Purchased used reserve R200. Noticed damage. Will this affect sound quality?

Andons27

They seem to sound ok. One speaker isn't damaged, but both sound about the same. Will the tip of the tweeter being broken like this matter? Should I try to negotiate a lower price or just send them back?

treitz3

Find out the cost of a new tweeter, then negotiate.

Used is used but depending on how it was listed? That ain't mint. It's damaged.

Tom

Andons27

It was listed in excellent condition...

treitz3

Well, you wouldn't have posted about it if you were pleased. If these were brought to me in this condition? I would want the tweeter replaced.

It may or may not affect the sound ( I am betting that it would throw of imaging a tad) but this is not, "excellent condition".

If you didn't accidentally do this yourself when unpacking?

Start the process in getting it corrected. It is definitely not the end of the world but it ain't excellent either.

Tom

Andons27

No, the grills were on the speaker and it came in the original packaging. It also has a scuff on the top right side that wasn't in the pictures. Think I just got scammed off eBay because the seller has 100% positive feed back, but looking through the reviews there are duplicate reviews from 3 different users that I noticed. I paid $530. Starting a return, but I have a feeling the seller will never respond, but I have to wait for eBay until the 14th before they get involved. Lesson learned I guess.

msg

That's a bummer.
Yeah, as noted, two options - try to negotiate damage concession, and get a new tweeter, or return.

If you're to any degree particular about your gear, and it sounds like you are, this sort of thing could gnaw at you for the rest of your days. It can ruin relationships, cause you to lose your job, even. I've seen it a million times.

What lesson have you learned?

Andons27

eBay sellers with 1300 sales and 100% satisfaction ratings are probably scamming you somehow. I'm tempted to get my money back and send them back a box of bricks. Also, how do you find a new tweeter? I looked online and couldn't find anywhere to buy one...

msg

Well, you're not really getting scammed though, are you? If you couldn't return them, you would be, but Ebay will take care of it, even if the seller won't. If the scuff and damaged tweeter weren't documented or described, that's your case.

Why not just return them and hold out for a clean pair?

We've all had disappointing experiences. Some have even cost us money. It'll continue to happen from time to time.

I think you'd get in touch with Polk CS for a new tweeter.

F1nut

The tip of the tweeter is VERY easily damaged. Believe it or not, you could have done that VERY easily removing the speaker from the box even with the grill on. Of course, the seller may have done it packing them and not even noticed. It's that easy to damage.

I'm tempted to get my money back and send them back a box of bricks.

That does not reflect well on your character. Nor does your paranoia about sellers scamming you.

You can buy a new tweeter directly from Polk, just call them.

Finally, the slightly damaged tip will have no effect on what you hear.

Andons27

I think it's a scam because the seller has hundreds of reviews that are fake and the speakers don't match the description and are damaged.



Here's a screenshot taken of some of his reviews. I think they take open box items that are damaged and sell them for a premium item hoping the buyer will just overlook the issue or not notice. I was just mad because I felt like they were trying to rip me off, so I would get them back, but I realize that's not very cool. Ideally, I would negotiate. I'll let you guys know what happens...

F1nut

I think it's a scam because the seller has hundreds of reviews that are fake and the speakers don't match the description and are damaged.

Dude, you've got serious issues.

heiney9

I almost had a heart attack when I unpacked my super heavy L600's. I barely swiped across one of the grills with my forearm around the tweeter area and felt the nipple. Didn't even realize how close that tweeter nipple is to the front grill.

Immediately after I realized what I accidentally did, I inspected the tweeter nipple and in my case it was fine. But I could see how the seller or even yourself could have inadvertently done the damage you show packing and unpacking.

I would suggest approaching the seller with a nicer tone than you are displaying here to try and get it resolved. Coming at them in an accusatory fashion isn't going to get you much. Also, this is part of the risks you run buying used rather than new gear. It happens to the best buyers/sellers. Some things just happen. As a buyer you are in the drivers seat if you cool your jets and are reasonable with the seller.

Good luck - and let me get some popcorn

H9

Andons27

I realize how fragile the tweeter is and how easily you could damage it from handling the speaker, and was thinking about this while unpacking the speaker. This damage is from dropping the speaker. The Mark on the top, the broken tweeter. Also, I noticed the mid-range speaker was coming out of its seat and I had to push it back in.

bcwsrt

You didn’t look at the seller’s feedback before buying from them? I’m not convinced it’s fake from your print screen above, but if that was enough for you to determine it was, I’d think you would’ve taken a hard pass.

heiney9

Ok, now you're adding more damage to this thread. What else is wrong with them?. It's possible the kind of damage you've described so far could be shipping damage. What did the seller say?

F1nut

Something got dropped alright, but it wasn't a speaker.

Andons27

He just responded and said that he thinks I dropped the speaker, or they're different speakers than the ones he sent me and won't negotiate anything.


Here are more pictures of the total issues, it doesn't seem like much, but it's not something that would happen during shipping unless somebody opened the box for one reason or another and it didn't appear to be tampered with. I don't like being lied to, and while I can't prove that is the case, it appears to be the only conclusion I can come up with.

msg

Woh dude, that's not a scuff. That was likely fumbled. It is without a doubt impact damage.

Were these shipped in the OE box, bag, and packing foam?

And none of this was shown in the listing photos or noted in the description?


Man, regardless of photos or description, I've taken to explicitly asking now, "Are there any function or cosmetic defects or blemishes not described or shown in the photos?"

I also always primarily shop only for gear with OE boxes and packing materials with few exceptions. If a seller is explicit in his description of packing process, I'll go with it in some cases. Some of the guys here on the forum pack gear better than stock. What I laugh at and walk from is, "Don't worry I pack real good check my feedback i ship lots of stuff w no problem", or if they give me crap on the questions, like it's too much trouble. Later B!

Ebay will likely be on your side.
Do you have the link to the original listing? I wanna see this.

msg

When did you get these speakers?

I did some sleuthing. I found that seller on Ebay. I was trying to see those R200s, but guess maybe the history doesn't go back far enough.

Here's a list of his SOLD / COMPLETED ITEMS

msg

Here's his feedback AS A SELLER. Your screenshot above includes his feedback as a buyer.
Looks like recent sales aren't showing up

bcwsrt

Yep, I’m seeing the same thing.

bcwsrt

He posted this a couple weeks ago …

Andons27 wrote: »

Hello! I'm starting to collect new speakers for my 7.1 slowly. I'm replacing my RTI A9s, A3s, CSI-A6, and A1s. So far I have the R200 bookshelf speakers, but next, I plan on getting the R700 towers and R100s for rears most likely.

…

🤔

msg

Ha! I remember that thread! I contributed to it!

F1nut

There haven't been any white R200's sold on eBay going back to Jan. 11th 2023.

mhardy6647

F1nut wrote: »

There haven't been any white R200's sold on eBay going back to Jan. 11th 2023.

well... the plot thickens, eh?

OleBoot

Clipdat

Weird how it doesn't show up in their completed listings, but yeah here is the original listing: https://www.ebay.com/itm/275697593574

That blemish up on the upper right hand side of the cabinet isn't shown, but it's hard to tell if the tweeter tip was already bent:

Edit: Seller's original pics aren't great, but the tips look intact/undamaged:

Auction says original packing and double boxed even. If the damage was from transit then you'll need to open up a case with eBay. It states seller does not accept returns, but eBay will likely side with you and offer a refund.

msg

OleBoot wrote: »

https://www.ebay.com/itm/275697593574?

@OleBoot is the MASTER sleuth! I suck at Ebaying, apparently.

But yeah, as @Clipdat notes - I didn't see any damage in the listing photos, either.

And they're stated Excellent condition and "Comes double boxed in original packaging."

I'd definitely be opening a case on that. Bait and Switch! Franks and Beans!

Emlyn

The serial numbers are on the back of the speakers in the photos in the Ebay listing. If they're the same as on what was received it's shipping damage and can be claimed through Ebay. If they're different...

I suspect it's just heavy handling during shipment and a drop from height though as the damaged speaker has a ripple in the front baffle at that corner.

Andons27

The speakers were actually packaged pretty well. Was double boxed and taped nicely. They had all the original stuff from the boxes, even the white cover and plastic going over the speakers manual etc.

Andons27

The speaker looks like it hit a hard surface and scraped through the vinyl. Not something that happens in shipping.