Paradigm Poor Customer Service

[krisg]

Ok, the woofer is shot and Paradigm will not replace it. Instead of buying a completly brand new sub, check out about replacing just the woofer. The box is fine and so is the amp, now is your opportunity to fit a high quality woofer into that box. Paradigm just puts average run of the mill drivers in their PDR and PS series subs. With a few dollars spent at, say parts express, you may very well end up with the best PS-1200 anywhere. Consider this as an opportunity to upgrade. The glass is either half empty or half full, I'm just trying to make it seem half full for you.

Trust me I was going to put one my ACI SV-12s in just to see what would happen. It's a band pass so there are two chambers, one of which is ported by three ports. A vented or sealed box would be pretty easy to find a driver to fit. A bandpass, not so simple.

I do apreciate the idea.

 

[cam]

I do Know the design of your sub being a former owner of a ps-1000. I now own a pw-2200, which did crap out on me after 22 months. My amp went bad and 5 weeks later I got a new amp, no problems.

I did read somewhere either on this site or over at Audio Review where someone changed out the woofer on their ps-1000 and the end result was dramatic to the user. I will try to find out the thread and post it for you.

 

[krisg]

I started reading this thread, got to page 4 and stopped. I feel sorry for krisg. I would be very upset if something like that happened to me. (similar things have ). I hope you try to talk to someone else at Paradigm.

No matter what you buy there will always be one person out there that had a 100% completely bad experience with that product. And there is at least one person out there that had a 100% completely good experience with that product. It happens all the time.

Krisg, do what you have to. Live is too short. We're here for a good time not a long time. Just don't throw everything Paradigm out. You paid your hard earned money for it. Keep it and use it. There was a good reason why you bought it in the first place. And I'm sure it was not the warranty that swayed you to buy that product.

PS: I have the same sub. I hope to get many more years out of it.

Believe it or not I have moved on already. I haven't even picked up the sub from Sensuous Sound at this point. Don't know if I will. I have already started designing my own sub as I did many years ago. I have never felt the price/performance ratio of subs was satisfactory. I took a chance and got burned. A friend of mine suggested I post. I hope to help anyone else thinking about buying Paradigm to think again. The PS-1200 is not an inexpensive sub. A consumer should be able to expect more than a two year old disposable piece of gear for this price. The word is spreading. I know several people who purchased Paradigm based on my recommendation. They know people who are in the market after buying new houses for audio systems. Paradigm has lost quite a bit in sales due to this incident. Not to mention any further cash from me.

I won't immediately trash my current paradigm parts that are still working. My eyes are open though. I do have another friend who is sorely disappointed with his Paradigm center channel and will be replacing it if he hasn't already. He used to be fairly fond od Paradigm. No more.

Thanks for your kind words.

 

[cam]

OK I found it

Scroll down five reviews to Lyle Poulin.http://reviews.iwon.com/cat/audioreview/speakers/subwoofers/paradigm/PRD_121036_2741crx.aspx

 

[krisg]

I do Know the design of your sub being a former owner of a ps-1000. I now own a pw-2200, which did crap out on me after 22 months. My amp went bad and 5 weeks later I got a new amp, no problems.

I did read somewhere either on this site or over at Audio Review where someone changed out the woofer on their ps-1000 and the end result was dramatic to the user. I will try to find out the thread and post it for you.

That would be nice. Thanks!

Wow - almost everyone who has posted (that has or does own Paradigm) seems to have some sort of problem with their Paradigms. Maybe they have run out of money reparing everyone else and can't afford to fix mine. Might explain the inferior components they appear to use.

 

[cam]

Come on buddy, work with me here. Your ps-1200 has crapped out, Paradigm will not remedy your situation. You can either be bitter for ever or you can salvage whats left of your ps-1200 and replace the woofer and make it better then ever, of course it will cost you a couple of dollars.

Replace the woofer with a high quality woofer and let us know the results. I'm sure there will be many people who would be interested in the results.

It is people like you that could give a positive review to a sub that has a replacement driver. A BETTER replacement driver. You are not the only one who has either had to replace the driver or scrape the sub all together.

Research a replacement woofer and get it. And post your results.

 

[krisg]

Come on buddy, work with me here. Your ps-1200 has crapped out, Paradigm will not remedy your situation. You can either be bitter for ever or you can salvage whats left of your ps-1200 and replace the woofer and make it better then ever, of course it will cost you a couple of dollars.

Replace the woofer with a high quality woofer and let us know the results. I'm sure there will be many people who would be interested in the results.

It is people like you that could give a positive review to a sub that has a replacement driver. A BETTER replacement driver. You are not the only one who has either had to replace the driver or scrape the sub all together.

Research a replacement woofer and get it. And post your results.

Sorry to disappoint. Trust me I am not bitter. See the happy face . I am actually very excited to be designing again. If I am going to spend time researching, why modifiy the PS-1200. Are you familiar with the term "can't polish a turd"? I don't think the box is even made of MDF, just regular old particle board. The amp is not anything to get excited about. If you are interested I will keep you updated on my new sub as I progress.

Trust me I have replaced more drivers in peoples broken speakers than you can shake a stick at. I used to work at speaker place and that's what we did on regular basis. We would repair peoples speaker systems by upgrading the drivers in them. Along with building custom systems. This was back when a decent pair of speakers was out of most peoples reach. We were building sattelite sub systems back then before it was considered cool to do so.

Really it will be much more satisfying to build a new design that meets my needs than to just revamp someone elses.

If it fails the only one I have to blame is me.

 

[cam]

Well, I thought at one time you were happy with your ps-1200 when it was working, and now all of a sudden, you could exchange the woofer, make it better then ever, and now it is not worth the next wipe off your a$$. You are BITTER.

 

[Sheep]

By your spelling and grammar, I can see how well your Socialist education system works. Yeah, we are the ones who need to fix things.

From now on you can call me commrad.

Personally, I thought WW1 was a joke, like Nam, and the current war. Only WW2 had a real cause. Yes frans ferdinand was killed and Germany was kicking some butt, but most of the war was spent in deadlock in the trenches.

In WW2, Russia was the saving grace. They single handedly won the eastern front. We could barely park our boats while the battled back with nothing.

Back on topic,

Krisg,

It seems you just don't care about trying to fix your subwoofer. Things break. Like it or not. But if they do, you have to act right away. If you have a blemmish on the cabinet and you don't report when it came like that, they will think you did it.

Anywho, what is your new subwoofer going to be like? Any specs etc? Seems odd that someone who used to do DIY bought a system from a company like paradigm.

SheepStar
EDIT: I just read that review with the replacement driver, I must say, that guy is an idiot. I would not take audio advice from that guy. That much swearing can't be good. His Idea of good is "thumping", which by my standards equals 60Hz.

 

[krisg]

Well, I thought at one time you were happy with your ps-1200 when it was working, and now all of a sudden, you could exchange the woofer, make it better then ever, and now it is not worth the next wipe off your a$$. You are BITTER.

It appears that you have a vested interest in that I either stay with Paradigm or I am bitter. Why is it that your viewpoint of me is based on my connection to Paradigm. Sounds like you can't get past the idea that maybe Paradigm isn't the last word in sound reproduction or customer service.

It sounds like you don't want me to have anything beter than Paradigm. Sometimes you have to put bias aside and be oblective. If I am going to spend time and money why not come out with a real solution and not a kludge? Sounds pretty simple. It removes Paradigm from the equation. It appears that some people start to exibit withdrawl symptoms. Let go of the apron string. There is a whole audio world out there that Paradigm is not a part of. They didn't invent sound reproduction. Just found a way to make a quick buck at it.

I guess we have a differing view of better. Just simply throwing a new woofer in there does not qualify the resulting sound component as better. Even though the replacement driver maybe better. The replacement would most certainly be better than the box and amp it is placed into.

The link you provided didn't qualify anyones statement reagarding how much better the sub sounded after they replaced the woofer. All I saw was subjective "It sounds better". They didn't qualify in what way. No measurements were taken. No evaluation to determine if the driver was even suitable from a T/S parameter stand point to be used the PS-1200 box. The thing may have only been going down to 45 Hz with a giant peak at 50 Hz giving it psycoacousstic affect of sounding like it was really thumping. The driver may have been more efficient giving it a higher output at his currently set levels. Again giving the initial effect that it must be better because it is louder. Many people if performing a blind test would pick the louder of two systems even if they were the exact same system, one just played slightly louder than the other.

So I guess I am sorry that you apparently are BITTER that I won't continue with the Paradigm name on my box and it is causing you pain. I can't help with this, and wasting my time trying to revive an average quality box (you already agree that the internals are not very good) just doesn't make any sense.

Feel free to post back. Consider it therapy. Sometimes talking through these things can help to get a clearer perspective.

Remember, me choosing to no longer support Paradigm is wholly Paradigms fault. I don't understand why so many people think I should support a product that the manufacturer of the product doesn't even deem worth supporting. Seriously, Paradigm would be far better off saying "Yep, defective driver." Replace it at thier cost (next to nothing). Have a happy customer that now adds customer service to a reason they buy their products. Instead they have created a negative perception on their whole product line from anyone who is objective. I was accused in a earlier posts that I can't just make broad statements to their whole product line just because of MY experience. So in their eyes when I buy one unit from Paradigm and it fails I should blindly pony up the money and go buy the next model up, maybe pay twice as much. I gues if that one fails maybe I need pay twice as much next time. Don't even consider the previous experiences, just give Paradigm more money thanking and praising them along the way. These really are loyal followers.

 

[wuttuptae]

Kris, any word back from Paradigm? Even though you've moved on, I'd still suggest actually mailing a letter rather than email. It is more official, and in my experience leads to better results. You can still build your own subwoofer; just get some money back for the one that broke.

It's troubling to hear this about Paradigm, but it really doesn't sound like it is Paradigm who is shafting you. Their quality is very good (check out http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_12_4/feature-article-paradigm-tour-12-2005-part-1.html). Sure it's just one guy's take on the company, but surely there is much to be said about the detail they go through to produce a high quality product.

And there was a comment (not by you, Kris) about 'Made in china' somewhere in this thread.. well, Paradigm is one of only a VERY few that MAKES everything they use in-house (not sure about the amplifiers). So that comment couldn't be any farther from the truth.

But interestingly enough, when speaking to a local dealer of Paradigm/Anthem gear, I asked him how the Anthem amplifiers faired. He's a very honest guy, imho, kinda tells it like it is. He said that he has had problems with Anthem gear. Great amps, he said, but he's seen a fair share of them needing repairs. Enough for him not to recommend them to me when I was so eager to buy them.

 

[krisg]

From now on you can call me commrad.

Krisg,

It seems you just don't care about trying to fix your subwoofer. Cam has suggested a way to fix it, and you turned the cheek. Things break. Like it or not. But if they do, you have to act right away. If you have a blemmish on the cabinet and you don't report when it came like that, they will think you did it.

Anywho, what is your new subwoofer going to be like? Any specs etc? Seems odd that someone who used to do DIY bought system from a company like paradigm.

SheepStar

Wow - this is interesting. Now I am the one who doesn't want my sub fixed. You guys really do love Paradigm. I know there have been a lot of posts and people forget things. But, earlier (very first post) I posted that I returned to unit to the Paradigm dealer for repair. Paradigm was the one who said they are not going to fix it.

I don't quite understand your statement - "But if they do, you have to act right away. If you have a blemmish on the cabinet and you don't report when it came like that, they will think you did it."

I returned to unit to Sensuous Sound within days after it failed. Thay are at least an hours drive away from me.

Now you guys feel I need to repair Paradigms design, give it glowing review and move on as if nothing happened. No wonder they are still in business.

As far DIY. It was a week moment and I got what I thought was a good deal. They didn't initially include the failure in the deal. That came later.

I also have been consumed with home remodeling projects for that last few years. Designing and testing takes quite a bit of time to do properly. I felt the sub would be a good unit until I was a point I could return to DIY. This incident has pushed that timeline up considerably. Imagine a sub the price of the PS-1200 only lasting 2 years. Whodda thunk it.

 

[krisg]

Kris, any word back from Paradigm? Even though you've moved on, I'd still suggest actually mailing a letter rather than email. It is more official, and in my experience leads to better results. You can still build your own subwoofer; just get some money back for the one that broke.

It's troubling to hear this about Paradigm, but it really doesn't sound like it is Paradigm who is shafting you. Their quality is very good (check out http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_12_4/feature-article-paradigm-tour-12-2005-part-1.html). Sure it's just one guy's take on the company, but surely there is much to be said about the detail they go through to produce a high quality product.

And there was a comment (not by you, Kris) about 'Made in china' somewhere in this thread.. well, Paradigm is one of only a VERY few that MAKES everything they use in-house (not sure about the amplifiers). So that comment couldn't be any farther from the truth.

But interestingly enough, when speaking to a local dealer of Paradigm/Anthem gear, I asked him how the Anthem amplifiers faired. He's a very honest guy, imho, kinda tells it like it is. He said that he has had problems with Anthem gear. Great amps, he said, but he's seen a fair share of them needing repairs. Enough for him not to recommend them to me when I was so eager to buy them.

Nothing from Paradigm. Not even a response that they heve received my email and will get back to me. Most companies have this in place to at least give the customer the feeling they care.

Of course they may have many, many emails like mine and can't keep up with them. I've seen that be the case when a company can't respond in a timely manner.

"just get some money back for the one that broke."
I was thinking of selling the broken sub to the guys who think it is such a great idea to repair it.

I am not as interested in were it was made as long as a company has good R&D abd quality control, being made in China is not in and of itself a stamp of disapproval.

A friend of mine has a cheesy Sony sub that cranks all the time. Ho got it about the same time I got mine. I was at least half the cost. His still works. Think how silly I look now. When he first got it I told him he should get one like mine. Go figure.

Thanks for the input.

 

[cam]

Ok, your right, I'd just toss the whole thing away. It doesn't matter what sub by whatever manufacturer, if the driver fails, you might aswell throw the rest of it away too.

In fact, if one of my tires on my car goes flat, I'm going to toss the whole car away.

 

[ht_addict]

Ok, your right, I'd just toss the whole thing away. It doesn't matter what sub by whatever manufacturer, if the driver fails, you might aswell throw the rest of it away too.

In fact, if one of my tires on my car goes flat, I'm going to toss the whole car away.

Cam, you know that as a seasoned member you wise crack, smart *** comments aren't helping anything. Fact is Krisg has a legitimate claim with the sub and his warranty. As a consumer if he says he didn't over drive the sub as a dealer they should be taking him for his word and repairing the sub under warranty. You/I/Everyone responding to this thread have NO IDEA the circumstances the sub was driven under. Problem with this whole thread is that he's blaming Paradigm when its actually his dealer thats causing the headache. In a previous post I recommended he email Paradigm which he has done, but he/we will all have to wait over the weekend before he'll get a response. Hopefully he just stated his situation and wasn't angry or out off line with his email to Paradigm.

 

[cam]

Cam, you know that as a seasoned member you wise crack, smart *** comments aren't helping anything. Fact is Krisg has a legitimate claim with the sub and his warranty. As a consumer if he says he didn't over drive the sub as a dealer they should be taking him for his word and repairing the sub under warranty. You/I/Everyone responding to this thread have NO IDEA the circumstances the sub was driven under. Problem with this whole thread is that he's blaming Paradigm when its actually his dealer thats causing the headache. In a previous post I recommended he email Paradigm which he has done, but he/we will all have to wait over the weekend before he'll get a response. Hopefully he just stated his situation and wasn't angry or out off line with his email to Paradigm.

If he has exhausted all possibilities to get either Paradigm or his dealer to get the driver replaced, then where is he. Oh ya, he is left with a non working sub and a very sour taste in his mouth. I feel for the guy, I really do. My amp went out on my PW-2200 and I had no problems with all involved to get it fixed. It took about 5 weeks but it got fixed. Maybe if I blew my driver I might have got the same flake Krisg has received. I hope it never happens to me but if it does, I'm not going to wallow in my own sorrow and then just bash the manufacturer. I would source out a new driver and put it all behind me.

If no one is going to stand up and help (Paradigm and the dealer) then at some point you have to just help yourself. So he can have a 60+ pound box doing **** or he can get a new driver and be back in business.

 

[zilla]

From now on you can call me commrad.

Personally, I thought WW1 was a joke, like Nam, and the current war. Only WW2 had a real cause. Yes frans ferdinand was killed and Germany was kicking some butt, but most of the war was spent in deadlock in the trenches.

In WW2, Russia was the saving grace. They single handedly won the eastern front. We could barely park our boats while the battled back with nothing.

Sheep,

You seem to have quite a bit knowledge in regard to audio... a vast amount more than me to be sure. However, having read your short views on WWI and II, I can't help but think of the old maxim. Perhaps you've heard it?

"it's better to remain silent and let people think you're an fool, as opposed to opening your mouth and removing all doubt"

I know you're pretty young, so I suggest reading up a little bit on WWI and WWII so you can develop something of an educated opinion on them.

 

[krisg]

If he has exhausted all possibilities to get either Paradigm or his dealer to get the driver replaced, then where is he. Oh ya, he is left with a non working sub and a very sour taste in his mouth. I feel for the guy, I really do. My amp went out on my PW-2200 and I had no problems with all involved to get it fixed. It took about 5 weeks but it got fixed. Maybe if I blew my driver I might have got the same flake Krisg has received. I hope it never happens to me but if it does, I'm not going to wallow in my own sorrow and then just bash the manufacturer. I would source out a new driver and put it all behind me.

If no one is going to stand up and help (Paradigm and the dealer) then at some point you have to just help yourself. So he can have a 60+ pound box doing **** or he can get a new driver and be back in business.

Cam, come on now your the one all upset that I am leaving the Paradigm world. Each of your posts get more angry and the fact that you are blaming me for not being the Paragim warranty and repair service is silly. you assume I am wallowing.

I have emailed Paradigm and will wait to see what the response is. Maybe I'll call who knows.

But why don't you put your money were your mouth is. Source me a driver and give what you think the expected response curve and thermal output limits as well as expected frequency dips or peaks will be. I need something more than "it will sound awesome". Can you tell what the electronics are doing inside, Is it a straight amp or does it use some sort eq'ing as part of it's design to tailor the response

Just what is so noble about saving this box in your mind. It's not like I am refusing to donating organs that could save someones life. It's like you have such a hangup about Paradigm that it is sacrilegious to get rid of one of thier broken pieces of gear. It's not an alter, at least to me. Why waste time energy and money on an average box. If you have looked at their stuff it is manufasctured so as to be as easy and cheap to manufacture as possible. Nothing special.

 

[krisg]

Problem with this whole thread is that he's blaming Paradigm when its actually his dealer thats causing the headache.

You may be right, we'll see. Paradigm's own web site under tech support directs you to their dealers for questions. Again as I said in an earlier post the tech I talked to spoke as if he was giving me Paradigms response. We will see. Maybe to dealer grossly misrepresented Paradigm. We will see.

 

[cam]

Why waste time energy and money on an average box, I don't know, you tell me, your the one that opened up your wallet years ago for this sub. At that time it was a worthy sub.

I will agree with you though, the ps series subs are designed with many comprimises. That is why Paradigm has priced them fairly cheap. Not everyone can afford a pw, seismic, or servo series sub, that is where the ps series comes in. It can be afforded by many consumers looking to get a bang for your buck sub.

But then you get one, years later the driver dies, paradigm voids your warranty, (which I strongly feel they should not have) , and now all Paradigm stuff is crap.

I'm not sticking up for Paradigm here because I feel that they could have replaced the driver for next to nothing and would have avoided any bad publicity.

But that now leads us to where we are now. You have a sub with a fried driver and Paradigm has received a negative review. I suggested something but you would have rather me jump on your "Paradigm is crap wagon".

The woofer in that driver is mediocre and the design is also, my opinion, but it is possible to get another driver for that sub that will out perform the original. I don't now of one that I could recommend but from the sound of it, you have already made the decision that it can't be done.