Harvey Norman salesperson(s) FAIL

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Rollux

362 posts

Ultimate Geek

#65295 2-Aug-2010 09:44

I went into the local havey norman to have a look and listen to the Wharfedale 10 speaker package which seem to have pretty good reviews for the price. ($1699 with sub at the mo)
They were hooked up to a basic pioneer amp and the salesman asked if I'd like to have a listen.
He next plugged in a flash drive with some poorly ripped mp3s...
I asked if he had anything better quality wise for the source. He gave me a confused look, mumbled, "ah, maybe.." and went away.
Came back with an ipod...
I asked if he had any CD's.
So he switched the amp onto the radio and stood back looking proud.
Another salesman who had seen what was happening came over with a CD.
Of Lady Gaga.
My wife and I walked out laughing.

Anyone else know what these actually sound like? I might go to another store or back there with some of my own CDs or U2 Live bluray for a decent listen.
When my sides stop hurting.

Unfortunately HN have some great products and sales at times, but in my experience the salespeople let them down something terrible 9 times out of 10.

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262 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#361370 2-Aug-2010 09:49

Better of taking in your own source media than expecting a multi electronic store to have media for audiophiles..

gehenna

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#361395 2-Aug-2010 10:14

Yeah I agree with raab. Bring your own music so you can hear what the stuff you like sounds like. I could hear awesome quality music on an awesome quality rig but still think it sounds like crap if I don't like the song or band. You can't really blame the sales guy for this, and you can't expect them to have demo material to suit all purposes.

That said, you can't expect much from retail chain sales people period. Do your own research, bring your own media, make your own comparisons in store and then make your own mind up. The amount of tripe that comes out of retail sales people's mouths only serves to pollute your brain.

Dunnersfella

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#361397 2-Aug-2010 10:17

What store... so it can be avoided.
But in all seriousness, whenever I'm buying audio gear I take a disc I know very, very well.
The thing is, they're normally displayed with the speakers all packed into a small space, and not set out in a true 5.1 surround sound manner (as you'd expect really, space confines would be considerable when you have to fit in all those lounge suites...).

corksta

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#361410 2-Aug-2010 10:44

I'm not the greatest fan of HN but I can't see what the fail is.

You asked for a CD after they played some MP3s, they played a Lady GaGa disc, they did what you asked them to do! Just because that may not necessarily be your type of music doesn't make it a fail on their part.

As said above they only way you'll truly be able to form an opinion on the speakers is to take along music you listen to. You already know how it sounds, so that's what you use as your base line when testing speakers.

Satch

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#361487 2-Aug-2010 12:11

I agree. I see the fail resting more with the OP. *Always* take your own music with you when auditioning audio equipment. Music that you know very well.

Batman

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#361533 2-Aug-2010 13:00

whathifi gave them 5.0/5 stars i think. they're certainly highly regarded, very well balanced, bassy, good clarity. not the best speakers money can buy by far though, but one of the top low-mid ends. (eg you wont feel like you're in the royal albert hall with the band - for that you'd spend alot more, but you'd certainly hear every instrument rather clearly - for that, some speakers just muddles things up)

we have some diamond 9's and they're very clear and bassy, certainly brings out the worst in poorly recorded stuff (and vice versa)!

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Rollux

362 posts

Ultimate Geek

#361558 2-Aug-2010 13:42

I realise I need to take my own music, but we went in as we happened to be passing. I will take some of my own media at some point, but as HN claims to be the "Home entertainment experts" in their advertising you would think they would have a decent demo disc or 2 to show off the capabilities (and flaws) of various speakers.
Playing something that uses no discernable instruments (Lady Gaga in this case) doesn't show why you should spend more on speaker set B than on set A, as any good salesperson knows forms the basis of upselling (I'm in car sales, so I know the psychology behind selling).

I don't expect a sub $2k speaker set to sound like I'm there, but something with reasonable clarity and control would be nice.

Dulouz

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#361567 2-Aug-2010 13:54

I went into my local HN and asked the sales assistant where their PVR's were, the guy took me to their dictaphone display.

Amanon

Dunnersfella

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#361581 2-Aug-2010 14:13

Personal Voice Recorders?
Actually... he was onto it in a way. ;-)

heavenlywild

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#361639 2-Aug-2010 15:07

Seriously, a great sales person can really make a company alot more extra money. Sigh, it doesn't need to cost a lot of money to be upskilled in the art of sales.

Bolly

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Master Geek

#362692 3-Aug-2010 22:51

This is why you need to find the right salesperson that you can trust i.e has knowledge and can do you a deal. But he/she must be able to trust you!

I will only shop at my local HN, they have the best selection in town and there are a few guys I trust there, but there are also a couple of muppets! (as can be anywere)
When I want to get something I will talk to the guys I know get sorted with the gear and buy it. Sometimes I will keep them honest and have a shop round and they will know this, but they also know I will be back and they will look after me if I get a cheaper price.
Good salespeople that know there stuff are getting harder to find in this industry HN tend look after the staff better than other retailers so the muppet ratio seems to be lower than your average Bonds or Powerstore etc.

p.s There is a difference between a Great salesman = Getting the right gear for you. And an amazing salesperson = Selling you a whole bunch of crap you don't need!
How can you tell?

"They mostly come out at night...........mostly"

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70mm

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Master Geek

#362795 4-Aug-2010 10:05

I still think it fairly difficult to audition speakers properly in a room the size of HN, it's far from the average lounge room of 4Mx4M

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JaredW

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#362813 4-Aug-2010 10:47

"Muppet ratio" LOL! My new favourite phrase!!!

cgrew

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#364318 6-Aug-2010 16:15

Rollux: I
I asked if he had any CD's.
So he switched the amp onto the radio and stood back looking proud.

.

What a goober..

NonprayingMantis

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#364685 7-Aug-2010 15:46

70mm: I still think it fairly difficult to audition speakers properly in a room the size of HN, it's far from the average lounge room of 4Mx4M

This.

If you are enough of an audiophile to complain about the source music being lady GaGa or an MP3 instead of whatever piece of music you like then listening to it in a Harvey Norman store seems kinda dumb - the store acoustics will just be nothing like where you will listne to it at home, not to mention all the background noise of muzak, TVs playing movies, people talking etc.

Better to go to a proper home entertainment place where they have a dedicated room for this kind of thing

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