My experience with BSW!

[Essam Khafagi]

1. I ordered the Stage 1, shipped on time and everything went smoothly.

2. Received them here in Saudi in perfect condition.

3. Removed the door panels and started the installation. First thing I noticed is that the OEM midbass is 16cm while BSW's is only 13cm and they are using an outer ring to fill in the gap. I really dont know why?!

4. Installed all speakers, turned on the system, there was a huge improvement in the high frequency but the bass is!!!! I cannot describe it! Let's say very bad bass. I thought it is because the door panels were not back in place. They were installed back and I am still getting this rattling weak bass. Someone will say "you need a sub to have a good bass", OK I agree, but the OEM was MUCH MUCH BETTER!
I said to myself let me try some more songs until tomorrow. I also thought that there might be a reverse speaker connection causing all this.

5. I went back to the technician the next day, removed all the door panels AGAIN!, and checked all connections. They were done correctly according to BSW manual.

6. I have sent an email and PM to Mr. Halston of BSW and he told me that their speakers need like three weeks to "break in"! What's this?!! As if I am buying speakers for the first time in my life! He means that the rubber components need time to stretch and give better sound. Of course I did not believe this and decided to remove everything and send them back. I only kept the tweeters.

7. I installed very cheap Pioneer 16cm speakers (22$ per pair!) and they are doing GREAT as midbass. They fit like magic in the speaker OEM housing. Model is TS-G1612R in case anyone is interested.

[Essam Khafagi]

8. BSW accepted the return and gave me a return authorization for what I paid after deducting the tweeter price. (430$)

9. My technician threw the BSW boxes so I used the Pioneer boxes to pack everything. They are the same size, and the box has foam inside that completely protect the speaker. I also used an outer box for extra protection and filled the empty spaces with foams and empty boxes.

10. I paid 134$ to send them back via Aramex (www.aramex.com). They are like DHL and FedEx and I am using them since ages in all my work shipments. I send and receive delicate items like Fiber Optic patch cords and connectors for example.

11. BSW received them in three days and here is what I got from them:
Essam,
I just received your package and need to inform you that some of the contents were damaged in shipping because of the way they were packaged. There is also damage to the speakers from installation that goes beyond normal installation marks.
Under these circumstances I cannot give you a full refund, as the product is damaged and cannot be sold as new.
This RA was issued under the pretense that the speakers were in like new condition and in original packaging and they are not.
I can offer you a credit of $200.00 for the damaged speakers that you have sent us. I cannot offer more than this.

12. Do you believe this?!!! Of course I did not accept and sent them back on 23 December. I did not get any feedback till the moment. All I got is a "delete" notification from "Mr. Halston". He is replying to threads here and he did not care about my case! Is this what we should expect from a "Sponsor" on our forum??!!

I just wanted to share this with forum members, and I swear that I wrote down everything as it exactly happened.

Thanks and sorry for the long article.

[statdoc]

*) Why didn't you keep them the three weeks, as BSW suggested? If they didn't improve after that, you would have done everything BSW suggested and could then proceed with the return.

*) Why did you dispose of the boxes? Most companies have exactly that same policy, that returns should be in the original boxes.

*) If they were damaged in shipping, you should file a claim with the shipping company.

I have had nothing but excellent interactions with BSW in general, and Halston in particular. I am sorry you are not happy, but I think you should accept at least part of this responsibility.

[Essam Khafagi]

Originally Posted by statdoc

*) Why didn't you keep them the three weeks, as BSW suggested? If they didn't improve after that, you would have done everything BSW suggested and could then proceed with the return.

I never heard this "break in" thing before, and the Pioneer speakers worked perfectly as soon as they were installed!

Originally Posted by statdoc

*) Why did you dispose of the boxes? Most companies have exactly that same policy, that returns should be in the original boxes.

Have you seen their original boxex? They won't cost more than 10$! Do you want to convince me that the boxes = 230$ ?

Originally Posted by statdoc

*) If they were damaged in shipping, you should file a claim with the shipping company.

I asked them to send me pics of the damage but they didn't! and by the way, I did not use sillicon as they suggested in installation. I only use small drops of super glue on the outer rings and they did not leave any marks after removal.

Originally Posted by statdoc

I have had nothing but excellent interactions with BSW in general, and Halston in particular. I am sorry you are not happy, but I think you should accept at least part of this responsibility.

I can accept a "reasonable" part of the responsibility not more than 50%!

[ZsX5o3]

well I personally have heard of the break-in process. by many it has been compared to a new pair of shoes, and others believe it's all psychological, as in you getting familiar with the sound of your new speakers.

personally I would have taken their advice, if they claimed their speakers needed a break in period, but there's too many factors in this case to point the finger one way or another.

[statdoc]

OK, now I understand. You did not follow the installation instructions, advice, or return shipping directions of BSW, yet blame them for everything. Perfect.

[Wagner]

OK..couple things.

You got the speakers in perfect condition, you sent them back in bad condition.

You didn't send them back in the original box, which I bet you was written in fine print as part of the warranty for return, and this is not uncommon.

You used superglue instead of the silicone that you were instructed to use


---

Now, you expect a 50% refund? For what, the broken used product you sent back in the incorrect box and installed incorrectly (superglue vs silicone)?

And most speakers, in fact nearly all subs components, require break in time and tell you up front not to use at full frequency for a certain duration. (when I installed components we'd tell people, just like tire and brakes..let them break in).

Frankly, you should take the money and go. Move on to someone else if you weren't happy. Since this is "your first speaker purchase" you have nothing to compare to. I'd really like to see a pic of the speakers But I'd almost guarantee from whats been written, they were NOT installed correctly...I have NEVER heard of using superglue on a speaker. Why would anyone install them with an adhesive with no give that is why they said silicone.

[LeMansX5]

You should have posted here for advice before install and than before you removed them. Return in original box is big in US at least. No original box means no full refund and everyone knows that here.

[Essam Khafagi]

Guys,

I accept a deduction, but not 230$ for lost boxes!.
They are plain white boxes with nothing printed/written on them! Boxes for the mids are like a cigarette packet, does this worth 230$?

Wagner, this is not my first time to buy aftermarket speakers, and it is not my first time to do a complete audio upgrade. Pioneer speakers sounded perfect from the moment I turned on the system and it is still satisfying me.

One more thing, I DID NOT use the super glue on the speakers itself, it was on the outer rings 3cm away from the speaker and on the housing. It was only a single drop on each axis of each speaker. The silicon would be even worst if removed!

I asked for a proof of damage (pictures) to be able to raise a claim aginst the shipping company but BSW did not send me the pics. They did not even reply till now. How should I know what damage they are talking about?

It is not a matter of money, it is a matter of principals and concepts. 200$ is nothing for me, but when I pay them by my own well!

Thanks everyone!

[statdoc]

Originally Posted by Essam Khafagi

It is not a matter of money, it is a matter of principals and concepts. 200$ is nothing for me, but when I pay them by my own well!

The principle is that you chose to ignore the instructions and advice of the seller, and now want to not only complain, but blame the seller and get reimbursed 100% for your mistakes.