Five minutes from the city center, on the banks of the Isère river, the Son-Vidéo.com store in Grenoble welcomes you at 2 boulevard Gambetta. Anaïs and her team will give you the best advice on choosing your equipment from the wide range on offer. We interviewed her to find out more about her background.
Which music/film experience sparked your passion, and how has it influenced your career?
Music was a big part of my childhood, there was always music playing at home, on my father’s hi-fi system and the long playlists he’d put on for us in the car on vacations. Even if I grumbled a lot about his song choices, it forged my very eclectic musical culture and my love for music, with a touch of tenderness and nostalgia. Later, I developed a passion for the guitar, with the dream of sharing my passion on stage in a band. So working in a music related domain was an obvious choice for me, although my passion for cinema only came a little later.
Can you tell us about your career in the hi-fi and home theater industry?
It’s now been 7 years since my adventure with Son-Vidéo.com began, with the opening of the Grenoble store.
What was the most exciting listening experience you’ve ever had?
I still remember an unforgettable listening experience at the 2018 PAVS. I remember a room that was a bit crooked, the seats far too low to be at an optimal listening height, nothing to suggest such an amazing demo… and yet, this incredible system, a pair of Sonus Faber Sonetto VIIIs coupled with Lyngdorf TDAI-3400 electronics, carried me away. Lyngdorf’s Room Perfect calibration technology completely corrected the room’s acoustics. And, as a little bonus that I only found out about afterwards, Mr. Peter Lyngdorf himself had come on site to adjust the system… it could only be perfect!
Can you give us an example of a customer who was deeply moved by an experience in the store?
An electronics engineer and his son, both hi-fi fans and connoisseurs, rediscovered their favorite tracks and music through a pair of Dali Opticon 8s, which they have mutually fallen in love with! The two pairs are a daily delight in their respective living rooms.
How do you listen to music at home, and what TV do you use?
I like variety, which is why I have two separate systems, one for hi-fi and daily viewing: Dali + Marantz and a Panasonic OLED TV, and the other dedicated to home theater in a separate room with an ultra-short throw projector and screen, coupled with a Denon AVR and a Klipsch 5.1 speaker system. I listen to so much music in the store every day on beautiful systems, that I take more pleasure in being in my little cinema bubble to watch a good 4K film when I come home in the evening.
What’s the most innovative technology you’ve seen recently?
It’s not that recent a technology. However, it is for me personally, as I recently experienced it first-hand: bone conduction technology. The Shokz brand has a whole range of Bluetooth headphones with this incredible technology, which transmits sound directly to the cheekbones, without the need to insert an in-ear device! Sports fans, like me, are delighted to discover this innovation, ideal for staying connected to their environment. And as a bonus for swimmers, some models even work underwater!
Can you tell us about a particular piece of equipment or brand sold in your store that you’re particularly passionate about?
I’ve been impressed by Panasonic OLED TVs for several generations now, especially the latest, the LZ2000. The settings are perfect, as is the colorimetry, but what impresses me most is the depth and texture of the scenes. A must-have for all movie lovers looking for naturalness and detail.
Do you like video games? If so, can you tell us about the importance of picture and sound quality in gaming?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve had game consoles in my hands! My first was a Game Boy Color, where you had to blow into the cartridges to get it to work properly! That was a long time ago. Now, with the arrival of some visually stunning consoles, such as the PS5, capable of producing a 4K / 120Hz image, it’s highly recommended to invest in a TV screen capable of reproducing this kind of image quality. Sound is also an important element in creating a truly immersive experience. You don’t have to blow on it for it to work!
How do you advise people looking to buy their first audio or home theater system?
My priority is to understand them and their needs, so that I can find the system best suited to what they’re looking for, and have them listen to it. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no such thing as the best system; there’s a system for everyone and for every type of listening or viewing experience. It’s all about the right advice and teaching. We mustn’t forget that for many customers, this is their first system, and it’s a very important one. It’s their first step into the wonderful world of hi-fi and/or home theater. This first experience must be unforgettable, so that they leave with everything they need for an optimal experience at home.
In your opinion, why do Son-Vidéo.com stores have a good reputation?
The reputation of Son-Vidéo.com stores is built on a number of factors. The quality of our advice, with expert sales staff, a personalized welcome and an extensive catalog. Customers can see and listen to the equipment in specially adapted auditoriums, which has been made possible thanks to our physical stores. But the most important thing for us in the store is customer satisfaction and sharing our passion.
Visit Son-Vidéo.com in Grenoble, Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 7pm at 2 boulevard Gambetta.
