An interview with Karine, the Son-Vidéo.com Paris 7 store manager

Just a stone’s throw from the Eiffel Tower, at 16 avenue Bosquet, is Son-Vidéo.com’s second Parisian store. We caught up with Karine, the store manager, to find out more about her team, the special features of the 7th arrondissement location, and her personal background and experience as an enthusiast.

How do Paris-based customers view Son-Vidéo.com?

They see us as a welcoming store, with real enthusiasts and a warm atmosphere that’s infectious. We want to create strong connections with our customers… and many of them return the favor by becoming regular clients.

What are your team members’ specialities?

Ophélie is particularly image-oriented, with expertise in TVs, projectors and gaming, while Kader specializes in hi-fi, turntables and home theater. However, they are also able to respond to customers’ every audiovisual needs.

Which music/film experience sparked your passion, and how has it influenced your career?

I grew up in a jazzy atmosphere, thanks to my father who immersed me in this musical universe from an early age. Later on, I explored genres such as soul and funk, which naturally led me to this exciting profession!

Can you tell us about your career in the hi-fi and home theater industry?

I started out in a company that specialized in making electronics and loudspeakers, so I was closely involved in the world of hi-fi. This helped me develop my musical sensibilities and enabled me to go on to work as a consultant and specialist store manager. All this led me to Son-Vidéo.com, where I’ve been for five years now! It’s an interesting career path, which allowed me to get to know the world of hi-fi from different perspectives.

What was the most exciting listening experience you’ve ever had?

It’s really hard to pick just one, because I’ve been lucky enough to experience so many incredibly exciting moments. There was something unique about each experience, whether it was the discovery of new details in a familiar song or the emotion felt when listening to a composition for the first time. These moments are all engraved in my memory and continue to fuel my passion for hi-fi. One of the most striking examples that immediately springs to mind is listening to the B&W 800 series speakers, alongside a McIntosh tube amplifier. The film soundtrack we played moved the customer to tears, it was very moving for both of us.

Can you give us an example of a customer who was deeply moved by an experience in the store?

A customer came to listen to a high-end Astell&Kern DAP. After a moment of sharing and listening, I asked him what headphones he had. I suggested that the player might be better suited to a different set of headphones, and showed him the Focal Utopia. He was very enthusiastic after listening to just one track, and reacted by saying: “Incredible, it’s exceptional!” In the end, he left with this superb combo. But what particularly moved me was that he called us back later to thank us for the emotion the experience had given him. His gratitude, his joy and the spontaneity of his feelings made me really happy.

What’s the most innovative product or technology you’ve seen come to market recently?

For my part, laser projectors clearly stand out. Some of the obstacles preventing people from opting for projection are swept away, and you get a very large image with the projector placed very close to the screen. It’s magical!

Can you tell us about a product or brand sold in your store that you’re particularly passionate about, and why?

DALI is a brand I really like. The sound offered by the latest Rubikore generation is superbly detailed, warm and dynamic, yet easy to combine with different amplifiers.

How do you advise customers looking to buy their first audio or home theater system?

I start by determining their needs based on the characteristics of the room in which the system is to be installed, such as size, acoustics, layout, etc. Then I suggest in-store listening sessions, comparing two or three configurations with the same music. This highlights the differences and advantages of each system. Finally, I make sure that everything fits in with their budget.

What is behind the reputation of Son-Video.com stores?

The reputation of Son-Vidéo.com stores is built on the quality of their service, with a warm welcome and attentive customer care. Advice is also essential, and we attentively listen to customers’ needs. Personalized advice, rigorous product selection and customer loyalty are all elements that contribute to this reputation!