Audio Design

TL;DR: outstanding service!
Mike reached out to me after the previous review. Mike calmly reengaged with me to resolve the situation to my satisfaction. This included re-​positioning all alarm modules neatly and securely, building a custom harness to provide clean wiring, providing a wiring diagram of all work done, providing an improved grounding system, and taking the time, before and after the installation to make sure that we were all on the same page.
As I said at the beginning, this installation was difficult and there was clearly some miscommunication about how I use my vehicle; I still feel that I was initially articulate about what I was looking for in an installation and how my needs were technically different from a stereo used in an urban environment. However, once that was cleared up, Mike and team really doubled down on the service aspect to get me an installation that is professional grade and field repairable. The fortitude to take responsibility for my satisfaction with the installation speaks volumes about this organization, and really restored my confidence that they are the best choice.

Top notch business. Mike gets it done. Keeps it real with expectations, is knowledgeable and likes to help. I’d like to say so much more but too busy atm. If you in the area and need audio Expertise you can’t go wrong with these guys.

Well, here I am, just about 8 years later. Recently my iPod integration unit in my truck failed (after very heavy usage through the years) so I stopped in to see Mike (the owner of Audio Design) to see what my options were. Now mind you, 8 years later and technology has obviously moved forward but Mike was sensitive to my desire just to get everything back to were it was going forward w/​o upgrading. I was able to buy and have installed another integration unit.
We ran into an issue with this new integration unit locking up my iPod upon connection. Wilbur,
one of the technicians, called the manufacturer and after a bit of going back and forth, was able to locate the correct sequence on my head unit to unlock my iPod. PROBLEM SOLVED.
Wilbur and another colleague of his (sorry, I didn’t get his name) also adjusted the gains in my amplifiers to achieve a proper balance. Wilbur showed an EXTRA amount of patience for I didn’t particularly conveyed succinctly what I was looking for. No time did I feel rushed or put off.
Keep in mind, this is no chain/​discount retailer, if you want quality and long term satisfaction in your car audio (which is of paramount importance to me), go to Audio Design. Mike knows his business and takes pride in dialing into your needs and he stands behind his work. My latest transaction there wasn’t of course as in depth as my amplifier/​speaker purchase 8 years ago but I was treated with the same excellent customer service as if it was.

Awesome experience that left me extremely happy with how my car stereo sounds. Buying audio equipment can be an overwhelming experience, but this is a placed that takes the time to let you know your options, doesn’t pressure you into something you may not want, and then does a professional job that has you driving home knowing you made the right choices.
I never once felt like a number there — the time was spent to make sure I was getting the sound I wanted and they really went above and beyond what I expected.
Speaking with the owner, it was incredibly clear that he knows his business — he understands every piece of equipment, and how it works in conjunction with my particular car. I’m really happy with my experience there and couldn’t recommend Audio Design any more highly.

Mike is super helpful and knowledgeable. I have a Porsche Cayman S and it was a a challenge finding someone was confident in working with my vehicle. Not only did he know exactly what to do. he put me in a porsche that was the same year and let me listen to the system he had installed. if you want a clean install by a knowledgeable team who wont cut corners… this is the guy for you. he also sold me rims and tires that look epic.
If you have a Porsche, i highly recomend going in and talking with Mike.

YIKES! Be Careful.
I spent $ 2,400 on a new Kenwood DNN991HD. this unit failed to operate under 1 year. Mike the Principal promised to take care of it, and send back to Kenwood for repair. Mike tells me the entire process should take two weeks.
35 days later I call the Kenwood service center, and they tell me that they have not received the unit for repair. I called Mike and he gave me some lame excuse that he was really busy and hadn’t sent it out yet. WHAAAAAT! 1 month you’ve had my Kenwood device, and you didn’t send it out for repair.
I’m now at day 45, no music, GPS, hands free phone, and the huge inconvenience of having a big hole in my car. Service is terrible, I’ve been lied to, and I’m still with-​out my DNN991HD.
«Audio Design» should be ashamed… Do what you said you would do… I do not have any confidence nor will you ever get a good reference from me.
Porsche dealership take notice!
Kevin

I had a new head unit installed in my car yesterday. The product pricing matched the online research I did and installation charges were very reasonable. No hidden charges. I asked for out the door pricing was and thats what I paid. Installation was clean and looks like factory installation. My car was finished in a few hours. They even checked to make sure all parts were in stock before I left so there would be no surprises.

Had a great experience installing a new sound system in my new car. I did however have a minor issue where the front/​rear and left/​right speaker channels were reversed. It wasn’t a big deal and was only noticeable when I took calls over bluetooth.
Fast forward nearly 5 years.
I stopped by the shop last week to see if they could fix it, and after 10 minutes of fiddling, they scheduled an appointment for me to come back for a full troubleshoot. It was a couple of hours of work for them to resolve and they fixed the issue for free, no questions asked.
That’s pretty great service and says a lot about how they treat customers. I’ll be sure to head back for all my work in the future!

After a very difficult time with an installer in Morgan Hill, who went out of business with no notice, the importer of a backup system recommended Audio Design. Diligent work from his technician determined that the mirror was defective. Refusing to buy rhe $ 3000, $ 2000, or $ 1500 system they offered, I asked them to replace the original mirror on the truck and leave everything until a replacement mirror could be obtained from the importer.
This resulted in a damaged original mirror, vibrated all the time, and, as I discovered today, the retraction of the wiring harness out of the headliner and placement under the floor mat. I went to a closer shop who will now charge me extra labor time to restore the wiring harness. What should have been a simple plug — and — play is now a multi — hour job.

This is the place to be. Yess Sir!!!
Ok I brought my 2012 PorschePanamera Turbo S for audio re-​tuning of someone else’s work. The setup was a recommendation from the dealer across the street. You see I went to another place on Bascom (AudioWerk) where the guys installed a «12 Sub with Rfosgate amp incorrectly and they thought it was fine when the system output was only @ 40%.
My car originally has a Burmester 6,000 $ Porsche factory upgrade system that has & controls the car speakers and amp as it cools itself dwn in about 5 – 6 songs playing @ the loudest… maybe getting hot too. Apparently if you want it not to shut off or get to only 50% power you have to know how to override this Porsche amp and install SUB-​system that will now be in charge. in other words «hook it up just RIGHT».!! That’s exactly what Mike did and I am soo Thankfull to him. !!!
The AudioWerk shop is good apparently, that even some 49er players frequent there on occasion (that’s what I hear, lol).and the shop of course takes pride in that.
But what they did on my Porsche sub install was «amateur-work»…that’s what should be their name actually.
Mike hooked up my system from the measly 40% and took it to a 100% coz now when I drive around town with my sub people just look at my Panamera in disbelief like «how did you make it sound like that»
I even get little sad that the shop on Bascom was gonna let me drive off with that sorry a*s power. I mean I feel my eyebrows and mouth moving up n dwn from theBASS.!!. Can you believe it??? Yesss It’s that good. Like I’m in the club loud.!! 50CENT man!!! Ahaahhaa.!!
This place knows high end cars and will totally deliver you what it’s promised. No wonder the Porsche dealer knows their name and recommended me here.!!
When you getting music system installed or buying some kind of entertainment, remember you want the quality over anything and up to par wiring/​installation like with my car.
Audio design has both and you will be a witness to that. trust me!!! 5 STARS for the knowledge-​base and PORSCHE recommendation!!! YooHooo!!!

This place had great service, fast installation time, and the prices are great. The only reason I gave them a 4 is they forgot to call me when a my part came in. They said they would call in a week when it comes in. Two weeks later still no call so I called them to see if the part was in and it was, good news for sure and apologized for forgetting to call me. I have a feeling if I didn’t call they wouldn’t have called me at all. Other than that little miss hap this place is spot on

Need that extra juice for your bucket to sound right when your slipping and sliding around town?
Got me what I needed at reasonable cost. Mike is my main man when dealing with car audio.

I had an Alpine X-​009GM unit installed in my Chevrolet Avalanche here, as well as a front facing camera, and wiring for addition off road lights. In short, I am very happy with work done, and even more happy with the new toys in my truck. I am not an expert, but the shop seems to have a good choice of products to choose from, and Mike appears to be very knowledgeable in what works and what should be avoided. The installation took a bit longer than expected, but there were a few scheduling conflicts that day, and I have to commend the shop staff for staying extra late (around 10PM) to finish up my vehicle. So far everything works as advertised with no issues. I would recommend this place for any audio/​electrical work on your vehicle, and will most likely be back here myself when it’s time to upgrade to fancy halogen headlights.

Mike and Marcos didn’t just stop with the sale, they made sure I was a happy customer.
There was a question about the system installed, one which wasn’t any big deal but enough to not make me feel 100% satisfied. To ensure I was satisfied they volunteered to pull the system out and install another one. Previous one worked fine and this new one also works well. I am a happy customer as Mike and Marcos made sure of that.

I went to Audio Design to have them do custom headlights that included replacing LED Halos, painting the housing, and retrofitting in projectors.
Marcus was in charge of the job and he was able to recommend a couple changes that in the end really made the lights stick out.
The whole process took a little while, and I did have to go back twice to finally get what I wanted but in the end I feel like a got a good deal and the lights look awesome!
I ended up getting Recon Headlights that were then painted Matte Black and we replaced the LED Plastic Halos with new XB RBG color changing halos that are so awesome! I get a ton of compliments on the halos. They just really stick out. The after market projectors they installed are great as well. They are way better than the stock lights I had on there before.
In the end I am very happy with the job. Marcus was very friendly, helpful and worked with me to make sure I got the lights I wanted. I will be returning soon to now get an after market stereo put in. Thanks Marcus.

This Shop has Great Quality Equipment and very knowledgeable sales people.
Last year i purchased two Adixen tweeters for the front panels.
My Issue was with the installation.
I had them install two tweeters in the front panels and they connected the left side lower than the right side and they left a scratch the panel that i cannot remove.
Ill add pics when i figure out how.

Wow! After having Pepboys down the street incorrectly install my new stereo system I drove into Audio Design. These guys were great! They corrected the bad wiring PBs had done and got everything working right in about 45 minutes. Chris, the installer was friendly, helpfull and professional, as was the whole staff! Thanks Guys! 5 Stars +!!!
Seth Christopher
Campbell, California

I’ve been coming to Audio Design for two years since I bought my new car.
Absolutely, hands down, the best experience I’ve had with any high end audio design studio.
I used to believe no one would care about my car as much as I would, until Audio Design. The recommendations, service, and experience is as if they are working on something that is theirs, and held to the highest standards imaginable.
Marcos takes his time with me, going over the how’s and why’s of every recommendation, and even tells me when something isn’t needed or may be overkill. His/​their goal isn’t to sell. It’s to make sure the whole experience is perfect when your car is given back to you.
There’s nothing factory left in my car, although to look/​sit in the car, you’d never know there was any aftermarket work done. It’s all perfect.
I couldn’t recommend this place more, and if I ever moved out of the area, and needed more, I’d certainly come to the Bay just for them.
Thanks so much for making my car such a great place to spend time.

Hidden charges dropped this company from a 5 * review! Great work hard-​wiring my dash cam. Was told it would be $ 85. When I came in to get my car, it cost $ 90.95. The additional $ 5.95 was for «parts surcharge». When I asked what parts, since I supplied my own cable, I was told it was for wire, connections, etc. What wire, the one I provided?
Anyway, if you go here, ask about that hidden «parts surcharge» on the bill before you commit. It’s a percentage of the bill, so the more you spend, the more you will be charged extra! I never saw it posted anywhere in the shop and was surprised at the unwarranted addition. Thanks to the airlines, it seems every company wants to gouge a little extra out of every purchase.

Marcos and the other audio technicians are top notch and truly care about their customers. Very reputable place and worth the wait in getting in to have work done.
Don’t take your vehicles anywhere else when it comes to audio/​video purchases and installations. Very fair also when comparing prices across the board.