Stereo & Video Center — Attraction in Tyler

I commissioned Stereo & Video Center of Tyler, TX to install two amps and wire up my subwoofers on 6 June 2024. I provided them with all main power and ground wiring needed to install the Audio Control LC-1.800 amp and Audop Control LC-4.800 amp that I also provided into my 2020 Toyota Tacoma.

They never reached out to me or contacted me during the install to discuss alternate wiring. After they were completed with the job when I arrived to pay for their services and pick up my truck was when they notified me that they chose to use their own wiring instead of what I provided them and that they weren’t charging me for their wiring. Assuming they knew what they were doing, I said okay and left.

A week later, as I was leaving work on 14 June 2024, I heard a pop and a fizzle under the driver’s seat where the LC-1.800 amp was installed, and I smelt an electrical fire before I could fully pull out of my parking spot so I quickly turned off the engine to make sure there was no active fire. I checked the amp as best as I could to make sure it was safe to drive home and back to the stereo and audio center and I called them on my way home to inform them of what happened. They said they could take a look at it but it wouldn’t be for a few days. I asked if they could at least do a quick look to render my truck safe to drive since I was about to leave for a small road trip. They said okay to bring it over immediately.

When they checked it, they said it was safe to drive and quickly asserted it was just a bad amp, the fuses melted into the amp and the amp was no longer operable. They offered no help or assistance. So I left and later called Audio Control to try to troubleshoot further to find the cause.

After a conversation with Audio Control technical support on 18 June 2024, I explained how the amps were wired up and how the subwoofers were wired up to the amp. The subwoofers were wired for 1 ohm impedance and they used 6 gauge wiring to power the amp. Audio Control support said first, the wrong gauge wiring was used, it was supposed to be 4 gauge or higher (which is what I supplied them with that they chose not to use), and second, the amp is not 1 ohm stable so a combination of the two is absolutely what fried the amp. They then recommended to me via email on 18 June 2024 that I should have an authorized Audio Control dealer test the amp and wiring setup to confirm.

No longer having any faith in Stereo & Audio Center, and knowing they are not an authorized Audio Control dealer, I replaced the amp ($541.25 including taxes) through Car Toys (an authorized Audio Control dealer) on 15 June 2024 and had them replace the improper wiring with the original wiring I had previously supplied to Stereo and Audio Center ($373.46 including taxes) on 22 June 2024.

In an attempt to recover some of the costs, I spoke with Tim Elliott at Stereo & Video Center on Saturday 29 July, 2024 and informed him of the situation and provided him with my receipts and the written confirmation from Car Toys testing the amp and determining the wiring was at fault. He said he was not aware that the amp was not 1 ohm stable and accepted liability for that, but wanted to verify from Audio Control what I relayed to him. He also said he would talk to the owner about helping me recover the costs if the wiring was truly the problem.

1 July 2024 Tim called me to let me know the owner approved reimbursing the cost for having to replace the amp. I assumed he meant the actual cost of me buying a new amp and the cost for having it installed properly. When I arrived he handed me $243.56. I asked him what that was for and he said it was reimbursement for their original install of the amp. I asked, what about the cost of replacing the amp and having to have the wiring fixed? He said if I would’ve brought him the bad amp and allowed him to replace it and fix the wiring it would’ve been covered, but since I took it upon myself to go elsewhere, they weren’t going to reimburse me for it. I took the $243.56

10/10 DO NOT...

Go to Tint and Audio or Best Buy to go get work done on your car. This place is inconsistent and only wants money. I got a new stereo installed in my car and the install looked professional I have to give them that but there was problems with a speaker and radio. I had static when I listen to the radio and my left speaker had a buzz/vibration to it. So I went in the next Saturday to get it checked out and they said that I would have to schedule an appointment just to get it checked out. So that's what I did forcefully because there was backlash from the employee saying that it might be to close to closing but he finally scheduled me due to the fact that they caused the problem. When I got it checked out they said I would have to buy an amplifier for my antenna since it was in the back of my car and that my speaker was blown. Never putting my speakers above a 2 bass increase and a Mid Volume increase I am puzzled on why the speaker was blown. If such a small increase of 2 out of 6 and a Mid increase blew my speaker why wasn't I warned about it? With the antenna amplifier they said it would be $20 for the part. If my antenna was in the back why wasn't the amplifier installed when I got the radio installed? Are you just putting the stereo in and hoping that everything goes well because it doesn't seem that there is a procedure that is put in place. The install was about a cheap $130 and with the amplifier and new two speakers the total ended up being around $200. I had a friend help me install the new parts so I didn't have to worry about the labor. It is better to go to best buy and spend the $99 service fee and parts. They at least have better customer service then Stereo and Video center. What a true disappointment this was and a true waste of time. Best buy seems like an expensive option but it is worth...

Easily the most comfortable I have felt speaking with a professional in car audio. Richard made sure I was fully informed of everything I needed to consider while getting my new 2014 Hyundai Accent GS outfitted with four new door speakers and a new in-dash receiver.

He explained every part of the process to help me pin down exactly what I wanted and needed to get to satisfy my upgrade needs. The installation itself went incredibly smooth. Aside from the new receiver you would never be able to tell someone had removed all four door panels and cut the factory speakers out of their mounts.

The parts they use are high quality, so expect to come out a good bit lighter in the wallet, but I'd say it was easily well worth it. Do not forget this: You get what you pay for. High quality parts and professional installation makes it worth it.

I plan on going back soon to get an amp and subwoofer combo to finish off my set. We've already gone over the changes that will need to be made and planned out exactly what I will be getting. Nothing but excellent service.

My only complaint is that they are not open on the weekends, and that is only a...