Epik update

[ratm]

I posted this over on AVS but thought I would here as well...

I just got off the phone with Chad. (Answered my phone call on the 2nd ring). I asked him when he expects the next shipment of Empire's ready to go out. He stated a couple of months, but here is the kicker, it will be a completely new version of the Empire. He gave me no specifics except to say a more powerful and beefier amp and drivers with longer throws. Cost will increase as well (naturally). I asked him if this would blend well with my current Empire and he said yes. I got the feeling that he could no longer make and/or sell the Empire and be profitable. He did mention parts are harder to come by and referenced several of his competitors going out of business. (I did not ask him how this affected him). I also did not mention some of the customer services issues that have been plaguing him on here and other forums. I asked him if he expects his new product to be finished by summer and he said "oh most def". Chad was very cordial and seemed happy to be able to tell someone what he was doing, and ended the conversation by saying he is currently updating his websites blog and hope to be done with that tonight.

As it stands, I am still an Epik customer.

 

[j_garcia]

I am still a customer as well. While service may have took a while, I am good with the result so no complaints. Interesting to hear there are changes to the Empire, but probably not surprising for the reasons he mentioned.

 

[lsiberian]

I hope they are able to stick around.

 

[Chu Gai]

A brief search of import records indicated his last shipment, from T.S.C. Enterprises, happened around May, 2011.

Chad's statements without any appropriate qualifiers, are obviously vague. Without stating the conditions under which the amps are measured, it may or may not be more powerful than what he was using. Further, who knows what beefier means? Heavier, a more competent supplier who uses better parts, and any number of things come to mind. And a lower throw driver without any qualifications is also nebulous.

I did see where someone on AVS said they're receiving a replacement amp and an installation kit so I'm curious to see just what this all means. I know a lot of people want to believe in the viability of the company but then so did Manti Te'o believe his girlfriend was real.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I did see where someone on AVS said they're receiving a replacement amp and an installation kit...

Another good reason for unpowered subs.

 

[lsiberian]

A brief search of import records indicated his last shipment, from T.S.C. Enterprises, happened around May, 2011.

Chad's statements without any appropriate qualifiers, are obviously vague. Without stating the conditions under which the amps are measured, it may or may not be more powerful than what he was using. Further, who knows what beefier means? Heavier, a more competent supplier who uses better parts, and any number of things come to mind. And a lower throw driver without any qualifications is also nebulous.

I did see where someone on AVS said they're receiving a replacement amp and an installation kit so I'm curious to see just what this all means. I know a lot of people want to believe in the viability of the company but then so did Manti Te'o believe his girlfriend was real.

It's really hard for folks to let go of a failing venture. I think it had potential, but maybe they moved too quickly.

 

[jbrown15]

What I find puzzling is how does a ID company go almost 4 months without any product to sell to consumers and expect people to wait to still buy from them. I certainly don't pretend to know Chad's financial state but having a sales back ground myself, that's just crazy.

 

[rnatalli]

I hope they are able to stick around.

Same here. Epik had some great value subs like the Legend. An 80 pound sub with two 12" cast drivers for $399 shipped recently.

 

[j_garcia]

What I find puzzling is how does a ID company go almost 4 months without any product to sell to consumers and expect people to wait to still buy from them. I certainly don't pretend to know Chad's financial state but having a sales back ground myself, that's just crazy.

You are thinking big company. When you are a small company you are at the mercy of your suppliers, so that sort of thing can and does happen. Sounds like he is in the process of making changes to some of the products, so yes you can either have faith that a product will come out or you can buy something else.

 

[jbrown15]

You are thinking big company. When you are a small company you are at the mercy of your suppliers, so that sort of thing can and does happen. Sounds like he is in the process of making changes to some of the products, so yes you can either have faith that a product will come out or you can buy something else.

True, but I would say that most of the ID sub companies are small. And being a smaller ID company would only make it worse because I would think you have to capitalize on all the sales that you can. If Epik subs is a full time job for Chad, how do you function without a steady cash flow coming in. I would have to assume he has bills to pay like the rest of us. And without a steady flow from sales how does that happen? Especially considering the prices he was blowing the old subs out for. Of course if Chad's sitting on a pile of cash I guess this wouldn't matter.

 

[j_garcia]

True, but I would say that most of the ID sub companies are small. And being a smaller ID company would only make it worse because I would think you have to capitalize on all the sales that you can. If Epik subs is a full time job for Chad, how do you function without a steady cash flow coming in. I would have to assume he has bills to pay like the rest of us. And without a steady flow from sales how does that happen? Especially considering the prices he was blowing the old subs out for. Of course if Chad's sitting on a pile of cash I guess this wouldn't matter.

If he were out of stock on everything then yes it could be an issue, but it also meant he sold what he had and it took time to get the next round in. Sure most ID companies are (or at least they start that way) small, but if he truly is a 1-2 man shop, that is REALLY small Since he's given me a good product, I don't mind supporting the small guy still. That's how the ID companies that are larger now started and I supported them way back then too. All of my speakers basically come from tiny companies and I feel I am getting what I paid for, and that's sort of the idea with ID.

 

[theJman]

What I find puzzling is how does a ID company go almost 4 months without any product to sell to consumers and expect people to wait to still buy from them. I certainly don't pretend to know Chad's financial state but having a sales back ground myself, that's just crazy.

I'm with you; something smells fishy. No stock for months, and none projected to be available for a few months more? No info about it on their website? Questionable customer service? That doesn't sound like a recipe for success to me. I hope they make it -- between companies that crashed and burned, and ones run by kooks -- the ID manufacturers have gotten a black eye of late, and that's not good for the industry.

 

[jbrown15]

Yeah I certainly hope Epik is going to stick around as its better for the industry as a whole. I did have a little bit of a bad taste in my mouth when I was thinking about getting dual Empires. I went with subs from PSA and glad I did. What I do find funny is that Tom V from PSA is in the Epik thread over on AVSForums trying to help people out with problems that they are having with their Epiks subs. So here you have a competitor trying to help people with a sub that he didn't make but yet the guy who owns the company wont respond to anyone? That's crazy in my opinion.

 

[shadyJ]

Lol, I don't think Tom's motives are completely altruistic there, but good on him for helping nonetheless. Epik may have some great new products coming down the road, but if they continue to build a reputation for poor CS, that is going to weight heavily against whatever shiny new thing they introduce. Improved CS and a redesign of their existing line for improved reliability would go a lot further than a just having a new product. The Legend's hot amp even when not in use should have served as a warning sign for both the manufacturer and the consumers of a potential reliability issue.

 

[Goat1]

Its pretty simple.. For the guys that are fans,your holding out hope,plain and simple.. For guys like me that owns a legend and was a fan,this guy deserves to go out of business! Last time I checked updating your blog on your web page takes all of 30 secs. He doesn't do anything,because if he came out and said we are going out of business,and toe the company line,these fans would destroy him. Although they would feel bad for him at the same time,the sec one of their amps went,they would be very upset.. So he just sticks his head in the sand. SO Chad has a new product coming out in a few months.. Really? How many will trust him now? Not me! There are way too many stable companies with excellent customer support to deal with this bs. I'll pay more just for the customer service....

 

[j_garcia]

I give him credit for being able to put out a good product considering he is practically a one man shop. It is a tough economy still and complaining about something that hasn't happened is sort of pointless. If you don't trust him anymore, that's fine and understandable, but think about being in his position before you complain.

 

[Goat1]

Your joking right? Maybe he should have hired help. Done a little damage control. When there are so many other ID companies to buy from,trust is the biggest asset to your company. If Chad popped back up with a new product,how many that had issues getting a hold of him will buy from him again? They have no idea if their subs will get fixed now. Last time I checked J Garcia,the economy is tough on everyone,not just Chad.. You have to at least have some accountability for your actions or lack there of. When I talked to Chad before I bought my Legend,we talked about how important customers were to our companies,cause I own one also. Yet,he does a 180 and falls off the face of the planet.. Not OK! There isn't anything going on that he couldn't post on his webpage to at least keep his customers in the loop..

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

...the sec one of their amps went,they would be very upset...

Why don't they just make unpowered subs and never have to worry about internal amps malfunctioning ?

 

[Goat1]

Is it always about the power? Or do the amps just fail because they are built like crap?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Is it always about the power? Or do the amps just fail because they are built like crap?

We hear about sub amps failing from almost every company, not just Epik.

And when that happens, turn-around period is usually 2 or more weeks.