With not many record stores left, I am glad Sonic Boom is till around. They have a good selection of local bands and bands from the KEXP. Also, a good place to buy tickets for concerts. Parking is my only issue. read more

VERY inexperienced staff. I talked to 2 different staff members about music I was looking for and you could just see the lights go out. Totally clueless about MFSL recordings on vinyl and CD. Went to buy one of their shirts and asked if the sizes ran small or were sized right. "I have not idea. It should fit as normal". I got it home and it's like a wearing a boy's XL - not a men's XL. Clueless staff here. Clueless read more

The guy in the store was accommodating but the woman is very rude to me and ask me to take my stuff just because she couldn't give me a dollar more. She did not negotiate and explain the situation but just asked me to take my stuff because I didn't agree with a dollar less. Very rude woman and no breeding. read more

I have to dock Sonic Boom a star for their prices on used vinyl. Some of those prices are just completely unacceptable, and comparable to finding the vinyl brand new. I understand that they are picky with the quality that they resell and I appreciate that (and if I were to find a used LP I wanted, I know it would be in great shape). Still, it's high. read more

When I am looking for a cd in particular.. I always go here and they always seem to magically have exactly what I'm looking for. Great staff and great music. Love it read more

These guys have a fantastic selection of new and used vinyl. Very helpful and friendly stuff. Prices are reasonable.

I walked into Sonic Boom yesterday morning while waiting at the nearby bus stop, in search of the Moondoggies album I had listened to the night before on a friend's computer. I had but a few minutes to spare between busses, and was on a mission. Luckily, I didn't made it more than three strides through the door and I saw a rack marked "local music", where I happily picked up the CD I had been searching for. Minus one star because not one employee said a word to me while I was in there--they had just opened, and I was quick about my business, but if there's nothing going on, a simple bit of friendly banter would have made me feel that much more welcome. read more

Fun fact: Started by an ex-KEXP DJ. Explains some things eh?

I'm a record store nut and I just haven't figured out a reason to go back here. The service has been bad each time I've gone. This was the first record store I went to when I moved to Washington and was greeted by bad service and overpriced used vinyl. I asked to listen to a record before buying once and I was told it depends on how likely I'm going to buy it if he'll let me listen. Not at all anymore. There are better record stores around with better service and better prices. It's stores like this that push people toward the internet for purchasing. Why bother with the middle man when the middleman treats you like crap? read more

Nice place! Not the most helpful staff, but the prices and selection are decent. The records are sometimes a bit crammed in, but otherwise a good browsing experience. read more

I loved this store. A good selection. I got some great used vinyl. A couple Damned records plus The Dwarves. A good find.

Update: just keeps getting better. Great tape section and great vinyl. Good job.

Awesome selection of new records, reasonable prices on used, though a bit limited in selection. Friendly enough staff. Nice Hip Hop selection, nice indie selection, decent electronic. Mediocre 45 selection. Good store not the greatest but you should leave with something, especially if you are looking for represses or new vinyl. read more

This place is like my church. I always find something good when I'm there. Their used cd's and vinyl are filled with treasures. I am delighted to support this business. For sure, I'd be sad if we ever lost Sonic Boom. read more

My favourite record shop ever. Prices are good and as long as you are looking for something 'KEXP-ish', selection is good too. I only have issues when I try to find some old country music as that bin is a bit thin. The staff has been surprisingly unpretentious so far which almost makes me feel welcome in that hipster 'too-cool-for school' way. read more

A great record store in my hood. How kool is that? The used bin rocks my world. We always find something we absolutely need for a great price. Plus the staff is friendly and they have cool in-stores. I also really like how they have labels to indicate the artists that are indigenous to the northwest. read more

Hands down my favorite record store in Seattle for new Indie, Punk and Alternative cd's. Vinyl selection is on the light side but that is not the focus here. The staff is ultra-friendly and the selection is excellent. The used bins are restocked daily and all the hipsters unload their shoe gazer cd's here. As you enter the store, they have the newest releases on a display rack and they are all on sale which makes it hard to resist spending $$. If you aren't into Indie music and you are looking for "Brittany Spears" or the latest "Matchbox Twenty" cd's, then perhaps you should head over to Silver Platters or Wal-Mart 'cause you ain't gonna find them here. Also, you can buy tickets to concerts and see some amazing "free" in-store performances if you stick around long enough. read more

I was in here today visiting from Atlanta. These guys actually approached me to ask if they could be of help. They were tremendously helpful and even shipped my purchase back to my place in Georgia so I didn't have to mess with it on the plane! They have a good selection of new and used. And the 45 7"ers were a nice surprise. Often, there are stores that would rather just not have to deal with their customers. This was not one of them. Very satisfied with shopping here and I'd recommend it to anyone wanting a little taste of Ballard's shopping. read more

Sonic Boom - Great store!! Best part of my vacation-shopping! - Music & DVDs Near Me - Seattle, Washington

See all

New and used music with plenty of listening stations and a nice laid back atmosphere. I went in to find a used Midnight Oil CD and left with a new one. Since the last time I listened to Midnight Oil I owned it on an LP - remember those - I was pretty happy to get a new CD. And happier that no one raised an eyebrow at selling me music that was probably made when they were still in diapers. read more

Simply the best record store ever. Amazing selection, super friendly and non-snobby record store clerks, huge supporters of local music, and the best in-store performances around. I heart Sonic Boom!! read more

Cool little shop. Fun to walk around and sift through. However, seemed pricier than other shops, and the staff weren't all that friendly. I get it. It's a record shop, but there are others in the area with better vibes, more lively staff, and more selections. read more

This is a great little music store with really good prices and a cool staff. Great selection of Indie and local music. And they let my dog shop with me and give her cookies when she noses her way behind the counter. One time we went in and one of the workers was extra giddy from his trip to Octoberfest making our shopping an even more enjoyable experience. read more

This is a fuckinfantabulous local record store. How could you not buy a CD here after leisurely browsing through the awesome selection?

Great place to find new records! The used section is reasonable and the overall selection available is excellent.

Better than ever. Now with even more new and used vinyl. I guess that's part of them absorbing the Fremont stock. I was taken back buy their selection or maybe I hadn't been to a record store in about 9 months. People working there are always nice or super nice. read more

My wife and I moved to Ballard in August 2011. First things first we went out to inspect our new neighborhood. First place we stumble into is Sonic Boom. The staff were super friendly and outgoing. Not the usual for most record stores where I'm from. The selection is very eclectic and if you don't see what you want they will order it. Can't say enough nice things about this place. I live in West Seattle now and recently became a Dad but, the first chance I get I'm heading back to Sonic Boom. Thanks for the music and friendly conversation! read more

This is a great record store. The best in the city. Really excellent selection. Hard to find - rare stuff. Friendly staff. Great location! I love Sonic Boom! read more

Prices were fair but I was treated so rudely after leaving to use the the restroom tonight by an employee when I did not see one anywhere. I came very far to check this place out, but will never come back AGAIN!!! I even bought a record, however I don't tolerate being treated so awfully. read more

This place is great. It has been a staple in Seattle and I love the history of the shop. I got here for Record Story Day every year, and a couple other times throughout the year. Always find something cool and different. There are a lot of records here, both new and used. The store is organized so it's easy to find what you are looking for. The staff is always great and doesn't make you feel like you're stupid. Check it out, the place is awesome read more

Well, I'm picking one of the bunch to review. I'm strictly an internet customer of Sonic Boom since I live in Virginia, but I have to say they have a fantastic selection, great prices, and the best customer service of any of the internet record stores I've ever deal with. I will always look to them when trying to find a hard-to-locate record because even when they don't have it (but they usually do!), they take that extra step and actually let me know. Keep it up you fantastic store you. read more

Decent selection, but not huge. Decent prices. Nice atmosphere. Friendly staff.

Sonic boom pisses me off. I love going to record stores and supporting local business, I will gladly pay a little more for a CD at a local record store then buy it on Itunes, but when the CD is $5 more than it is on Itunes, it's hard to justify. Easy Street has great deals on new releases and even some older stuff but I have not seen these at Sonic Boom. Good listening stations and a great place to buy tickets to shows, I wish they would get their prices more inline so I could give them some of my money. read more

I just created a Yelp account expressly to tell you all how awesome Sonic Boom Records in Ballard is. The woman there was super nice and they had both the cds I wanted. This is in contrast to Everday Music on Capitol Hill where the lady was unkind and unhelpful and they had neither cd (the new Manic Street Preachers and Pretty.Odd. by Panic at the Disco). (My sister says to add that the people at Sonic Boom aren't pretentious even if they are hipsters, and they don't make fun of you for buying Top 40 stuff.) read more

This is the No. 1 record store I'd recommend in Seattle. I never leave disappointed. I've found obscure records here that are worth quite a bit for relatively cheap. A lot of other stores around town, especially the one across the street, sell records at a higher price that what you can easily find cheaper online. read more

A local record shop at its finest. Not only did I finally land the Daylight Basement CD I've been seeking for weeks, but also scored the new Scissor Sisters for $10 (it was $17 at Tower). read more

Super nice, super helpful, super great prices. Shop here when looking for music in Ballard - they're super!

Having just moved from Chicago, I was worried that I wasn't going to find the good, small, perfectly-balanced music collection to which I was accustomed. Not a problem. This store had the three albums I needed, all organized in a sane way, in and out in 10 minutes, a new purchasing record (pun intended). Nice staff, good feel. I'll be back for more. Oh, and their metal section doesn't suck, a definite plus in small indie stores! read more

my favorite record store in Seattle. They always have a great selection of vinyl. i like the decor, they allow dogs in the store and the people that work there are neat. read more

i like sonic boom in ballard. the staff is friendly and non-judgmental, which is huge for me. i hate snotty pants elitists acting like they're better than me over music choices. these guys(and gals) are nice, and will help you as much as they can to make sure you get what you're looking for. that alone is reason enough to shop there. they will order whatever you need, and are polite and professional when leaving messages concerning your order. the selection in the store is great for it's size. i would however, prefer a larger hip-hop section. i think my only other gripe is how hot the store gets in the summer. maybe a couple of big fans? but if that's the worst thing to worry about, i'll just make sure my deodorant is up to snuff. thanks to everyone at sonic boom! you are great! read more

Great place to check out! Prices weren't that bad, and they had albums from some great indie bands. they also have places where you can listen to some songs from albums. read more