very tricky - lots of threads here on that and the related topic, insurance...
first thing to know is that most manufacturers boxes are not up to the job. most are designed to be strapped to a palette - usually in the company of other boxes creating a kind of semi-rigid block.
the very best way is to build an individual wood case for each speaker, then build a foam cradle inside it to keep the cabinet in place during transit. Terry at Cain and Cain was famous for the artful construction of his museum quality cases. needless to say these are expensive to build and expensive to ship. oh yeah and a PITA to store
in the not quite but almost category is to start with the manufacturers box and foam inserts. then build a case around it (all six sides) of 2" high density foam. then put that inside an outer box filling any empty space with peanuts.
again this is a time consuming, not inexpensive way to go
Though they will pick-up, none of the shipping companies (ie FedEx, UPS) will pack anything for you
Over a certain weight limit (easily exceeded by a big set of speakers) you have to use a common carrier (eg BAX) some will pickup at a residence, some will not - which means that you have to schlep these big old crates to them. Then there are issues getting anything that heavy delivered to a residence at the other end.
IMHO it doesn't really pay for anything but a high dollar pair of speakers.
Be interesting to see what some of the other folks have to say.
first thing to know is that most manufacturers boxes are not up to the job. most are designed to be strapped to a palette - usually in the company of other boxes creating a kind of semi-rigid block.
the very best way is to build an individual wood case for each speaker, then build a foam cradle inside it to keep the cabinet in place during transit. Terry at Cain and Cain was famous for the artful construction of his museum quality cases. needless to say these are expensive to build and expensive to ship. oh yeah and a PITA to store
in the not quite but almost category is to start with the manufacturers box and foam inserts. then build a case around it (all six sides) of 2" high density foam. then put that inside an outer box filling any empty space with peanuts.
again this is a time consuming, not inexpensive way to go
Though they will pick-up, none of the shipping companies (ie FedEx, UPS) will pack anything for you
Over a certain weight limit (easily exceeded by a big set of speakers) you have to use a common carrier (eg BAX) some will pickup at a residence, some will not - which means that you have to schlep these big old crates to them. Then there are issues getting anything that heavy delivered to a residence at the other end.
IMHO it doesn't really pay for anything but a high dollar pair of speakers.
Be interesting to see what some of the other folks have to say.