Hello garebear,
Wish you telephoned prior to airing your wares on a public forum as I am more than happy to present the second side to every story.
Threads are extremely complex.
We’ve been manufacturing all sizes of threads for Audio Points since 1990 matching and manufacturing threads but this experience was a first for us.
Spinning up a rare thread for a cheap steel spike replacement that does nothing for sound improvement is one thing, however customizing a set of Audio Points using the mass, material science and taking the sonic to a much higher level of performance involves a commitment of time, prototyping and engineering.
The first Wilson Benesch thread you supplied was determined to be a 14M-1.5H pitch that matched and fit our thread gauges. When you informed us that the custom Audio Points did not fit, we had difficulty understanding why.
Both the WB spike and Custom Audio Points fit perfectly into two different thread gauges @ 14M-1.5H pitch. We also manufactured a thread insert for testing where both the WB steel spike and brass Audio Points fit perfectly as well.
We also researched and discovered the existence of a narrower thread that also fits a “1.5H” thread pitch. It is a 14M-1.5G thread. The difference between the thread tolerances are approximately 1/1000th (.001) of an inch. The thickness of a human hair is 1/1500 to 1/500 of an inch.
The irony is the “H” fits the “G” but the G will not work in the H insert. Never did we encounter or realize two different threads could fit into one sized socket.
The answer to this dilemma or drama might be the rarest use of a thread related to speaker system we’ve ever encountered or there is an outside possibility this speaker company makes their own privatized thread pitch.
A lot of companies in many industries will alter a thread pitch to their own as a security measure making an outside manufactured replacement more difficult to locate, replace or size.
In your case garebear, who knew or who knows? We were willing to find you a solution at our expense. If that kind of effort aggravated you to the point of attempting to sully our reputation or airing a grievance through a public forum instead of making a call to Dale (mentioned earlier in this thread) or myself, then maybe it is best we do part ways. .
they still have one of my spikes
Initially you supplied us a damaged spike that could have easily twisted the thread insert on your speaker. This damaged spike sample was returned to you with the eight Audio Points we custom manufactured.
After your complaint, we requested you send us a non-damaged spike to help us understand why the Audio Points did not fit. You sent another spike - call it sample number two. As stated, this taller version was sent to you by Wilson Bensch to replace your original damaged spike.
You also stated the WB replacement thread was machined too high in comparison to what the speaker required. It appears the parent manufacturer makes mistakes too and with their own products; proof that situations happen and everyone makes mistakes. Did you bother to put that complaint on a public forum as well?
We were informed to keep the sample number two spike as long as needed because it was not being used in your system. We never prevented you in any way from listening to your system as our investigation proceeded.
And please keep in mind that we too were delayed a couple of weeks waiting for your return of the Audio Points with the second spike sample.
Unfortunately Covid intervened and disrupted everything so we made adjustments to our scheduling, tooling and machining commitments in order to support a major company in the fight against the disease.
Client neglect is not a practice of ours as decades in business backs out that statement. I accept full responsibility for extending Star Sound deadlines due to the pandemic and not keeping you informed as to the issues surrounding your project.
There is one more “IMPORTANT” thing you forgot to mention in your latest public criticism of our company:
You were never charged a deposit and never paid a dime for our service and delivery of the initial set (prototypes) of Audio Points. In fact the total selling price for this purchase was a minimalist charge slightly above our standard retail pricing for threaded Audio Points.
At the very least you now know more about your speaker system as we provided you a couple possibilities in solving the problem.
The best of it all is ; They NEVER sent my spike back !
Today I was directed to this thread by a much happier client of ours and on the same day - today 04/02/2020, I received your email at 10:29AM requesting your spike be returned. No record of phone calls, messages or similar requests anywhere in our systems since we last communicated in late February. A lot has happened since then most of which was beyond anyone’s control..
To keep you more informed, this morning at 10:50AM, I attempted to halt the machining on your second set of Audio Points with the G thread but was too late. Secondly, your career is in sales, and underwriting where communications plays a key role - right?; why not pick up the phone and talk to us? Lastly, we have done nothing but work for you free of charge knowing we have the capacity in taking your system to a higher level. I do not understand your ill will.
Hope you locate someone who will do more for you and at breakneck speed now that the difficult part of the equation is close to being solved.
Your precious unique spike will be in your hands shortly, I promise.
Sorry to take up everyone’s time in this matter.
Robert Maicks - Star Sound
Any Wilson Benesch owners out there, give us a call. We have reduced the price of eight 14M-1.5G threaded Audio Points to free for the asking. First come first served.
