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Buying large audio equipment

Hey Guys,

After purchasing some sweet Polk audio tweeters from Amazon, I'm now one step away from completing our "home theatre" system. Only thing left is a nice woofer but as I was about to get it from Amazon, I literally removed it from the cart. The only thing that's holding me back is the size.

I don't purchase large electronics online. Just because of safety reasons and the annoyance that may come with returning or exchange the product etc.  I trust Amazon and love how they release an invoice right away but still . . .

Have you guys ever bought any large audio equipment online. Is it a safe bet? Or am I better off just walking into a BestBuy, etc.
jumperboy
14 responses Add your response
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
2,766 posts
 
I bought a 6K McIntosh preamp and a 6.5K McIntosh integrated online.  Over 100 pounds each with no worries or problems.
jumperboy OP
4 posts
 
Good to hear Stereo5 - I guess it's time for me to be more trustworthy of all this online hoopla. Thanks for sharing! PS: Nice pre-amp! A bit out of my budget but yeah. Good for you :)
steakster
720 posts
 
If the item ships from the manufacturer - or the Amazon warehouse, then all should be ok.   If it ships from a private party, I’d pass - unless they prove that they have the original packing materials.  Double-boxing is a good thing.  There are many horror stories of shipping damage.
dweller's avatar
dweller
2,152 posts
 
Just look it over top-to-bottom when it arrives. If there is obvious damage, simply refuse delivery and make drive note on receipt.
Also, all Amazon items are returnable if D.O.A., I believe...
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
3,018 posts
 
There's no reason to worry about a purchase and shipping from a manufacturer or dealer. After all, their reputation is on the line.
   When buying from a private seller you need to do your due diligence. I bought a pair of used floorstanders based on the seller's feedback.

BYW, most audio components sold thru Amazon are actually coming from third party sellers, some of them very well known such as Audio Advisor.

  
sfar's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
sfar
1,352 posts
 
Whom you buy it from and how they package it is very important but you're still at the mercy of the delivery process. A determined delivery driver can damage anything, regardless of how well it's packed. As dweller indicated, one of the advantages of buying through Amazon is how easy it is to deal with returns. If the item is damaged, doesn't operate properly or you simply don't like it all you have to do is initiate the return process online, print out a free return label and send it back. UPS will even pick it up from you. My experience is that Amazon then sends a replacement or credits your account even before they get the return. 
chayro
1,801 posts
 
No.  But I made a vow I'm not buying anything anymore that I can't lift.  
That's it.  
secretguy
199 posts
 
I made a vow not to buy anything from BB. LOL
n80
1,227 posts
 
Maybe off topic....but what makes some of this stuff so heavy? My speakers weigh 130 pounds each with metal bases attached. I understand that...large magnets, lots of structural stuff to keep them rigid etc. But, my amp (250wpc Madrigal Proceed HPA2 (Levinson)) weighs about 100 pounds and looks like most of the bulk is heat sink. But the heat sink is in the back and all the weight is up front. What makes an amp so heavy and in this day and age is that really necessary?
djones51
617 posts
 
It's the transformers. That amp the HPA2 has 2 of them in the front. 
jumperboy OP
4 posts
 
Just look it over top-to-bottom when it arrives. If there is obvious damage, simply refuse delivery and make drive note on receipt.Also, all Amazon items are returnable if D.O.A., I believe...

Yeah I guess. I prefer Amazon right now over anything anyways. Thx for the responses guys.

@secretguy  - Totally! I actually despise BestBuy but felt like I had no choice. 5 years ago I bought a TV from them and it was such a mess.

I will definitely by big ticket items online now. As long as I hold on to my receipt, I think I'll be alright. Cheers!
uberwaltz's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
uberwaltz
4,946 posts
 
My experience is very good for all large pieces EXCEPT subs!

Usually the speaker basket and magnet are so heavy unless they are packaged like fort knox then invariably they break in transit.
Had two myself suffer this so subs I now will only buy local and collect.
While I agree Amazon is easy enough to return if damaged the aim is to get one in perfect shape and NOT go through all the hassle of returns, upset etc.
noromance's avatar
noromance
1,780 posts
 
Paid $1000 to ship Quad 57s. Arrived in huge boxes bolted to pallets. No issues.
REL subwoofers by USPS with no issues either. 
uberwaltz's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
uberwaltz
4,946 posts
 
I guess you were lucky.
It does not make much difference how well the outside is packed with subs as it is usually the sheer weight and size of the internal driver of a sub that is the problem and it moving during transit.
My rel arrived with basket completely snapped off every section at the magnet but perfect cosmetics!
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