Our top seller and brand choice for a surround sound receiver is the Marantz. Marantz is part of the Denon family, is extremely reliable, and has been part of our product line for decades. Marantz has the capability to adapt to whole-home audio through Denon’s new networked amplifier similar to Sonos. Our top seller is the Marantz SR 5014 but they have multiple models based on speaker configurations. The brands we have reviewed, installed for years, and prefer are the Marantz, Integra, Denon, and Onkyo. Ask Greg, our showroom manager, for details and suggestions based on your setup.

Audio Labs will support the manufacturer’s warranty and the length of time ranges by product.  A longer warranty can be a good indicator of the quality of a product.  As an example, Paradigm speakers have a warranty of 5 years and Monitor Audio even has a soundbar with a lifetime guarantee!  We personally back our used equipment with a 30 day guarantee. 

Audio Labs has taken the time to put the right processes and equipment in place to be entering homes. We value both the safety of you and our employees to take these extra steps. We do an initial walk-through at a safe distance and we ask to be left alone in the installation area until the final walk-through. Before leaving, we always make sure our customers are comfortable with the install and have a full understanding of how everything functions. Distancing during an install is a huge part in keeping everyone safe.

Currently, COVID-19 is having a major impact worldwide.  Since a multitude of components are manufactured in China, the electronics industry is feeling the ripple effect.  Also, non-essential manufacturing outside the United States stopped for a period of time. Currently, we check availability before placing an order as some electronics are arriving three months or longer.  As a residential and commercial custom install company the electronics most affected are TV’s, receivers, projectors, and amplifiers.  It’s going to take months to catch up to the production levels of pre-COVID.  

The majority of TV’s mounted above a fireplace are 55”.  The best way to determine the right size is to do a size comparison.  As an example, find the specs of a 55” and 65” TV and use blue painter’s tape to outline the shape of each TV.  If putting the tape for each one on drywall, step back and you’ll notice what looks best.  You might have to use a cardboard box cutout if mounting above a fireplace with stone as the tape may not stick.  We’ve installed an 80” above a fireplace but the ceiling was 30’ high so each room’s size and shape will dictate the size of the TV. 

We are members of the HBA Home Builders Association of Des Moines and Remodelers Council of Greater Des Moines.  Yes, we love to work with local custom homebuilders here in Des Moines and the surrounding areas.  Our goal is to be the best in the audio-video as in a home theater, whole-home audio, networking and such (not closets and central vac).  In today’s world of technology, customers need to be able to reach out to someone who knows how their system functions.  Andy, our lead installer, has been with Audio Labs for 20 years and has a customer base that knows he understands their needs.

Audio Labs is your connection to getting Marantz receivers serviced.  If you purchased from us, we first find out if the unit is still under warranty.  If not under warranty, we’ll find the cost to get it fixed through Marantz plus help with shipping.  Our own in-house service center is now closed as Bob retired after 43 years with Audio Labs.