Kevin Deal left a VM and sent me an email today. He regretted the DOA Tweeter. He Stood by his claim that the Speakers were in beautiful condition. I emailed two photos to him showing that the speakers are not even the same color. One is that bright red clear finish you see in the ads, the other is a cloudy brownish finish with lacquer runs like when you hold a spray can too close and keep spraying. As far as the tweeter, that is not an issue. Robert Lee resolved that. I would post the pictures here but I do not know how. Anyway I am guessing this post is dead now, thanks for all your inputs. I can't wait to hear them when the tweeter arrives. You live and learn. I learned a lot on this purchase.
Very Bad purchase from upscale audio Acoustic Zen Adagio
This was not my first purchase from Kevin Deal at Upscale audio. I am a entry level audiophile. My PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium HP and Dialogue Premium Preamplifier have given many hours of enjoyment. I have purchased well over 1K in tubes from Kevin. This purchase took me over the 10K mark with Upscale Audio. I am not a rookie to audio or tube amplification. I have had a successful tube amp repair and design shop since 1993.
My concern.
Here is the description of the Acoustic Zen Adagio from Upscale audio's website.
This pair of Adagio's from our demo room are also the last pair of Adagio's in our inventory. The Adagio is such a sweet sounding speaker and is perfect for those who really like to get inside the music. The pair we have are in the stunning Figure Red wood finish. The baffle style is the original (and better sounding) non-tapered baffle, as pictured. Price $2499.00 plus shipping
Ok.
I called Kevin and talked to him on the phone. I asked him if he would entertain an offer. I told him that I had seen the same speakers offered on Audiogon and Audioasylum for considerably less.
He said I am a retail store and back my products. He also said this and I quote " Those people are just guys in their underwear scratching their asses." I am a store.
I trusted the description of the speakers and I trusted Kevin.
Total price. $2839. $2499.00 plus $340.00 shipping to NC.
The speakers arrived and I couldn't wait to unpack them and hook them up. The packing was great. My anticipation was greater.
Left speaker Tweeter DOA. The same speaker had a shameful reject finish. The lacquer was so clouded you can hardly see the wood figure. The back of the speaker was loaded with black specks under the lacquer. These speakers are seconds, rejects. I sent Kevin Deal 4 emails referring to the fact that this really was a bad deal. It has been 3 days and no response.
On the other hand Robert Lee ( Owner of Acoustic Zen) responded immediately to my email asking for help with the DOA Tweeter. I sent it off next day air to him and today responded that it is on it's way back to me.
Somehow Kevin Deal's Train ran off the tracks so don't ask for your money back
My concern.
Here is the description of the Acoustic Zen Adagio from Upscale audio's website.
This pair of Adagio's from our demo room are also the last pair of Adagio's in our inventory. The Adagio is such a sweet sounding speaker and is perfect for those who really like to get inside the music. The pair we have are in the stunning Figure Red wood finish. The baffle style is the original (and better sounding) non-tapered baffle, as pictured. Price $2499.00 plus shipping
Ok.
I called Kevin and talked to him on the phone. I asked him if he would entertain an offer. I told him that I had seen the same speakers offered on Audiogon and Audioasylum for considerably less.
He said I am a retail store and back my products. He also said this and I quote " Those people are just guys in their underwear scratching their asses." I am a store.
I trusted the description of the speakers and I trusted Kevin.
Total price. $2839. $2499.00 plus $340.00 shipping to NC.
The speakers arrived and I couldn't wait to unpack them and hook them up. The packing was great. My anticipation was greater.
Left speaker Tweeter DOA. The same speaker had a shameful reject finish. The lacquer was so clouded you can hardly see the wood figure. The back of the speaker was loaded with black specks under the lacquer. These speakers are seconds, rejects. I sent Kevin Deal 4 emails referring to the fact that this really was a bad deal. It has been 3 days and no response.
On the other hand Robert Lee ( Owner of Acoustic Zen) responded immediately to my email asking for help with the DOA Tweeter. I sent it off next day air to him and today responded that it is on it's way back to me.
Somehow Kevin Deal's Train ran off the tracks so don't ask for your money back
Showing 7 responses by rbogartr
Just want this to end. But I do need to respond to Kevin Deal's post with pictures that I was able to post on Audioasylum. https://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/bbs.mpl |
Stringreen, You have hit a home run. A lousy looking finish on a speaker is really infinitesimal in the grand Scheme. My wife went for a annual physical and was told she had 3 months to live from a rare form of cancer.. She only made it 2. The last thing on her mind would have been a poor finish on a speaker. I figure I paid about $500.00 too much for these speakers. The cost of an emergency room visit. I can't devote the time or emotion to try to recover my loss. Like you posted "
its best just not to be aggravated and to move on" Wise words. Thank you. |
All that you touch And all that you see All that you taste All you feel And all that you love And all that you hate All you distrust All you save And all that you give And all that you deal And all that you buy Beg, borrow or steal And all you create And all you destroy And all that you do And all that you say And all that you eat And everyone you meet (everyone you meet) And all that you slight And everyone you fight And all that is now And all that is gone And all that's to come And everything under the sun is in tune But the sun is eclipsed by the moon Pink Floyd - Eclipse Lyrics |
https://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/vt.mpl?f=speakers&m=354793 One last post with picture. Hard to capture on a cell phone but that's not whip cream on the edges, that's sloppy spay can run. |
The issue has been resolved. Kevin again offered to provide a shipping label and pay for the return of the speakers. He also said he would refund every penny I paid. He offered a $300.00 refund if I wanted it instead. I chose not to pack up the speakers and send them back. Kevin is providing the $300.00 credit. I expressed my regret for taking this issue to this forum before exhausting all other avenues. Robert Lee returned the tweeter with some silver solder, and the owner's manual. I installed it and the speakers sound great. |