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Official Epik Subwoofer Thread - Page 629

post #18841 of 19641
12/6/12 at 5:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ruben Z View Post

Thats like buying a car knowing the engine will fail, but its ok, because replacing an engine is only around 5-10k whereas the car was 20k smile.gif

It's more like buying a new Chrysler or GM car a few years back. Not sure if they'd be around in a few years to honor a warranty.
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post #18842 of 19641
12/6/12 at 11:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by PubFiction View Post

I wanted to get one of these but hesitated, I bought an eD sub a couple years ago and now I am stuck without a warranty or anything. Epik honestly scares me similar patterns, high demand ID company with good value and communication / service problems. I posted exactly on this issue a while before eD went under and stated that bad customer service is a negative feed back look, the more you do not answer emails and phone calls, the more they start piling up, you now have to sort through 5 emails because you never responded to that guy the first time. Then things start going wrong, like people start doing chargebacks and such. So I guess the warning goes out again to Epik, if your going to survive get your ducks in a row. And yes that means you gotta hire more people because you cant do it all yourself.
I emailed them a few weeks ago and got a response a day later
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post #18843 of 19641
12/14/12 at 8:38pm
WOW....I never thought I would ever go to Epik's website and not be able to buy anything except a T-shirt. This either is a good thing or a not-so-good thing. Interesting to see how this plays out confused.gif As far as getting responses back from Epik is a mixed bag. I for one have made two phone calls and sent three emails in a span of seven months and haven't got s**t back for a response.
Edited by Waffles - 12/14/12 at 8:44pm
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post #18844 of 19641
12/15/12 at 5:53am
I used to recommend Epik to anyone interested in Hometheater. Now....not so sure. I purchased the "dual Empire" package and can say with confidence that they are truly great subs! In the past, Epik was very responsive to phone calls (not so much Emails) and seemed very engaged and enthusiastic about their subs! Recently, however, I have had difficulty getting in touch with them. Emails have been returned (invalid recipient) and nothing but an answering machine after more than 20 attempts by phone. It's very important to have "service after the sale". What good is a warranty if the company is not responsive to the customers needs? If you call HSU, SVS, Rythmic, Power Sound Audio, Outlaw Audio, etc....you actually talk to a human! They return emails. This lack of responsiveness is similar to what I experienced with Elemental Designs, and most recently, Chase Hometheater. Both these companies have called it quits. I hope this is not the case with Epic Subwoofers.
Edited by mike sloan - 12/15/12 at 6:05am
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post #18845 of 19641
12/15/12 at 6:42am
all i can say about Epic right now is "the writing appears to be on the wall." wait and see approach for me..
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post #18846 of 19641
12/15/12 at 8:36am
Can't be! Epik said they were getting all that spillover business from ED and the phones were on the fritz because of the cable company or something. That must be the reason for returned emails. Besides they were always so busy and you know he can't hire anyone because. He has to keep prices down. Maybe he's looking to start a new company with Alex Lindeman and call it Elemtally Epik! Get those t-shirts while you can. They're bound to be collector items.
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post #18847 of 19641
12/15/12 at 8:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chu Gai View Post

Can't be! Epik said they were getting all that spillover business from ED and the phones were on the fritz because of the cable company or something. That must be the reason for returned emails. Besides they were always so busy and you know he can't hire anyone because. He has to keep prices down. Maybe he's looking to start a new company with Alex Lindeman and call it Elemtally Epik! Get those t-shirts while you can. They're bound to be collector items.

nice to know that i'm not the only one who sees this "writing on the wall."wink.gif
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post #18848 of 19641
12/15/12 at 8:51am
Quote:
Can't be! Epik said they were getting all that spillover business from ED and the phones were on the fritz because of the cable company or something. That must be the reason for returned emails. Besides they were always so busy and you know he can't hire anyone because. He has to keep prices down. Maybe he's looking to start a new company with Alex Lindeman and call it Elemtally Epik! Get those t-shirts while you can. They're bound to be collector items.


Now that was funny!!!biggrin.gif
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post #18849 of 19641
12/15/12 at 8:55am
If he has no subwoofers in stock to ship, then wouldn't he have plenty of time to answer calls and emails? I see 2 scenarios. Epik is either in big trouble, or the owner is just burned out and is taking a break. Either way it is bad customer service. I have talked to Chad a few times and really enjoyed speaking with him. I do hope that all is well with his health and that he gets things back on track. I don't feel comfortable recommending Epik anymore either having personally lived through the eD fiasco, but like eD, there is no question they offer great value.
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post #18850 of 19641
12/15/12 at 9:48am
Great value...hmmm. Depends how you look at it. Ever see those shows like Restaurant Impossible and a few others like that? The place calls someone in because they've got a problem which usually involves losing money. There have been some episodes where part of the problem is that the owner didn't have a handle on expenses. Portions might be too big or the markup isn't enough to cover expenses and generate a profit. So each meal might've been a good value for the customer but the more people ate, the more the place lost. The person just didn't know how to determine costs and then mark up accordingly. For the moment lets overlook the sundry other issues.

Let's say Epik only had one supplier and that supplier now requires a larger minimum order with both increased costs and more money up front. Toss in a larger than expected amp failure rate and that spells trouble. Is that what happened here? Such a great value that things were so cut to the bone that when the rainy day came they started getting soaked? Maybe sales dropped off due to competition and the economy. Maybe the rent went up. Maybe a lof things. It's not easy being a good businessman. So, great value. Only for a short time.
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post #18851 of 19641
12/15/12 at 9:57am
This really is a shame! Epik has been putting out very solid products for the last several years, but their CS is absolutely pitiful!! Even if they stay afloat, I will no longer be supporting them which really hurts because they are local to me! I have had several good chats with the owner and felt he was a genuine honest and proud man. My Phoenix is still putting out some serious dB's for last 3.5 years and hopefully will for much longer. Unless something changes with Epik, I will be looking elsewhere in the future. Chad if you are reading this post, for the love of god, give us a hint as to what is really going on already!
I really hope we are all wrong!
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post #18852 of 19641
12/15/12 at 10:03am
Chu, that is very true. I can tell you that other ID companies have mentioned that part costs from China have gone up. I don't know Chad's situation, but I don't see how he could have made money off the recent Legend sale. $399 shipped for a dual opposed 12" sub? I am not sure I could build one at that price...

Perhaps he was clearing out inventory? Who knows. Like with everything, time will tell. I remember in the eD thread, Alex and company had all kids of excuses and the company went from "being healthy " to going under in a matter of weeks.
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post #18853 of 19641
12/15/12 at 10:08am

Waiting patiently for the FANBOYS to chime in....and make excuses for Chad.

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post #18854 of 19641
12/15/12 at 10:21am
Something I've noticed in the past month or so is that ads that used to appear for Epik no longer do. Might be the browser or might be that he's pulled advertising.
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post #18855 of 19641
12/15/12 at 8:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chu Gai View Post

Something I've noticed in the past month or so is that ads that used to appear for Epik no longer do. Might be the browser or might be that he's pulled advertising.

My thoughts exactly. I like everybody else hopes Chad comes out with some crazy news about his new line of subs and Epik as a company is very healthy. I still absolutely love my dual Conquest's but hearing all this news about faulty amps is a bit scary. I guess I'll have to power them with some Behringer 2500's or something of the sort if something where to happen.
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post #18856 of 19641
12/16/12 at 7:12am
I remember in the days when Tom V. worked at SVS....he was all over the forums....a warrior for the company! Good or bad, it gave one the impression that the company was engaged with the customer and "marketing" on several fronts. I have only seen a single post by Epik (Karen/Customer Service) over at the Blue Ray forum. Now.....it's like Epik Subwoofers has dropped off the planet! You can't get in touch with them. Strangely, I did get in touch with Chad....but I called after hours (10pm) and he picked up the phone. He seemed shocked, wasn't expecting it to be a customer....guess he doesn't have caller id. I am starting to think that Epik is a very small operation with Chad wearing many hats! I know for a fact that he stays away from the "forum drama". Has anyone ever seen a post from Chad?

Regarding amp failures....who knows what the fail rate really is....we only hear from the people that report problems. My concern is that if Epik closes it's doors...your are S O L trying to find another plate amp that will fit the cutout. Also, these amps have been tailored by Chad to approximate a "flat" response to 20hz (taking into account room boundary gain, etc.). We could only guess the EQ applied in the lower frequencies....and it is extensive with a sealed alignment.

Customer Service quote:
Quote:
We have never had a single driver failure in the history of our company

This is an important...and deliberate statement! A driver failure (with no CS) would be more difficult to remedy. You would have to replace both drivers, taking into account the parameters of the cabinet...yada yada...a mess!

I have had positive dealings with Chad and Epik. I hope that this is just another one of their "down periods". It is amazing that he can sell such great subs at his price points. The closest competition would be the VTF-MK4 (different alignment/similar output to the Legend) and the PSA XS30...very similar to the Empire). I have compared the Empire and the XS-30 side by side. Almost indistinguishable between the two. Empire was about $300.00 cheaper.

With the (sad) demise of ED and....now Chase Home Theater....the future could be bright for Epik! I am dreaming about a big brother to the Empire with 2 18's......or maybe a completely different alignment like another company that starts with a "D" and ends with a "Y".

Let's hope all is well at Epik....love to see Chad's new designs a little birdi has told me about!

Mike

ps: Chu Gai
your posts are always very clever...love the Avatar...you crack me up biggrin.gif
Edited by mike sloan - 12/16/12 at 7:21am
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post #18857 of 19641
12/16/12 at 7:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mike sloan View Post

I remember in the days when Tom V. worked at SVS....he was all over the forums....a warrior for the company! Good or bad, it gave one the impression that the company was engaged with the customer and "marketing" on several fronts. I have only seen a single post by Epik (Karen/Customer Service) over at the Blue Ray forum. Now.....it's like Epik Subwoofers has dropped off the planet! You can't get in touch with them. Strangely, I did get in touch with Chad....but I called after hours (10pm) and he picked up the phone. He seemed shocked, wasn't expecting it to be a customer....guess he doesn't have caller id. I am starting to think that Epik is a very small operation with Chad wearing many hats! I know for a fact that he stays away from the "forum drama". Has anyone ever seen a post from Chad?
Regarding amp failures....who knows what the fail rate really is....we only hear from the people that report problems. My concern is that if Epik closes it's doors...your are S O L trying to find another plate amp that will fit the cutout. Also, these amps have been tailored by Chad to approximate a "flat" response to 20hz (taking into account room boundary gain, etc.). We could only guess the EQ applied in the lower frequencies....and it is extensive with a sealed alignment.
Customer Service quote:
This is an important...and deliberate statement! A driver failure (with no CS) would be more difficult to remedy. You would have to replace both drivers, taking into account the parameters of the cabinet...yada yada...a mess!
I have had positive dealings with Chad and Epik. I hope that this is just another one of their "down periods". It is amazing that he can sell such great subs at his price points. The closest competition would be the VTF-MK4 (different alignment/similar output to the Legend) and the PSA XS30...very similar to the Empire). I have compared the Empire and the XS-30 side by side. Almost indistinguishable between the two. Empire was about $300.00 cheaper.
With the (sad) demise of ED and....now Chase Home Theater....the future could be bright for Epik! I am dreaming about a big brother to the Empire with 2 18's......or maybe a completely different alignment like another company that starts with a "D" and ends with a "Y".
Let's hope all is well at Epik....love to see Chad's new designs a little birdi has told me about!
Mike
ps: Chu Gai
your posts are always very clever...love the Avatar...you crack me up biggrin.gif

"Has anyone ever seen a post from Chad?"

we did..this was the post,i mean the excuse he was blaming telecommunications as to why it was difficult to contact him. he also stated everything is going great and exciting new products are in the horizon.
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post #18858 of 19641
12/16/12 at 8:02am
From his website FWIW. Does it mean he can't answer phones/emails? so it seems.


"December 5, 2012



For those who have placed orders, we are working to ship out all orders as quickly as possible. Your tracking information is valid. It may simply not have been picked up yet by FedEx. We are filling the trucks daily with as many orders as they can hold.

Again, I apologize for the delay, but your order should be leaving soon if it has not already. The FedEx tracking information will be updated as they scan in the labels at each hub, etc.

For everyone else, we are working as quickly as possible to answer all emails and calls. Please be patient. We have SOLD OUT of all our subwoofers and do not have any idea when more will be available. It will be at least a month, but we will update everyone here, when we know more. We are not taking a wait-list at this time. The sale pricing has expired and will not be in affect when the products are back in-stock.

Thanks again to everyone for your patience."
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post #18859 of 19641
12/16/12 at 8:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sputter1 View Post

From his website FWIW. Does it mean he can't answer phones/emails? so it seems.
"December 5, 2012

For those who have placed orders, we are working to ship out all orders as quickly as possible. Your tracking information is valid. It may simply not have been picked up yet by FedEx. We are filling the trucks daily with as many orders as they can hold.

Again, I apologize for the delay, but your order should be leaving soon if it has not already. The FedEx tracking information will be updated as they scan in the labels at each hub, etc.

For everyone else, we are working as quickly as possible to answer all emails and calls. Please be patient. We have SOLD OUT of all our subwoofers and do not have any idea when more will be available. It will be at least a month, but we will update everyone here, when we know more. We are not taking a wait-list at this time. The sale pricing has expired and will not be in affect when the products are back in-stock.

Thanks again to everyone for your patience."

again look at the writing on the wall. there simply is just too many grey areas with that post.
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post #18860 of 19641
12/16/12 at 1:42pm
Quote:
For those who have placed orders, we are working to ship out all orders as quickly as possible. Your tracking information is valid. It may simply not have been picked up yet by FedEx. We are filling the trucks daily with as many orders as they can hold.

He made that comment on a blog on the his Website. I have not ever seen a post on the forums.
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post #18861 of 19641
12/16/12 at 1:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mike sloan View Post

He made that comment on a blog on the his Website. I have not ever seen a post on the forums.

He has posted in this thread before. He reads it.
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post #18862 of 19641
12/16/12 at 7:55pm
I like the words on Epik's homepage, "Deep Powerful Bass". It should read, "Deep Powerful Bass that we can't sell you at the moment, but we have plenty of t-shirts in stock". tongue.gif
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post #18863 of 19641
12/17/12 at 5:41am
I got my legend about a week or so ago. Very impressed. I have 2 Emotiva Ultra 12's that I bought for $329 each on clearance. I thought they were a steal at that price. The Legend blows them away. If I could upgrade each to a legend for an extra $70, I would in a second. I am a little concerned that the amp gets hot. I'm thinking of attaching a heat fin like the kind you put on a microprocessor.

I've had one dealing with Epik and they delivered what I ordered at a great price. I don't have any complaints. Give it time. Epik had a clearance sale and ran out of subs. There's no evidence they went out of business.
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post #18864 of 19641
12/17/12 at 9:05am
I just orderd this from amazon

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005CTPKAY/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00

Seems like a decent investment for $6 to help keep the amp cooler.
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post #18865 of 19641
12/17/12 at 4:25pm
KidHorn, that does seem like a good investment. Do you have any
idea of the size of each heatsink? Could not find any in the
description of the product, or reviews section.

Thanks, Vardo
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post #18866 of 19641
12/18/12 at 5:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by vardo View Post

KidHorn, that does seem like a good investment. Do you have any
idea of the size of each heatsink? Could not find any in the
description of the product, or reviews section.
Thanks, Vardo

I think they're each 1"x1". They're made to fit on top of a processor in an XBox, but should work attached to any metal or ceramic surface.
Edited by KidHorn - 12/18/12 at 6:20am
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post #18867 of 19641
12/18/12 at 10:39am
Where does or did Epik get their stuff from? Maybe here ... http://cn.greatexportimport.com/b-epik_subwoofers/756687
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post #18868 of 19641
12/18/12 at 11:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chu Gai View Post

Where does or did Epik get their stuff from? Maybe here ... http://cn.greatexportimport.com/b-epik_subwoofers/756687

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post #18869 of 19641
12/18/12 at 11:55am
Going to Epik's website, I tried clicking on Home or About. Dead end. Buy those t-shirts.
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post #18870 of 19641
12/18/12 at 11:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chu Gai View Post

Where does or did Epik get their stuff from? Maybe here ... http://cn.greatexportimport.com/b-epik_subwoofers/756687

I thought they put them together themselves in Chicago. Is that site for exporting from China or importing to China?
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