Bananas Records: Audio Equipment /Sales - St. Petersburg, Florida

Neo P.

it’s a rare treat to be insulted by a business operator just for their own amusement these days but that’s exactly how things went down today when shopping for a turntable. after getting a turntable at a sound exchange that didn’t play to speed and could not be repaired and with their stock not having anything i wanted i took my refund and immediately drove to bananas audio equipment warehouse to see their selection. after relaying this story to the man here he promptly went on to insulting the owner of that store and denigrating his ethics to my son and i. this was odd but i was here for a turntable not a personality.

unfortunately this is where his personality got in the way. he went on to tell us all the tables with removable head shells did not come with a head shell or cartridge due to people stealing them but that he “lowered the prices of the tables” to reflect that. this was not true as each table sold for more than anywhere else’s price including a cartridge and head shell. this immediately added 80-130 dollars to the already high prices and by the time i’d seen all the tables and done the math he returned to ask if i was interested. i explained exactly what i just said about the pricing and he and his friend/coworker started showing me modern off brand usb pieces of garbage for 49.95 and i said i was looking for closer to the golden age of hifi and he showed me an even newer 59.95 numark usb deck 🤦🏻‍♂️

they walked away and we kept looking to double check and as i was settling in on a rotel they just put out the main worker who had said the insulting things about bob at sound exchange came back with a huge grin and said “so have you looked on facebook marketplace?” i said yes he said “so why are you here then if you can get one cheaper there huh?” and had just the most childish and confrontational grin i’ve ever seen a grown man have. i told him i chose to come to him FIRST after the experience with sound exchange and had expected to be treated to a reasonable and fair experience but now he can f off and i’ll spend my money elsewhere.

the irony is that his main gripe about bob was “that guy had maybe been in this business too long and just doesn’t like being in it anymore”

he should advertise the massive projections he offers to video enthusiasts. what an absolute garbage pile of a human being.

Dave L.

Amazing one in a million place. Great inventory and great service. This place is a trip back in time. An audiophiles dream.

patrick M.

I stopped by to pick up a couple vinyls for a Christmas present. They were out of one I was looking for. Erin sold me the album she was going to purchase herself. Both employees were helpful and went well beyond normal customer service. Thank you

Jimmy P.

Doug is an awesome and interesting man. Very nice to deal with. Huge selection of all kinds of audio equipment, and records. I bought a McIntosh MC2300 amp, among other things, and was very pleased. The amp needed some servicing, and Doug split the cost with me, which was more than fair.
Highly Recommend !

Jonah J.

Audio Equipment store is awesome. Doug is very friendly and helpful. Lots of great equipment to explore. I went in just to look around but couldn't help but to leave with new toys to tinker with. This is a dangerous place for the wallet, especially because it is right across from the incredible vinyl warehouse! Love it.

oldiesmusic76

Processing center for new arrivals and storage for records to be transferred to the warehouse across the street. This place has HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of 45's, 78's, LP's, reel to reel tapes and countless audiophile gadgets to browse through. Very friendly service. 45's are organized by either 50's 60's or 70's+, which is helpful. Many of the records are in great VG+ or better condition, but some are not. Owner even played a pristine 78 from 1941 that sounded very clean and clear. WOW!! Highly recommend this place for browsing, but be prepared to spend hours here and maybe wipe off a few cobwebs in the process in those dusty corners. YIKES!! This place is HUGE!!!!!!! Never seen a place like it, anywhere in the USA.

Fearnoarts

Friendly, helpful staff. Big selection of what you find everywhere else. Most of the records there are scratched up and over-priced, though. Spent 2 hours in there trying to find some playable vinyl at a reasonable price. Found 2 or 3 records. Prices are over the top. Checked out their bargain area in the back room. They have $1 and $3 bins of trash. All that was good for was if you are looking to replace an old album cover. The records were all unplayable garbage. I don't no why they bother putting scratched up crap like that out. Like the warehouse, I was hoping to drop some $$$$ here, but was very disappointed. Won't be going back.

Kyle C.

Friendly staff, more than helpful, love talking music with the employees. This is a must visit for me every single time I’m in from Philly.