Problem with sub from Audiogon

[Stripes]

mirage omni s-10 problems

I got this sub from someone on audiogon, it was rated a 10/10. As soon as I hooked it up and went to adjust the gain to about 1/2 way, it started popping wildly. It was like every time I turned it up a little past a 1/4 it would pop. So I unplugged it and went to bed. This morning I got up just to try it again and no more popping but it just doesnt sound right, very hollow and flubby, I have to turn it up about 3/4 just to get any thing out of it, and all the way up is just dissapointing, my infinity ps8 just destroys this thing. I know that cant be right. Does anyone know what is wrong with it or what I can do about it? Thanks

 

[rnatalli]

It's possible the sub was damaged during shipment. I'd contact the seller. Did you use Paypal for the transaction?

Assuming the sub is damaged, here's an alternative:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46475

 

[Stripes]

No I didnt use paypal, I used my credit card. It was a company who was selling the sub. I think its a real possibility that it was damaged do to the styrafoam supports being broken when I opened the box. Hopefully I can send it back...

 

[mazersteven]

Any reason why you chose that subwoofer in the first place?

 

[Stripes]

I just had always heard what a good sub it was, I'm guessing now its not too great...

 

[Bluesmoke]

I'd pay a little more and get the SVS PB10. I own the Energy S10.3 (same sub) and the SVS destroys it, it ain't even funnny. In terms of sound quality, detail and depth.

 

[speakerman39]

I just had always heard what a good sub it was, I'm guessing now its not too great...

It is a great sub. I have owned the S10 and the S12. Both were very good with music and ht alike. Of course, the S12 had a bit better extension and hit a bit harder. Hopefully, you can work something out with the people you bought it from. Good luck.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[TLS Guy]

I bought a subwoofer off of a comercial dealer, the unit was rated a 10/10. When it arrived, I carefully hooked it up, the unit started malfunctioning right away, popping loudly out of control with no actual signal going to it. When the unit stopped popping it didnt sound right after that a real flubby and hollow bass that was just horrible, and to get any sound from it the gain had to be above 3/4 of the way up. I contacted the seller and he got back with me and stated that the unit might be covered under warranty, a few days went by and I got an email stating that it was under warranty and that a new amp would be sent to me, he didnt give me a time. My question is; is this right? I shouldnt be held liable to get the amp installed in the unit should I? Nor do I know if the problem is even the amp its self, I told him I didnt feel right just getting an amp sent to me and that be a fix to the problem. I said that I would rather just get a refund and send the unit back to him to deal with, since it seems to me that a bad unit was sent to me, and now Im responsible to take care of the repairs. Anyway the seller has not been back in contact with me since I asked for a refund. Any advice would be greatly apreciated...Josh

I'd be pretty sure the amp is no good, but it has probably fried the driver. What sub is this any way? If it is new the manufacturer has a responsibility also. I hope you have not walked into some "White Van" scheme. I would notify Audiogon also.

 

[Stripes]

The sub is an Mirage Omni S-10,

Trust me if it said Divinci I would have stayed away from it...

He didnt state it as "NEW" just a used once for a convention demo...

 

[Haoleb]

Being expected to replace the amp yourself is pretty standard. It is not an involved procedure. I dont imagine you think paying to send the entire sub back to the manufactuer at your cost would be better option.

The only things in the sub that can fail are the amp or the driver. There is no doubt the amp is what is at fault here. Doesnt sound like anything unusual is going on in your case. Infact it seems like your recieving great service not even having to deal with getting the replacement amp yourself.

 

[TLS Guy]

The sub is an Mirage Omni S-10,

Trust me if it said Divinci I would have stayed away from it...

He didnt state it as "NEW" just a used once for a convention demo...

So technically this unit is used. Get hold of Mirage and see if there is warranty left on this unit, and if it transfers to you.

Was there any warranty offered, given or implied by the seller? Used merchandise purchased with no warranty offered by the seller is as is as was. However the seller said the unit was 10/10 so this could be interpreted as an implied warranty.

Unfortunately you are on much less certain ground than if you had purchased a new unit from a reputable dealer.

If I buy used, I assume I could be stuck, and have been, so I don't purchase anything, I don't feel competent to service.

Unfortunately that unit is almost certain to need a new amp and 10" driver. If Mirage can not help you out, for instance if warranty has expired since the demo, then you are at the mercy of the seller.

Try moving the driver cone in and out and see if you feel any rubbing, grating or grinding. If you do, it is certain the driver needs replacement. If not, you can replace the amp and see how it sounds. If it sounds like you described, but without the popping or any other problems then the driver will still need replacement. Also find out the correct DC resistance of the driver, and check it. After what you described there could be shorted turns on the voice coil, drastically dropping the impedance. If that has happened then you will blow the new amp and keep chasing your tail so to speak. I'm concerned, as from your description the woofer was very likely powered beyond its mechanical limits, by the violent popping.

 

[Stripes]

Infact it seems like your recieving great service not even having to deal with getting the replacement amp yourself.

You sound like this guy is doing me a favor...He is a commercial dealer stating that this thing was in mint condition. Why should I have to deal with getting the amp myself, if that was the case then this guy could just send out a bunch of crap and not be liable for anything. Just make all the buyers fix the problems. I told him it could be a shipping issue do to the fact that the styrafoam supports were all broken to crap. He told me that it was like that when he shipped it...who says that?

 

[Haoleb]

You sound like this guy is doing me a favor...He is a commercial dealer stating that this thing was in mint condition. Why should I have to deal with getting the amp myself, if that was the case then this guy could just send out a bunch of crap and not be liable for anything. Just make all the buyers fix the problems. I told him it could be a shipping issue do to the fact that the styrafoam supports were all broken to crap. He told me that it was like that when he shipped it...who says that?

Things break and sh*t happens. I bought a brand new reciever and had to pay to ship it back to be fixed. It was supposed to be brand new (As in... Working!)

If he has already managed to procure an amp and is getting it sent out to you whats the problem? I would just wait until you get the amp and see how it works out.

 

[mike c]

you have already created a thread on the same topic here:
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46481

please refrain from double posting so you and other people don't have to repeat themselves

 

[TLS Guy]

You sound like this guy is doing me a favor...He is a commercial dealer stating that this thing was in mint condition. Why should I have to deal with getting the amp myself, if that was the case then this guy could just send out a bunch of crap and not be liable for anything. Just make all the buyers fix the problems. I told him it could be a shipping issue do to the fact that the styrafoam supports were all broken to crap. He told me that it was like that when he shipped it...who says that?

Let me ask you this. Did you buy this from an authorized Mirage dealer? How much below regular retail did you buy this unit for? When you say the dealer is a commercial dealer, what is the nature of his business?

If he is a dealer that buys up gear cheap and resells through Audiogon and or eBay, then you took a big risk, and you may have lost your gamble. The fact the dealer was uncertain whether warranty applied, probably means he is not the original purchaser.

Next time you need to use better judgment. Anticipate you may be buying a dud, and if you buy it used from a non authorized source you must expect to have a responsibility if the unit has problems.

I have the strong feeling you have not been entirely forthcoming about the details of this purchase. I'm inclined to agree with Haoleb, if you can get the spare parts free, think yourself very lucky under these circumstances. Don't irritate the seller, you may have to have him obtain a new driver for you also. I suspect he is not a Mirage dealer, and Mirage think he is the current owner, and he is having the amp sent to him.

If you can't do these repairs yourself, then you should NOT have bought the unit under these circumstances. At the least this unit was open box, and I suspect fulfills the definition of a used item, and you may VERY well be the third owner.

 

[jamie2112]

If you used paypal, you can dispute the transfer of funds with paypal and they will get your money back by freezing the sellers paypal account. I had this happen last year with a pair of speakers and the seller was not getting back to me. I contacted paypal and canceled my payment. It took about 2 weeks but after his paypal account was frozen, he sent me a refund and payed for return shipping.

 

[Stripes]

I have the strong feeling you have not been entirely forthcoming about the details of this purchase.

Is this a polite way of calling me a liar? I came here to get advice not to get my integrity questioned, the only thing I didnt mention was that the seller used to sell the mirage line, as an authorized dealer. He told me that they stopped carrying them and he was just getting rid of his last few mirage items.

But you are right, this is the second purchase from audiogon that has left me with a less than desireable product. So from now on I will only buy new so this kind of stuff does not happen to me again.

Lesson Learned...Thanks

 

[TLS Guy]

Is this a polite way of calling me a liar? I came here to get advice not to get my integrity questioned, the only thing I didnt mention was that the seller used to sell the mirage line, as an authorized dealer. He told me that they stopped carrying them and he was just getting rid of his last few mirage items.

But you are right, this is the second purchase from audiogon that has left me with a less than desireable product. So from now on I will only buy new so this kind of stuff does not happen to me again.

Lesson Learned...Thanks

I'm not calling you a liar. I just felt you were sparse with the details and you were. How can we properly advise you, if you don't lay out all the significant facts. Since the guy used to be a dealer, and assuming he is telling the truth, that should help your situation greatly, as now Mirage definitely have a responsibility to correct the situation. I would talk to them ASAP and above all find out if that guy was a dealer for them in good standing. Good luck.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Dang...TLS is giving whuuupin's on here.....