Systems Unlimited

Just had an install done by systems unlimited. I had what i would consider alot of money for me, install done and this was a very small project for these guys. I interacted with both Charles and the installer Nelson. Both guys were super cool and really seemed to want to do things right and make sure I was happy.
I had been doing a lot of research trying to find someone honest who mostly would not destroy my vehicle and do the job right. Believe it or not this is very hard to find in the Seatlle area. I eventually found Systems Unlimited and called and spoke with Charles on the phone. I was not really sure what I needed/​wanted as I am not car audio professional. I do have a back round in studio/​reference audio so really I only knew that I wanted good clean audio and an interface that would allow me to use all my devices and GPS. Charles was very helpful and extremely knowledgable about audio imaging and getting things to sound amazing. Other places I spoke with were only interested in selling there highest price stuff they could talk me into and installing it as quick as possible with almost no thought on speaker placement sound suppression material or imaging quality. (Let me add my opinion that buying expensive speakers of any brand and pointing them at your ankles does nothing for good audio.)
I love my vehicle and I was really concerned about the install being done poorly as this had happened to me in the past in another state and cause all kinds of electrical issues in my vehicle. These guys did everything perfect to last detail. They even thought about placement, good hidden placement of the little things like GPS antennas and switches and even did a custom USB port for me.
If you have interest in getting the best high quality audio in the vehicle/​boat you love just call or stop by and talk to Charles and you wont be sorry. He will not only be honest and upfront about pricing but will do everything he can to design and excellent audio/​video system to meet your needs. Consider yourself an audiophile? Loud expensive speakers wont prove it, but expensive speakers or systems combined with good imaging and clean crisp multi channel audio will. Most importantly they do things right here and seem very honest and you dont have to worry about shotty work or poor installation. Also, all the custom work/​fabrication/​sound materials they do are pretty amazing. I cant wait to go back for part 2.
just read reviews if the other guys in the area for further proof this is where you should be having your work done. Thanks Charles and Nelson for a great job.

My original review from 08/​12/​2013: (moved review to their current location so that it might be helpful to other Unilocalers)
One of the first things I did after buying my new car was take it to Car Toys to get better front speakers. What a mistake! I bought top of the line (top of the line for Car Toys), but could not tell any difference in the sound. I mentioned this to the amazing Sally when I was at University Volkswagen and she recommended giving Systems Unlimited a try in Bellevue. I took my car there and spoke with Charles. Within about a half hour, we shook hands on a very reasonable deal that would have my car sounding better than most.
Charles and his crew took out the front speakers and I returned them to Car Toys. Charles replaced those with Dynaudio Esotars. In the back, he put Dynaudio Esotecs and built an enclosure for an Arc Audio Black subwoofer.
They then deadened the doors so you wouldn’t hear me coming down the street 6 blocks away.
They were able to source a factory backup camera available only on European models of the Volkswagen that I have. It replaces my VW symbol with a motorized one. The VW symbol hides the camera until I shift into reverse. The found the best price and were more than fair on labor when it came to installing the camera.
I picked up my car today and could not be more happy. It sounds amazing!!! And nobody can tell because it is all hidden and still looks stock.
I could not have asked for better customer service either. They came and picked me up at the bus station. They took me out to lunch.
They stuck with the price we shook on – which would have been double what the other so-​called high-​end places would have charged. They stuck with their quote on labor. They will be the only place I ever go to get electronic goodies placed in my car.
Don’t go to some place just because your dealership tells you to. Or, at least stop by Systems Unlimited and listen to what Charles and his awesome crew have in store for you. Ask Charles to show you the before and after photos of the black Ferrari — one of many Ferraris that they have installed systems in. Then decide if you want to treat your car right, or if you want it to be abused by the other guys. Do you truly want the best speaker system? Or do you want something that you have been told is the best?
My Volkswagen was sitting next to a Bentley. The Bentley’s budget for a sound system was 5 times my budget, but I still got the same awesome treatment and customer service as the owner of the Bentley.
I can’t recommend them enough.
My follow-​up review on 09/​03/​2015:
A quick follow-​up to my original review two years ago. The backup camera stopped working suddenly, so I gave Systems Unlimited a call. C fit me into their schedule and I drove in to see if we could figure out what happened. Within an hour, M had taken apart the back hatch, discovered a broken wire, and fixed it and had me on my way. How much did they charge? Nothing. They back up their work with their word. So thankful that Sally recommended them!

Charles is awesome and did a wonderful job for our son and his car for his
birthday present, He did not go over the budget and worked together with our
son to get an awesome sound system that made all of us happy.

Over the years I’ve taken my vehicles to several local businesses to have sound systems installed. Everything from the big chains like Car Toys to small independent shops. Systems Unlimited is the first place that exceeded my expectations both in terms of knowledgeable staff and quality of work.
My first interaction was with Mike, one of the installers. He listened carefully to my requirements and helped draft a plan to install a system tailored for sound quality. This included deadening the doors, running new power and speaker cable and installing component speakers and amps.
My second interaction was with Charles (the Owner). He also proved to be a reliable source of information and recommended some high quality but not exorbitantly expensive gear. When I dropped off the vehicle in the morning, he even offered to drive me to work — a nice touch that was very appreciated (though I had already arranged for a ride).
Upon picking up my vehicle I was honestly surprised by how clean Mike’s work on the car was. He flush mounted the tweeters into the wing panels and the install looks stock — very clean fit and finish. He also installed a control dial for the subwoofer amp into a blank switch panel on my dash — again it looks stock in every way. His attention to detail in the wiring and mounting is the best I’ve seen at a car audio place.
The system sounds great — everything from acoustic Jazz to EDM and rock. Heck even NPR sounds great. I love having the tweeters up at ear level. The mid-​bass is clean, the bass is powerful but articulate (and I can tune it to the genre at the touch of a dial). The sound quality is crystal clear at all listening levels — and that includes approaching «uncomfortably loud». The sound deadening in the doors really made a difference and there are no rattles (Mike even deadened the license plate, which was prone to vibration).
I will definitely return to Systems Unlimited in the future. They recently moved to a new location underneath Subway on Northup Way. For some reason this wiped out all their prior Unilocal reviews, which I consulted before choosing them. I heartily recommend them if you are looking to improve the quality of the sound in your vehicle. Thanks!
Note: they do not accept American Express.