music and each of them is willing to help. In other words, you can learn unexpectedly from them. For example, you can get detailed advice when you want to pick up a symbolic artist to listen for a music style you are not familiar with. Or you will be provided with options when you want to choose a specific classical music masterpiece among various performance versions according to your own description for preference. Third, I successfully exchanged the CDs I brought from them in 2014? with other new CDs in 2017. And this defines awesome. read more

I really liked Academy Records, and that's mainly because I'm a cheap buyer of used cds. It kills me to spend $8+ on a cd that I know I may not listen to or even like very much, but the desire to search out music is strong. Therefore, the plentiful amount of discs that cost less than $5 were a godsend and I spent hours in here. Academy had a decent selection of all genres of music in cd form, as well as a few rows of dvds to comb through. The section that I found the most detailed, (as well as the most empty of people) was the classical music section in the back. If you love classical music you'll love this place, but for everyone else, no need to go all the way back there. The next time I'm in town and want to haul a bunch of music back home with me, I'll be sure to stop by Academy Records again. read more

After I wrote my Yelp review, I got a message on Yelp from the manager of Academy Records saying "a number of staff members ... were dismissed. We have some new faces on the floor that are as keen on music as they are friendly representatives." I told him I'd check Academy out again. Yesterday I popped by. They still have a good-sized collection of classical LPs (lots for $1 and $2), as well as new jazz and rock LPs in the bins at the front. I spoke with two employees, both of whom were helpful. One star off because they don't have a listening station to check out LPs and see if you like the music. One more star off for this: while I was looking at the new jazz LPs, the employees at the counter were openly discussing what they hated about certain kinds of customers. This doesn't make them very approachable. Still, Academy is a good source for inexpensive used classical LPs in good shape. read more

After months of always hearing about this place, I finally came here. Walking in, it reminded me of the old Footlight Record store, anyone remember that place? I got the new Rilo Kiley for $6, a Fiona Apple CD-single for $2, and something else for really cheap. I truly love this place. The classical and jazz section is huge. If I knew anything about either genre, I'm sure I could've stocked up here. Plus, I like the fact that the employees here are old enough to be my father, instead of the hipsters that work at Virgin. So yeah, this is my fave used CD store in the city. read more

A good record store always brings me to my knees, but a good classical record store?? I'm sprawled out on the floor like people in old Japanese movies. Can you even count good classical shops in the US on your fingers and require a second hand? I come from a relatively big city, where there's only one shop that has a classical section that's even halfway interesting. This was amazing, and amazingly cheap - aside from some Japanese imports, I didn't pay over $11 for a cd and most of the time I didn't pay over $6. I racked up on music made either before 1690 or after 1960, the two eras I have the hardest time finding. Josquin and John Cage - that kinda store. And yet the shop was playing the Television Personalities on the stereo! I was in love. I've shopped all around the East Village and Bowery, and over a bit into Brooklyn, but this is my serious NYC crush of the moment. read more

I walked in here thinking the store would be similar to my go-to location in Williamsburg. They didnt have any genres of records I was looking for, but the nice gentleman in the back of the store was very friendly and informative. He made me aware that there was a 12 street location in the East Village that I never knew about! I quickly browsed and found a lot of awesome classical selection of records in the back! Stop by when you can :) read more

A friend suggested I go to Academy when I mentioned I had to replace a few out of print/import CDs that have gotten damaged over the years. Imagine my surprise when I got there and realized this was the same spot I would take my CDs to sell back in the 90s when I new to NYC & ridiculously poor. (Hey, selling a few CDs would buy a lot of Ramen!) I was so happy to see it was still around! The place was packed on an early Saturday evening, so I wasn't able to really browse for the CDs I needed, but I didn't even care...I was just happy to see a real record store that was still passionate about music. There aren't many left in NYC. I don't consider myself some angry Gen X'er that refuses to embrace technology. In fact, I buy digital media regularly. But, when it comes to music I respect & care deeply about, I still want physical copies. I want the artwork, the liner notes, the crisp sound. And now that I know Academy is still alive & kicking, I see myself becoming a regular. read more

Let's just say this. I am an opera singer who couldn't find the recording I needed on iTunes, amazon, google...NO WHERE. I call Academy Records and of course they have it. Not only that, they have a LIVE recording that no one even knows is in existence. Need I say more? read more

This place rocks for people who still buy classical CDs. What a selection!!! Very organized, great for opera and box sets. Got like 15 CDs for $90, all are in good shape and are solid recordings. So happy it's still around and I finally made the visit after my college roommate gave me their card like 20 years ago. read more

I used to love coming here. I'm not going to say what I liked about the store, because it all went down the drain one day when one of the employees came up to me while I was browsing. Without any provocation on my part, this employee personally insulted me in a very rude and angry manner. Never mind that on my previous visit to the store I had bought a DVD set for $100 - which I pointed out, and he said he knew - so it's not like I was just standing around with no intention to buy anything. (To add insult to injury, I later saw that very same DVD set at Costco for $60.) I believe in supporting independent businesses, but with that kind of an attitude towards the people who support them... well, it's been over a year since the incident, and I haven't been back. Who knows how much money I might have spent with them over that period of time, and in the future, if only that [censored] employee had kept his mouth shut? Because the fact of the matter is that if I want a particular CD, I'm going to get it. I might look for it on Amazon... I might look for it on Ebay... heck, I might even look for it at Best Buy (ugh). But I *won't* be looking for it at Academy Records. read more

They have a decent selection of CDs and vinyl. The sales service is okay. Not super friendly, but I haven't had any bad interactions with the folks there. Just some, shall we say, dead eyed stares. I will continue to shop there though. read more

They had a good amount of low priced records ($1-$6) from various genres, which I really appreciated! A lot of classical, a lot of used cheaper records, and a good mix of vinyl and CDs. I ended up buying five records and spent about $65, it would've been half that but I spotted one of my favorites and spent $30 on that record alone! read more

This is a solid shop for used records. This is a standby in NYC. Not a huge selection but it is varied, reasonably priced and mostly near mint vinyl. I always find something cool. Rock, jazz etc. - lots of classical music too. Clean And well organized, the staff are friendly and generally helpful. Positively worth a visit when in the neighborhood. read more

I'm all for supporting local business as a lifelong NYC resident. But that goes out the window when the business staff are completely rude and disrespectful. Upon paying for a record for my young daughter who has taken up the hobby, the price was $16.32. I handed over a $20 and a second later I said I have some change to cover the 32 cents. The millennial aged cashier with the register wide open flat out said no. She handed me the 68 cents of change and then I handed her back the four quarters I now had in hand and said please can you give me a dollar bill. Again she said no and refused saying "it would screw up the register". When I expressed my disbelief that it's a totally normal request to true up the change to get a dollar and my displeasure with her attitude, she called me an "angry white man." Truly disgusting - this sort of lack of any courtesy or dignity is another example that our society and city are truly at a terribly sad low point. Academy Records, you proved nothing today except how poorly you think of your customers. read more

I was not impress for a first timer. I went in to ask about "Demo" Promos" LP with the cashier first. She didn't know anything let alone what is a "Demo" She was busy reading a book (we noticed as we were leaving the store) She asked that we speak with someone in the back. (like who?) The staff were not properly "ID" with badges or uniform. Asked another guys about 'Demos" , they called it Promos, Sorry , These people don't know jack. We have to explained to them what are "DEMOS" (They are pre Promos"/ Re-Release) When asked "do you have concert CDs" - they pointed me to a "section on the right where the man is" Seriously, This this the best they have to offer in terms of customer service. Not Impressed nor coming back ! read more

Nice place, they have tons of CDs, LPs (vinyl records) and DVDs. Most of the stuff is neatly organized. A small selection of rock and jazz LPs and a huge selection of Classical music. The other half of the store is devoted to CDs and DVDs. All or most are used and its always cool to drop in to see what new stuff they added. Sometimes its hit or miss, you do find some good deals at times though. Only complaint I have is that the store is a bit small which can get crowded. read more

I was pretty bummed when Virgin Megastore closed and frankly NYC needs this place as it's other non-commercial counterpart for essential music. Aside from any snobby people or whatever is quintessential and expected from a music store, they have a good selection of artists even if the used copies are occasionally overpriced. Otherwise it's reasonable and you're kind of paying more just to discover bands or forgotten albums, they got my mom into Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds which would be worth adding a star for. I just like to look through the sale section and try to find the worst ones out of sport. This is place is especially good for the anti-itunes generation and of course, record collectors. read more

Went in to browse and $ 50 and one hour later we came out happy with our finds. Great place to find that obscure Vynil record or CD not sure ask the staff they certainly know their stuff. The prices were very reasonable and plenty of inventory. read more

Excellent prices (I got Richard Hell's "Time" retrospective 2xCD for only $6), fair selection given their size, and it's always nice to have these shops surviving in this day and age... read more