VMPS Quality Control

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

The Larger Subwoofer is freaking amazing. And Im glad to listen to it again after hearing a SVS Ultra all weekend.

The VMPS definitely rocks its socks in music....


But, I received my new base today since the original they sent was to large for the larger... haha

Anyways, so I inspect is - there is 3 gashes about .25" wide, back to back to back on one side - and a minor gash on the back. Not very deep, maybe a 1/16" deep - but the smooth finish had come off.

So what do they do? They fill it in with permanent marker and send it my way.

Im not exactly mad, because it is just the base and the cabinet is spotless.

But still, new is new is new right?

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

So Brian emails me back....

And tells me the base is from a pre-existing subwoofer... and they fill in any blemishes...and should not be visible when installed

Hmmm...

Im really trying to be polite here with him and have been so far..

[anonymouse]

Did you buy a used subwoofer?

If you did not, and you paid for new, what they did was illegal. Stuff marked new cannot be refurbished junk. Dispute the charge with your CC and report them to the BBB. Make your experience well known in every available forum. This kind of shoddy CS deserves to be well publicized.

[McLoki]

I would politely remind him that you paid for a new subwoofer and expect all parts on that subwoofer to be new.

If he refuses let him know that the last used VMPS subwoofer that sold on club polk sold for $200 and you would be glad to match that price for his used sub. (ok, so that was an original, not the larger so maybe go as high as $300)

Michael

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

I purchased brand new.

Here is the email I sent him...

Hey Brian,
Thanks for your fast response.

It makes sense that the unit would have blemishes then. I appreciate your upfront honesty. On the next subwoofer, please notify me that I will be purchasing a B stock unit before hand. This way I can expect blemishes. I was under the impression this unit was 100% new.

Thanks

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Attached some pics...

There is also a ring of MDF on the exterior bottom where the paint had been wore off. They filled in 2 of the sides in on the bottom with perm marker, one side was not filled in and you can see the bottom line of MDF where the paint ends...

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

I also just noticed that on every corner the finish is cracked in two vertical lines.

I requested a new base.

*argh*

[ledhed]

Thats really screwy. One should usually expect a higher level of CS from a smaller company.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Everything else is fantastic. Brian responds within 20 minutes most of the time until about 12 oclock EST, so I am waiting till tommorow for a response.

The enclosure which weighs a blistering 90 pounds on its own empty is grade A.

Boggles my mind that I cant seem to get the right piece for the unit that probally cost 15 bucks to make....

All I want is a brand new base, that fits - with no marks.

The first base he sent me was close to my specifications, it was just to big.... lol

*sigh*

The least he could do is take the other base back, fill in the blemishes with puddy, sand the entire thing down and repaint it.

And at that point it would be cheaper to just make me a new one.

Ah well, I requested a new one after sending him pics of the unit. So shall see.

[janmike]

Sounds way too obvious to me. Hopefully things work out.

[Gaara]

The least they could do is try to carefully paint it, magic marker is just pathetic.

[wingnut4772]

Just the audacity of using a permanent marker tells me that they probably get away with it all the time.

[hoosier21]

VMPS's cabinets have ALWAYS been a roll of the dice, much better now than in the past. Not saying it is right or anything, but there are many threads about poor quality fit and finish.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Yeah, thats what Ive been told. I will keep requesting a new base until I get one that is new. Period. Its one thing to have a slight blemish - but to have the balls to send me a USED base...

[Ricardo]

And you are right; just mention what Club Polk can do to bad Customer Service....

[engtaz]

Let us know how they go about fixing this issue.

Good Luck,
engtaz

[zombie boy 2000]

I am absolutely stunned. This sort of customer service is beyond unacceptable. Actually, "illegal" is the first thing that comes to mind. Plus, we're talking about the audio community here -- individuals not prone to easily dismissing the misrepresentation of an item's condition. Much less a NEW item's condition.

Pathetic and alarming. Sid, I hope you not only get what you paid for out of this debacle, but a sincere apology as well.

[ohskigod]

I never ubderstand whats so hard about treating people right? If I had to wager a guess, since they are small, they just dont have the base right now, hence having to get a used one.....in that condition, where the hell did they dig that thing out of?

whats so hard about sending an email something like this

Dear Trey,

I am in the unfortunatle situation to be unable to send you a base for your sub. I enclosed a used piece that you can use so that you can you can have function of your subwoofer. I will get you the new piece as soon as humanly possible. I am very sorry for the inconvenience.


I could make it sound better with more time, but I'm sure you get the gist.

[zombie boy 2000]

That's definitely a step in the right direction...
I would also ask that he provide a steady stream of updates regardless of whether or not the base is in transit.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

I dont think I will have any problems. Shall see.

[cfrizz]

ZB nailed it. This is totally unacceptable & deceptive. What part of NEW do they NOT understand? They took you money for a NEW product, that is what should be sent!

[ohskigod]

sounds like the sub is new, just for some odd reason, they dont have a new base available. wierd things like this can happen with a small outfit, which I assume they are. this might have been a new old stock item. new, but no longer in production. I have a feeling thats the problem.

hopefully will be rectified, as you should have a new, unblemished, base for this thing.

[Early B.]

this might have been a new old stock item. new, but no longer in production. I have a feeling thats the problem.

Yep. They have recently introduced new subwoofer models. Of course, that's no excuse. Hell, it's just a slab of MDF, isn't it?

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

The Larger Sub w/ megawoofer is still in production. They introduced two new models in different price brackets though.

They are sending me a new base. Numero Three!

[Early B.]

They are sending me a new base. Numero Three!

If they're sending you a new one, it must mean they have new ones in stock. So why did they send you an used one?

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

No idea, Brian also did not apologize for the incident either.

[zombie boy 2000]

I mean... why should he? It's amazing how such an eazy fix can be so easily dismissed. Eff goin' the extra mile. It's as if he doesn't believe in his product at all. I wouldn't be surprised to find out he drives a white van to work:D

Trey... that's not a slam against the VMPS. It just seems to be such wasted potential if this experience is par for the course.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Who knows.

VMPS has been in business for 30 years...

Makes their own drivers, etc... the sub is fantastic - one of the best - and Ive heard alot of subs.

Who knows - the verdict will be what he sends me next

[zombie boy 2000]

I hope all works out... maybe he'll get tanked on grog tonight, get all weepy eyed and send you an even bigger sub. And a chocolate rose.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

lol....

Couldnt fit a much larger beast in here -

Ill take the array that weighs 300 pounds aha

[McLoki]

So, in your opinion, how does it compare to the SVS ultra?

Michael

[Ricardo]

Glad to hear things are being straightened out.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Guys,
Please understand I am not trying to diss SVS. For HT you can not beat them.

But there is literally no comparison between the VMPS and the Ultra for music. Infact, I would say the SVS is only a notch above it for HT...

The VMPS is so tight, so textured - with so much midbass detail and clarity... the SVS sounds like constant thunder in comparison.

I was very glad to be home to it again rather than the Ultra. Amazing difference in quality really.

You gotta look look at the designs though, the VMPS drivers for music hardly move - even for rap music, yet is chest thumping, pants waffling, ground rumbling lows, yet the drivers are hardly move. Its all about that push pull, low mass design.

Its fantastic.

[Ricardo]

Guys,
Please understand I am not trying to diss SVS. For HT you can not beat them.

But there is literally no comparison between the VMPS and the Ultra for music. Infact, I would say the SVS is only a notch above it for HT...

The VMPS is so tight, so textured - with so much midbass detail and clarity... the SVS sounds like constant thunder in comparison.

I was very glad to be home to it again rather than the Ultra. Amazing difference in quality really.

You gotta look look at the designs though, the VMPS drivers for music hardly move - even for rap music, yet is chest thumping, pants waffling, ground rumbling lows, yet the drivers are hardly move. Its all about that push pull, low mass design.

Its fantastic.



....Again???? :D :D

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Im not going to try to convince you of anything -

I have been on the SVS bandwagon for YEARS. I highly recomended them to my Dad and I will continue to recomend them along side of VMPS.

Does not change the fact, that to me, the VMPS is a 8/10 for music... and the Ultra is probally a 5/10 for music. The SVS is quick, its fast - but it has no tone. It cant differiniate bass from midbass - its one big thunderous slam, all the time. Its monotonous to say the least. The VMPS is sick in that regard.

[Ricardo]

Just messing with you; I'm glad you're enjoying it ;)

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Thanks

What can I say, I am all about new designs and the like...

The VMPS features several technologies that differ it from SVS....

Low mass = drivers dont move alot

Woofer has a phase plug, really odd lol

Sealed/Passive Radiator

Push Pull design - so the active woofers dont do the lowest notes, the PR is tuned to pick up these notes - which is really cool.

The passive radiator that is slot loaded, you get a sealed design, that is ported still.

If that isnt the nifties thing you ever heard of... lol

A sealed ported speaker!

It really is an amazing design, I am glad it was recomended to me.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Just to give you guys an update -

I sent Brian an email 3 days ago (1 day after our first communication about the base) - He did not reply with a status. He merely had said a day before he would send me out a new base.

So I email him today and he tells me that their parts shipment was backordered a week and he would see to it that I had a base on Monday.

Why didn't he just do this the FIRST time? lol

[appadv]

Trey,

Hope everything works out fine.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

So I received my new base today....

Base is pristine - mounted to a plywood board so it wouldnt flex in shipping, the whole nine yards.

Now THIS was what I expected.