Al & Ed’s Auto Sound

I can’t say enough great things about Robert and Greg. After having a less than pleasurable experience with another car stereo shop, these guys went out of their way, and were super accommodating, and extremely informative and respectful. All these attributes of a professional and customer friendly company that I never experienced during my horrible time with the other place made my time and money spent with Robert and Greg truly amazing… Thank you guys for dealing with my frustration and impatience. I will always refer family, friends, and anyone else I talk to to you guys! Thank you again.

Al & Eds Auto Sound is the only place I will take my vehicles for car stereo install and tint. Fast turn around times, quality craftsmanship and professionalism. Robert C. was a great help and answered any and all questions I had. My new system sounds great, couldn’t be happier! I had them install a 7″ pioneer double din deck w/​alpine type S door speakers and tweeters, w/​Diamond 12″ sub and Diamond amp. Also tint all the way around. Thanks for all the hard work on my Lexus Al & Eds crew!!!

These guys have tinted my mom’s car, replaced my radio in my XB and now replaced the radio in my F350, their customer service in impeccable, the work is super clean and the price is very reasonable. I have had dealings with a few other car audio places around SD and this shop is by far the best! Thanks again Robert! I look forward to my next trip down to the shop.

Got a nice stereo here years ago, but it’s been freezing up when driven over a speed bump or any bump that shakes the car. It’s outside the mfr warranty, but Robert looked at the unit anyway. After wrapping the wires nice, I was on my way. Thank-​you Robert!

Amazing place… Great customer service … I’ll definitely come back… One love MTO

Highly recommend Al and Ed’s in La Mesa. When I first went in and talked to Robert about installing a side view camera in my car he was so thorough, took so much time with me, showed me in another car what the screen would look for, got on the phone getting all the necessary info. Definitely went above and beyond for a rather small purchase.
Unfortunately, my car was totaled in an accident before the installation and i figured it would my deposit would be a loss. But called the owner Greg and he said he would refund me the deposit. I did not expect that and told him so.
Would definitely return — there just aren’t many thorough, honest, customer focused businesses around anymore and these guys are just that!

Just had an alarm put into my car. the service was great (it took a little long) but overall good service. for sure coming back for tint.

They also do window tinting. Had my Buick done last week and they did a wonderful job. Robert was really helpful in helping me pick out the right tint and customer service was great, start to finish.

Went into Al and Eds in La Mesa and Robert took care of my audio needs. They installed a Kenwood head deck, satelite radio, and alpine speakers. We had a little issue with the bevel that was not the right color to match the inside of my vehicle. Robert had mentioned that I may not be happy with the color due to the off shade, I agreed with him and he asked me to bring the vehicle back into his shop. Robert ordered another bevel that was the right color to match the interior and installed it the next day.
Overall I am very satisfied with the installation. Robert has great people skills, customer service, and treats the vehicle as his own. I would recommend this shop to anyone, he sticks by his word and if there is a problem he will fix it. Thanks again fellas.

My husband got the back camera done. Works like a dream. So as I said in my previous review, we highly recommend them.

To the business owner: Thank you for your comment. Here is my response:
*You said $ 60 for an hour. Please read the entire review and you will see where I wrote that I was concerned because initially you said «60 for an hour and later you switched it to «Like for 30 – 45 minutes:.
*My husband and I both heard the same thing.
*Honesty and being forthcoming would have been appreciated over the phone without telling consumers it’s $ 60 flat. That is not being honest, however, I understand possibly how you can forget to mention that.
*Obviously you’ve been in the business for a while and therefore understand that some systems are more intricate/​complicated/​detailed than others and therefore, that information should have been relayed over the phone prior to us driving to your shop.
*You said that you run an «appointment based shop» but the night before when I asked when we could come you said «Anytime.» Again, not very clear and making it appear as though it was not appointment based.
*I did mention that perhaps my perception of the other cars being worked on was a bit off since we didn’t see anything and I gave you the benefit of the doubt on that one, but we were told the night before we could come in anytime so of course that can be a bit frustrating for some consumers when they have to be turned away after being told they could come in anytime.
Thank you for your response again, but my husband and I were still given inconsistent information. Again, no one is perfect, but in the future it is best not to give exact quotes over the phone. In the beginning of my review, I wrote that I triple checked prior to getting off the phone the exact price and it was changed when we got in there. I triple checked just to cover ourselves in case it did take longer. I was told $ 60 flat. Not for an hour, or 30 minutes or 45 minutes, but for anytime.
I am sure your business is great, we just had a bad experience and I have to be honest about that. I am sure you didn’t do this intentionally. I hope you understand that just because I am being honest about my experience that it is not necessarily negative, but truthful.

Called to check if they had a car stereo I was looking for, they didn’t. However, they offered me a more exepensive stereo for the same price to make up for it! Not only that they installed it same day with no appointment. I was in and out in 45 mins and spent less than expected for something even better! Sorry Best Buy you have forever lost my car stereo business.

This place is a top quality outlet with honest and helpful staff. I was referred by a friend, and spoke with Ray. He immediately focused on what I actually wanted as opposed to what he wanted ti sell me. Ray took his time, found the right parts, got me an insanely good deal on a closeout and set a workable appointment for installation. Al and Ed’s does in fact charge for installation, but it’s a clean shop with experienced techs. Your choice– Best Buy really doesn’t have better prices and while they have free installation, the installers typically look like they’re playing hooky from the local reform school. I recommend this shop strongly, and plan on bringing them more cars down the road. Ask for Ray, and definitely shop around first– You’ll see basically the same prices but in a local store with personal service.

This is the first car audio place that actually took me and my friend around and showed us what they had to offer. I’ve been to many car audio places that have all their products stacked up around the store. I’ve walked in and you’re kind of on your own. I don’t know much about car audio besides the big named brands.
When I arrived Robert and Ray greeted my friend and I and made us feel very comfortable. He showed us a bunch of subwoofer boxes and let us connect our phone to one of their radios so we could hear what the subwoofers would actually sound like.
We were planning on going to other car audio places in San Diego but there was no need. Ray and Robert’s communication was great and I feel like I will be using them way more in the future.
Thanks Ray and Robert!!!

I would call this article Trial and error lol
So I had this old school alpine deck in my truck it had only one rca. I rocked that for awhile then shopping on Craigslist as I do often I found a 4ch amp so now I needed decent speakers, the ones in my 95 ford f150 were garage. So I bought some Polk audio 6×9 off amazon had a gift card so it was perfect. Hook the amp up ran the 6×9 to it and rolled around for like 3 months. Well with the love for music I need it louder lol. I shop around for awhile and found a new deck and components, the deck has 3 rca out puts so I can run 3 ch with good sound well got that all hook up had to run the 6×9 and sub off the 4ch … that still wasn’t the sound I was looking for I mean it was loud but it wasn’t as loud as I thought. This is were Ray comes in from al and eds so I go see this guy Ray walk through the front door and was totally surprised by the great costumer service. I spoke with Ray about the set up he came out looked at it and said that I had all the right equipment for what I was try too achieve but one thing so I have the 4ch and speakers and I was missing the separate amp too power the sub he says … guess the type r was starving because it was bridge at the 4ch. He talked me into a 1 ch mono block and a 4 gauge wire kit … well after running the new wire and running all the speakers separate my ears ring now lol … Ray is very knowledgeable about products and will take the time to help you achieve the sound. Know I need a bigger sub lol thanks Ray will due business again… highly recommend al and eds for all your car audio needs.

Run by two men, both knowledgeable, friendly, and doing their best for their customers. I purchased and had my truck alarm and stereo installed. Reasonable, competitive cost. They even gave me a lift home after I dropped off my truck. A month later, they gladly adjusted the alarm, taking some time out from a busy work load.
No reservations recommending them!

Just moved to San Diego and recently bought a new car and was underwhelmed by the «premium» sound system. I hopped onto Unilocal and picked 4 shops to visit and discuss options and price points. Al & Ed’s was by far the most professional, courteous, and knowledgeable.
They took the time to explain several different options and explained in detail the products and installation process. They even printed me out a line by line invoice detailing every part, accessory, and cost included in the job so I could go home and do research at my convenience.
I came back the next morning and said we were a go. Despite having no appointment and the shop being extra busy with after holiday shoppers, they said the install would be done that day. About 5 hours later I got the call to come pick up my ride.
I ended up with a 10″ JL sub, 500w Alpine amp and a free bass knob to boot. The install was as clean as could be, even took the extra time to bracket the sub box in my trunk for extra security and installed the knob in a discrete, easily accessible spot in an unused cubby to the left of the steering wheel. It sounds fantastic and I could not be happier with my experience @ Al & Ed’s. I will definitely be coming back to have the front stage done when funds allow. Thanks guys !

Great sales AND service from truly nice guy’s! This is a local business that deserves to thrive and prosper.
They are tucked away in the back corner of a mini strip mall… A bit difficult to find but more than worth the effort from anywhere in the county. Do yourself a favor and check these guys out.

A truly 5-​Star experience!!! For the most part, I’ve been a do it yourself stereo guy for most of my life (I’m 50 now). Unless you’re a glutton for punishment, locating a TRUE professional is a must. Proper installation of equipment (head units, amps, speakers, Bluetooth, backup cameras, etc.) doesn’t happen by accident. I know from painful, personal experience the true cost, downtime and frustration of life with an improperly installed stereo system. If you’re ever bought someone’s used POS with a bad stereo system, you know exactly what I’m talking about. If not, consider yourself lucky. The last thing anyone wants is a new or retrofit system that simply doesn’t sound right or causes system failures elsewhere in the vehicle.
Recently, I made the decision to upgrade an older (1990’s) luxury car with a new system. Initially, I thought I’d do it myself by going to Crutchfield and ordering the parts. In the past, for simple installations, Crutchfield worked really well. It’s taken me a few years and a few botched jobs, but generally speaking you just use their online system and they send you a box full of stuff with reasonably complete installation instructions. Again, NOT FOR THE FAINT AT HEART. I’m an old guy AND an engineer with a garage full of tools. I don’t recommend do-​it-​yourself unless you know how to use a soldering gun. At least know how to chase down a blown fuse or you could quickly end up with a very dead car.
THIS time I knew I was over my head as I wanted to add Bluetooth and possibly a backup camera to my car. This meant I’d be pulling wire everywhere. Worried about messing up my headliner or other expensive interior finish, I decided to get some help. Previously, I’d heard about Al & Ed’s in La Mesa from several luxury car dealerships that routinely sell higher-​end Mercedez-​Benz, BMW and Lexus automobiles. I knew Al & Ed’s must be really good because the guys in the auto repair bays said they saw their work all the time. These same mechanics told me I’d save a ton of money avoiding their own dealerships.
Long story short, I was looking for QUALITY at a reasonable price. Notice I did not say super fast or cheap. After a pleasant and informative appointment with the manager of Al & Ed’s, I opted for a mid-​priced head unit with backup camera and Bluetooth capability. He said my car already had a nice high-​power amp and plenty of quality speakers. In the end, I ended up using some of my old system to save a few bucks.
It’s been several weeks now, My system works great! My girlfriend wants her car done now too. She really loves how they integrated my backup camera and Bluetooth.
Thanks Al & Ed’s!

With the exception of having the stereo installed at my house I am not happy with quality of work done for what I paid for.
— Never received a cover for my sub-​box
— the speaker covers on my front door speakers come out randomly when I close either my door or my passenger door.
— recently one of the speakers stopped working or goes on and off randomly. When I took the stereo out to take a look, from what I can tell the wires form the stereo to the amp were used and have seen cracks. When I moved the speaker wires there’s static and speakers will go on and off form a substandard crimp job