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Thread: Dahlton AV 5.1 THX Home Theatre System? |
    
New member Username: Scammednflorida
Post Number: 1
Registered: Mar-06
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| Posted on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 07:37 pm: |
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Apparently I've been scammed myself! Two guys, white SUV. Same misorder line. I offered them $100, and they almost drove off. So the other guy came around and talked me up to $200. Gave me his phone number, and the name of a bar where he usually hangs out at. Checked online to resell... and found this site. Geesh, what scammers. Lets try the phone number.... 954-330-5570, nope doesnt even work, he provided an order number so I can get the warranty. What a rip off. Hope I see these guys again...pop their tires, key their car, and mug them if you find'm. |
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Relevant Product Info
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New member Username: Joeschmo
Post Number: 1
Registered: Mar-06
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| Posted on Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 03:14 pm: |
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http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Kirsch-Loud-Speakers-K10-5-1-Home-Cinema-Sub-Woofer_W0QQ itemZ9704621630QQcategoryZ14993QQtcZphotoQQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem |
New member Username: Abraxsmith
Post Number: 2
Registered: Mar-06
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| Posted on Friday, March 31, 2006 - 02:46 am: |
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Hey Joseph,
Do you honestly think anyone who has seen this webpage is going to bid on Ebay 4 your speakers?
I mean, your picture's are "ONLY" of the box, not the actual speakers.
Oh! and I love your refund policy.
Are we studying to be a lawyer or something?
ANYBODY WHO BIDS ON THEM DESERVES WHAT THEY GET!
Lol!!!!!!!!!!
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New member Username: Happier
POCO,
BC
Canada
Post Number: 1
Registered: Apr-06
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| Posted on Friday, April 07, 2006 - 09:45 pm: |
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Its true what they say about Andrew. Contact him. He will give you you're money back. |
New member Username: Cwsucks
Post Number: 1
Registered: Apr-06
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| Posted on Sunday, April 09, 2006 - 03:19 pm: |
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For those of you in the Vancouver, BC area... The number to call to get into contact with CommonWealth Distributors is 604-988-8233 <-- this is their newest number. |
New member Username: Esanch
Post Number: 1
Registered: Apr-06
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| Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 - 06:56 pm: |
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Hey everyone out there that got taken 4 a ride, I'm sorry for all of you that did but if it wasn't 4 your postings I wouldn't have gotten a heads up on these 2 cons. These guys offered to sell me a Kirsch sorround sound system for $350. Two guys, one with glasses, mustache & pepper colored hair and the other an older balding man with a gold bracelet and tattoos. They were driving a brown safari astro van with California lic. plate # 4PCP166. If this description fits then do what you gotta do. |
New member Username: Atowntx
Post Number: 1
Registered: Apr-06
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| Posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2006 - 04:25 pm: |
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Question: I was just approached at Home Depot about this Kirsch system, and I'm female and don't trust people who ask me stupid things like these guys did. And I'm broke, that helps. But, I did take note of the license plate # (odd things always happen at HD when you're a chick) and came back to work and looked up their "speaker system". This is what I found. Glad I didn't have the money or give them the time but after reading all of this, what exactly was wrong with them,? No one says what's wrong with them. It would be good to know why there are this many people upset and also it's good to know how widespread it is. |
New member Username: Jmathis08
Post Number: 1
Registered: Apr-06
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| Posted on Thursday, April 20, 2006 - 08:31 pm: |
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Hey everyone! I got scammed by two dudes today at an HEB in south Austin. They were driving a white Lincholn Aviator. One guy, the talker was a hispanic male about 25yo, wearing smoke colored sunglasses and the other was a skinny bald guy in a orange UT shirt. They were in a big hurry and had two Kirsch k3 sytems and caught my attention by driving up to me as i was walking to my car and asked if I wanted a "free" surround sound system. Well, of course that sounds good. But i was skeptical of course. Then came the magazine ad w the sale price of $2600 and the shipping invoice, and he could give me one to me for $400. I worked him down to $150, and he even drove me across the street to the ATM! but if anyone has more info about these jokers going around Austin, Texas, let me know plzz. |
New member Username: Ssbrando
Post Number: 1
Registered: Apr-06
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| Posted on Friday, April 21, 2006 - 04:29 pm: |
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I paid $100 for the right and left 400 watt working Theater Logic T2400 R. They sound great but I can't find how much these things are really worth. I figure it still is a good deal but yes, they did the same stuff all of you are talking about. How he won't have enough room and they need to make a delivery to the Broadmoor (Colorado Springs, CO) It was two guys, Patrick and Richard. Pat even showed me his driver's license and seemed a real nice guy. Maybe I'm stupid and maybe I just got ripped off majorly today according to everyone else's story but I'm happy with it. I saw the magazine, the 'shipping order' slip, the whole back of the Chevy Tahoe filled with these speakers, and yes the guy loaded up the speakers, got in my car and him and his friend and I drove to the Bank and I gave him the money. So I guess I got scammed today but hey, so far it paid off so I don't have a problem with it. |
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New member Username: Mahaabakie
Post Number: 1
Registered: Apr-06
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| Posted on Monday, April 24, 2006 - 01:00 am: |
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i had the same ting happenn to me.white van a guy named vick and an asian dude named will.gave me a kirsch k10.the only thing is it works really good.it kicks butt.but i dont know if its fake or not. |
New member Username: Noboday
Post Number: 1
Registered: Apr-06
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| Posted on Tuesday, April 25, 2006 - 08:39 pm: |
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this just happened to my brother TODAY in vancouver bc, canada (surrey more specifically)...luckily he called me and i looked the speakers up while they were waiting...this site came up we called them on it...they swore and left...haha..thanks guys! |
New member Username: Cmg
Boston,
Ma
Usa
Post Number: 1
Registered: Apr-06
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| Posted on Wednesday, April 26, 2006 - 11:11 pm: |
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OK:
I bought a MTS 3100 home theater speaker system today......i got home, checked online and read some of these posts on various websites...the posts and blogs about the scam....about how the thing works but isnt really what they say it is....I was pissed but not at all surprised...after all, i did buy them on the street for what i was told was substantially less than their MSRP....but i then also did a few other things...i called the # on the receipt...and there was an actual business voicemail machine (it was after hours).....i then also looked at the box and noticed a web site so i went to that www.mtsspeakers.com webite and i noticed some additional #s to call, including a tech support line, so i called that # as well. that # also had a legit sounding answering machine....so i got to thinking, if this thing works, like people say it does on this blog, and if it sounds ok, and if there is a legit website, with legit contact info, with legit answering machines, and legit receipts, for both the MTS website and MTS telephone # as well as the New England Sound and Theater System telephone # and if somewhere, someone, who knows something about electronics and speakers had to produce these machines to do all that they say they do (play DVD, Tuner, sound good to at least the normal average ear), and then people had to them box them in celephane, styrophome, and then a cardboard box (that looks legit and appears to be mass produced with its pics and advertising, practically begging you to look into whether it is a scam or not), and then shipped all over the country, and then these street level guys have to load their trucks or vans and drive (paying insane amounts for gas), then having to stop and talk to use and make a sale,which is not easy b/c we ALL think it is shady so we ALL hesitate at first, until they show us the "magazine", which costs $$ to mass produce, and therefore is costing the "scammer" even more $$ himself)....so after contemplating all of this, I thought that MAYBE, just MAYBE this thing is actually worth the $300 i paid for it! and so i decided to take the thing out of the box and see what is was like.....now i am by no means surround sound expert, but it is loud, has bass, and reminds me of being in a movie theater, which is why i bought it to begin with!
Is it worth the $300 I paid? I dont know....but you know what, I dont know if my Bose, or Infinity, or Cerwin-Vega, or Sony is worth what i pay for them either!
The way this product was sold to me was real shady, I admit! And it is a little odd that they sell them for such a wide range in price! but i am stil not convinced it is a scam! maybe I am in denial! But i dont think i could have possibly gotten ripped off...I got a DVDplayer/tuner, 5 speakers surround, sub-woofer, all for $300...at least I know I didnt got ripped of any more than i do when i go to circuit city! maybe i just gave this scammmer a larger profit b/c his advertising was more creative? |
New member Username: Billjune
Post Number: 1
Registered: Apr-06
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| Posted on Friday, April 28, 2006 - 02:00 am: |
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Collin, you summed it up pretty good. It actually looks and sounds pretty good. Not to mention I got a valuable lesson.
I actually mistook it for Klipsch, the names are so similair.
$200.00 for all that. The k3 5.1 looks so legit, and the distribution is so vast; I wonder who really got scammed?
Oh yeah, for those of you who feel you were pooped.
My experience went down in Las Vegas Nv. outside of Hooters on W.Sahara. 2 guys and 1 girl, youngsters driving a white Dodge Caravan late model licsense plate# 437-TBA. Hope this helps. |
New member Username: Jeffy66
Vancouver ,
Bc
Canada
Post Number: 1
Registered: Apr-06
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| Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 03:08 pm: |
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Does anyone have a phone number for that andrew guy in vancouver? I tried the above numbers and no one returned my messages, not that I am surprised. Thanks. |
New member Username: Crazyfly
Post Number: 1
Registered: Apr-06
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| Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 05:55 pm: |
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They are now in the Rialto,CA they tried to get my friend last night who works at a liquor store. Guy walked in trying to sell him the Kirsch Speakers. He called me on my cell phone asking me for advise if the speakers were legit or even good. And told him not to buy them and that it was a scam. So he did not buy the speakers.
I have also seen them in Victorville,CA; San Bernardino,CA. Mainly all of the Inland Empire. |
New member Username: Mkoko
Post Number: 1
Registered: Apr-06
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| Posted on Saturday, April 29, 2006 - 08:41 pm: |
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SH*T. i can't believe what I am reading. Does anyone have the number or address where you can get a refund in Philadelphia? I just spent an hour and a half in my car trying the business address on Green Lane and Emelie Dr. in Levittown but it was bogus.
Two guys in white van approached me at a gas station in Roxborough PA. I got hit for $400. The speakers work but i was only planning on using them if the roommates would split and if not just sell them on the internet. Well after seeing this I won't even try selling them on Ebay becasue that would be terrible karma. They had a magazine that looked legit, it really seemed like such a good deal. I can't believe it!! |
New member Username: Skisquaw17
Post Number: 1
Registered: May-06
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| Posted on Tuesday, May 02, 2006 - 09:02 pm: |
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They're in the Denver/Boulder area now. They're driving a Silver SUV, Trailblazer I believe with Florida plates. Got me for $260 b/c I'm poor and was about to drive away. I needed new speakers but not from these two. One dude has long hair other one short blond hair w/ a white hat. Ski goggles in the mirror. |
New member Username: Polina
Vancouver,
British colu...
Canada
Post Number: 1
Registered: May-06
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| Posted on Friday, May 05, 2006 - 01:48 pm: |
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can anyone tell me what`s wrong with those speakers, cause i think yesterday i bought them from two guys on the parking lot , the same story , ( two australian guys, white van ) |
New member Username: Polina
Vancouver,
British colu...
Canada
Post Number: 2
Registered: May-06
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| Posted on Friday, May 05, 2006 - 02:43 pm: |
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I tried to call Andrew Radford in N .van. one is fax , and the other one is the wrong number,
Please if anyone knows the numbers, post them, or e-mail me. |
New member Username: Polina
Vancouver,
British colu...
Canada
Post Number: 3
Registered: May-06
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| Posted on Friday, May 05, 2006 - 10:05 pm: |
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everybody , who got scammed in vancouver area, please contact me at tbarbara7@yahoo.com
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Bronze Member Username: Basicaudio
Chula vista,
Ca
US
Post Number: 87
Registered: Mar-06
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| Posted on Saturday, May 06, 2006 - 10:43 pm: |
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Alana, depending on what you are sold, these are runoffs or copycats of actual manufacturers using cheap and inexpensive materials to produce them, similar to some of the cheap speaker systems by even known manufacturers like KLH, SONY, BIC,JENSEN and a few others. The only difference is that these van scams sell speakers that work, but they are coated with a fabricated look to make it look like they are the originals.
they are not worth the retail lie written in the box, at most between $100-200 depending the models. There are legitimate manufacturers of these copycats. Most of these are made overseas like china or taiwan even those countries have high end and hi fi manufacturers, because of there is no strict patenting laws in some of those countries, they IMITATE known products using lower grade or cheap materials to manufacture them.
Bose use cheap materials too, a merchant told me that something that cost $5 to manufacture, they up the price to 800% of what it's worth.
Some of these mass products copycats or generic brands similar to the PERFUME/COLOGNE fakes, may sound ok or decent to some people, but to those who are audiophiles or enthusiast, they are junk!
If you got one of those theater research, dog digital, da vinci, dahlton and the likes, they do have legitimate companies that sell them not thru a van, but they are not GOOD GRADE loudspeakers and definitely not hifi or hi end. Several of the people who comment on these have taken them apart who are technicians and found that they have cheap crossovers, wiring, insulation, ports, and drivers, using cheap fake particle board making it to appear as if it is a well made cabinet.
Real good loudspeakers have lots of design concepts and manufacturing process that goes into them before being test marketed in the consumer base. If they are high end, most are handcrafted and the design engineers and craftsman take considerable time in developing and building such loudspeakers that's why some cost as much as a house or more!
I do not know why people would buy speakers from a van in the first place.
In the 80's those van type people used to sell VCR'S with a rock inside to make the box look like there's a vcr inside it? |
New member Username: Polina
Vancouver,
British colu...
Canada
Post Number: 4
Registered: May-06
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| Posted on Sunday, May 07, 2006 - 03:55 am: |
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I never heard about scam like that before. and in 80`s i wasn`t even born .
Now i got some knowledge.
thanks. |
Bronze Member Username: Basicaudio
Chula vista,
Ca
US
Post Number: 89
Registered: Mar-06
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| Posted on Sunday, May 07, 2006 - 11:21 pm: |
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If you want good sounding affordable consumer based companies for the average consumer that you are going to get your money's worth, check out FLUANCE a canadian company. www.fluance.com www.acousticsounddesign.com and www.bigbangelectronics.com are some examples of companies that sell them. BIC acoustech which has been around a long time since the 60's, have good HT systems for people who can't afford the more expensive systems. Athenas are good at more expensive prices.
A much better system would be AXIOM, ORB, MIRAGE, KLEGGS, ANTHONY GALLOS, if you are looking for systems in the $1000-$2000 range. Any of these systems would way outperform anything bose has to offer.
KEF, KLIPSCH, JBL, CERWIN VEGAS, INFINITY, POLK are the other good manufacturers at that range.
Don't even think sony, unless you have money to burn. They are for people who's not that critical about sound but into less expensive systems.
The other higher grade that would be good is BOSTON ACOUSTICS. Then there's the high end world
which varies regarding what you want to do!
I would like to stop hearing these van scams.
For the amount you wasted on fakes, you could have got yourself a vintage 70's,80's, 90's high end speakers that are no longer made but will blow away many of the newer systems in the market at great prices at www.audiogon.com or at ebay
One of the nice designs of the past just on bookshelfs that used for HT's is the OPTIMUS PRO lineaeum speakers which uses the ribbon linaeum tweeters that disperses at 360 degrees like the newer MIRAGE tweeters. For $500 that some have gotten scammed here could have gotten older models of magnepans, OHM ACOUSTICS, JBL'S, POLK, infinity.
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New member Username: Debare
Post Number: 5
Registered: Mar-06
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| Posted on Monday, May 08, 2006 - 11:24 am: |
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To those who have been scammed in the Greater Vancouver Regional District and Fraser Valley, apparently there is now more than one company scamming people in parking lots with Kirsch K3 home theatre systems and surround speakers. There is a lengthy thread at: http://www.scamshield.com/Sighting.asp?state=none&country=Canada&article=1 which also lists the new company as:
Distributor/Manufacturer of Acoustic Response Speakers
J & B Audio
City: Surrey (or Langley)
Province: British Columbia
Phone: 604-596-7222
Contact: Jim
Hope this new information helps those who have been scammed by someone other than Commonwealth Distributors.
PS. Thank you Jim Watson for a very thorough outline of today's electronic offerings. Many of us consumers, including me, are very uninformed about home theatre systems, speakers and manufacturers. Your information was helpful. |
Bronze Member Username: Basicaudio
Chula vista,
Ca
US
Post Number: 92
Registered: Mar-06
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| Posted on Monday, May 08, 2006 - 07:26 pm: |
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For $94 to $169, you can get a DAKIOM feeback stabilizer that will clean up, enhance, and make whatever SPEAKER system you decide to purchase including your HT receiver or stereo receiver/amp.
www.dakiom.com
For $20 at ebay and no more than $40-60 at amazon.com you can get a spatial enhancer from acoustic research TDS-202 that will bring your digital sources such as CD, DVD, vinyl or tapes
into another level of sound, creating a 3 dimensional and lifelike sound.
Whatever set up you have or decide to purchase, it will ENHANCE and make your system SOUND more ENJOYABLE.
go to AUCTIONATICS an ebay store under SOUND PROCESSOR in the consumer electronic section if you are at EBAY...at amazon.com just type in the name and model number of the sound processor mentioned.
These devices are called PSYCHO ACOUSTICS.
This is the most ECONOMICAL and inexpensive sound enhancement you can do for any system you decide to build. I have have been experimenting and using various methods to improve the sound system for over 20 yrs and have been in audio for 26 plus years. I am hear to help those who are not informed. There are also other experts here that know a great deal on many things regarding audio/video.
Feel free to ask me for advice on these things.
I can also relay you to other members here who are much more knowledgeable in other areas of expertise including the internal workings of amplifiers and loudspeakers and wiring etc.
Hooking up systems is also one of my forte!
Sound enhancement consulting is my expertise!
I am a collector of loudspeakers and sound processors, that's why i'm familiar with many design concepts on the consumer end.
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New member Username: Debare
Post Number: 6
Registered: Mar-06
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| Posted on Tuesday, May 09, 2006 - 01:26 pm: |
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Jim, as an expert, I thought you might enjoy these professional reviews of the White Van Speaker Scam products conducted by GR Research in Texas: http://www.gr-research.com/dahlton.htm and http://www.gr-research.com/diyevents/white.htm. It is certainly more information than I understand, but for those who know, it offers a detailed inside look at the components and the resulting sound (or lack thereof) from these cheap knockoffs. GR Research took the time to prove that the Dalhton (add Kirsch, etc) products are truly crap. It is always appreciated when experts (like yourself & GR) help neophytes (like myself & others) understand the mysterious world of electronics. |
Bronze Member Username: Basicaudio
Chula vista,
Ca
US
Post Number: 94
Registered: Mar-06
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| Posted on Tuesday, May 09, 2006 - 06:55 pm: |
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Thanks for the research site Francois! I will check into it.
This is my tips of the day when building an HT system.
From most of the experts of installs(varies from taste)unless you are an experienced audiophile or enthusiast,
It is suggested when purchasing a system, make sure that at least the FRONT AND CENTER loudspeakers are equally matched especially the brand/manufacturer (ideally all 5.1 including the sub)The purpose here is for TIMBRE or balancing of sound dispersion. Make sure to match your amplifier/receiver and dvd/cd players on the capabilities or lack there of regarding your loudspeakers. You do not want to have a high end $5000 receiver such as a ROTEL, PARASOUND, MARK LEVINSON, MCINTOSH, CARVER SUNFIRE for example on a KLH even though it's a legitimate company or bose speakers. You want to make sure your amplification is sufficient to drive the impedance of your loudspeakers and the minimum RMS/CHANNEL in wattage to drive them according to te manufacturer. For example if your speaker is a 4 ohm impedance(current)system, and your receiver outputs at 8 ohms, it will be an impedance mismatch which will either heatup and overdrive your amplifier/receiver or it will damage the load on your speaker thus damaging the voicecoil on your midrange and tweeter drivers. Unless you have an external amplifier and preamp that is being used for a receiver that that has PREOUTS for external components. That's difffent situation.
A well matched HT RECEIVER/SPEAKER system is what you look for irregardless of price range.
You can however mix manufacturers if the components being matched are suitable for each other regarding capabilities and specifications, that is why for those who mix and match, it's for those who know what they are doing and have sufficient knowledge to do so. Not recommended to people with little or basic understanding of HT set ups. Most installers and salespeople will tell you to match all components.
The high end world is a little different and so as those have different tastes. But for the general public and general user, that is the general recommendation is to match components.
You should always audition the system you are considering purchasing unless you are an already experienced user with knowledge of the manufacturer you are considering.
The showroom is not always the ideal place to hear a specific system, because some systems sound good in a showroom but not acoustically in certain room enclosures, where as some sound horrible at showrooms but really sings in a home environment.
That is why, it's not a good idea to purchase anything off the streets by ROVING PANHANDLERS OR WHITE VAN SOLICITORS.
If they were legit, they would pay for licensing to vendor their products and go to legitimate channels like the bureau of commerce and get licensing for zoning and applicable business license to sell, having kiosks or booths either at conventions or outside known retailers and have
working display models for consumers to test try a speaker system. Not all generic brands are bad, but you get what you pay for. If it's going to be cheap and brand new, most of the time, the manufacturer cut corners to produce the item. not much research, and engineering behind the product.
Before any good model automobile is brought to the consumer, many tests are involved and many design changes before the final product goes into production. That is the same with legitimate quality loudspeakers or audio/video products.
Just because it's an unknown name, it doesn't mean it's not a high quality manufacturer, cause high end manufacturers of any products are not known to the general public but to professionals and hobbyists. Researching by reviewing, studying and auditioning for such products is your best defense of being disappointed from what you perceive as a scam or rip off. Lots of people trying to make money in the world even at your expense. We are all gullible in one form or another, arming ourselves with knowledge is our best defense and applying those knowledge. Some of us have to be scammed enough times to learn and gain wisdom.
YOURS TRULY, cause I too have been scammed in the past by fraudsters, not from audio/video electronics but online.
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New member Username: Goldberg826
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania
USA
Post Number: 1
Registered: May-06
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| Posted on Saturday, May 20, 2006 - 10:21 am: |
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Hello all. My name is Eric. I was scammed by these guys one year ago. I went into a parking lot (and I only went in the parking lot to turn around) then the guy in the van acted really nice, showed me some forms, the magazine and everything, and although I was only 17 and had no money on me, I bought the speakers for 500. Afterwards I had thoughts of going back and really hurting someone. But listen this is what I want to do now:
Now I'm 18. I am a filmmaker as well and I would like to a do a documentary on these guys. The goal of the documentary is to stop them from going to these hotspots. The way I'll do this is I'll follow the vans. When I see someone falling for it, I'll approach the victim and explain to them that this is a scam. I will also need interviews of people who got scammed from these guys for the documentary, which everyone here would be perfect for. I can't do this documentary myself either. I may need some help. I live in Havertown, Pennsylvania and I got scammed in Ardmore which is ten minutes from my house. There will be a ton of stuff going on in this documentary. I'll even drive up to the warehouse by following one of these vans and go in undercover and see what it's like to get a job there. I'll also go up to one of the vans and try to return my unopened speakers for 500 dollars. It probably won't work, but we'll see. If interested in being a part of my documentary, which i promise will take these guys down, please email me at edgoldberg26@yahoo.com . |
Silver Member Username: Basicaudio
Chula vista,
Ca
US
Post Number: 102
Registered: Mar-06
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| Posted on Monday, May 22, 2006 - 06:44 pm: |
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I am a former high end installer and most but not all high end and home theater installers obtain
CEDIA certification in order to be recognized.
It's similar to the AUTO MECHANICS'S certification process to make them legit!
Character is another subject line. no amount of certification can prevent people from having bad character.
If these people had means to TEST the product in front of you, then you can wisely make a determination.
But to just buy it from a van, you know you are taking a big RISK? Unless you have already heard what they sound like and are intentionally wanting to buy them from those van people.
IT's best not to buy anything you feel uncomfortable with. |
New member Username: Whoops
Post Number: 1
Registered: May-06
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| Posted on Monday, May 22, 2006 - 10:46 pm: |
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Got taken for 3 bills in Los Angeles.
Some posts say they got a refund and I'm wondering how I can get one. I have no receipt.
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New member Username: Socalguy
Post Number: 1
Registered: May-06
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| Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 11:52 pm: |
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ARRESTED!! I CAUGHT 2 OF THEM WOOHOO!! Flagged me down at a Carls Jr. in Canyon Country, CA. Typical story I've been reading here; they are installers and had an extra Kirsch K3 unit that they needed to get rid of. Showed me a year old magazine with a wrinkled copy of the ad showing the retail value of the speakers. That was a dead giveaway so I decided to have some fun with them. Told them to follow me to best buy so I could return a xbox 360 so that I could have enough cash for the speakers. On the way, I called my buddy who did some online research and quickly found this website and others about the scam. I then called the police and told them the situation and they agreed to send a few cars. We parked at best buy, and when I came out, I whipped out my camcorder and started filming the guys and their car in case they decided to split. Then the cops showed up and started questioning them. They couldnt prove the merchandise was fake so all they were going to do was take all of their info down and save it for future reference. Then they got smart and did a background check, 1 of the a$$holes had a warrant for his arrest so they cuffed him. The other one couldnt prove that he owned the vehicle so they impounded the merchandise and car. To top it off, I got all of this on video, so if anyone got scammed in socal by 1 big tall white guy and his little partner, driving a burgandy jeep cherokee with las vegas plates, contact me ASAP and you can press charges against them while they are still in custody. I will post snapshots and links to the video so that you guys can positively identify them before proceeding...
stay tuned for the pics/video |
Silver Member Username: Basicaudio
Chula vista,
Ca
US
Post Number: 104
Registered: Mar-06
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 01:28 am: |
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Legitimate sellers have appropriate licenses to sell in the public with a solicitation license, because these morons in these vans doesn't realize that they can sell these cheap products legally if they obtain the appropriate licenses and zoning permission from the city/commerce. If they were smart they would sell them at a swap meet instead of gullible scamming people. We are all gullible to an extent, but we must guard against scrupulous
van scammers. If you guys end up spending 300 dollars on some cheap generic speakers plastered to look expensive, for that amount you can get GMI gemsound,pyramid, pyle professional dj speakers at any dj website or local dj store and it wall blow these cheap speakers out of the water.
YOu can even use them for HT even though they are not pretty, but at least they are respectable and legitimate companies used by professionals.
Like I said, the canadian fluance and swedish audio pro, american BIC for example make inexpensive but good quality ht loudspeakers for the amount you get scammed by these van theater or digital research or kirsch crap!
good job socalguy
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New member Username: Iceman85wd
Post Number: 1
Registered: May-06
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| Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 10:34 pm: |
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OK... so about a year ago I got busted with a speaker scam... payed 120 bucks for an apparently 2800 dollar digital research system. All well, my bad. But I was real sore over getting burned. Well this weekend I went to my girlfriend's new appartment and met a few of her new neighbors; they were chillin outside drinking, so were we, we got to talking. So the next day I was hanging out with them until she got off work and they start asking me if I wanted to buy some loud speakers from this brand called Kirsch (you gotta give them one thing... at least they are trying to immitate a good company). I told them I would think about it. But I was wondering exactly how illegal it is and if there's anyone I can contact to bust them because I am still pissed at the dude that burned me. If there's anyone from the Raleigh, NC area that got burned, post on here... maybe I'll get their address and you can make a return. :-D |
New member Username: Ben_there
Post Number: 1
Registered: Jun-06
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| Posted on Thursday, June 01, 2006 - 01:36 pm: |
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Well I just got off the phone with a guy who called our store to inquire about this speaker set "Kirsch" and ask was it quality. He said some guy was in the parking lot of Home Depot trying to sell them, wanted to know if it was a good deal or not, So not ever having heard of them I went to the web to see what I could find,
And I found this forum, So as I and a co-worker read the diffrent post of people saying how they had been scammed. I couldnt help but register and reply.
People are funny creatures, they give in to their basic emotions and then complain when it dont work out,wanting something for nothing, (Hey I admit in my youth I bought a set of white van speakers too) SO I,am not criticizing just reflecting trying to get some people to be honest with themselves. You get what you pay for.
Most people know the fair market value of goods or at least a general idea based TV adds or other such advertisements, So when a guy in a trench coat says "Pssst" you wanna good deal? I got a set of 3100.00 speakers, When they were loading my deliver truck they accidentally gave me and extra set. So instead of alerting the warehouse they made a mistake (because I have no integrity as a person) I decided to sell them to anyone who could use them (Basically because I have no integrity to return what I know isnt mine) These are worth 3100.00 but I will sell them to you for 300.00 1/10 of the retail price ! (using whatever excuse is handy, gotta make rent, baby needs food, wanna get high, etc etc)... Now you part You say to your self "Hmmn what a deal!" (excitement fills the mind I,m getting something for nothing that dont happen everyday I must have this) Then you ask all the questions like are they stolen,good quality,etc etc. Then you look at them they look good and the price is too good to pass up. (then you justify it well it was just a stock error not like they are stolen, nobody will know etc etc)
Yeah consutling the Dark Side Muhahaha, good way to make a desision  So in you pocket out with the cash or check and You are now the proud owner of what you know was too good to be true!
Later..common sense seeps out...Hmmn they dont look all that good..they sound ok But even if i had 3100.00 to burn I wouldnt have paid that for them, So ya do some checking and find out ya joined the suckers club annual fee whatever ya paid the guy for the speakers,watches or whatever ill gotten gain ya purchased at the
time,
You however did not get SCAMMED you signed up for this life lesson fully at your own free will So dont cry and complain you ask for this as painful as that is to accept (yes it sucks accepting blame) but its the hard cold reality of it,
So in close let us all just take our lumps and laugh we should have know better and next time we shall, (if not consider the next purchase as your membership to the friggin idiot club) Nothing wrong with making a mistake as long as you learned from it.
"We did what we did because that is all we knew..When we knew better we did better"
Good luck to all and hope life treats you kind |
New member Username: Beware88
Post Number: 1
Registered: Jun-06
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| Posted on Friday, June 02, 2006 - 01:54 pm: |
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HI am in Vancouver and recently scammed. Is anyone else having a hard time getting him to call back. I went to their shitty office today but seems they are on the road from 9 to 5:30. |
New member Username: Beware88
Post Number: 2
Registered: Jun-06
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| Posted on Friday, June 02, 2006 - 02:02 pm: |
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anyone in vancouver how long did it take for him to get back to you? its been a day and a half for me already? |
Silver Member Username: Basicaudio
Chula vista,
Ca
US
Post Number: 106
Registered: Mar-06
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| Posted on Friday, June 02, 2006 - 04:31 pm: |
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It is not illegal to imitate the looks of a particular product as long as the PATENTED design or component from a manufacturer such as name, parts, design etc is not violated according to the clause in the PATENTING laws of the UNITED STATES. Since these are made overseas from another country. Our laws doesn't pertain to them unless it's an international law. What maybe illegal is SOLICITING if they do not have any solicitors license. Many of these scammers use false advertisement or claim. The product may be legal according to the laws of the land, but their practices may not be depending on what they are doing or what they did?
I really have no problem with these generic products if they were sold at a SWAP meet indooror outdoor, cause such products are common. It's selling from a van without any licensing documentation which to me to my understanding violates various ordinances on city or state level depending on where you live. Each state and city have their own commerce laws!
If i were you people i'd report them to the city's commerce dept or state. They would have been busted down by the FBI already if everything they did as a distributor is completely illegal. They are doing something legal in the distribution chain, it's their practices and marketing is what needs to be investigated.
Since they seem to be allowed at ebay, and other legal online stores and even at 2005 C.E.S how amazing? they obviously got legal remedies done at least for that famous electronics convention.
Your best bet is never buy anything from a van or vehicle. garage sale, swap meet, retail stores etc. that's fine. The van thing has been done for decades. They used the fake VCR crap in the 1980's regarding vans. These scam tactics is nothing new.
Scammers seem to just advance like the rest of the industry. They did these speaker scams from a van back in the 70's and 80's also as i can recall. I know, i was reproached by such.
I do not think anyone gets ripped off by these if you only paid $50 or less for a pair of new tower kirsch, digital research,dog digital, theater research, da vinci or whatever fake name they use.
Cause you won't find a klh, rca, magnovox, jensen,emerson, philips speakers for that low. Those are consumer friendly manufacturers of inexpensive electronics.
When they say these speakers components are made of kevlar, silk, metal alloy or some fancy material that real high end speakers use, you can sure bet IT'S ARTIFICIAL. if the crossover coils are not high grade such as large coils and capacitors or using good grade semi conductors and using heavy/large magnets on each drivers, you can sure bet it's made of low quality. Just the cheap cabinets tell you it's fake. It chips as soon as you bump it into something. Anything that's worth in the thousands is not made out of plastic artificial wood. |
New member Username: Beware88
Post Number: 3
Registered: Jun-06
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| Posted on Monday, June 05, 2006 - 02:43 pm: |
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anyone in vancouver go there and get ur money back if you are not happy with the errrrrr purchase GL |
New member Username: Sillyrabbit23
Post Number: 1
Registered: Jun-06
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| Posted on Tuesday, June 06, 2006 - 08:44 am: |
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There in the Fuquay-Varina, NC area. Husband got scammed out of $400 for the tower loudspeakers.
Honey, If your reading this- you knew it was a scam. Come on home, supper's waiting...but its gonna cost you $400 |
New member Username: Brinea
Post Number: 1
Registered: Jun-06
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