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Academy Records & CDs
Category: Shopping Books, Mags, Music and Video Music & DVDs Music & DVDs [Edit]
12 W 18th St(between 5th Ave & Avenue Of The Americas)
New York, NY 10011
Neighborhood: Flatiron
(212) 242-3000
- Nearest Transit:
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14 St (F, M)
14 St - Union Sq (N, Q, R)
23 St (N, R)
- Hours:
Mon-Wed, Sun 11 am - 7 pm
Thu-Sat 11 am - 8 pm
- Price Range:
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$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
46 reviews for Academy Records & CDs
Review Highlights
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"The classical selection is amazing." In 20 reviews -
"Before iTunes, LimeWire, Virgin Megastores, etc." In 3 reviews
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"They have many out of print materials." In 4 reviews
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46 reviews in English
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Review from Susan s.
8/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
I walked in here thinking the store would be similar to my go-to location in Williamsburg. They didnt have any genres of records I was looking for, but the nice gentleman in the back of the store was very friendly and informative. He made me aware that there was a 12 street location in the East Village that I never knew about!
I quickly browsed and found a lot of awesome classical selection of records in the back! Stop by when you can :) -
Review from Tom T.
Ridgewood, NY
3/25/2012
Decent record place. They have an ok selection of DVDs and CDs as well, but the records are the main draw. Check here for TV shows, as you may find a great deal!
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Review from Nick C.
Now this is more like it!
A straight up STACK of solid records for $33!
After spending over an hour in the busy, tight squeezed, random found record store we were buzzing! And couldn't wait to get home & spin.
Take a look at the photos to see what we are talking about, & I have too say again - All for only $33!
Sometimes in the smaller shops when you discover a nice find for $3 or $4, there is almost guaranteed to be imperfections in the sound quality. Not so here. All sounded great, crisp & clean, normal pops & crackles that are found on aged vinyl but even that was a rarity on this purchase.
How do they do it for so cheap? It may have something to do with imports. The double LP Billie Holiday is from Germany, not a word of English is to be found on the entire LP sleeve. But the quality of the 70 yr old recording is fantastic!
Will definitely be back for more! -
Review from Mark M.
New York, NY
11/12/2011
Don't expect to sell your collection here. Even though I was told on the phone that "yes, we buy CD collections", upon arrival with 140 CDs (most near mint condition) and no ride back, they picked through and bought a few for $27. Wouldn't even let me leave the rest there.
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Review from Johann G.
Lexington, MA
4/23/2011
Went in to browse and $ 50 and one hour later we came out happy with our finds. Great place to find that obscure Vynil record or CD not sure ask the staff they certainly know their stuff.
The prices were very reasonable and plenty of inventory. -
Review from Olivia C.
Manhattan, NY
3/16/2011
Let's just say this. I am an opera singer who couldn't find the recording I needed on iTunes, amazon, google...NO WHERE. I call Academy Records and of course they have it. Not only that, they have a LIVE recording that no one even knows is in existence.
Need I say more? -
Review from Jack C.
Berkeley, CA
12/1/2010
Vintage. Future. Cats.
The fat cat by the door greeted me.
I got stuck here for 3 hours.
They have many out of print materials.
The records here are well-sorted.
I like the listening station. Also they promote local artists mostly into electronika! -
Review from Jim P.
Updated - 10/2/2010 3 Check-ins Here
Every time I pop in here, I find something to buy that is a deal.
Curb your Enthusiasm seasons for $8. Like new. That's a good deal.
The people are efficient and get me out the door quickly.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/28/2010
Good-bye $6 DVD store, hello $3 used DVD store.
Stopped in here with my full belly on this warm… Read more »
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Review from Kyle M.
Brooklyn, NY
11/19/2011
It always strikes me as strange when I work on films in New York that most people behind the camera have never heard of Academy Books and Records. As an actor and compulsive film watcher and collector I can never seem to walk out of it without a movie in my hand. If you're willing to dig through and swing by on a regular basis you can really find prices on films and television dvds that would beat buying it used on Amazon. Granted some of the stuff can be way overpriced compared to what you could get it for online. Particularly the imports and certain television shows. But what seems at random, you can find a spectacular deal on something that will make your jaw drop. (Got four seasons of OZ for $6 a piece. Third season of Dexter for $7). And you can often find a top tier film for under $4.
They do have a great classical, jazz and Broadway musical selections as well. Certainly better than most commercial record stores when it comes to show soundtracks. My only gripe was that their comedy/stand-up section has always been shamefully under nourished. I'm sure someone is selling comedy cds. They're just not buying them.
And when it comes to selling Dvds and music, you'd better only be bringing in things that are extremely rare or unique. Otherwise you'll be walking out with what you brought in. They really only tend to take things that it would be a hard find both in stores and the internet. So be warned.
And yes, what you're reading on some of the past reviews is true. The service there is pretty rotten. The employees there, while certainly competent, would really rather be somewhere else and don't really care if you're aware of that. But after experiencing some of the rather socially inept and surly film and music culture-vultures scouring the selections, I wouldn't want to deal with them either. But you don't exactly go there for warmth and charm. You go there to exponentially swell your dvd collection. And I say, feed me Seymour, feed me. -
Review from roderick A.
Jersey City, NY
1/3/2008
After months of always hearing about this place, I finally came here. Walking in, it reminded me of the old Footlight Record store, anyone remember that place?
I got the new Rilo Kiley for $6, a Fiona Apple CD-single for $2, and something else for really cheap. I truly love this place. The classical and jazz section is huge. If I knew anything about either genre, I'm sure I could've stocked up here. Plus, I like the fact that the employees here are old enough to be my father, instead of the hipsters that work at Virgin.
So yeah, this is my fave used CD store in the city. -
Review from Mark H.
1/16/2007
The best store for Classical Music on LP in NYC. Unfortunately, their prices are not going down, and lately there have been lots of stray boxes in the way all over the place, but the turnover there is quick and you never know what you'll find. Be sure to check out the (sometimes locked, just ask) case for some of what they think is more rare/desireable/expensive. Even more importantly, their records are usually in impeccable shape. I don't know where they find them!
Head over to City Bakery across the street when you're done, for a nice cappuccino! -
Review from Jennifer P.
New York, NY
1/31/2007
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Academy Records!!! I have been shopping there for years; they remain my favorite record store in the city. Their prices are among the lowest in Manhattan for used and new CDs, DVDs, box sets, and vinyl, and the staff is very knowledgable. It is a small space, almost always crowded, but absolutely worth visiting.
Re: selling your used CDs, they are selective, but they compensate well (about $2 per CD). Best of all, they will go out of their way to find rare albums you are looking for. A must-visit for serious music lovers. -
Review from Evan M.
Arlington, MA
8/5/2009
I really liked Academy Records, and that's mainly because I'm a cheap buyer of used cds. It kills me to spend $8+ on a cd that I know I may not listen to or even like very much, but the desire to search out music is strong. Therefore, the plentiful amount of discs that cost less than $5 were a godsend and I spent hours in here.
Academy had a decent selection of all genres of music in cd form, as well as a few rows of dvds to comb through. The section that I found the most detailed, (as well as the most empty of people) was the classical music section in the back. If you love classical music you'll love this place, but for everyone else, no need to go all the way back there.
The next time I'm in town and want to haul a bunch of music back home with me, I'll be sure to stop by Academy Records again.Listed in: Best New York City Record…
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Review from Michael U.
Dublin, OH
7/3/2008 1 photo
Decent selection, good prices for NYC, but nothing you can't get in a smaller town at a better price. Not nearly the epic scale of Sonic Boom in Toronto or Amoeba in LA, not nearly as eclectic as Stairway in Ann Arbor or Vintage Vinyl in St. Louis, and not as unique or edgy as Used Kids or Singing Dog in Columbus......yes, I've pissed away a lot of money on CDs over the years.
Decent, but not great. 3 stars and a pic will do ya. -
Review from Lori P.
ASTORIA, NY
4/15/2010
A friend suggested I go to Academy when I mentioned I had to replace a few out of print/import CDs that have gotten damaged over the years.
Imagine my surprise when I got there and realized this was the same spot I would take my CDs to sell back in the 90s when I new to NYC & ridiculously poor. (Hey, selling a few CDs would buy a lot of Ramen!) I was so happy to see it was still around!
The place was packed on an early Saturday evening, so I wasn't able to really browse for the CDs I needed, but I didn't even care...I was just happy to see a real record store that was still passionate about music. There aren't many left in NYC.
I don't consider myself some angry Gen X'er that refuses to embrace technology. In fact, I buy digital media regularly. But, when it comes to music I respect & care deeply about, I still want physical copies. I want the artwork, the liner notes, the crisp sound. And now that I know Academy is still alive & kicking, I see myself becoming a regular. -
Review from Li M.
New York, NY
12/26/2005
You know the guys from High Fidelity? Esp. the character played by Jack Black? Yeah well, the staff at Academy are like that, only they're not snobs. Not that Jack Black's character was a snob...well he was a music snob...but he was funny, so that cancels out that. I mean, they won't look down on you if you want something like Elton John or...Kenny G...
Great selection of vinyls for decent prices. -
Review from Sarah S.
Chicago, IL
7/14/2010
I discovered this place after looking through a guidebook in a nearby Anthropologie store. Although the street outside wasn't very busy, the store seemed to be packed with people. The place was pretty cramped and the spaces were narrow, so it was hard to squeeze by people. Obviously this is because they have so much stuff there!
It was funny to see that they were selling VHS tapes. I haven't seen those for a while! The prices for used things were good, but not much better than the used record stores in my hometown. And the prices for new CDs were no better than any place I can think of. Perhaps by New York standards, this place was awesome, but I just thought it was okay. Part of my problem was also that I couldn't find anything used that I wanted! The used selection was pretty picked over, probably because of all the people who visit it.
I'm sure this place was once great before it made its way into tourists' radar, but now it's just okay. -
Review from Christian R.
Woodside, Queens, NY
7/25/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I love Academy Records to death. I've bought many a CD, DVD and record here. Years ago I'd walk out with bags of CDs only to return and buy hundreds more at cheap prices and in STELLAR condition. Being a huge jazz fan, this place never disappointed. Even classical and electronica you will find some interesting little surprises. Their vinyl collection is a maze of goodness. Knowledgeable and quirky staff provide entertainment by the minute.
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Review from Lauren M.
Brooklyn, NY
1/27/2010
I was pretty bummed when Virgin Megastore closed and frankly NYC needs this place as it's other non-commercial counterpart for essential music.
Aside from any snobby people or whatever is quintessential and expected from a music store, they have a good selection of artists even if the used copies are occasionally overpriced. Otherwise it's reasonable and you're kind of paying more just to discover bands or forgotten albums, they got my mom into Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds which would be worth adding a star for. I just like to look through the sale section and try to find the worst ones out of sport.
This is place is especially good for the anti-itunes generation and of course, record collectors. -
Review from Ricardo r.
Central Point, OR
12/20/2011
Does anybody know if they have Madonna Cds here? Please help me
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Review from Jason D.
Brooklyn, NY
7/13/2011
I like this place. First in 2002 I'd buy stacks of cd's for cheap, now I stick to the vinyl that has slowly been expanding its section. The people are fairly friendly just doing their thing and of course the business is linked to the other Academy's. The store's focus is mainly jazz and classical so don't be bummed if they don't carry an indie release you've been looking for (though they probably have it too).
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Review from Vishal D.
New York, NY
12/8/2007
I'm a sucker for the used record store. Can go in there looking to see if I can find one rarity that I'm happening to look for at the time and come out buying 5. This place has a ton of hard to find and not so hard to find stuff with most of it in very good shape.
Not a big Jazz/classical guy, but the selection here is pretty tremendous.
It's not the Princeton Record Exchange, but its a nice little shop. -
Review from adam d.
Manhattan, NY
4/6/2011
If you're a fan of classical music, John is the man! Not only will he know what the absolute must-have rendition of a particular piece is 9 times out of 10, but the chances are good that it will be in stock! Love this place!!!
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Review from David L.
8/22/2009
Warner Classics UK (Erato) recently re-packaged and re-issued box-sets of William Christie conducting Handel's Alcina, and Orlando & Marc Minkowski conducting Handel's Il Trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno, Teseo, and Amadigi di Gaula & John Eliot Gardener conducting Handel's L'Allegro ed il Penseroso, and Tamerlano Ballet Music... In addition to many other editions in the recent Handel collection, these are available in 6 CD boxes for around $40 each, for these three sets a grand total around $120 -- yet, somehow, walking all over the consumer (they _have_ to know better, they're just assuming the customer doesn't -- I mean, come on, there's a guy in the back (who refuses to acknowledge customer's inquiries) sitting on a computer all day long), I found each of the aforementioned individual 2 and 3 CD sets, totaling 18 discs, priced around $30 each -- that's over $180... So, let me get this straight, for used, worn and weathered boxed-sets, they expect you to pay more than if they were brand new?
Many other things are over-priced as well -- unopened CDs which have been slashed on the spine (a sign that it was a promotional copy from the record company, not meant for resale -- it's written right on the case) are priced around $10.99 -- or you can get them online or in record stores for $15.99 brand new and unharmed -- but then you'd get to miss out on the wonderful experience of suffering through their malfunctioning air-conditioning, their "obscure" and entirely too loud music playing overhead, and their extremely unhelpful employees who refuse to do anything but walk around and talk amongst themselves... They have a strangle-hold on their clientele, knowing full-well that there really aren't any other options anymore since all the HMVs and Tower Records and Virgin Megastores closed-down.
I've found many wonderful things here over the years -- Mompou playing Mompou, Messiaen playing Messiaen, some Albert Ayler rarities, and have on occasion even found things that were extremely scare, even valuable... But nowadays I think they're just really full of themselves, they take themselves entirely too seriously, and they demand your respect and admiration but refuse to earn it... I was in here yesterday for a couple of hours with a fellow record-collector friend visiting from out of town -- I used to be one of their regular, loyal, devoted, big-spending, enthusiastic followers, but not anymore.
Good Bye, Academy Records, it was nice knowing you -- we've grown apart -- we're heading in different directions -- I want more... I deserve better, and that's exactly what I'm going to get from Other Music (on East 4th Street in NoHo) and/or on Amazon.com's used & new marketplace which has an infinitely better selection and better prices without any of the infuriating "atmosphere" or "service."Listed in: Places I'd like to like (NYC)
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Review from Jennifer M.
Atlanta, GA
12/29/2007
Sure they don't have the stuff that I'm normally looking for, but when I have a yearning to buy that copy of La Boheme or Pictures at an Exhibition, this is definitely the place to go. The staff is really helpful and the selection is huge. If you're a classical music junkie, this place is like paradise. The prices are also quite excellent. The other nice thing about Academy is that you can order online as well.
Listed in: New York City, Record Stores
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Review from morecawfee M.
Brooklyn, NY
3/5/2008
Sifting through CDs at this place is my favorite lunch hour blood-pressure-lowering activity, even if they do look at you in awe sometimes for being a female who likes to music-shop on her lunch break (reason: 'round that time is a little sausage-festatic, clientele-wise). Oh, and don't expect to come out of here empty-handed. Rule of thumb: If you plan on just window-shopping, you'll come out with at least five CDs you didn't know you needed. If you walk in planning on picking up one or two, you'll probably leave with a crate. Don't say I didn't warn you.
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Review from Peter D.
Brooklyn, NY
9/17/2007
I used to work across the street and headphones were allowed, so every day I headed here on a break and found something. Prices are right, CD's always work, and they might give you a couple bucks selling back some old ones. Staff is friendly and if you're in on the same genre (I'm not) you'll have a good conversation. A bit cramped, and it looks like they are bombarded with new inventory every day. I haven't found anything lately, but I am not looking as much either. I'll check here several times before going to pay full price for new though, any day.
Listed in: Born to Shop
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Review from Kurt A.
Long Island City, NY
10/12/2009
I've been to Academy several times to look through their $1 classical LPs, each time coming away with a handful of records in nice condition. They also have quite a few nice LPs under $5. Mostly, staff members have been helpful, and once, one even offered to mark down an LP for me. But I've also dealt with a sarcastic staff member who clearly thought I was stupid and let me know. So if you don't mind occasionally being treated like an idiot, depending on whose shift it is, then check out Academy.
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Review from Mike T.
New York, NY
2/4/2007
Ever bored on a rainy Saturday afternoon? Head over to Academy Records and spend hours scrounging through oodles of CDs for promo copies of LPs and lots of other improted goodies, alongside a ton of garbage. You've got to do a lot of searching, but it's good fun and the prices are dirt cheap. I always find some interesting new bits to rock out to on the 'pod ;)
Listed in: Born to Shop
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Review from Jason H.
New York, NY
11/20/2007
Before iTunes, LimeWire, Virgin Megastores, etc., there were quirky, often genre-specific record stores you'd happen across randomly around a corner. Academy Records & CDs is at least one instance in which such stores still exist. Specializing in jazz and classical, the knowledgeable staff and "special" clientele (except yours truly) are straight out of your high school AV Club. The classical selection is amazing. Filled with rarities. And the deals on used discs are often shockingly good. Sadly, of course, today you buy the discs just to upload them onto your computer. But, not everything can be perfect.
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Review from Baron L.
San Francisco, CA
2/23/2007
If you're like me and still love to browse used CD shops for unexpected suprises then Acadamy is for you. They get new stuff when it first comes out (sometimes at used prices) as well as a healthy dose of classics. Great (if loud) staff is generally helpful if you ask.
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Review from Dina B.
New York, NY
8/29/2010
Practically the only place in NYC where you can browse a good selection of classical/jazz CDs and LPs at bargain prices. Huge selection.
Weird thing is that most of the obsessive collectors are almost all men.
Run and managed by what seems like a bunch of characters from a TV sitcom. Beware of one guy there who gets annoyed at people who leave a mess after browsing. -
Review from Henry Y.
7/6/2008
Excellent prices (I got Richard Hell's "Time" retrospective 2xCD for only $6), fair selection given their size, and it's always nice to have these shops surviving in this day and age...
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Review from Liz S.
Brooklyn, NY
11/11/2008
This store is not where you go to check out the latest releases -- go to Virgin or Other Music for that. Academy is more for older jazz aficionados looking for obscure dusty vinyl, or for the penny pinching music fan looking for some cheap second hand tunes. The staff is friendly, the shoppers are major nerds, and they buy back used CDs pretty generously. I'm a fan of the dinosaurs in the window.
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Review from John D.
San Francisco, CA
3/6/2006
This place kills me (and my wallet). Nice employees too.
There is another satellite in Manhattan and another in Brooklyn. -
Review from Aly W.
Brooklyn, NY
12/9/2005
Sorta like shopping in a discount clothing outlet, but for CDs and DVDs. You can easily get a brand-new DVD for under $10 here, and just about every album under the sun...even vinyl!...cheap.
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Review from Mike P.
Leonia, NJ
4/1/2010
As the reviews below describe, there is definitely an indifferent attitude among the staff, but I don't think that it is an intentional meanness. An entirely different vibe than the E. 11th Street Academy store where they have Pop-Rock-Jazz vinyl only and a more relaxed vibe. If you need Classical, this is a great choice and their primary vinyl category, although they are beginning to offer more of a Jazz-Rock selection of vinyl since mid-2010...
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Review from John S.
Middle Village, NY
2/6/2010
Nifty little record shop which I stumbled upon during my High School days since I went to school to blocks away. They sell a lot of used CDs which is good since I was able to pick up a lot of albums for prices cheaper than Best Buy. Since most of their CDs come in from trades their stock will vary from week to week so check back in often. They also sell DVDs and classical records but I never purchases any of there only CDs. 4 stars for nice CD selection, decent prices, and small location prevents 5 stars.
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Review from Kate F.
ASTORIA, NY
3/19/2007
I'm not saying that you can't purchase hard to find classical and jazz albums here, or that their world music selection isn't impressive---it is! My problem is that with the Web, and a host of other similar stores throughout the city, I don't know why anyone would waste their time at Academy. The staff is extremely pretentious, there is NO ROOM to breathe in this overcrowded store, and you have to everything, including your wallet, to roam the place.
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Review from alicia v.
Hauppauge, NY
10/18/2005
Great record store. Among the Virgin Megastores and Best Buys, this is a safe haven for more obscure bands that you might be interested in. Their prices are very reasonable and you can tell the employees really have a passion for music; they won't hesitate to get into discussions with you. A perfect spot for any music fanatic.
