Midwest Audio

I only went here because Onkyo sent me here. They fixed the problem but it quickly came back. Since the work was under warranty I took it back. Turns out it was a day or to past warranty and they wouldn’t honor their work. They had clearly not fixed the problem in the first place. The low rating on this place shows you this is distinctly a poorly run business.

People deserve better.
I brought them a piece of hi-​fi equipment that I’ve used regularly, and a few small parts needed replacing. Although I paid them for an estimate, they refused to give me a *written* estimate because it’s «against company policy». Alas, we all know what that means: they know they’re trying to rip you off and they don’t want you to be able to prove it by comparing their estimate to another. Basically, their estimate was a hoax. They made up some problems so they could charge much more money to fix them. (They have some other scams too, such as encouraging customers to come in without an appointment, but telling you when you get there that they’re so busy they won’t look at what you brought for 3 months unless you pay them a $ 30 «rush» fee.) I recommend using a different repair shop.

Just to preface-​Midwest Audio does not have Better Business Bureau accreditation and they have one complaint filed against them through the BBB, which to no surprise to me, they failed to respond to… this should have been a red flag to me, and I admit it, my bad.
I brought my amp in for repairs in October 2010, about 1 month later (I refused to pay their «rush» fee) I was contacted and told I would need new power tubes and the repairs would be about $ 350. I told them to fix the amp. Several weeks later I picked up my amp. I used it about 3 times for band rehearsals. A few days later, while in the middle of a performance, the fuse blew and I was unable to use the amp to finish the performance. Figuring Midwest Audio did not repair the amp properly I took it to Chicago Music Exchange. After their technician looked at it, I got a call telling me I had been «ripped off» by Midwest Audio as they used the cheapest tubes available, (which were no good), and they failed to do a proper diagnoses check on the amp which would have led to the discovery that the preamp tubes needed replacement as well as the power tubes. I had to pay another $ 450 for ALL new tubes. When I wrote a letter to Midwest Audio asking for an explanation as to how this could have happened/​been overlooked, and requesting at least a partial refund, their response was that the CME technician did not know what he was talking about. They refused to refund any of my money and further more told me that because I brought the amp to another shop, I had voided their warranty. An explanation was never offered as to how the need for new preamp tubes was overlooked and why my amp failed a few weeks after they «repaired» it. My recommendation… go to Chicago Music Exchange for your amp repairs. My amp is working like the day I bought it. They charge less to look at your gear, they repair it in less time and more importantly, they repair it properly.

Extremely long time to turn over a unit compared to industrial averages.
Failed to inform consumer about option Onkyo provides to consumer to have any equipment shipped to Onkyo facility if service provider can not turn around unit in 15 – 20 days provided consumer provides packaging. Before going to service center, call Onkyo for specifics about your warranty rights. Unfortunately only Authorized service center I know in Chicago area.
Also Onkyo will not reimburse expedited service.

I had a piece of Roland equipment that went sour on me. It had just passed the 1 year warranty mark and so I took it to Midwest Audio based on the Roland support website.
So anyway, I pay the $ 35 or so up front for them to estimate the repair. About 3 weeks later I get a call from the lady that it’s going to be a $ 70 repair bill. Since the piece of equipment was like $ 500, I say go ahead and they supposedly start work. About 2 days later I receive another call from the same person saying that the estimate was wrong and that its now $ 700. Obvious mistake, dumb on her part. So I ask her to don’t do anything and that I’ll pickup the equipment later.
When I picked up the Roland pedal, there were loose screws inside the chassis making noise, it was obvious that whatever parts they removed to come up with the estimate were not properly re-​installed. I didn’t have the energy to complain.

For authorized repairs on your pro audio gear this place is tops.
Check website for brands
They probably have a month wait list, so pay the $ 30 rush fee and get your gear within days if they have the parts.
I’ve taken a few pieces out of warranty and their service tech brought them back to life.
They have a $ 45 bench fee just to look at your stuff (which can take a month without the rush fee) before they will quote you an estimate, but this gets applied to the repair cost.
Not perfect, but quality work and friendly customer service at the counter.