I had been struggling in trying to figure out if it was my wonderful Classe amp (sold to me 20 years ago by Joe Stromick..he's the JS) or if my Dynaudio speakers were the culprit to dropped and lousy sound. I started talking to Dave. He said he was scheduled for overseas travel, but he had an Atoll integrated amp on the floor. I said that's what I want (having an Atoll CD player that has been terrific). He came to my house and set it up on the evening before hiss flight. Problem solved. That's what I call going way out of the way. JS remains JS all these years. I don't think one could do better. read more

In this day and age, it is rare to find a brick and mortar hifi location. And when you do, it is rare to get excellent customer service with knowledgable and friendly staff. All this and more can be found at JS audio. I dropped by the store unannounced, found a covid-19 appointment only sign on the door, and figured i would not be able to visit. David was near the door, invited me in and gave me the run of the building for a couple of hours. This included him showing me the high end room, knowing that i could not afford that level of gear. I found that there are items in the store that most people cannot afford, but there are also amazing products available for just about anybody. I encourage you to stop by and see for yourself! read more

JS Audio - High Fidelity Audio Equipment Near Me - Bethesda, Maryland

The people at JS audio are great. They have exceptional gear as well. I inquired about some used/demo hi-end gear and had a very positive experience - high integrity, honest, friendly, prompt and transparent. Even though the deal did not working out in the end, I wouldn't hesitate work with them in the future... and all this despite me being out in California. Steve, thank you! read more

What can I say, Jason and his brothers are the best. I purchased my first surround sound system from Bowers and Wilkins with their help. They took their time and explained how all the systems worked, what I needed, and how the process would go. Couldn't have done it without them as I'm technologically challenged. Jason spent over an hour setting up my system and making sure everything was done correctly. I can't thank him enough for his professionalism and expertise. My system is INCREDIBLE and if you're in the market for a stereo system, surround sound, or any other audio system, these are the guys to talk to. They'll take care of you. Thank you all so much for the amazing experience. read more

I've been a customer for 30 years -- with Joe and now with Dave, Steve, Jason - three brothers who are not only really good guys but incredibly competent, polite, efficient and fun! I have a high end system (Steve estimates around $150,000) -- I cannot afford to spend this for one system -- but have built this up piece by piece -- including the incredible trade up policy. I simply have a magnificent system (trinnov 32, Mac Amps, high end Dynaudio speakers (10 of them)..JS audio introduced me to Meridien processor (861) twenty give years ago and I just traded up to Trinnov. Everything here is valuable and interestingly high end audio never goes out of style or popularity...basically you can sell the equipment for at least 80% of what you paid...so GO FOR IT. This is the ultimate Man Cave experience. JS audio is simply the best and it gets better and better...Bill Martin read more

I recently had the pleasure of purchasing some very high-end speakers from JS Audio, specifically Dave Kennedy. It was the best experience I've ever had making such a sizable purchase. In the buying process, there was none of the snobbery you might sometimes encounter at some "audio salons." Dave treated me with respect and courtesy. He went out of his way to ensure that all my questions were answered and provided all the details and information regarding the speakers I was considering. No sales pressure. He went out of his way to also ensure that the speakers were set up properly in my home spending many hours in the process. That was not expected! It is clear that Dave is a music lover and truly believes in the products he sells. Finally, Dave is just a good guy, personable and friendly. He is my go-to guy from now on for all things audio. I could not ask for more. read more

customer/kstmr/ Noun: A person or organization that buys goods or services from a store or other business. J S Audio is a high end audio and video equipment store that caters to customers....not potential customers. The market they sell to is very specific and let's face it, if you're about to drop a few grand on a piece of stereo equipment...you should be coming in to listen to it...not calling on the phone asking about returns. This isn't Best Buy, if you're looking for a good home theater system, J S Audio is likely not the place for you. If you are an audiophile, have disposable income, and are serious about purchasing some amazing audio equipment this is where you want to be. Joe and his team know the value of having relationships with customers and will spend the time with you to help ensure you get what works best for you. J S Audio carries some really amazing gear that you can only find a few places on the east coast. I can testify that if you are customer of theirs, they will take great care of you. After spending time with other comparable shops from PA down through NC, I can say that we found J S Audio to be the best. read more

Courteous service and excellent selection of goods. Fast e-mail response. Their inventory is nothing short of aspirational. Where would the audio industry be if customer's can't hear and see components in person? This store lets you do that in a no pressure environment. I came to test their selection of Audeze headphones. They had almost everyone model available for demonstration in a comfortable listening station. The owner let me try the gear for what seemed like hours. He also offered me water to keep me comfortable and checked on me intermittently to see if I had any questions. Stores like this are a rare and disappearing breed! read more

I had a really great experience at JS Audio. I wasn't there to drop a ton of money unfortunately, but, Joe still treated me like I was. I left quite happily with a pair of Dynaudio speakers and I'm already loving. It was certainly worth the trip from DC, and I believe I'll be coming here for all of my audio needs in the future! read more

Great & rare store for high end audio, run by devotees who are well grounded. Great advice on new system, competent setup after the sale, and took in trade a system that I bought there more than 12 years ago. Very glad to see the new owners taking the business forward. read more

Hands down the worst most lazy and inept customer service I have received in a long time. I called at around 2 or 3 PM to inquire about some speaker cables, pretty simple. I was told what they had that would be a good match for me and that they were open until 7 PM, I said: "Great, I'll be in later tonight to pick up those cables." When I showed up at 6:35PM they were closed and not answering their phone. WTF? Really? I get it, I'm not JS Audio's target market, I wasn't there to drop several thousand dollars in their store, but I was still there to give them my patronage and in the future I may have looked to them for an upgrade, but now I'll avoid this place like the plague and tell anyone who asks to do the same. read more

I had a great experience at JS Audio. The store displays a beautiful array of very high-end audio equipment. I am no audiophile, but after listening to my needs and asking detailed questions about my lifestyle, Joe and Steve recommended a compact Sonos system that, for around $400, delivered amazing sound quality in an aesthetically pleasing (very important to me since I work in the design industry), package. The guys at JS Audio were a pleasure to work with - they set-up delivery quickly, suggested placement options and made sure everything functioned properly (even discussed the pros and cons of audio streaming options!). I love the look, sound and flexibility of my new system. The store delivered a rare combination of superb personal service, comprehensive product knowledge and amazing products - very glad to have discovered this gem and am looking forward to visiting them again for my next upgrade. read more

Joe, Steve and Dave are awesome. You see, I bought an amp - from California (a Bryston with 14 years left on its warranty). The bloody thing would not turn on. But Joe, Dave assured me first that they would do what it takes to correct the problem. It was a stuck relay that I finally got unstuck, and now the amp sings. I plan to use it as an arc-welder tomorrow (not!). Bottom-line: Stand up guys who go the extra mile. Bapcha read more

This is the place to come if you are serious about sound. As a college student, my budget may make most of JS Audios products out of reach but that didn't stop the extremely friendly and knowledge staff from answering my questions. Even better, Joe took the time to show me his store and even let me listen to an unbelievable system that they had set up in the showroom. I will certainly continue to visit the shop with my questions and hopefully, one day my business. True "no questions asked" customer service is rare these days. I got all the help I wanted without any pressure for a sale. This place is top notch read more

This place is the WORST!!! I went in with a few cd's to get an idea of what they had on offer. A gentlemen put me in a very small room with gigantic speakers and asked me a few questions mainly about how rich I was and how much my own stereo was worth. He scoffed at the brand of my electronics and walked out of the room with a scowl. I have at my house a very "high end" stereo of the tube variety and I wanted to hear what pricey solid state gear sounded like; particularly the very expensive stuff. I threw a cd in and was entirely unimpressed with every aspect of the sound, including the things that "solid state" gear is supposed to excel at, like bass definition and punch ect. I threw in another cd and turned up the volume to a realistic "concert level," mind you, these are huge speakers and very powerful amplifiers. Before I could listen to a single phrase of music, the employee came in and turned it down saying, "just because your stereo can't play at these levels doesn't mean that you can listen to it here!" Honestly, I listen to my system at this level and louder regularly with absolutely no fear of damage to the speakers or electronics. I thought this was what the "high end" was all about; realistic sound levels with no distortion or congestion. I guess not! He left me alone with the volume barely audible; then I left. Needless to say, I don't plan of ever going back. These people don't even pretend to like music! read more

There was a review here stating something along the lines of....caters to customers, not potential customers, market they sell to is very specific etc. and I would like to use that as reference point for my review of JS Audio. JS Audio DOES cater to prospective customers. I am pretty confident they are interested in staying in business and therefore would be setting themselves up for failure if they didn't (hint: no one lives forever). Second, I am sure that if you have questions about return policies at JS Audio Joe would be happy to explain his to you as he has for me when I asked during one of my visits to his store. Third, Not being Best Buy = not being Best Buy, and really has no relevance on the high end audio dealer stage. One could make an argument that some of the magnolia design centers move some high end gear (trust me they do, I have seen it) saying that JS Audio is not Best Buy is not helpful. Heck, I bought my speakers from a BB (B&W CM10s) and although they fall a bit short of being called "high end" I am sure, they were the perfect entrance for me into the world of better sound and I could not be happier with them. (haven't heard better speakers yet, but I hope I do soon!) Lastly, the best home theater systems I have ever experienced are typically made up 5-7 channels of identical speakers and multiple subwoofers (or none) being driven by separate components and based on my experience in the store Joe knows enough about good sound that I would be confident in his ability to put together a ridiculously awesome sounding home theater system if he had access to the gear you need I suppose. I know I should not review a review and I am fairly new to Yelp so no offense to anyone I just feel like there are many things that can be said about JS Audio that are positive AND helpful for potential clients. (ps what is the point of a yelp review if the store you are reviewing isn't interested in new customers??? :)) But I digress) I give them four stars because although it took a couple visits to the store before Joe took me seriously enough and let down his guard a bit (I just showed up no appointment asking random questions and undoubtedly wasting some of his time which is in high demand from what I can tell) once I was able to take in what he had in his store I have to admit they have something that very few if any high end audio storefronts are able to display. The market in this area for stores where you can go experience equipment of this level is so small it almost doesn't exist. So despite how you think you may feel about the brands he carries or the way he runs his store absolutely take the time to go visit them if you like good music played back at a high caliber. it is a unique experience and given how rare places like this are everyone who has an appreciation for good sound should at minimum visit JS Audio. Just make an appointment and be sure you have a realistic end goal as far as your next stereo system or upgrade because that will ensure you and Joe are able to make the most of your visit. read more

I am surprised so many people are giving JS Audio high marks. The owner is rude, snide, and irritable -- and that's just his first impression. I had not even spoken a word when, upon entering the store, he made me feel as if I had come without an appointment. I was interested in an Ayre amp and preamp, Pro-ject turntable, and Audeze cans. Now why would I consider giving thousands of dollars to someone so unlikable? read more

If you are in the market for audio components, repairs, or upgrades, definitely talk ioth the pros at JS Audio who offer an excellent product line, service, and knowledge of what is available at many price points. These guys saved us quickly and efficiently after our receiver tanked. We looked at several alternatives and chose JS Audio, who has been in business for 28 years, figuring they would stand behind their products and could also do the installation. Well, we got more than we were looking for! Joe urged us to listen to the Ferrari of audio equipment even though he knew we were not the high-end buyers they usually cater to. He talked us into spending a bit more than we had intended to, but for good reasons. Then, we met Steve, who is an amazingly astute guy: we felt completely comfortable having him our home for the installation, Steve organized and fine-tuned our haphazardly-arranged entertainment system in record time and then taught us how to use it. The world would be a better place if other service providers could train with these guys. Hey, Joe, maybe this is an idea for a new business? Five stars, highly recommended...hope they never retire or sell to the big guys! read more

Rudest store ever. When I phoned to ask about the return policy for a pair of floor demo speakers I saw on their Website, JS Audio told me I was ridiculous to even think they'd accept a return on a clearance item and abruptly hung up on me. That was my first and last interaction with JS Audio. Why anyone would give money to those clowns is beyond me. read more

It is quite true that the staff almost goes out of their way to be rude. Their selection of brands, while expensive, is almost entirely solid-state, and has the typical over EQ'd sound. This is quality gear, but it must be said that there is not one system in the store that is worth listening to for 2 channel audio. They cater to customers, like Holly, that tend to have money, but no ear. read more