2. cables
  3. 1426195382

Counterfeit Audioquest Cables

I just wanted to put out a general query in regards to how people feel Audioquest is handling the issue of counterfeit cables. Personally, I am a huge fan of Audioquest and their products but I feel there could be a little more room for transparency on their behalf... No pun intended...

I don't mean to sound like a total heretic or a paranoid conspiracy theorist but I don't feel like my suspicions would be totally misplaced if I were to speculate that Audioquest is not only benefiting from the existence of bogus copycat look alikes but that they are deliberately allowing it to happen if not entirely responsible for it in the first place.

It is undeniably an effective way to dissuade consumers from private sales and coercing them into paying full retail prices for any of their products. It's also hard to ignore the steady decline in classified ads for Audioquest products on the various audiomarts.

Also, to the best of my knowledge, the AudioQuest Authentication Process also does not require them to explain their findings thus granting them authority to summarily judge a cable's authenticity.

In my humble opinion, a company as innovative as Audioquest could certainly divine a method to apply serial numbers to their products. That way, everything could be traceable and consumers could register their products. Not to mention that Audioquest could rebuild some of the lost confidence in their brand name.

Am I totally out of line here or perhaps missing something obvious? I would love to hear more points of view...
pontifex

Showing 4 responses by pontifex

pontifex OP
31 posts
 
This is excellent! Thanks for participating in this discussion. I was worried I would get a little bit of negative backlash but it's good to know that I'm not completely alone.

So far I am only familiar with Audioquest interconnects but I feel that this is a good time to branch out and try other brands. I also agree with Nicotico that their marketing isn't perfectly sound either. I think they would be better off by simplifying their lineup with half as many products and at half of their price points.
pontifex OP
31 posts
 
Very good point Zd542. I am also a huge Bryston fan and have owned over a dozen of their products. I even visited their shop once completely unannounced and got the royal treatment from them! Unbeatable service although they don't have any counterfeiting issues. At least not to the same degree.
pontifex OP
31 posts
 
Thank you, Jmcgrogan2! That is very helpful info.

I was unaware that other companies are producing serialized cables. I'm definitely going to follow up on that and look into these companies you've mentioned to better familiarize myself.

I also agree in terms of sending products to Audioquest. They really offer nothing in terms of consolation if they say that your cable isn't genuine. Many people would probably rather keep the cable to at least have something to show for their money instead of risking playing "Audioquest Roulette".
pontifex OP
31 posts
 
Let's keep it cordial folks! :)
More to discover