Polk direct problem
I bought a black CSI A6 center channel from Polk Direct eBay store about four months back it replaced my CSIa4. I noticed there's about 20-30 hair line splits on the top of the speaker. The hairline splits are exposing the wood.
In only four months this should not be happening. The speaker wasn't near any heat source and not exposed to any moisture/ high humidity.
What else could cause the top finish to split so bad so fast?
I've always heard good things about Polks customer service so I decided to give them a call and see what can be done. Well obviously the guy on the phone said my only option is to buy another cabinet. ( $110 :eek:) plus the $300 I paid for it I could have bought a brand new one.
In only four months this should not be happening. The speaker wasn't near any heat source and not exposed to any moisture/ high humidity.
What else could cause the top finish to split so bad so fast?
I've always heard good things about Polks customer service so I decided to give them a call and see what can be done. Well obviously the guy on the phone said my only option is to buy another cabinet. ( $110 :eek:) plus the $300 I paid for it I could have bought a brand new one.
Post edited by leroyjr1 on
Comments
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I bought a black CSI A6 center channel from Polk Direct eBay store about four months back it replaced my CSIa4. I noticed there's about 20-30 hair line splits on the top of the speaker. The hairline splits are exposing the wood.
In only four months this should not be happening. The speaker wasn't near any heat source and not exposed to any moisture/ high humidity.
What else could cause the top finish to split so bad so fast?
I've always heard good things about Polks customer service so I decided to give them a call and see what can be done. Well obviously the guy on the phone said my only option is to buy another cabinet. ( $110 :eek:) plus the $300 I paid for it I could have bought a brand new one.
Is it just the finish or is the wood splitting as well.
Couple of things come to mind - such as changes in humidity could cause the wood to swell and split the finish, a bad batch of finish or improper application.
Have you looked closely at the rest of the cabinet to see if it is just the top?
Not to downplay your plight - but if it just cosmetic and does not effect audio performance - does this ruin your refurbished experience?
You could always cover up the cracks - if it just the finish - with a black "sharpy" and only you would know or notice.
H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music. -
I had that happen to some older end tables when they were near my dehumidifier in my basement for a while. I can't really see that happening to something newer though. Maybe it's just a bum cabinet. I'm surprised Polk won't help you out with that. I'd try talking to somebody else if you call again.
Polk T90e's(m60)-mains
Polk CS2-center
Polk OWM3's-surrounds
Polk Micro Pro 1000-sub
PS3-blu-ray,gaming
Pioneer 43inch purevision plasma
Onkyo tx-sr606
MIT EXp 1 -
If it upsets you that much, i'd keep calling and talking to different people until someone was willing to help you out, persistence pays off.
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Erik Tracy wrote: »Is it just the finish or is the wood splitting as well.
Couple of things come to mind - such as changes in humidity could cause the wood to swell and split the finish, a bad batch of finish or improper application.
Have you looked closely at the rest of the cabinet to see if it is just the top?
Not to downplay your plight - but if it just cosmetic and does not effect audio performance - does this ruin your refurbished experience?
You could always cover up the cracks - if it just the finish - with a black "sharpy" and only you would know or notice.
It's just the top finish that's splitting. Through the splits you can see the wood. I know it's only cosmetic but it wasn't like that when I got it and in only four months. It wouldn't have been a big concern if I only paid $129 for it but I paid less than $100 for what I could've got a brand new one for. -
Its not high humidity thats causing the problem...its usually dryness. Wood shrinks when dry and expands when wet. It can be a problem with wood floors...no cracks in the summer when it is humid and cracks in the winter when it is dry. It is likely that it wasn't sealed very well. If any surface of wood is unfinished then moisture can transfer in/out.
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Man, now i'm going to be constantly checking over my refurbished A7's...:p:eek:
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I bought a black CSI A6 center channel from Polk Direct eBay store about four months back it replaced my CSIa4. I noticed there's about 20-30 hair line splits on the top of the speaker. The hairline splits are exposing the wood.
In only four months this should not be happening. The speaker wasn't near any heat source and not exposed to any moisture/ high humidity.
What else could cause the top finish to split so bad so fast?
I've always heard good things about Polks customer service so I decided to give them a call and see what can be done. Well obviously the guy on the phone said my only option is to buy another cabinet. ( $110 :eek:) plus the $300 I paid for it I could have bought a brand new one.
Who did you speak with exactly?CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
I bought a black CSI A6 center channel from Polk Direct eBay store about four months back it replaced my CSIa4. I noticed there's about 20-30 hair line splits on the top of the speaker. The hairline splits are exposing the wood.
In only four months this should not be happening. The speaker wasn't near any heat source and not exposed to any moisture/ high humidity.
What else could cause the top finish to split so bad so fast?
I've always heard good things about Polks customer service so I decided to give them a call and see what can be done. Well obviously the guy on the phone said my only option is to buy another cabinet. ( $110 :eek:) plus the $300 I paid for it I could have bought a brand new one.
What was the name of the CS representative? I presume you called the 800 number correct?CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
Get some stain touch up pens, and a decent sealer. It'll do the trick, and won't break the bank.
Your problem is more than likely due to dryness. Is it sitting in direct sunlight at any point during the day? That would definitely be contributing to it if it is.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 -
What was the name of the CS representative? I presume you called the 800 number correct?
Yep called the 800 number and asked to talk to warranty and the guy said he could answer any of my questions. That's as far as I got on my three attemps.
I figured since I had $5200 worth of Polk audio receipts they would take care of a good customer. I guess I figured wrong. That's not even including what I bought used. -
comfortablycurt wrote: »Get some stain touch up pens, and a decent sealer. It'll do the trick, and won't break the bank.
Your problem is more than likely due to dryness. Is it sitting in direct sunlight at any point during the day? That would definitely be contributing to it if it is.
All my other speakers are fine and as far as in direct sunlight the basement has no windows so sunlight is out the question. It also wasn't by any heat sources. -
3 attempts? Did you talk to 3 different people? If you bought it from Polk Direct, why don't you have the receipt? If so, I'd imagine there is a record of the transaction on the other side. I'm going to talk with CS tomorrow and get more of the story.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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I think doro's point was that you should always ask for a name. Polk's known for it's CS and I don't think from your side of the conversation, that they would leave you high and dry about an obvious warranty issue. Someone didn't handle your call correctly. Now specifically, you got one of the A6s @ $129. That's a ridiculously low price. That batch of refurbs may have had a finish issue, thus the price. However, you should definitely check further into the matter...I'd think it would pay off.Yep called the 800 number and asked to talk to warranty and the guy said he could answer any of my questions. That's as far as I got on my three attemps.
I figured since I had $5200 worth of Polk audio receipts they would take care of a good customer. I guess I figured wrong. That's not even including what I bought used.
Combo rig:
Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
PB13Ultra RO
BW Silvers
Oppo BDP-83SE -
Ron
I stated in my earlier post that I paid $300 for it and if I got the batch that sold for $129 then I wouldn't be so mad. -
All my other speakers are fine and as far as in direct sunlight the basement has no windows so sunlight is out the question. It also wasn't by any heat sources.
I see...well that's not the problem then.
Must be an issue with some lower quality veneer or something if I had to guess.
Good luck getting it sorted out though.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 -
Oops...I had better read more carefullyRon
I stated in my earlier post that I paid $300 for it and if I got the batch that sold for $129 then I wouldn't be so mad.
.
Combo rig:
Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
PB13Ultra RO
BW Silvers
Oppo BDP-83SE -
My A6 is 4months old no problems so far,sounds like that was a bad-one.Linn AV5140 fronts
Linn AV5120 Center
Linn AV5140 Rears
M&K MX-70 Sub for Music
Odyssey Mono-Blocs
SVS Ultra-13 Gloss Black:D -
I bought a black CSI A6 center channel from Polk Direct eBay store about four months back it replaced my CSIa4. I noticed there's about 20-30 hair line splits on the top of the speaker. The hairline splits are exposing the wood.
In only four months this should not be happening. The speaker wasn't near any heat source and not exposed to any moisture/ high humidity.
What else could cause the top finish to split so bad so fast?
I've always heard good things about Polks customer service so I decided to give them a call and see what can be done. Well obviously the guy on the phone said my only option is to buy another cabinet. ( $110 :eek:) plus the $300 I paid for it I could have bought a brand new one.
Had a similar situation happen in a house i helped complete in the late fall, new interior finish work, nice tight joints, the heat gets turned on, boom!, everything popped wide open, doors wont close, miters opened right up. Also saw lot's of your problem refered to as "checking", could have been high moisture content in the cabinet upon manufacture, or as another member posted a bad veneer.Receiver: Pioneer Elite SC-05
Amp: Emotiva Xpa-3
Front L/R: POLK Rti-a9s':D
Center:POLK Csi-a6
Rear surround's:POLK Rti-a1s'
Sub: Klipsch Synergy sub-12
Sony Kdl-46w4100 46" LCD
PS3
Audioquest type 4 wiring. -
With black finishing on top of the wood, the wood should not be very effected to get 2-30 hair lines cracks on the finishing. Dryness, moisture, and temperature all caused problems for woods in a way but the problems with this particular one seems to lies in the wood (MDF) they use. The MDF used in your speaker may have been exposed to moisture and the factory may not aware of it or aware of it but used it anyway. The finishing is pretty much standard spray and paint or veneer on top. If you see problems across the other areas of the speakers, the guy who formulated the paint for finishing job sucks.
Having a speaker with 20-30 hair lines cracks are definitely a question about QC. I would call Polk again and ask the manager why it happened and see if it makes any difference.Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin: -
I bought a black CSI A6 center channel from Polk Direct eBay store about four months back it replaced my CSIa4. I noticed there's about 20-30 hair line splits on the top of the speaker. The hairline splits are exposing the wood.
In only four months this should not be happening. The speaker wasn't near any heat source and not exposed to any moisture/ high humidity.
What else could cause the top finish to split so bad so fast?
I've always heard good things about Polks customer service so I decided to give them a call and see what can be done. Well obviously the guy on the phone said my only option is to buy another cabinet. ( $110 :eek:) plus the $300 I paid for it I could have bought a brand new one.
pics?my 7.(1x4) HT setup
TV - Mitsubishi WD-65734
AVP / Amp - Onkyo PR-SC885P / D-Sonic 2500-7
Front - Emerald Physics CS2
Center - JTR Triple 12LF
Surround L/R / Back - Polk RTi4 / Polk FXi A4
Sub - 4 X Hsu ULS15 playing nearfield
DVD / CDP - Sony PS3/40GB / Sony SCD-XA9000ES
Belkin PURE AV PF60 / UPS
Buttkicker
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60612 -
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I was told the refurbs carry the SAME warranty as a brand new speaker... So if you had purchased a brand new speaker and it had the same problem, would they treat it the same way?
I doubt it, I would call back and talk to them again.
As you said, you are a good Polk customer, they should go the extra distance to keep you happy. -
This refurb warranty issue needs to be answered, on the level.CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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Here's what's on this website about warranties:
http://www.polkaudio.com/support/direct_sales_refunds.php#q9-3
The last sentence doesn't bode well for you:
"Furthermore, Polk Audio, Inc., does not warrant any COSMETIC APPEARANCE, IMPERFECTIONS OR BLEMISHES on this Polk Audio Loudspeaker Product."
However, my past experience is that good companies will ignore disclaimers like this in order to keep a good customer happy. I've read a lot of your posts, and I'd certainly say that you're a good customer. Like others have said, keep calling and if that person can't help you, keep going up the chain. I've got to say, this is one of the only issues I've read about Polk Audio Direct. I hope it gets resolved to your satisfaction.
Also, you need to post some pics, so we all can understand the degree of the problem, and make better suggestions. Good luck! -
first lesson learned ALWAYS ask for a name when calling any company about any problem....always get the name.....I have always had great CS thru Polk and I am sure they will solve your problem....
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mdaudioguy wrote:Here's what's on this website about warranties:
http://www.polkaudio.com/support/direct_sales_refunds.php#q9-3
The last sentence doesn't bode well for you:
"Furthermore, Polk Audio, Inc., does not warrant any COSMETIC APPEARANCE, IMPERFECTIONS OR BLEMISHES on this Polk Audio Loudspeaker Product."
However, my past experience is that good companies will ignore disclaimers like this in order to keep a good customer happy. I've read a lot of your posts, and I'd certainly say that you're a good customer. Like others have said, keep calling and if that person can't help you, keep going up the chain. I've got to say, this is one of the only issues I've read about Polk Audio Direct. I hope it gets resolved to your satisfaction.
I think the OP needs to just live with the imperfections. I'm sure he got a great deal by going the ebay/refurb route and bought the speaker significantly under MSRP. I think is is reasonable that the speaker work as it is intended to for the life of the warranty. I think it is unreasonable to purchase a speaker at a significant disount (with adequate disclaimers regarding appearance issues) then expect all the rights as though it were bought new at full MSRP. I think he is expecting too much."Just because youre offended doesnt mean youre right." - Ricky Gervais
"For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase
"Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson -
Only camera I have is my I-phone for now.
iPhone should work good enough, give it a try. Doesn't that thing have a 3mp camera on it? Post them up for us to see, no proof without pic.;) -
I think the OP needs to just live with the imperfections. I'm sure he got a great deal by going the ebay/refurb route and bought the speaker significantly under MSRP. I think is is reasonable that the speaker work as it is intended to for the life of the warranty. I think it is unreasonable to purchase a speaker at a significant disount (with adequate disclaimers regarding appearance issues) then expect all the rights as though it were bought new at full MSRP. I think he is expecting too much.
He said it wasn't like that when he bought it, so i think that would make things a little different. -
Shouldn't make any difference, that's what the warranty is for. However, if there are signs of abuse, such as using it as an outdoor speaker, than I could see otherwise.
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I think the OP needs to just live with the imperfections. I'm sure he got a great deal by going the ebay/refurb route and bought the speaker significantly under MSRP. I think is is reasonable that the speaker work as it is intended to for the life of the warranty. I think it is unreasonable to purchase a speaker at a significant disount (with adequate disclaimers regarding appearance issues) then expect all the rights as though it were bought new at full MSRP. I think he is expecting too much.
No I didn't get a great deal on it. I would've paid the extra $80 or so if I known this was going to happen and got a new one. When I bought it four months back it didn't have any splits in the cabinet. I would've sent it back.
