I had Steve work on my home stereo amp a while back and he got it all fixed up very quickly and for a reasonable price so when I recently had the audio go out in one of my cars, I called Steve about checking the amp and possibly repairing it. Steve took the time to chat with me about his experience with that particular amp and that it was notorious for failing because of the structure of it and the positioning in the wheel well that caused a lot of shock to the unit. He went on to tell me where I could find an upgraded model of the amp and that he would be happy to help me out if I ran into any problems installing it. I was able to get a replacement amp and after installing it, have an audio system that sounds as good as new. He could have very easily told me he couldn't help me, but instead took the time to talk to me about how I could go about getting my problem fixed. Even though I didn't need any work done in this case, I will not hesitate to take my next job to Steve to work on when the need arises. read more

My wife got me a set of their Flagship custom speakers for my 40th!! My wife rocks, but that is beside the point :)!! Colton was super cool and helped deliver these to my car for an epic surprise. These speakers rock! The sound is second to none and you owe it to yourself to swing by and listen to them. I was running into trouble with my amp, turntables, and mixer and didn't feel like my set up was pushing these to their potential. Steve sent Colton and Dan up and they hooked it up. They brought up a brand new amp, went over all my equipment and got my set up dialed in. Highly recommended. If you hear a faint rumble from the mountains, its not thunder but me rocking out instead!! Kudo's guys!! read more

I own a major brand 2008 Japanese car. Not the top of the line, but far from the bottom. It has a dashboard GPS system with a screen that displays the GPS as well as various settings and radio/CD controls. It has 2 CD drives, one for music and one for the GPS map CD. I popped out the CD for the GPS maps one day and when I reinserted it it made a clicking sound and everything went away except for the radio. I took it to the dealership, they said the whole unit was bad and had to be replaced. $2,400.00. It wasn't worth that to us, but we still were unhappy that we had a non-functional audio unit. A trusted local mechanic told me to take it to Harms. Steve and I sat down in the car, I explained what had happened and let him take a look. He wasn't positive, but suspected the problem was with the GPS CD drive (I had suspected this also) and that since it didn't work, the system couldn't boot up. It took just a couple of minutes to pull out and I left it with him to see what he could do. It took a couple of weeks, but he replaced the bad CD unit and reinstalled it, now everything is back to where it was originally. The dealership's solution was to replace the whole unit, Harms just replaced the faulty CD drive, his cost, $309.00. He took the time and had the knowledge to repair rather than replace. We're happy with the service we got from Harms Labs. read more

Had a friend have work done by Steve at Harms Labs a number of years ago and said he was fast and reasonable for electronic repair work. Saw his on line reviews were not very good, but what the hell. Week one- early in the week- Brought in a mid-1990's Harmon Kardon amplifier in its original box that had not been used in years because one channel was cutting in and out. Steve said it was a nice older piece of equipment and he had over 40 years of experience. He gave me his basic rate as well as how much it might cost if he ran into problems and I had no problem with either number. I told him to fix it right. I asked about how long it might take- a week or two to be fixed as it looked like there were a lot of things in the shop. He surprised me when he said it would be no problem and he should have it end of the week or so. I thought wow- this would be cool. Was in the area and stopped by on that Friday. He said that he found he problem and that another problem had cropped up and he was working to track down that issue. Told me that mid next week was the time frame for completed repairs- OK. End of the next week I drop by again. Sorry he said, but we replaced the transistors but we are now getting feedback and are trying to figure out where that is coming from. OK. I don't make any contact with him the next week, figure I'll just let him work. The following week I call on Tuesday during their open hours and leave a message asking for a return call with an update and if the unit is fixed yet. No response all week. I wait until Friday of the following week, four weeks into this ordeal, as I wanted to give him plenty of time to either contact me or complete the job. I walk into the store and Steve greets me and I ask if the piece is repaired. At this point I want to be clear that I am very polite, as I have been the entire time, and Steve has been very polite as well every time I have stopped and talked to him. He makes a joke about the unit being "haunted" because he worked on it last on Halloween and still could not get it working properly- ha ha. I politely ask him for the unit back and I offer to pay him for any parts he has replaced and the time he has already put into trying to repair the unit. He tells me it is in pieces; as a matter of fact several of the transistors are sitting on the front counter and he can get it repaired, he just needs time. I calmly say that's ok, just close it up and put it back in the box "as is". His assistant tells me it will be 20 min or so while he solders the transistors back in place. I tell him that it's not necessary, just put it all back in the box and I'll pay his bill. Off into the back room the assistant goes to reassemble my amplifier. Steve then begins to tell me about how poorly the amplifier is made and how every time he fixed one thing, another thing when wrong and because of the poor build quality and how difficult it has been to try and tract down the problems on the oscilloscope. If it was built so poorly and was so difficult to fix, why did he think he could fix it in the first place and tell me it was a nice amplifier when I first dropped it off? Steve and I remained polite at all times and when I asked him what I owed him he said that it would be his basic rate since he did not fix it. I respect that and did offer him a bit more as I know he did seem to put some work into trying to fix the amplifier. Steve seems to be a nice guy but I don't think he is a very good business man on several points. If he could not fix the unit, he should have just said it was too much for him-fine no harm, no foul. Next his communication or lack thereof, was disappointing at best even when I left messages to give me an update. Finally the only reason I can figure out he is still in business is because he has no competition. Anyone looking for a business niche in this economy that has an EE degree, can trouble shoot, and communicate with the customer could wipe this guy out in under 6 months. Conclusion- nice guy, I just won't be taking any electronic repair work to him again. read more

Brief context: I got a new radio installed in my Audi by these guys a year ago. In that year, my car has been experiencing a cavalcade of electrical problems including battery power sapped out of nowhere, cold starts, and complete electric failure. Over $1500 in repairs/diagnostics later, I find that the radio they installed was wired to THE IGNITION and draining power at random. They CUT and repositioned the wiring instead of getting an attachment that was supposed to adapt the radio to the Audi. I know that Harms has a solid rep, so that's the single star. If you have a foreign vehicle, steer clear of these guys. Do not trust at all. read more

I've had this worst experience with this place. The staff is friendly but it's pretty obvious they are not concerned with my time or value as a customer. I brought in a mixing board to get fixed and was told it would take 7 to 10 days. It is currently day 40 and I am still waiting. They did not call to warn me about delays or the progress of the repairs, which was really annoying because I needed it for a school project. I've been to the store twice since and haven't even seen my board, and all they have done is offer excuses (people being on vacation or ordering incorrect parts) as to why it isn't finished. I understand they were having issues but they have completely disregarded and disrespected my needs and I will never ever come to them for anything again. read more

I called to see if installing an aftermarket stereo that I had already purchased would be a service they offered. I spoke with Steve and he was very short and rude with me. He said they "already have too much work as it is". I don't know if I caught him on an off day, but I didn't appreciate his attitude. read more

I've gone to Harms several times for different car audio needs and I am always thoroughly impressed! Steve is absolutely brilliant and very helpful. Very professional and super fair price. I won't go anywhere else for my audio needs! read more

Over the past 8 years I've been to see Steve 4 or 5 times, once for my Bang & Olufsen Beogram 1900 turntable and the other times for a couple of different Yamaha CR-2020 receivers. Each time Steve has over promised on turn around time and over delivered on quality of repair and cost. After the second time of delayed return I realized that he really wants to get your items back as soon as possible but things don't always work out that way. If he told me a week I planned on three weeks and never was disappointed again. I've had similar units repaired in southern California and the Chicago suburbs and Steve's prices are reasonable. Additionally, anything he has repaired for me has remained in full working order. I recommend his services without reservation. I trust Steve knows what he can repair and what he cannot...and what is worth repairing and what is not. read more

I've bought several TVs, a lot of stereo equipment and had everything installed by Harms. They did a great job and are very easy to work with. Good rates too. read more

DO NOT TRUST THIS STORE WITH A REPAIR. I dropped my receiver off 7 weeks ago and have not received a phone call or a status update without visiting his store personally. I have visited the store every 2 weeks since then and been given the work around. I have been told each time that Steve would get back to me or that he was going to finish the repair the following weekend. If he was working on my receiver this whole time, a simple phone call or message would at least show me some consideration as a customer. Unacceptable business practice. read more

Harms Sound Labs has a commanding knowledge of electronics and sound. Harms has helped me retain the value in my gear numerous times. No fluff in the shop, just great service and results. Thanks Harms! read more

This guy is not only capable; he is very likely a genius in his field. I've known Steve over 25 years and the knowledge about sound that he possesses is phenomenol. He's always treated my like I was his best customer and bring all my stereo stuff to him. Besides, he has a great sense of humor -Joel read more

Absolutely horrible - worst customer service and repair ability I have ever experienced. We took in two pairs of Beats headphones (one was my daughter's) - both were skipping a bit in one ear. Steve met us at the counter and told us it was an "easy fix," would cost $20 each, and would be finished in a couple days. We called back a few days later, and he didn't remember us or our items. When we reminded him, he said it'd be a few more days. Called back a week later and were told that it was a much bigger issue - the connection jack was bad (one that he'd never seen before). Another couple days. Called again - a new problem: he had purchased the wrong jack and had to get another one. A few more days (three weeks since we took it in)...this time, we told him we had a timeline and we needed them soon. He said he'd get on it. Missed the deadline. Another week, and we called one more time. He said he'd find them and get on it right away. Called back a final time two days later, and he said he could not fix them. "Buy a different brand next time - Beats are not meant to be repaired." That may actually be correct, but his methods are horrible, and he's ridiculously slow (and he cold have told us that at the outset). To boot, he told us to come on in and pick them up. When we dropped them off, they worked somewhat (one speaker was fine, the other skipped occasionally in both sets). When we went in to pick them up, he could not find them, then eventually gave us a box of parts - it was the headphones, but completely taken apart and missing pieces. Extremely rude at pickup as well. Basically shoved the box of pieces at us and dismissed us. Could not find the other set - asked us to come back later for it. Eventually came back, and that set was in pieces as well. No attempt to put it back together; no apology for the massive waste of time. It's bad when you leave a repair business worse off then when you went in. I will never go back. Steve is unskilled and unprofessional. I prefer to shop and do business locally when possible, but this business is an embarrassment. read more

Steve is the man! Can't go wrong with any of your audio needs at Harms, he is extremely brilliant when it comes to sound. I was installing a new sound system in my 2500 HD GMC and i needed something that sounded clear, crisp and loud, i'm a dj after all and require my sound to be perfect. Steve did not let me down, he quoted me 700$ cheaper than car toys plus got a much better deck out of the deal that included Bluetooth and hands free capability for my phone, had the parts overnighted and installed the very next day. I dropped my truck off at noon and had it back when i got off work at 6, he even offered to loan me a vehicle if i needed it. I did have to go back the next day to have some spacers put in my rear doors cause the speakers were to big! Bigger the better they always say ;) He even tuned the system to sound perfect and showed me how to operate everything. Stand up guy, if i ever have any more audio needs i'll be calling Harms! Thanks again! (this same review is posted under google) read more

First, I want to point out that I HAD TO SUE STEVE HARMS to get a refund on speakers that quit working literally as he turned the corner of my block! All I wanted was to exchange them for some that worked, but all I got at first were promises, then he just plain ignored me. Even after he was served to appear, I called him to handle the speakers like a professional, and he still refused to call me back Not only did the speakers quit immediately, Steve Harms and the moron who works for him used the walls in my brand- new house as a jungle gym. The attic access is in a closet and when I went into the attic to take some pictures of the trampled insulation, I saw where one of them body slammed the wall! Literally a person-sized cave in the drywall! I know things happen, BE A MAN AND TELL ME YOU MADE A MISTAKE. They dragged their ladders and goddam feet across my walls and left me to repair and repaint their damage. Then they wired an entire home theater with apparently no concern for code! The breaker for my fridge kept tripping off and I had to hire an electrician to show me that it was Steve Harms' wiring that was causing the problems. How do you do that? Something so stupid had to have done either on purpose or by a true idiot. So I got to restock my entire fridge and freezer twice courtesy of Steve Harms I mentioned the trampled insulation earlier. Well, any insulation that wasn't patted down to a non-efficient pancake was spread all over my clothes, linens and carpet. Oh, I got to clean that up myself too. Every single switch they installed were crooked (I also got to clean up all of the drywall chunks and dust the left behind) and so was my projection screen and satellite speakers. I was awarded the refund on the speakers and payment for the damage he caused and reimbursement for all of the food I had to replace and the professionals I had to hire to fix his mistakes. We're going back to court soon because so far, all I've seen is the refund I wish I could post pictures! The worst part is, I paid Steve Harms thousands of dollars to do this to me read more

I have a couple of things to say about Steve Harms, the owner of Harms Sound Labs. Firstly, don't let my single star rating or bad review deceive you towards his service. Most of the time he is very intelligent, he has helpful answers to your questions, and is capable of working with a variety of situations. If you have immediate business to deal with him, he's just the guy you're looking for. That being said, if you do not have immediate business with him he can be very selective of his customers. I was satisfied with most of experience working with him, though I feel that because I had a lot of questions and wasn't buying something from him right away he decided I wasn't worth his time. It's a shame really, my last experience with him was when I called to ask if he had the product that he himself recommended to me, I was pretty adamant on giving him my business since he was so helpful, but unfortunately before even giving me a chance to ask he decided to blow me off, told me with quite the attitude that he was working with "actual clients" (as if I was not one?) and proceeded to hang up the phone while I was talking. I was about to give him 750 dollars for the amplifiers I needed, sorry Steve, never giving you my business. I do thank him for his advice though, helped me find the product I needed, despite being extremely rude at the last second he still knew what he was talking about. read more