Carlton Audio Visual

Bought a Rega amplifier via the online store in the midst of Victoria’s lockdown. Service was seamless, prompt, polite, and the amp arrived very quickly to my South Australian address. Email communication and phone manner were polite, friendly, and responsive to my concerns about potential shipping delays. Great small business with an excellent range of stock and prices. Will buy again and hopefully visit one day.

I visited Carlton Audio Visual late on Thursday afternoon prior to being locked down that evening. I walked into the store and was greeted by Rab who was there by himself. Wanting to purchase a new set of speakers and an amplifier so that I could enhance my home audio experience, I had a rough idea of what I was wanting. Rab listened, suggested and proceeded to hook up his proposed solution, sat me down and played me Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd. Having sat through the entire song, I was sold - not only for the quality of the audio I had just heard, but also the fact that Rab allowed me that experience as he was preparing to close. After getting home I also realised he had listened to everything I said, and provided a spare part for my turntable that I mentioned I had lost without bringing it to my attention in the store. Rab and the rest of the team at CAV - please keep doing what you're doing! The best customer experience I have had in a long time!

Quirky - like most hifi obessives I guess! - but very knowledgeable and helpful. And prepared to give you the time to try their excellent and varied range of gear out properly. Highly recommended

A very big thank you to Reidun for her amazing knowledge, advice and patience. All of that enabled me to confidently purchase my new Rega planar 8 turntable. Also, her advice on the placement of my PMC speakers has improved my listening experience. All up a very pleasant experience.
Outstanding service!

Everything that you could hope for from an audio shopping experience. AWESOME service and staff that will put everything into getting you gear you will love. A warm and friendly small-store vibe tops it off!

I’ve been in-store twice so far: first time to try out and buy a pair of headphones, and second to return that pair and get a different one.
Unfortunately I had experienced discomfort issues and they did everything possible to accomodate and exchange my purchase for something that would fit me better. They put every effort into letting me try some other pairs and explore their full stock availability. The pair I wound up choosing wasn’t even in their catalogue and they were more than happy to order it in for me!

At no point did I feel I was being duped or played down by the staff and only received utmost respect. Big thanks to Paul and Magnus for their assistance!
Fully intend to come back in when I am looking to buy an amp for my new gear, along with whatever else I may need in the future.

Amazing service. Wanted a new cartridge for my turntable, and dealt with Darren. His knowledge and helpful service ensured I left with the right cartridge and a great sounding TT. Highly recommended.

Great customer service. Gave me 3 options for the 2k mark. Have been invited in to try the different options before purchasing.

Absolutely top notch store. Great customer service, and the staff are ultra knowledgeable and warmly enthusiastic. No matter your budget or your level of knowledge, this store will take very good care of you.

Great service, I sent them email in the morning with my speakers wishlist, they replied that I can audition in the afternoon if I wish as they had those speakers in store. I came in, met Reidun, who was friendly and knowledgeable, she set up all the required speaker as needed during the audition. She didn't try to push me to buy, I listened, we talked, and I left to think about it. The following day I got what I liked for a great price. Great product, great experience. Thank you.

The best hifi store in Melbourne. Great range of products to suit most budgets and knowledgable staff

Highly recommended.

I’ve bought a lot of my gear from here, pretty much all of my gear is “entry level” hi-fi: I like Carlton AV because they don’t care that I’m not really across all the details or that my budget isn’t $10k. Instead they have provided me with good, solid advice and steered me to the right products for me.

I’ve had a couple of standout experience’s with Carlton AV. The first was when buying speakers a key consideration for my wife was the look and colour. The shop isn’t particularly well lit so when she noted that she couldn’t really see them that well the team just said come with is grabbed the two speakers (floor standing so they’re not little) and we toured over to the park to check them out in sunshine and shade.

The second was after buying a new CD player I came home set it up and noticed that there was a small logo sticker missing - nothing major, but I did want it to be “complete” (you know how it is). A quick call to the store and I asked if they could find a logo for me to place on it. Rather than that they just asked me to come on in and they replaced it with another (the last one in stock).

Just two examples of great customer service and going above and beyond.you’re starting out like me you won’t go wrong heading in here. Don’t be put off by the crowded store and eccentricity - go with it and let the team help you out.

Great service and advice in a store packed with options for the modest budget right through to the very top end.

Nick Familari and the team were sensational over the 3-4 visits I made to the shop in Lygon Street. I was able to discuss my wants, demonstrate my music and was helped to find my preferred sound. Armed with that information, I was able to finally select speakers that not only suited my ears, but matched well with the hifi I’d bought and matched my wallet as well. All the folk at Carlton Audio Visual were all passionate about musical reproduction, and not just at the esoteric, expensive end. While I was there someone was spending on a cartridge what I was prepared to spend on my whole hifi, and I received just as much attention. I ended up buying the Theophany Psuche Bookshelf speakers, and love them.
If you care about excellent range, caring customer service and good pricing, visit these guys!

Thanks so much to Magnus for helping us choose a replacement cartridge for our Rega. Professional service and unbeatable value, we cannot recommend highly enough. While you’re there check out their awesome range of Spendor speakers, we will be saving up for a replacement set when our BC1s have gone to audio heaven. Thanks again Magnus! Cheers, Anna & Rob

Have bought speakers, projectors, screens, and other kit from here in the past. Staff are professional, knowledgeable, and always ready to help.

Cheers for going the extra mile, boys!

I purchased a Projector a month ago and the customer service from Darren was outstanding! Not only that he took considerable time to demo the unit, he also gave me the best price whilst other competitors could not even be bothered returning my calls. After sales is where Darren really shines as many wouldn't follow up or would be bothered to respond/resolve to any queries or issues after purchase. My unit eventually turned out to be faulty. Once Darren was notified of the issue, he quickly followed up and contacted me for a replacement. I will definitely be back for any future purchases. Thanks Darren!

Purchased some speakers and an amp, assisted by Martin. Excellent service, took the time to demonstrate all equipment and assist in making a sound decision. Also gave me a good deal. Highly recommended.

A really great experience. I come from a country area where Hifi is JB or Harvey Norman. I am so glad I made the time to visit Carlton Audio. The staff are easy going, professional and very experienced. In particular Nick,
he took the time to demo several speakers for me and was very honest on what would be the best option for my setup. My new speakers were freighted to me with no issues, and they are awesome! Thanks guys, Dan.

Amazing staff who seem to know everything about audio/visual, and with a huge range on offer (all of which seems to be on the floor and ready to test)

I have bought all my audio gear from Rab, every single amp, speaker, subwoofer and surround amp from them. With a history dating back to 1992 I can vouch for their constant great customer service and contagious enthusiasm for great gear. You cannot go wrong with them. They are one of my favourite shops in Melbourne.