Quintessence Audio located at 5701 W Dempster Avenue in Morton Grove provides an unique friendly environment that feels like hanging out with audiophile friends helping to provide me with the best equipment and service without any pressure or hurry to buy equipment. Mick, Patrick, John and Fritz will provide knowledgeable information with private listening if needed in a comfortable environment. Delivery and/or setup is available. An award winning store that stands behind all equipment they sell. Thank you guys. Ronn Christopher Powell. read more

Great sale and installation! Would not hesitate to buy from them again. They came to my house and brought the amp and went far more than necessary to set it up. read more

Great guys. I picked up a DSC Rossini Dac/ Streamer from them. It just arrived today and it's perfect. I got a great deal and it was packed up properly and shipped quickly to California. I couldn't be happier with the entire process. Thanks again to the entire team. Highly recommend. read more

Quintessence Audio - First night with the new DCS Rossini. Thanks guys. She sounds great! - High Fidelity Audio Equipment Near Me - Morton Grove, Illinois

Last week I purchased a used ClearAudio Concept turntable. While these machines are pre-calibrated out of the box, general use (and even transportation to my home) can cause tracking force and other adjustments to fall out of whack--not to mention that the tone arms on CA turntables are pretty jumpy. Upon trying to set up the turntable at home, it was clear that the tracking force and new cartridge were not calibrated properly. New CA Concepts come with a small tracking force gauge. Used--no dice. After trying and failing to source one online, I called Quintessence Audio to see if they had any I could purchase. They did. But they didn't charge me for it. Not a single dime. Note: I did not purchase this turntable from Quintessence Audio; I've never purchased anything from them. I simply called them because they were a local hi-fi audio dealer who might have one in stock (or at least would know what I was talking about). What's the gold standard of true customer service? It's when you provide a service to someone in need who isn't even a "customer" in the literal sense of the word. How rare is this kind of customer service? Unicorn rare. Quadruple rainbow rare. Needle in a haystack rare. I was blown away. I am grateful. And I guarantee I will become a customer of Quintessence Audio. I can't recommend this business highly enough. read more

Simply the best audio store period! Mick, Patrick and the team go out of their way to help and they have the best lines to choose from.

These guys were great they helped me with my turntable and were very knowledgeable I would definitely go back in the future thanks guys

Not to be missed! Simply the finest audiophile products anywhere. Wow! Mick and Patrick are excellent hosts and so generous with their time. Stopped in for speaker wire and ended up sampling MOON amps and Wilson Audio speakers and listening to fantastic sound. read more

I can't say enough about my experience with Quintessence Audio. I contacted them about studio monitors as the brand I was looking for said they were one of the few local places to purchase their product. After an easy email inquiry, John got back to me immediately and even though they did not have what I was looking for in-house, they went and picked them up from the manufacturer so I could listen to them before purchase. Once I got to their store I was blown away by the environment and the lengths they went to for me to hear the speakers I was looking for. Not only that, we had a great conversation and John spent time with me in their listening rooms which was an absolutely incredible listening experience. John and team are clearly very deeply invested in the culture and personal experiences of their clientele and I could not be more impressed or thankful for the time I spent at Quintessence. Thank you and I can't wait to be back! read more

I don't write many reviews. I've been going here for a number of years and even though I don't buy too many things they treat me like I'm one of their best customers. They are always very accommodating, friendly and follow-thru on their commitments. The best part is that they are smart and always have options and ideas for every situation. read more

The listening room was phenomenal. Patrick answered all my questions with patience, was diligent setting up various speakers, and a complete pleasure to work with. My only advice is the office staff need to be better communicators to customers when delays in the delivery schedule crop up. read more

Old fashioned good customer service. they really try to help that is important for good buying decision of very expensive stuff. Thank you! ...they have Pass Labs and Octave. I have not been to the store in while but stopped by at all there room at the AXPONA in '15 and '17. read more

I needed my turntable to be adjusted due to a skipping issue and John spent time figuring out the issue and fixed it promptly. The staff there are very friendly and welcoming. I will definitely be back. read more

If you are looking for the best resources for audio gear, Mick and David at Quintessence Audio are the people to see. They listen carefully to what you are interested in and provide multiple options. Mick takes the time to set up one of demo rooms for you and then puts you in control; With no time constraints or obligations. But when ready to buy, Mick's personal commitment is unmatched. He and David work tirelessly to get me what I want and within my budget. I have visited the store on multiple occasions and am always greeted with a warm smile. I recently purchased Wilson speakers, a music streamer, cables and Roon Nucleus with subscription. I could not be happier! read more

I stopped in Quintessence for the first time this past weekend. I normally stay away from the ultra high-end stores due to a few bad experiences with reps at high-end dealers. Not to worry here! Patrick helped me out. I wanted demo a specific speaker and he didn't hesitate to start setting up the speakers we wanted to hear. Patrick was very enthusiastic and more than willing to take the time to answer questions and just casually chat about the hobby that we're both passionate about. No pressure at all. It was beyond the most pleasant audio store experience I could ever ask for. I never thought I'd buy from a local audio dealer, but they're definitely a brick & mortar I want to support. Plus, they have many of the brands and gear I like. This isn't just a store for the audiophile without financial restrictions. They have something for everybody. read more

Nice products and store but slow to order and deliver. A friend took a component there to be sent to the manufacturer to be repaired. Many weeks later he found out by calling the manufacturer it was never sent out even though he was told it had been. So he picked it up and shipped it himself. Just one example. You have to wonder why they are still in business. read more

Curiously, my very negative review has been taken down. So I will repeat it and see what happens. After ordering a Moon Headphone amp from this company on Sept 22, I had not received it 2 months later despite having been told at least 4 times that it would be shipped that week. I then cancelled the order and got the amp in 5 days. Unlike most companies, they charged my credit card immediately instead of when the product was shipped. I have been waiting for a refund for 3 weeks now, even though, once again, they tell me it is on the way. The worst company I have ever dealt with........ read more

In my opinion, the best audio shop in the Chicago area. It carries excellent product lines and provides excellent service. Mick is very good to his customers and provides good advice that not a sales push. Highly recommended. read more

Wow. What a great afternoon I just spent with Mick at Quintessence Audio on Dempster in Morton Grove.... Don't worry, it's not that far out. It's just a few blocks from Skokie. In fact, it's conveniently located just west of 94 two blocks and on the south side of the street. I drove out there because I had had been to Audio Consultants three times to try to resolve the issue with my rare and wonderful Polysonics audio speakers, as well as Guitarworks in Evanston. No one at either shop seemed very interested in assisting me. The guys at Audio Consultants just wanted me to buy a new system, which I wasn't ready to buy. So I called ahead and spoke with Mick, who was helpful and offered to take a look at my connector for me, to see if he could resolve the issue with my speaker malfunctioning. Not only did he solve my problem quite quickly and not charge me a dime, but he also happily demonstrated his high-end audio speakers to me. I have to say I've never heard better speakers. It truly sounded like the musicians were there with me in the room. They carry many brands, such as Audio Research, Sonus Faber, Clearaudio, Magico, etc. Mick even does a bit of consulting, and can come out to your place and offer suggestions as to how to improve your music listening experience. Old fashioned good customer service. Thank you! read more

I used to live in Chicago and stopped by while visiting. Mick, his son Patrick, and his super-friendly crew are a high end audio institution in Chicagoland. They have a truly amazing selection of fine brands (Audio Research, McIntosh, Sim), and a decades long history of doing the right thing and treating people right. Store is neat and tidy as a pin and you feel at home the minute you walk in. I've never seen so many pairs of Sonus Faber and Dynaudio speakers in one place! read more

I purchased a set of pre-owned Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Concert Grand speakers in 2008 from Quintessence. Recently, I was on a quest to replace my surround speakers and decided to stop in and see if they had any high end pre-owned speakers I could audition. At the time, they didn't have any pre-owned so I gave a listen to a set of Sonus Faber Venere 2.5 speakers. Both Mick and Patrick were very helpful. I wanted to think about it overnight before I made the plunge. Mick offered the floor model set to me at a discounted price so I wouldn't have to wait a week for them to be shipped. I thought about it overnight and decided they were the perfect speakers so I called Mick the next morning and let him know I would come in later that afternoon to pick them up. I am in awe at how beautifully they were repackaged in the factory boxes for me. What a pleasant shopping experience and I can't get over how much better my system sounds with the Venere 2.5s! read more

I agree with Dr Charles on this one -- I have come into their store many times. I have only bought some very inexpensive thing and yet they treat me terrific. They have spent time and let me listen to a large array of equipment. This store is first class and first rate -- I only hope to do business with them read more

I have been a customer of Quintessence Audio for well over 20 years since they were located in Naperville. Unfortunately, I have never had the budget to allow me to even be considered a current or future high dollar customer. This said, Mick has always treated me as if I was his most important customer. I can not speak highly enough of the combination of knowledge, product and consideration that he and his son have. He clearly understands that even if I am not buying something today, that I will some day and that he will always get first crack when I am in a purchasing moment. Quintessence Audio is unapologetically focussed on premium, 2 channel, audiophile equipment but they also provide options for home theater as well. If you are considering any equipment for music reproduction, I recommend scheduling a few hours to understand what they have to offer. Even if you don't buy from them, you will learn what is possible and available. I suspect that many of the people that visit, leave feeling as I do... that they are the most important customer. read more