10/18   I need a good place to buy higher-end audio stuff. Like a good pair of
        headphones, good receiver etc. in the South Bay. Any suggestions?
        (I want to look at stuff so no online). Thanks.
        \_ Laserland & Bay Area Audio, both on Saratoga-Sunnyvale near I85.
           Both have very friendly staffs, in my experience.
        \_ You might want to do some research on-line first.  For headphones
           start at http://head-fi.org since B&M store selection can be quite limited.
           link:Headphone.com for more organized written info.  I personally just
           got into the hi-fi headphone stuff a little over a year ago.  Also,
           there may be an occassional Bay Area headphone meet once in a while.
           You can get usually get a good sampling of the cans, amps, and
           sources at meets.
                                               -amateur headphone geek-oid
           \_ meets? jeez. I wasn't planning on making this a way of life.
              Well, I did check around a bit online a little while ago, but
              there's only so much to learn there, with various people
              contradicting each other. I thought of trying maybe Sennheiser
              590. Thanks for the links.
              \_ NP.  Senn 580 or 600 (used) are good starting off points.  If
                 you prefer a brighter sound, Grados are the way to go.  If you
                 want earbud-type portability, I'd go with Etymotics.  I would
                 check out the FS/WTB forum as you can probably find some
                 pretty decent deal for used equipment.
                                              -AHG