Now open at 18 St Marks Rd!
Posted 9 April, 2010 #
The lights are on, doors open and we are good to go!
'Avalon audio' is Auckland's newest home audio specialist located right next door to the Coutts Mercedes dealership in Newmarket.
Actual address for those of you with a Navman is 18 St Marks Road.
We ensured we could 'tick all the boxes' before opening Avalon audio…Great location, Professional premises, Good car parking and Great staff.
While mentioning staff we will also add that we are very pleased well known industry personality Mr Bharat Bhana has decided to run 'Avalon audio' for us and he already reports that many visitors have dropped by over the last couple of days to see and hear what 'Avalon audio' is all about.
So what are we all about?
'Avalon audio' is part of Avalon HiFi Distribution Ltd who is the NZ distributor of a very strong portfolio of fine home audio brands namely, Onkyo, Integra, KEF, Celestion, Boston Acoustics and Russound.
Part of being a distributor of quality brands is the obligation to show products to consumers in an environment where the full range can be viewed along with quality demonstrations; we call it "commitment to our market".
Additionally with so much technology and potential all bundled up in today's home theatre receivers it is also an obligation of the distributor to lead by example and show how the products truly enhance the home audio experience.
The Onkyo and KEF brands specifically are well on their way to becoming NZ's best sellers in their respective product categories, furthermore Onkyo, Integra and KEF have loyal followings in NZ due to being class leading in many areas as well as easy to use and reliable. Avalon audio will further enhance this position.
So please visit us and we will not only make you feel welcome but also do our best to show you how well our products can perform in a high quality environment.
Avalon audio…the home home audio specialists
18 St Marks Road Newmarket, Auckland
Ph: 09 522 0012
Email: bharat.bhana@avalon.co.nz or newmarket@avalon.co.nz
Website: www.avalon.co.nz
the girl... | posted 9 Apr 2010, 5:37PM | # | Report
who is the girl in the picture?
if she works at the store then I will see you in the morning.
Bharat | posted 9 Apr 2010, 6:59PM | # | Report
good to see Bharat back!
very nice | posted 9 Apr 2010, 10:38PM | # | Report
popped by today, nice looking store.
I hear Onkyo were in town this week, what did they think?
all the best
slick | posted 11 Apr 2010, 9:04AM | # | Report
Yes I agree, it is a slick 'brand oriented' presentation.
hope it goes well for you all at Avalon
I am sure Onkyo will be happy, why would they not be?
how many | posted 11 Apr 2010, 12:36PM | # | Report
is this the only one or will there be more of these opening?
Staff | posted 11 Apr 2010, 1:11PM | # | Report
Is it just Bharat in the new store or is there additional staff as well?
hours | posted 11 Apr 2010, 4:30PM | # | Report
what are the store hours?
I dropped by this morning but it was closed.
KEF | posted 11 Apr 2010, 8:44PM | # | Report
Are the KEF Blade speakers coming to NZ?
Store Hours | posted 12 Apr 2010, 7:48AM | # | Report
The store trade 6 days
Mon-Fri 9:30 - 6:00
Sat 10:00 - 4:00
KEF Blades | posted 12 Apr 2010, 7:50AM | # | Report
KEF Blade speakers are not available ex productio as yet; as soon as they are we will be bringing them in.
We will keep updates posted on this site.
How many... | posted 12 Apr 2010, 7:59AM | # | Report
There is only ONE Avalon Audio showroom planned.
It is not a retail model such as Eastern HiFi. It is an extension of the AVALON HIFI DISTRBTION LTD buiness model.
The 198 St Marks Rd showroom enhances our brands for the benefit of both end user and trading partners.
The background to the opening of the St Marks showroom is a culmination of:-
1.Not being able to re-open the former Eastern HiFi Newmarket site on Khyber Pass, this wads due to the redevelopment of that building by the new owners.
2.A desire to have our brands displayed and demostrated in an effective showroom environment. While we are selling direct to the public from the location the showroom also benefits our trading partners.
3.Recognition of the strong audio market in central Auckland
Gary Pearce | posted 14 Apr 2010, 1:10PM | # | Report
Well done Bharat, it'll be great to catch up with you at the new showroom.
Gary
PS Mate brush up on your copywriting skills eh, the above post contains a couple of shockers pal!!!
cool bananas! | posted 14 Apr 2010, 9:47PM | # | Report
checked out the new showroom today. very cool
good choice for a location too.
who would have thought you guys would walk away from the old Khyber Pass store, but when I saw your showroom today I understand why, it just looks so fresh
Newmarket | posted 15 Apr 2010, 7:03AM | # | Report
I think the new location on St Marks is superior to the old Khyber Pass store. Shucks, if you get bored with the Onkyo receivers and amps you can meander next door for a drool at a Mercedes E55 or better. A HiFi store and a Euro car dealer right next to each other, Boy heaven - girl nightmare:0)
608 | posted 15 Apr 2010, 11:53PM | # | Report
when will the new TX-SR608 be available in NZ? (and what price?)
new shop | posted 16 Apr 2010, 7:18AM | # | Report
I think it is quite clever that Avalon has not gone the whole hog with a replacement retail store for Eastern HiFi Newmarket.
It looks like Onkyo and Integra are now picking up some real momentum with dealers and the opening of a showroom as opposed to a full on retail store will not impinge on other growth being achieved.
new model TXSR608 | posted 16 Apr 2010, 7:24AM | # | Report
I saw the spec sheet for the new Onkyo TX-SR608 yesterday, what a machine.
I have no idea what retail price it will be but it has more power and THX for starters. The old model 607 was a dominant seller so I can only assume TX-SR608 will be huge.
It will be interesting to see if Avalon can get stock, often hot models are always behind production at the factory.
Onkyo TX-SR608 | posted 16 Apr 2010, 9:46AM | # | Report
The Onkyo TX-SR608 is already in NZ, but not shipped as yet - this will be early next week.
First shipment is 100% sold out, next shipment lands 2nd week of May.
SRP $1499
608 | posted 17 Apr 2010, 9:43AM | # | Report
when you say "100% sold out" you mean 100% sold to dealers but public can still purchase from a dealer right??
If so where and when can I get to see/buy one?
I like it! | posted 18 Apr 2010, 7:54AM | # | Report
Dropped in for a gander at '18 St Marks Rd', nice feel to the store. A good location too with ample parking which is a real positive.
TX-SR608 | posted 18 Apr 2010, 8:04AM | # | Report
The above comment about 608 is correct.
We have fully sold the first shipment of the 608 receiver, but that is to our key retail partners meaning any member of the public wanting to be first to own a TX-SR608 they will be able to get one from a home audio retail store that is an approved stockist of Onkyo. (We list our dealers on this website).
I suggest ringing around the stores first to confirm that they will have them in stock, nothing worse than turning up in a store 'looking for one thing and being offered another'.
LIVEWIRE
new Avalon store | posted 18 Apr 2010, 2:37PM | # | Report
What I like about the Avalon store at St Marks Rd was the renewed emphasis on Audio as a component of the total home entertainment solution.
This is where Eastern stood out 10 yrs ago, but lost its way when it wanted to rule the world with an "all things to nobody" business model.
Avalon | posted 19 Apr 2010, 6:50AM | # | Report
What they are doing is nothing new, there are plenty of distributors with their own outlets posing as showroom/stores.
What comes through quite strongly though is the isolated focus on just the Home Theatre and Stereo amplification.
It really is just a receiver and amp shop, which is OK because they do have "THE HOT" brand at present.
No ancillary categories such as turntables are present which does not seem to hamper the store.
I like the clarity.
Hmmm | posted 19 Apr 2010, 8:57AM | # | Report
How can a store pay its way on only 'amps and receivers' ??
MORE HMMMMM! | posted 19 Apr 2010, 12:22PM | # | Report
Easily if it shifts enough of them I guess....
New models...? | posted 20 Apr 2010, 6:39AM | # | Report
Onkyo has just released the TX-SR608 which is the first of their new models. Has anyone heard or seen any new stuff from the the other brands?
Looks at this stage that Onkyo is first, but I have heard Pioneer is not far off but not seen anything.
I am keen to compare feature sets because it looks as if the Onkyo range is one step ahead feature wise at this stage.
new models | posted 20 Apr 2010, 9:04AM | # | Report
I have also heard that new models are not far off but not seen any pricing or specs
Pioneer | posted 20 Apr 2010, 10:29AM | # | Report
pretty sure Pioneer have already released some of the lower end stuff
THE HOT SPOT | posted 20 Apr 2010, 10:54PM | # | Report
The TX_SR608 from Onkyo will be the hot spot this year, it is already in a back order situation in other world markets such as the USA and UK. It delivers $2000 amp features for closer to $1000, the other brands will not compete at this price point.
I think Pioneer will still own the entry level receiver market in NZ (up to $600) and Yamaha the $1500+.
Pioneer | posted 21 Apr 2010, 6:50AM | # | Report
I would love to see some nice Pioneer gear in stores again, the higher spec models were superb
Hayden | posted 21 Apr 2010, 3:21PM | # | Report
Do you have terms of trade with Harvey Norman at present? A somewhat dis-interested salesperson I spoke with at the said store suggested otherwise and said they would not be stocking Onkyo products until this changed.
Harvey Norman | posted 21 Apr 2010, 5:27PM | # | Report
Avalon definitley have terms with Harvey Norman.
A 'dis-interested salperson' scary...not the type of calibre I normally encounter at harvey Norman.
Harveys hot and cold | posted 21 Apr 2010, 5:53PM | # | Report
Yeah, I would not be relying on 'anonymous floor talk' but Harveys are hot and cold for Onkyo depending on who you talk to.
I think with the Harveys vs Avalon relationship it went backwards when JB entered the mix and furhter again during the receivership as Harveys opted to hedge their bets with the more safe and stable Yamaha and Denon distributors. It looks to me like JB did the opposite and 'jumped into' Avalon at the time of the receivership, this has widened the void between Avalon and Harveys because JB has kept picking up the hot Avalon deals such as the scorching hot SR607s at $1000.
If I was a retailer I would be keeping Avalon close by, it is Onkyo that has driven the market for the past 6 months, Yamaha is doing OK but lags Onkyo. Denon, well thats another story.
The litmus test will be the new TX-SR608 which is due to be shipped according to this blog site, that is the hottest receiver you can buy for under $1500, if Harveys opts to ignore these then the void will only widen.
Interesting!
It is all a game! | posted 21 Apr 2010, 5:58PM | # | Report
This is surely a game someone is playing!!!???
The constant references to how stressed the Avalon vs Harvey Norman relationship appears to be. It seems to me that someone is keen to keep this theory alive.
I have spoken to some of the Avalon staff over the past month and was under the impression they were taking a 'clean sheet' approach with Harveys which is contradictory to the stuff written so far.
Who knows!
Onkyo 608 | posted 21 Apr 2010, 10:25PM | # | Report
I am dropping in tonight from Wigan, UK. I am a former Denon AV1908 owner, bought it at Eastern HiFi Palmy North late 2007 from a great guy called Keith. I moved up here 2 yrs ago and recently bought an Onkyo 608. Honestly folks, this thing is incredible, for the money it delivers performance that makes every thing else look a bit sick.
It is my first Onkyo and I think I am hooked.
Wigan | posted 22 Apr 2010, 6:41AM | # | Report
How is my (other) team the Wigan Warriors going?
Wigan Warriors | posted 22 Apr 2010, 8:56AM | # | Report
Not a League man myself but they are not the force they used to be. Soccer has grown immensely at the expense of League up this way.
I still see the odd Kiwi connected with the club around town though
Stuck on stereo | posted 25 Apr 2010, 8:25PM | # | Report
Several people here are enraptured with Onkyo receivers but I have a question. When I was shopping for an 'amplifier' 10 years ago I was prepared to buy an AV receiver so that as well as listening to CD's I could also branch into home theatre. I trialled AV receivers that retailed up to $2500 and was allowed to take a couple of them home for trial. In the end, neither of them sounded a patch on my $1000 Arcam Alpha 5 stereo amplifier when playing music, and hooking my DVD player to the Arcam gives me great movie sound, even though only stereo. Does anyone know an AV receiver that has genuine hifi music ability at a reasonable price?
yogi bear | posted 26 Apr 2010, 9:38AM | # | Report
get a receiver with pre outs and connect a nice poweramp to the front channel pre outs, that will give you the best of both worlds!
'stuck in stereoland' | posted 27 Apr 2010, 9:09PM | # | Report
Home theatre receivers have come a long way in the last 10 years and your Arcam Alpha as nice as it is would struggle to hang in there with a $2500 home theatre receiver from todays breed.
For $2500 you would be looking at an Onkyo TX-NR807 which for the money (all bias aside!) does not have a current competitor that can hold a candle to it...closest would be an Integra DTR50.1 which can only be bought through custom install suppliers like JA Russell. If you are in Auckland go and see Bharat at 18 St Marks Road, he will not try to sell you something (promise!) he will just show you what we mean.
And yes this is a hang out for Onkyo lovers but there are fine models from other brands too that would demo up well if someone was offering.
Peter | posted 28 Apr 2010, 5:08PM | # | Report
@Stuck on stereo All brands vary in sound and in my opinion some home theatre brands are better for music than others. If you stick with brands that have credible products in 2 channel market, then their AVR's usually have a similar sound. In forums people normally jump to NAD, Rotel, Arcam, Marantz, Harman Kardon and Cambridge Audio for music based systems (a mate has ordered the new Cambridge Audio 650R, i'm dying to have a play with that) then the big AVR brands for home theatre (driven by features/price). I've compared older Onkyo and Marantz models side by side and for music I much preferred the Marantz, can't comment on the latest range of Onkyo - as always trust your ears, use your Arcam as a reference point as you have done, my pick would be that would outperform many new AVRs for music. Your last comment is the catch though "at a reasonable price" - well that is where the big AVR brands look better on paper, but don't always believe on paper specs - just compare Harman Kardon power ratings to Onkyo! Hope that helps (btw this post isn't designed to upset all the Onkyo fan boys here, Onkyo offer great features at every price point, just my experience comparing friends amps etc).
Onkyo | posted 28 Apr 2010, 9:37PM | # | Report
good comments above!
One exception...surely you are not suggesting Harmon Kardon is in an even similar league to Onkyo, Yamaha etc etc?. If there is one brand that has gone to the pack it is HK...junk living on past glory. A retailer selling HK is a retailer advertising to the world that they are clutching at straws...fool fodder!
HK | posted 29 Apr 2010, 6:33AM | # | Report
Too true, it is a former brand of greatness gone horribly wrong.
Cloaky | posted 16 Jun 2010, 11:01AM | # | Report
Is that Bharat leaning on the system in the picture at the top?
Bharat | posted 20 Jun 2010, 9:05PM | # | Report
No, Bharat just sold her those speakers and she is recovering from his slick sales demo. She should be back this week to upgrade her amp.