QOTD: What audio manufacturer supports the hobby the most?
Jstas
Posts: 14,806
I'm sure most here will say Polk and I would tend to agree. However, my experience with companies other than Polk is limited because I often buy used equipment and do not get to have the full luxury of manufacturer support.
But I know many of you have bought from other places so tell us, is Polk the best when it comes to customer support or does a smaller, lower volume company have the edge? Don't be afraid to go against the grain here either. Let us know, maybe there is a chance to "Broaden our Horizons" here. Or Ominis if you're not a Plymouth person.
Me, like I said I have to go with Polk. They give us this forum to beat each other up in and the host parties at their HQ for all of us in ClubPolk. They also sponsor meets and provide door prizes. They contribute to our charities and causes and then even TALK to us on their forums! How cool is that? Add to that the stellar Customer Service and general pleasantness and they are hard to beat.
I mean other companies have come close. Carver comes to mind but not since Bob left the company. He still supports his stuff himself and while he can be curmudgeonly, he is always happy to help an enthusiast. The guys over at AV123 seem very zealous and enthusiastic about supporting their user community as well. But I still think Polk has them beat.
But I know many of you have bought from other places so tell us, is Polk the best when it comes to customer support or does a smaller, lower volume company have the edge? Don't be afraid to go against the grain here either. Let us know, maybe there is a chance to "Broaden our Horizons" here. Or Ominis if you're not a Plymouth person.
Me, like I said I have to go with Polk. They give us this forum to beat each other up in and the host parties at their HQ for all of us in ClubPolk. They also sponsor meets and provide door prizes. They contribute to our charities and causes and then even TALK to us on their forums! How cool is that? Add to that the stellar Customer Service and general pleasantness and they are hard to beat.
I mean other companies have come close. Carver comes to mind but not since Bob left the company. He still supports his stuff himself and while he can be curmudgeonly, he is always happy to help an enthusiast. The guys over at AV123 seem very zealous and enthusiastic about supporting their user community as well. But I still think Polk has them beat.
Expert Moron Extraordinaire
You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you!
You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you!
Post edited by Jstas on
Comments
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Polk, hands down. It was their customer support and fan-base here that convinced me that I wanted to be a Polkster."Dr Dunn admitted that his research could also be interpreted as evidence that women are shallower than men. He said: "Let's face it - there's evidence to support it."
My System:Best Buy is for people who don't know any better. Magnolia is for people who don't know any better and have more money to spend.
TV: SAMSUNG UN55B7000 55" 1080p LED HDTV
HTPC: Chromecast w/ Plex Media Server. Media streamed from Media Server. -
I agree that Polk Audio is among the best. I have had outstanding service from Music Hall, Pro-Ject, B&K, Parasound, and Paradigm. I'm using an expanded definition of manufacturer becasue in the case of Music Hall and Pro-ject you're really dealing with the US representatives of the manufacture(s).DKG999
HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED
Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC -
I gotta tip my hat to Bob Carver/Sunfire. He has gone above and beyond in taking care of those of us that own his gear. He was personally involved in the rebuild of my 600x2. Polk has also done well with their continued support of gear that is pushing 30 years old.The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson -
Sunfire didn't do it. Bob and some of his former employees are doing it.
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Hey John, what the hell kind of a dumb **** question is that??
Polk of course!!
My only problem with them is they do too good a job. I've said this before and I'll say it again. A few years ago I spoke to Ken in C.S. and I've been down the rabbit hole ever since. If he didn't do a thorough job I would not be a member here but, I would have more available cash thats for sure. -
Sunfire did take care of my TGP-5 as well. Bob signed it while it was there.The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson -
Nelson Pass.
He designs circuits and amps and towards the end of the production run he makes the schematics available to the DIY community and then is available to mentor and tutor people.
He's always available to answer questions and seems to keep moving forward in the hobby. He contributes a lot to the DIY community and could easily charge for his services, advice, designs and whatnot but keeps it as close to grass roots as possible (especially the First Watt stuff). He seems to be in it for the love of the hobby first and the $$$/making a living second.
BAT and Monarchy and Odyssey are right up as well with outstanding customer service and interaction with its customers regardless if you are the original owner.
H9"Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul! -
Not sure about "supporting the hobby", but these are the ones I've dealt with that have outstanding Customer Service and/or Technical Support.
Polk
Thiel
Clearaudio
Antique Sound Labs
Sony ES_________________________________________________
***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***
2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
SOPAThank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman -
Polk is #1 in my book & Quest for Sound is #1a, but I've also received stellar customer service from Spectral, VPI and Flat Earth Audio (SME supporters).
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Joe, you forgot to mention VTI..._________________________________________________
***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***
2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
SOPAThank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman -
Wow... the thread that saw Carl first unleash the Kraken. What a blast from the past.I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
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zombie boy 2000 wrote: »Wow... the thread that saw Carl first unleash the Kraken. What a blast from the past.
Huh? It's not about customer service. I asked what manufacturer supports the HOBBY, not the customer. Customer Service is only one aspect of that. I know there are others out there that are heavily involved. Thought it'd be good conversation if people can stay on topic.Expert Moron Extraordinaire
You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you! -
Polk rocks. I have said many times they good above and beyond with there CS. Not many companys sell replacement parts for speakers over 30 years old! OK now on the support of the HOOBY. not many compaines have feasts like Polk and Bob Carver.Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
Thanks
Ben -
Joe, you forgot to mention VTI...
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!:eek::eek::eek::eek: -
hearingimpared wrote: »Polk is #1 in my book & Quest for Sound is #1a, but I've also received stellar customer service from Spectral, VPI and Flat Earth Audio (SME supporters).
I would like to add that Spectral, VPI and Flat Earth Audio support and provide parts for legacy products. VPI still provide upgrades to the HW series turntables which have been out of production for quite some time. -
polkaudio
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Polk, B&K and KEF.
I'd also say B&W based on the fact I registered some used 20 year old speakers on the website and they sent me a very nice key chain. You just never know what you'll get when you do that stuff sometimes.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. -
Outlaw Audio has amazing support and service.Sharp Elite 70
Anthem D2V 3D
Parasound 5250
Parasound HCA 1000 A
Parasound HCA 1000
Oppo BDP 95
Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
Totem Mask Surrounds X4
Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
Sony PS3
Squeezebox Touch
Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door. -
Polk! Not just because of their CS, but because of the price breaks we(public) get from Newegg, Polk-ebay, etc.
I dare anyone to find a speaker at the price point of the Monitor line, with THAT level of SQ.
There aren't any.
Period.I refuse to argue with idiots, because people can't tell the DIFFERENCE! -
Huh? It's not about customer service. I asked what manufacturer supports the HOBBY, not the customer.
Don't like the answers? Stop asking questions. :rolleyes:;)_________________________________________________
***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***
2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
SOPAThank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman -
Huh? It's not about customer service. I asked what manufacturer supports the HOBBY, not the customer. Customer Service is only one aspect of that. I know there are others out there that are heavily involved. Thought it'd be good conversation if people can stay on topic.
Oh...hmm, then I would say Polk, Signal Cable & MyeSound. They have all supported Polkfests and/or GTG's and never asked for anything in return. Frank even offers a discount to Polkies.
Polk has gone above and beyond support of the hobby. Let me know how many other manufacturers "lend" out so much gear over a given year, to so many different people? Have forum based focus groups, fly in Polkies if need be and offer prototype demos for feedback...hmmm.
It ain't Emotiva...sorry a CDP here or there just doesn't cut it and your YEARS behind.
Polk defines the customer and support of the hobby...they should all learn from that.
Oh wait....SVS started doing things like this based on the Polk model whether Ron admits it or not.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. -
Isn't supporting customers somewhat the same as supporting the hobby? If manufacturers don't support the customers, there's not going to be much of a hobby to support.DKG999
HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED
Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC -
Don't like the answers? Stop asking questions. :rolleyes:;)
Again, huh? I didn't say I liked the answers or not. zombie boy said it was a question that Carl first unleashed the Krakken on. But it's not 'cause that was about customer service. I asked about the hobby. I was attempting to avoid a needless flame war, not commenting on the posts.Expert Moron Extraordinaire
You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you! -
Carada, SVS, and JVC get my vote outside of Polk.Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!
Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580 -
We support the audio manufacturer and the Hobby.
But I will say Polk Audio of course and the members here, if not for the two together I would have never known what is a/or own any SDA's.
With who I have had to deal with in the last year since getting my feet wet, I will say Adcom/Jolida, and I really don't care what anybody has to say but my dealings with Emotiva went far and beyond with CS, they are just as concerned with helping out a customer as Polk Audio. with that said My XPA-3 will be the only and last Emotiva gear I will ever own.
Jolida just plain Kicks **** as far as dealings with the customers needs.
