Soundlab New Zealand — Local services in Ōtara-Papatoetoe

Beyond the realm of Sonos and Sound Bars lie dragons - your expert hi-fi friends, countless magazines, review sites, websites, Reddit, and even Kickstarter, promising world-bending sound for a fraction of the price.

Along the way you will encounter $300,000 tube amplifiers, drool over systems that require extractor fans to make viable, see $75k speakers that look like sea monsters, and try to learn a bewildering secret language of frequencies, numbers and insider jargon.

What is a consumer with some hard-earned cash saved up for a next-level, modern sound system to do? Don’t be like me, draining the internet, and then traipsing around all the retailers in Christendom. They’re high end (if in fact they are still in business), they likely don’t set out to make you feel like an idiot … but they’re world-class at it. “Take this book and call us when you have half an idea…”

Instead, go to SoundLab in Auckland.

Humble shop, humble location, humble service from Tim. No pressure, try what you like (and there is much to like!), listen how you want to. Take the time to note the steady flow of products coming in and going out with couriers - these folk are trading hifi successfully every day.

We bought some stunning Cabasse Active speakers, something I hadn’t found on the web before, at a great price. Perfect solution for a large space. Will buy more for...

I recently bought a Pro-Ject vinyl cleaner from Tim, which I'm very with, but it was the service and aftercare that really stood out. Prompt and accurate solutions to my many dumb questions; Tim was patient and extremely helpful, getting info directly from Pro-Ject and passing on to me. Would recommend and will be shopping with...

Quick. Reliable and generous. I was shipped the wrong cable by mistake when purchasing a subwoofer. Soundlab made it right. No fuss. No drama. Shipped me another cable and let me keep the other one too. Recommend them...