Polk Audio VM20 - Loudspeaker - Demo

[dorokusai]

Mark,

I haven't had my computer for the last few days, or I'd have told you sooner...but one of the VM20's sustained some damage in shipping. The "cap at the top of the cabinet has come completely unglued, and comes right off, and the bottom cap is also loose. It looks like it would be a real easy fix...with your blessing I can just re-glue it myself...or if you'd prefer I'll send it back in for repair.

Let me know how you want to handle it. I'll get some pictures of the damage up here in a little bit.

Yes, go ahead and fix it. The shipping between a couple dozen folks eventually takes its toll on any loudspeaker.

[comfortablycurt]

I did not have any trouble with them cutting out when I had them. That was something I did not experience.

The problem seems to be gone now...but I don't think it was due to the speakers. I've been having issues with my Denon 2910 lately not reading discs, and I think the cutting out was due to that. I ran a cleaning disc through it earlier, and it seemed to take care of the problem. It also fixed all of the other problems I was having with it. It hasn't been reading SACD's for the last couple weeks, but now it's reading them just fine again.

So, the only problem with the VM20's appears to be the loose caps.

Yes, go ahead and fix it. The shipping between a couple dozen folks eventually takes its toll on any loudspeaker.

Will do. Any recommendation on the best kind of glue to use? I'm thinking wood glue would work, but if there's a better option, let me know.

The packaging is also getting kinda rough. The boxes are still fine for the most part, but the styrofoam inserts are basically falling apart. They've been taped back together, but they definitely aren't doing much to support the speakers anymore. It's up to you, but it might not be a bad idea to send out some new inserts for them.

If not though, I've got TONS of various packing materials around the house, so I can get them packed well.



I've gotten some good listening time in on them now, and despite the issue with the cabinet, I'm VERY impressed with the way these speakers sound so far. I'll wait until the end of my trial period to say much more...but I'm really liking them a lot.

[comfortablycurt]

I just got done re-gluing the the broken VM20 cabinet. So far, it's looking like it should be good as new. Before I re-glued it, I got no movement at all out of the MW's when I did the PR press test. Now the MW's seem to be extending just as much as the MW's on the other VM20. I've still got the clamps on them though, so we'll see how it fares tomorrow after I take them off. I'm anticipating it sounding a lot better.

I've gotten a good amount of listening time in on these now, and even with the one broken cabinet I've gotta say, I'm VERY impressed with these speakers. I'll wait until I'm done with my demo to really do a write up, but it will definitely be very positive.

[comfortablycurt]

I'll have my demo wrapped up here in another day or two. I just wanna give them one more run in my 2 channel rig.

[comfortablycurt]

Doro,

I've got my demo basically wrapped up. If you want to send me some labels I'll get them sent out in the next few days.

I'll get a review posted up after I send them out. I'll say this much now though...I've REALLY enjoyed these speakers. The sound they pump out is very impressive, and they look GREAT! Whenever I get back into HT in a bigger way again, there's a very high likelihood that I'll get some VM series speakers. I'd really love to get my ears on a pair of VM30's though....


Thanks again for the opportunity to demo these! Polk is the greatest audio manufacturer in the world!! Also, Doro: Thanks for putting this together for everyone. You're a wonderful man...and dead sexy too. :tongue:

[tibet16]

Doro - Is there a possibility of jumping in on this demo?

[dorokusai]

Labels sent to Curt for Jstas. John I need a phone number and email from you please.

Tibet - You've been added to the demo. One product at a time.

[shack]

Please post your subsequent review in the product pages of the homepage. You HAVE to take the time to do this folks. You don't have to gush and pour sugar on everything, just be candid, be honest, be real.

Please post your review here.


DEMO LIST:
Silverti (Completed)
Jwhitakr (Completed)
ErnDog (Completed)
Disc Jockey (Completed)
Treitz3 (Completed)
TAMPA POLK GATHERING (Completed)
Phuz - TX (Completed)
Jstas - NY - (ACTIVE)
Shack - TN (Completed)
Comfortablycurt - IL - (Completed)
Conradicles - NC (Completed)
Leroyjr1 - WI
Serendipity - NY
Cstmar01 - WI (Completed)
IRLracefan - MI (Completed)
Mole' - CA
Messiah - IL
Tibet16 - MD
[/i]

Not too many folks remembering one of the key aspects to the demo program...posting a review on the product page.

Only 7 reveiws on the product page and at least 12 "completed" on the list. Of those 7 I know at least 2 are definitely not from this program.

Some folks need to honor the terms of the demo.

I know Polk and Mark have put a fair amount of time and effort into this and the reviews are important.

Just do it!

[dorokusai]

Not too many folks remembering one of the key aspects to the demo program...posting a review on the product page.

Only 7 reveiws on the product page and at least 12 "completed" on the list. Of those 7 I know at least 2 are definitely not from this program.

Some folks need to honor the terms of the demo.

I know Polk and Mark have put a fair amount of time and effort into this and the reviews are important.

Just do it!

You have to mention that the speakers were loaned by Polk for the demo, in your review...sorry, it's now the law.

[shack]

You have to mention that the speakers were loaned by Polk for the demo, in your review...sorry, it's now the law.

That shouldn't be a problem. However, I am curious as to how the law can make ME state Polk provided the demo speakers. I can see how Polk could be bound by consumer protection statutes to disclose they provided for a demo if they refer to a specific review. I suppose if Polk is aware the reviewer is one of the demo group they have to make sure the language is in the reveiw or not allow it? Otherwise...will the review police issue me a citation for failure to disclose...

[dorokusai]

Dude, seriously? Ask the FTC since they implemented the rule and I've been asked to ensure that your reviews comply. I don't have the answers for everything Steve. They would prefer not to be fined.

[shack]

Dude, seriously? Ask the FTC since they implemented the rule and I've been asked to ensure that your reviews comply. I don't have the answers for everything Steve.

I understand Mark. Trust me...I KNOW about govt regulation. I am just curious how the FTC expects to enforce that sort of regulation.

I guess your statement is a disclaimer of sorts. If you say we MUST do a review as part of the demo...then you have to cover YOUR ass and tell us we must disclose. You have done your duty.

OTOH...if Treitz3 want to post a review as Tom Richardhead...and Polk doesn't know it's him and allows it...I would venture to say that Polk has done their due diligence and the FTC has no "authority" over Treitz3.

No need to answer...since doing so would probably be against some sort of FTC rule. I am just musing.

[dorokusai]

Yeah, we've been talking with legal as some of us feel that the fact you signed up on the Polk Audio forum, for that free demo, it's already presumed that you are receiving it for free. It doesn't make any sense man, been back and forth about in emails. Polk just wants to ensure that due dilligence has been executed.

[tibet16]

Tibet - You've been added to the demo. One product at a time.

Completely understood.

[dorokusai]

The demos will get restarted this week and the new demos will be added to the rotation.

[dorokusai]

Labels have been sent to ComfortablyCurt for Jstas.

John - I still need a phone number and email address for you.

[comfortablycurt]

Alrighty. I'll get them sent out on Monday. A review will be forthcoming...I've had lots of time with them now.

[Upstatemax]

I would like to get added to the Demo please.

I'll shoot you a PM with my shipping info.

[deseroner]

add me also pm for shipping, I would like to try different polk products.

[comfortablycurt]

The VM20's got picked up by Fedex today and are en route to John. I'll get a review posted up soon...I'm already missing them!!

[Jstas]

FYI, These showed up today.

[comfortablycurt]

Good to know...did my glue job survive the shipping process?

[Jstas]

Good to know...did my glue job survive the shipping process?

No, it didn't. What glue did you use? I'm going to re-glue them with a cyanoacrylate glue but I need to get the stuff you used off first or I'll just glue your glue back on and it won't stick to the endcap or case.

[comfortablycurt]

No, it didn't. What glue did you use? I'm going to re-glue them with a cyanoacrylate glue but I need to get the stuff you used off first or I'll just glue your glue back on and it won't stick to the endcap or case.

I just used regular wood glue. Definitely scrape the old stuff off first though, as you mentioned. Since these have passive radiators, air tightness is essential. I'd imagine you knew that though.

I was wondering whether or not it would. As the Fedex guy was loading the boxes up in the truck, one of them fell off of the back of the truck and probably took about a 2 foot drop. That may have been when it broke free again.

Gotta love Fedex.

I never use them unless I absolutely have to...I've had basically nothing but bad experiences with Fedex.

[Jstas]

Hmmm...if the dude dropped them, that would explain why an inductor is broken off of one of the crossovers.

The other one that seems to be working A-OK sounds incredible! Can't wait to hear a pair!

[comfortablycurt]

Hmmm...if the dude dropped them, that would explain why an inductor is broken off of one of the crossovers.

The other one that seems to be working A-OK sounds incredible! Can't wait to hear a pair!

That's not good. Damn Fedex. The guy himself didn't drop them...he set them on the edge of the truck and it tipped over. It didn't look like too bad of a drop...but any drop is bad enough. Probably not much more than a foot or so of a fall. It was sitting on the first foot step going into the cabin.

[dorokusai]

This demo is being temporarily closed so the loudspeaker can be repaired properly. After that, we'll probably make this a Blackstone demo thread.

Thanks to everyone who demo'd the speakers and to Jstas for volunteering to repair the speakers.

[dorokusai]

The repair parts for the VM20 are on there way to Jstas. Thank you Kim Jasper and the Polk CS team for taking care of the VM20 survival project.

The demo will change at that point and we're going to raffle off the VM20's for charity to The Githen's Center. The VM20 will be completely redone w/ new, black aluminum cabinets and new, stock crossovers courtesy our own Jstas. We may further modify them but has not been decided at this time.

A NEW demo will be replacing the VM20 starting with John, since his efforts are what kept everything alive and running.

We're looking at a pair of Blackstone TL coupled with a Polk Audio MicroPro 3000.

[packetjones]

I would be very interested in a blackstone demo.

[EndersShadow]

I would be very interested in the MicroPro 3000