How do you ship heavy oversized speakers


I have some heavy (120 lbs each) and oversized (60"x22"x8") speakers that I need shipped to me (I bought them, and I am not doing the packing) The weight is borderline for UPS and FEDEX GROUND but the size will be bigger than allowable (130" for Length + Girth) once packing materials are added. What have you done in the past for these larger speakers? Pick-up is not an option as they are in CA and I am in WI. For some odd reason FED-EX 3 day air might work, they allow 165" total dimensions, but it will be close to $200 per speaker, not including packing. I would prefer the $60-$90 per speaker that UPS and FEDEX Ground would charge if the package was just a hair smaller. PLUS has anyone used any shipping services that do the packing for you? What are the costs and experiences you have had? I need help as soon as possible on this, thanks!!!!!
a71spud
What you may want to consider is asking the speaker mfg. who they use. I did this with Magnepan and found that the shipping company they use is used to handling fragile packages such as speakers.I shipped with them and had no problems whatsoever.
When I bought a pair of used Vandersteen 3A's from Audio Connections in New Jersey, and they had to be shipped to Seattle, WA, Audio Connections used a private trucking company. I can't remember the name of the trucking firm, but they are a national firm with an excellent reputation. If you want their name, I suggest you contact John Rutan at Audio Connections in New Jersey.
I had some large speakers(225lbs each) shipped from Seattle to Houston via Continental (or was it Delta?) air cargo. It was very reasonable ($275? for pair) AND I got them the next day. The only drawback was I had to go to the airport and pick them up.
If you live near an airport served by Delta, I have had good experience with Delta Air Freight service, and they have done well with large & heavy audio items (amplifiers, and a set of Acoustat 2+2 speakers in wooden crates-(8 ft. in length). You get much faster delivery than truck freight shipping, especially with long distance items.
After upgrading my 3As, Vandersteen Audio would not return my speakers via UPS, rather they insisted on using a private freight shipping Company, and they required that the speakers be shipped to a commercial address. It worked well for me, and Vandersteen told me that shipping their speakers UPS was a "nightmare". Craig.