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Buying large audio equipment

Hey Guys,

After purchasing some sweet Polk audio tweeters from Amazon, I'm now one step away from completing our "home theatre" system. Only thing left is a nice woofer but as I was about to get it from Amazon, I literally removed it from the cart. The only thing that's holding me back is the size.

I don't purchase large electronics online. Just because of safety reasons and the annoyance that may come with returning or exchange the product etc.  I trust Amazon and love how they release an invoice right away but still . . .

Have you guys ever bought any large audio equipment online. Is it a safe bet? Or am I better off just walking into a BestBuy, etc.
jumperboy
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
There's no reason to worry about a purchase and shipping from a manufacturer or dealer. After all, their reputation is on the line.
   When buying from a private seller you need to do your due diligence. I bought a pair of used floorstanders based on the seller's feedback.

BYW, most audio components sold thru Amazon are actually coming from third party sellers, some of them very well known such as Audio Advisor.

  
sfar's avatar
sfar
1,760 posts
 
Whom you buy it from and how they package it is very important but you're still at the mercy of the delivery process. A determined delivery driver can damage anything, regardless of how well it's packed. As dweller indicated, one of the advantages of buying through Amazon is how easy it is to deal with returns. If the item is damaged, doesn't operate properly or you simply don't like it all you have to do is initiate the return process online, print out a free return label and send it back. UPS will even pick it up from you. My experience is that Amazon then sends a replacement or credits your account even before they get the return. 
chayro
2,996 posts
 
No.  But I made a vow I'm not buying anything anymore that I can't lift.  
That's it.  
secretguy
1,716 posts
 
I made a vow not to buy anything from BB. LOL
n80
2,117 posts
 
Maybe off topic....but what makes some of this stuff so heavy? My speakers weigh 130 pounds each with metal bases attached. I understand that...large magnets, lots of structural stuff to keep them rigid etc. But, my amp (250wpc Madrigal Proceed HPA2 (Levinson)) weighs about 100 pounds and looks like most of the bulk is heat sink. But the heat sink is in the back and all the weight is up front. What makes an amp so heavy and in this day and age is that really necessary?
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