"Image Reference" speakers out of a minivan?

cokewithvanilla
cokewithvanilla Posts: 1,777
edited October 2010 in The Clubhouse
I was driving to school and some guy in a minivan stopped and asked if I wanted to buy a home theater system. his story was that he installs HT systems and had an extra set of "Image Reference" speakers that are worth 2k. Obviously, I am not gonna buy anything out of a minivan, so I said that I was good.

I can't really find anything on image reference, are these real and he was trying to pawn fakes, or are these just some minivan brand?
Post edited by cokewithvanilla on
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Comments

  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited October 2010
    Uhm, white van speaker scam.

    This has been going on for years, and there are several threads posted on here and many other forums. Give it a search ;)
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


    heiney9 wrote: »
    Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec.
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  • Jstas
    Jstas Posts: 14,808
    edited October 2010
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=108197
    Expert Moron Extraordinaire

    You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you!
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  • cokewithvanilla
    cokewithvanilla Posts: 1,777
    edited October 2010
    kawizx9r wrote: »
    Uhm, white van speaker scam.

    This has been going on for years, and there are several threads posted on here and many other forums. Give it a search ;)

    Yeah, I've seen that, but this was a silver van :D
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  • Jstas
    Jstas Posts: 14,808
    edited October 2010
    First two links in Google for "Image Reference Home Theater"

    http://image-reference.com/products.htm

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_van_speaker_scam


    Where do people "search" that they can never find anything?

    Srsly.
    Expert Moron Extraordinaire

    You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you!
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited October 2010
    Give them $10 and smash it in front of them.

    White van...speaker scam!

    If you want to waste time on them (for a good laugh) , start asking specs.

    What class amplifier? Does it do DD/DTS/HDMI? What's the THD rating on the amps? etc etc.. you can see how it can go on and on for a good laugh at their expense. Also ask them why they're the only brand who has the price stamped on the box....
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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  • cokewithvanilla
    cokewithvanilla Posts: 1,777
    edited October 2010
    nguyendot wrote: »
    Also ask them why they're the only brand who has the price stamped on the box....

    that's great hah
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  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited October 2010
    cokewithvanilla wrote: »
    yeah, i've seen that, but this was a silver van :d

    lol......
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


    heiney9 wrote: »
    Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec.
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited October 2010
    FWIW, I picked up a set of White Van Scam speakers in a parking lot one day, and happily used them for like 4 years. Were they top of the line speakers? Not by any means. Did they sound decent enough to make me happy? Absolutely. Never had a single problem with the setup either...still have it for that matter.

    The guy was originally asking like $300 for it, but I managed to talk him down to like $50. It was well worth every penny.:)
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited October 2010
    comfortablycurt wrote: »
    FWIW, I picked up a set of White Van Scam speakers in a parking lot one day, and happily used them for like 4 years. Were they top of the line speakers? Not by any means. Did they sound decent enough to make me happy? Absolutely. Never had a single problem with the setup either...still have it for that matter.

    The guy was originally asking like $300 for it, but I managed to talk him down to like $50. It was well worth every penny.:)

    I need to find these guys so I can get some for $50 for the garage lol.
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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  • bobman1235
    bobman1235 Posts: 10,822
    edited October 2010
    Jstas wrote: »
    Where do people "search" that they can never find anything?

    Srsly.

    Seriously, I would LOVE an answer to this question.

    You guys know that "looking around your room" isn't "searching the Internet" right?
    If you will it, dude, it is no dream.
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited October 2010
    Looks a little Emotiva...

    m1.gif
    Jake
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,195
    edited October 2010
    nguyendot wrote: »
    I need to find these guys so I can get some for $50 for the garage lol.

    Exactly what I use in my garage system. As Curt said, they're not great, but I've had mine for about 15 years now. Within a week a buddy and I both fell victim to the "white van speaker" scam. We were excited to tell each other about the great deal we got:o:D We laughed so hard when we realized we'd both been had. Embarrasing, but now it seems they were worth the price I paid (about $100).
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited October 2010
    What I hate are the people who get these, then hock them on craigslist.

    "I paid 3500 but I'll settle for $1000"
    seriously.
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kawizx9r
    kawizx9r Posts: 5,150
    edited October 2010
    nguyendot wrote: »
    What I hate are the people who get these, then hock them on craigslist.

    "I paid 3500 but I'll settle for $1000"
    seriously.

    True, but it wouldn't be a bad idea (as one of the sellers) to post them up on CL claiming they paid alot more for them. Maybe they're getting desperate? :confused:
    Truck setup
    Alpine 9856
    Phoenix Gold RSD65CS

    For Sale
    Polk SR6500
    Polk SR5250
    Polk SR104


    heiney9 wrote: »
    Any clue how to use the internet? Found it in about 10 sec.
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited October 2010
    There we some *holes here running CL ads for "Polks"
    new in box , but the picture showed typical white van speakers.
    I emailed them of that fact. Next day, ad for Paradigm speakers new in box.
    Same picture. They know no shame. Normally run by ex con's in rental
    vans or SUVs. We are installers and got too many, etc. etc. etc.
    Anyone selling anything out of their vehicle with a slick come on is
    scamming you. End of story.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited October 2010
    nguyendot wrote: »
    I need to find these guys so I can get some for $50 for the garage lol.

    CL has no shortage of real speakers for $50 every day.
    They normally aren't going to sell them that cheap, anyway.
    There cost is around $100. Anything over that is their profit
    for the day minus the van rental and gas.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited October 2010
    Jstas wrote: »
    First two links in Google for "Image Reference Home Theater"

    http://image-reference.com/products.htm

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_van_speaker_scam


    Where do people "search" that they can never find anything?

    Srsly.

    LOl, love how they copied the Bose cubes. Would be funny if they sound just as good if not better than Bose.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    edited October 2010
    I remember one of the audio stores were I used to work did a public service item on a local TV station on white van speakers. Our service guy would show the reporter what a speaker's crossover should look like. Then he removed the crossover from the van speaker and it was just a blocking cap on the tweeter. Nothing else on the woofer or mid range driver. Then he explained how important a crossover was and why a good speaker had one. The station ran the article quite a few times and even went to the warehouse where they loaded up the trucks every morning.
    At another store the van would park in our parking lot and try to hook customers as they walked in. We ran them off after claimed the speakers were made by Infinity.
    I guess they come back every few years.
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited October 2010
    Jstas wrote: »

    Where do people "search" that they can never find anything?

    Too easy

    between YOUR ears.

    next question???

    gotcha.

    RT1
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  • orrb_05
    orrb_05 Posts: 215
    edited October 2010
    These dudes must be nation wide! I got hit up for the same scam when I lived in D.C. back in 2003. It sounded too good to be true, and I'd never heard of the brand name. Maybe I could have scored a kick-**** system!
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  • docjl
    docjl Posts: 41
    edited October 2010
    Yep,

    I think they ARE nationwide!!

    I've been approached THREE TIMES in the last 5 years here in Vegas, always 2 guys in a van or large SUV, launching into the same story!

    (I think if you drive a nice car you are more likely to be targeted).
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited October 2010
    Sherardp wrote: »
    LOl, love how they copied the Bose cubes. Would be funny if they sound just as good if not better than Bose.

    The White Van speakers that I got are the same thing...copies of the Bose cubes. They sound just as good, if not better than the real Bose systems. I'm not joking.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • swegyptian
    swegyptian Posts: 316
    edited October 2010
    Is there a school where these guys learn the same story? It's always the same!
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