One year after opening, the Son-Vidéo.com store in Clermont, located at 9 Avenue de l’Agriculture, welcomes audio and video enthusiasts with enthusiasm and personalized service. Alexis and his team are there to provide you with the best advice on choosing your equipment from their wide selection of equipment. We interviewed him to learn more about his career and his favorite products.
Can you tell us how customers view Son-Vidéo.com in Clermont-Ferrand?
In Clermont-Ferrand, Son-Vidéo’s presence is now a long-awaited reality following the closure of the Connexion retail chain in Auvergne, which left a noticeable void for customers.
Many enthusiasts—whether newcomers or seasoned hobbyists—travel considerable distances to find what they’d been missing: a place for expert advice, new discoveries, and high standards, where high-fidelity audio and home theater truly come into their own, supported by a passionate team and punctuated by workshops dedicated to vinyl, cinema, and many other topics. Just take a look at the Google reviews we’ve collected in one year: they reflect the satisfaction of our customers, who seek above all a willingness to listen and a deep understanding of their expectations.
Which music/film experience sparked your passion, and how has it influenced your career?
My first real epiphany about music came when I was listening to music and, for the first time, I no longer heard just a song, but a vision. The voice took on a life of its own, the instruments stood out, and the emotion became palpable. Thanks to my Walkman—which still works—and my cassettes by Jimi Hendrix, Dire Straits, Santana, and many others… Today, they’re well-worn from countless plays, and my musical tastes have evolved considerably since then.
In fact, following that first emotional experience, I studied woodworking to become a luthier, specializing in modern stringed instruments. Ultimately, I pursued a career in sales and consulting. Selling insurance, home appliances, or advertising didn’t bring me the professional fulfillment I was seeking. So I decided to return to my first experience as a high-fidelity (Hi-Fi) salesperson, where customers don’t come in for a necessity like a refrigerator or a washing machine, nor for something they didn’t come looking for, like an energy contract—they come, above all, to treat themselves. We never talk solely about technical details or equipment—we talk about music, movies, and emotions. In reality, I don’t sell equipment. I recreate experiences and share enjoyable moments.
Can you tell us about your career in the hi-fi and home theater industry?
Back then, as an employee of the HTM Group, the choice wasn’t really mine to make. And yet, it took just one listening session—just one—for everything to change. “Voodoo Child,” performed live, played through a pair of Cabasse speakers, powered by an Onkyo amplifier, and played from a NAD turntable.
That was the start of a snowball effect. A quest. I can still picture myself, absorbed for hours in the Son-Vidéo guides, poring over them almost obsessively. That first guide remains etched in my memory—the DLNA protocol—like a traumatic anchor.
Then came the decisive encounter. A man with forty years of experience, one of my colleagues, with that fire in his eyes. He was, without exaggeration, a spiritual father. Through my interaction with him, I had to deconstruct, question, and relearn. I came to understand that knowing the technical aspects wasn’t enough; I had to grasp what was at play behind the scenes: the artist’s intention, the structure of a piece, and the truth of an instrument within a given space.
I then moved on to work with another colleague, who was of a completely different nature. It was a tough experience, sometimes disorienting, but just as formative. Because there are lessons that aren’t learned through excellence, but through dissonance. There, I learned—with newfound clarity—what never to do. But through this misadventure, I was able to visit factories thanks to the manufacturers, which allowed me to round out my expertise in the field of vinyl and analog. Thank you, Roy Gandy.
We never talk solely about technical details or equipment—we talk about music, movies, and emotions. In reality, I don’t sell equipment. I recreate experiences and share enjoyable moments.
Alexis, manager of the Son-Vidéo.com store in Clermont
What was the most exciting listening experience you’ve ever had?
What comes to mind are the imposing MBL speakers, powered by French 3D Lab Signature electronics in a dual-mono configuration. The experience of an omnidirectional transducer—capable of creating a 360-degree soundstage—turns traditional expectations on their head. The music is no longer merely projected: it envelops you, flows, and breathes all around you with an almost organic freedom. Total immersion, with striking vitality.
On a more subdued note, the Shahinian Audio Obelisk speakers, paired with EAR Yoshino tube amplifiers, offer a more intimate—yet equally captivating—listening experience. Again, the sound is free from directional constraints, as this is also an omnidirectional listening experience, offering a spacious and fluid soundstage where the roundness of the timbres and the harmonic warmth create an almost visceral closeness to the performance. And this time, the system naturally fits right into my living room.
Finally, in the heart of the store, a demo featuring Jean-Marie Reynaud speakers, paired with the refined elegance of a McIntosh amplifier and the musicality of a REGA source. A subtle balance between tradition and modernity, where the coherence of the whole takes precedence over the demonstration itself. Everything fit together. Everything breathed. And jaws dropped when listeners realized it was simply a pair of bookshelf speakers and a well-worn old Bob Marley record.
Can you give us an example of a customer who was deeply moved by an experience in the store?
No, I can’t reduce it to a single example. These moments are deeply personal—almost a shared secret between a system and the listener, with the aim of evoking emotion. When eyes well up without warning, it means a balance has been found—not that of a technical assembly, but that of a genuine connection for the listener, between sensitivity and artistic expression.
To better understand the full impact of this, nothing describes our approach more accurately than the Google reviews from those who have experienced these moments firsthand. The words are often simple, but they’re imbued with a truth that only experience can convey.
Are you well equipped at home? How do you listen to music? Do you have a TV?
In my living room, I have a pair of Harbeth Super HL5 XD speakers paired with an older Canor TR-101, a Bluesound Node network player, a 3D Lab DAC, and a Rega Planar 3 turntable equipped with a Benz Micro cartridge and a Year Yoshino phono preamplifier. That’s where I really immerse myself in the music.
In my office, I’m currently using Audioengine HD3s, which are superb Hi-Fi speakers for my computer.
In the living room, the system consists of Shahinian Obelisk speakers paired with a multi-component Heed Audio electronics setup, a Bluesound Node network player, and a Thorens turntable.
In the basement, I have a pair of Jean-Marie Reynaud Opéra speakers, powered by a Crimson Audio amplifier—which is also a multi-component system—a Schiit Audio DAC, and a Bluesound Node network player. The analog source is a 1975 Rega Planar 2 equipped with a tweaked Denon DL-103 phono cartridge.
In my workshop, I’m working on a surround sound setup featuring four vintage Acoustic Research speakers, paired with a Linn audio system and the first Bluesound Node player—the famous CUBE. One of the key benefits of the Bluesound Node is its multi-room ecosystem and its follow-along feature, which lets you instantly resume podcasts, radio, and music as you move from one room to another.
Finally, for the video setup, I use a Mitsubishi HC9000 projector paired with Denon and Roksan electronics, an Apple TV as my main source, IPTV, and access to my Synology NAS. For the home theater audio, a Sony system I’m too embarrassed to admit to! No TV except in my game room for retro gaming nights.
What’s the most innovative product or technology you’ve seen come onto the market recently?
The 3D Lab MASTER streamer for a simple yet high-performance network player; the EERA DAC for the converters—it’s mind-blowing; Innuos digital processing—more than impressive; and the Roon server by Weaversa to complete the streaming setup. On the video side, we can mention Xtrem’s technical projection screens and the Raptor projector.
Can you tell us about a product or brand sold in your store that you’re particularly passionate about, and why?
REGA, Jean-Marie REYNAUD, 3D Lab: three names that represent not just an industry, but a legacy. These are brands that embody a history, a journey shaped by deep convictions, far removed from trends or compromises dictated by the market.
Do you enjoy video games? If so, can you tell us about the importance of image and sound quality during the gaming experience?
My setup is based on a radical approach to immersion: three Samsung Ultra-Wide screens, arranged to create a 180-degree field of view, paired with a Marantz home theater system in a 7.2.2 configuration.
The system features Focal Sib Gen 2 speakers, supported by two Magnat subwoofers with impressive physical capabilities. This setup isn’t just about reproducing sound—it’s designed to recreate an environment.
In IL-2 Sturmovik, every detail takes on an almost sensory quality. The radial engine roars right in your face, with that distinctive rumble that seems to pull the aircraft forward. You can feel the structure, the air gliding over the wings, the radio crackling as if it were physically positioned next to my legs as the pilot. Or, I want to feel the vibrations in War Thunder when I’m aboard a Sherman tank.
In contrast, Sea of Thieves creates a more organic, almost poetic space. The system captures the vastness of the world: the ship’s roll, the wind in the sails, the depth of the water. You’re no longer just looking at a world—you’re actually sailing through it.
What advice do you give to customers looking to buy their first audio or home theater system?
My approach is based first and foremost on a deep understanding of the client’s actual usage habits. Before discussing products, I focus on how the client consumes music, movies, or other content.
The first step is to define the budget. At Son-Vidéo.com, we have a particularly extensive catalog with a wide range of prices; as a result, we don’t have a specific price range listed in the catalog, but rather a broad budget range. It is therefore essential to define a reasonable range so that we can use a process of elimination, respect the prospect’s budget, and effectively guide them toward relevant solutions—rather than overwhelming the customer with an overly broad selection.
Next, my role is to listen actively. I systematically paraphrase the needs to confirm my understanding and ensure that we’re moving in the right direction. This phase is essential for building trust and avoiding any misinterpretations.
Finally, I always prioritize hands-on experiences: demonstrations, comparisons, and listening sessions. The goal is to spark the customer’s interest, help them refine their preferences, and guide them toward a choice they understand and feel connected to.
In your opinion, why do Son-Vidéo.com stores have a good reputation?
The focus is on personalized advice, expertise in high-fidelity audio and home theater, as well as connected products—and, above all, tailored support.
It is important to note that Son-Vidéo provides training and evaluations to help teams reach the level of technical-sales experts in our field. With a catalog of over 10,000 products, we can offer tailored solutions that enhance the customer experience and satisfaction to meet the needs of any type of project.
But most importantly, Son Vidéo has chosen—through its business—to focus on people and specifically recruits enthusiasts. All of our retail locations are staffed by people who have a genuine passion for these fields. Just look at the genuine journalistic work done by the editorial team on the Son-Video.com blog.
Son-Vidéo.com Clermont
9 Avenue de l’Agriculture
63100, Clermont-Ferrand
Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
