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Flat pack kits [message #77009]

Wed, 12 June 2013 23:26

Benji
Messages: 6
Registered: November 2012

Esquire

Good evening Wayne,

Rumour has it that you'll be offering a 4pi flat pack?

Are you able to shed more light on this and the price?

I'm thoroughly interested as it makes like significantly easier.

Much appreciated.

Regards,

Benji

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Re: Flat pack kits [message #77013 is a reply to message #77009]

Thu, 13 June 2013 08:19

Wayne Parham
Messages: 18786
Registered: January 2001

Illuminati (33rd Degree)

Yes, we will be offering flat pack kits. Details soon.

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Re: Flat pack kits [message #77018 is a reply to message #77009]

Fri, 14 June 2013 15:35

steve f
Messages: 238
Registered: May 2009

Master

Wayne, That's really cool. Other models?

Steve

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Re: Flat pack kits [message #77019 is a reply to message #77018]

Fri, 14 June 2013 17:08

Wayne Parham
Messages: 18786
Registered: January 2001

Illuminati (33rd Degree)

Yes, we'll start offering flat pack kits of most models this summer. That includes one π, two π, three π and four π loudspeakers.

The longest panels for the two π tower and the cornerhorns are too large to be shipped by common carriers, so would be rather expensive. I haven't decided whether or not to make them available as a "pickup" item, but even if I do that, it won't happen right away. We're focusing on costing out the rest of the line right now.

I still would encourage everyone purchasing kits to have a local lumberyard cut the panels for them, or to have a cabinet shop in their area build finished cabinets. I think this is the best way to go. But for those that want an "assemble-it-yourself" option available online, we're planning to provide flatpack kits for selected models.

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Re: Flat pack kits [message #77021 is a reply to message #77009]

Sat, 15 June 2013 11:15

dheflin44
Messages: 47
Registered: November 2012
Location: Carrollton, TX

Baron

Given the weight the shipping costs on the flat packs for any of the models could easily be more than half of the overall cost. Are the flat packs going to be available only thru your website, or also thru one of the large part houses like Parts Express that can leverage shipping costs? Are the flat packs being made local to you?

Thanks,
Darrell

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Re: Flat pack kits [message #77022 is a reply to message #77021]

Sat, 15 June 2013 12:28

Wayne Parham
Messages: 18786
Registered: January 2001

Illuminati (33rd Degree)

Our flat pack kits will be made by the same company that does CNC for everything else we do - the 12π hornsub (finished and flatpack kits), the midhorns and all other completed cabinets. The only difference is we've never sold them as raw, unfinished panels, for exactly the reasons you've described. Shipping costs are rather high for large panels. And with them really just being simple boxes, I always felt it made more sense to have a local cabinet shop make boxes for kit builders. But we'll give a go of the flat packs and see how people like them.

There's no reason to introduce a middle-man like Parts Express. We started off as a DIYer enterprise, giving out free plans and doing it for the fun of it. Still have that same spirit. I'm not going to tell you I don't make a buck or two off the kits, but the whole kit idea (here) started off about 12 years ago, when people were building enough speakers from my plans it seemed worthwhile to use an economy of scale to get wholesale pricing, much like what others might call a group buy. So the products on my site are largely wholesale cost, usually cheaper than what a person could do buying them separately. Any introduction of a reseller or dealer network is pure marketing, commercialization that would simply increase cost.

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