White Van Speaker Scams

Seth=L · 09-07-2006, 11:49 AM

For any who are currious to what names of audio not to buy, this is for you.

This receives updates whenever I am informed of another White Van Speaker Scam.

Quote:

* Audiofile
* Acoustic Lab Technology
* Acoustic Monitor
* Acoustic Response (not to be confused with the company Acoustic Research, which involved the famous and respected Henry Kloss, who went on to found KLH and Cambridge Soundworks), Acoustic Image, Acoustic Lab Technology
* Blue Ridge Sound Engineering
* Canyon Audio (not to confused with Canary, these are basically the same as Theater Research)
* Denmark (not to be confused with Denon)
* Dogg Digital, Digital Dogg Audio (reportedly very popular on eBay)
* DCS Digital Audio (Logo looks similar the the DTS logo)
* Dahlton
* Dynalab (not to be confused with Dynamat)
* Divinci
* Divinci Audio
* Elite Audio (another Theater Research brand, less common)
* Epiphany
* Fluance (not the worst offender)
* Grafdale
* Digital Pro Audio, Pro Audio, Digital Audio, Digital Audio Professional Speaker Systems, Digital Audio Skyline Digital Research
* Epiphany Audio
* Kirsch (not to confused with Klipsch)
* Omni Audio
* Protecsound
* Pro Dynamics
* Paradyme (not to be confused with Paradigm)
* PCS
* PSD (jokingly referred to as Paid Scam Drivers). Not to be confused with PSB.
* Theater Research (has many other names)
* Samaurai
* SDAT(Super Dumb Audio Theme)
* Sinclair Audio
* Streem

These speakers are often sold out of white vans by intimidating guys or they are also sold on Ebay. So if you ever come across something like this it is propbably a scam. Also here are the names of the companies that distribute and manufacture these speakers.

Quote:

* Audio Wood Products
* Advance Engineering Research
* Century Distributors PTY LTD
* Dynalab
* Global Audio Network
* JAM Entertainment/JAM Enterprises, now known as Kelfi Distributors
* Millennium Speakers
* Omni Audio or Omni Audio Products
* Orca Distributors
* Republic Distributors, Inc. (parent of Omni and Dynalab) or Republic Distributors Of Canada or Republic Distribution GmbH
* Sound Illusion Production

Hope this saves some poor soul from being ripped off, and if you reading this because you already bought some and were looking for info, I am sorry about your luck.

**HTF Ads**

Seth=L · 09-07-2006, 01:05 PM

Quote:

* Pair of Acoustic Audio 15.1 Surround Sound Speakers
* Black Finish
* Designed and Engineered in USA
* Power Handling Capabilities:
* 150 Watts RMS to 300 Watts Maximum Per Speaker
* Minimum Required Power: 10 Watts
* 2-Way Design
* Woofer: 4 Inch Silver CD with Rubber Surround
* Tweeter: 1/2 Inch Ferro Fluid Cooled Mylar Dome
* Frequency Response: 37Hz - 20 KHz
* Efficiency / Sensitivity: 98dB @ 1 watt 1 meter
* Impedance: 8 Ohm
* Steel Mesh Grille
* Universal Mounting Brackets Included
* Dimensions: 7”H x 5”W x 4”D
* 7 Year Warranty
* Retail Price: $249 Per Pair

This doesn't make any sense. How does a 4 inch speaker acheive 37 hz? Oh yea, it doesn't.

Chris Quinn · 09-07-2006, 01:28 PM

A new name I've seen in the on-line white van type is Kirsch speakers.

Seth=L · 09-07-2006, 04:03 PM

I will add it to my list, I saw it earlier as well.

Terry St · 09-07-2006, 04:46 PM

Are you looking strictly for van-marketed speakers, or are you interested in ebay scammers too? For example, "Blue Ridge Sound Engineering" is a company that I've seen selling speakers for a few hundred on ebay that they claim are worth thousands on their website, which only takes payment by paypal. Their site spends a lot of time explaining how they can put $30,000 speakers to shame with about $50 worth of off-the-shelf components. It's the online equivalent of white-van sales, in my opinion. The idea that all these guys operate with is to make people think they're getting a steal of a deal so they don't ask too many questions.

JGiampa · 09-07-2006, 04:57 PM

However if you do buy some of these speakers for 150-200 a pair they do sound pretty decent and in that case its really not much of a scam. Yea they arent worth the thousands they say they are but it doesnt mean they are terrible speakers.

Alan M · 09-07-2006, 05:31 PM

"However if you do buy some of these speakers for 150-200 a pair they do sound pretty decent and in that case its really not much of a scam. Yea they arent worth the thousands they say they are but it doesnt mean they are terrible speakers."

I'd debate that with you.Considering you can pick up insignia speakers at BB for $50 a pair.They are superior to white van speakers in build quality and sound reproduction.

Brandon Pop · 09-07-2006, 05:49 PM

I'll disagree with that statement as well.

A few years back, before I knew anything about HT/audio, etc. I ran into a couple guys running this scam here in Los Angeles.

At the time, my roommate had an old Pioneer receiver and some medium sized JBL floorstanders. We had blown the tweeters out during a party a few months back but he never wanted to fix them or upgrade. So when these guys approached me in the parking lot of best buy they told me that they were delivery guys from another city and that they were delivering reference monitor speakers to a sound mixing studio but the warehouse accidentally doubled the order and they now had 2 extra speakers. When I looked skeptically at them, they assured me they were serious and showed me both an invoice for delivery and a magazine advertisement with the speaker brand they had. They wanted 300 for the pair.

I told them I'd have to hear them before I decided and they offered to come to my place to hook it up and that I was going to "freak" when I heard how good they sounded. So off to my apt we went, which wasn't far away.

So they set the pair apart and plugged in the speaker wires and threw in a little Nirvana live CD. The guy turned the volume waaay up. HORRIBLE. I immediately knew they sounded like shit. Very flat, no imaging, poor highs etc. I told him I didnt like them and he asked why, when I explained he got all hissing grabbed the speakers and told me I didnt know what I was talking about and thanks for wasting his time. I told him, if he had what he claimed he had I would have bought them and that it was his problem. Funny thing is my roommates blown JBLs (which were not anything high end to begin) sounded about the same as these white van speakers.

Its a scam, they lie and prey on the ignorant, make no mistake.

Nathan W. · 09-07-2006, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry St

Are you looking strictly for van-marketed speakers, or are you interested in ebay scammers too? For example, "Blue Ridge Sound Engineering" is a company that I've seen selling speakers for a few hundred on ebay that they claim are worth thousands on their website, which only takes payment by paypal. Their site spends a lot of time explaining how they can put $30,000 speakers to shame with about $50 worth of off-the-shelf components. It's the online equivalent of white-van sales, in my opinion. The idea that all these guys operate with is to make people think they're getting a steal of a deal so they don't ask too many questions.

That site doesn't strike me as a scam in any way. Those speakers look really nice with those various veneers and flush mount drivers. I didn't see any B.S. specs or terminology for marketing purposes on that site. The midrange drivers and tweeters look to be from Hi-Vi Research, definitely not junk. Go to a couple of "genuine white van" sites and you'll, or should, see the difference.

I believe the guy that is trying to get this company started had put his entire BIC America system and some electronics, which included a pair of Realtas, up on Ebay. The whole system, including the Realtas, looked brand new. I believe he used the money from the auction to buy parts for some of the first HR-1s he is selling.

Only accepting Paypal should not raise a red flag IMO as you can use a credit card with them, so you're still protected. If someone asks for cash or money order only, then you stay away. Paypal just happens to be very convenient.

Alex/d · 09-07-2006, 09:39 PM

Avoid Tice Clocks....
and people selling you Kraco and Audiovox speakers...

Nathan W. · 09-07-2006, 09:42 PM

Huh? What's a tice clock?

Alex/d · 09-07-2006, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathan W.

Huh? What's a tice clock?

http://www.regonaudio.com/Tice%20Clock.html

That explains pretty well

Nathan W. · 09-07-2006, 09:58 PM

Oh. Coherent electrons. Never did like 'em.

Man. Some people only listen to their equipment, not the source.