HD Audio — Local services in Kent

2023 Toyota GR Corolla, terrible factory audio. 1st time to HD Audio in Kent, Erick and Seth friendly. Agreed on a new amp and new digital processor to boost the volume in the rear speakers. $100 down payment. Parts came in, problems started.

Turns out the GR Corolla has pretty much everything (audio and auto functions) routed thru the factory amp. When HD Audio tried to bypass, major fritz up. Dash warnings and the power steering went out. They brought in an auto electrician, and he could not figure out what to do. Erick suggested I'd have to take it into the dealership to diagnose.

Not good, but also I clearly had aftermarket electrical work done and I was afraid that voided the warranty, so I felt terrible, but also figured something was fried and it was gonna cost a ton.

Turns out the dealer had to disconnect all the LIN (local network) modules from the CAN (controller network). Basically unplug every electrical module, test it, replug it, reboot. Luckily nothing was fried, and surprising, it was "only" $450 labor.

Went back to HD Audio, talked to Seth. He took a pic of the bill and said he would pass it on to Erick. Didn't hear anything. Called him 2x, no response. So basically I am out $100 down payment, $450 dealership bill that I didn't cause, and still a crappy audio - and now I have no volume control for the rear speakers.

Not good business Erick. I know you invested labor, but you also fritzed up my car. Then ghosted me. Part of a business and part of customer service is doing what is right, and sticking me with the bill when HD Audio screwed something up.... not cool.

So here you go. Bad review, and continued bad word of mouth. Do better...

Based on other reviews, I think my experience was kind of an outlier but it was horrific nonetheless. First he couldn't install it because he ordered a part for a completely different car, then when I came back during the time he told me worked best, nobody was there or had tried to reach out to me. The third time I went in he said my battery wasn't going to allow the new radio to work (this wasn't true at all). I spent almost 300 dollars on a very nice battery to support the radio and when I went back I just gave up when he found another issue and I asked for the parts and went somewhere else which did it in less than an hour no problems. Even after my horrible experience though, he never apologized or showed any guilt, told me a car had priority over mine after I'd been waiting for 2 weeks because they were getting a more expensive install. I wish I still had the picture of the mess of a wiring harness he handed me compared to what it should've looked like, it was laughable. I was recommended this place and I can confirm that you're almost guaranteed better results anywhere else because he also overcharges for his parts, he said 40 for a part that I later found out was 20. Utterly ridiculous that what took him weeks was done in less than 2 hours and there was never financial compensation for the labor that he had messed up in the first place. I rarely review places but this was such a standout experience I feel people really need to be aware that he will essentially entrap you and keep screwing things up until you take it elsewhere in my experience. Overall I'd say go somewhere far, far away...

Had a few systems installed by Eric and his crew. In the past I've used older equipment that I've been familiar with from previous cars. I recently got a small suv and decided to toss the old sub and amp back in. Turns out, everything I had was so old and showing signs of wear. Anyways, Eric has done everything in his power to get the correct sound that I'm going for, and is still working hard to find what I need in order to get the same sound I had before, into my new ride. Thanks again!

Update 3/28/2024– Stopped in the other day to have a new head unit installed. Eric and Seth had the dash apart, ready to install, when they realized the company didn’t send the proper connections. I was immediately bummed. Eric did a lot of research and made phone calls to figure out what was needed. Seth drove out to WV and back for the part just so I wouldn’t have to wait another week or more. 💯 There’s a reason why HD Audio has been around as long as they have. They care about the customer’s final product being correct. I’ve been going to Eric for 10+ years and he’s very consistent with a great personality. He’s trained Seth to be an exact reflection of his work ethic, as...