I didn't watch it entirely but I'm not sure I got the complaint he had. Is it mainly about the weight and heft of them?
If he purchased some other speaker at the same price, would it come with a guy who carried them in and set them up for him?
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Arendal 1528 high end speakers
- Thread starter Pearljam5000
- Start date
I didn't watch it entirely but I'm not sure I got the complaint he had. Is it mainly about the weight and heft of them?
If he purchased some other speaker at the same price, would it come with a guy who carried them in and set them up for him?
Nondemo01
Active Member
That's my thought exactly. Ultimately, he likes their performance even though he mentions they're at their best when played "louder" than average. Like most creators, they get pretty defensive when questioned about their baby. I generally find his reviews entertaining and well produced, but he has enough of these kinds of nit picks to question his credibility. I'm guessing 80% of his audience is the lifestyle and home decor crowd. Should I complain that my new McIntosh integrated at over $8K didn't come with AAA batteries for the remote? Or that I had to assemble my Michell turntable myself? Anyway, one of his grips was "finish" so I offer this pic. (The gloss is SO good it's like a mirror!)
**EDIT**
Apparently, there was some kinda back/forth between them and Arendal pertaining to the delivery that frustrated them. It definitely shows in this review. I've had NOTHING but excellent customer service from Arendal. Yes, I understand I got a special pair, but when I was just a "tire kicker", I found them very nice and quick to reply. It's safe to assume the Robinsons weren't prepared for the size and weight of these towers and want "special" from direct to consumer retailers. That's not how those business models work. And demanding "special" from a retailer for a speaker you have no intention of buying and instead plan to make money from and then dinging them for your lack of preparation, is ridiculous. Hire a day laborer or hit the gym.
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That is unlikely to be Arendal's fault. And may be because he didn't want to keep the pallet. Sounds strange that the truck driver wouldn't unload the pallet from the truck, but I could see how he wouldn't help lift the speakers off the pallet itself.
I have no idea what happened of course, but I don't think a specific super cheap transport service where the recipient has to climb into the truck to get his goods exists, so sounds like some kind of misunderstanding or unlucky encounter rather than a representation of how the speakers are typically delivered.
That being said, I have no idea why they have to be that heavy.
Nondemo01
Active Member
No, I got that part. What's puzzling is the "why". I agree with Sigberg however, and don't blame Arendal for that. They are drop shipped on a skid (pallet) via DHL. Both speakers are in two large boxes that are banded and stretch wrapped to the pallet. Drop shipments are usually curbside. I think there's more to the story than we're getting. No, the driver often isn't responsible for un-palleting your item. The best you can hope for is they let you use their pallet jack to get it close to your front door, as his pictures in his video suggest happened. But to expect a DHL driver to carry your items into your home is unrealistic. Again, plan ahead and spend the extra $$ to hire a helper if you know you can't/won't do it yourself. And I'd say that if I bought ANYTHING large, not just Arendal speakers.
I am a logistics professional and making sure the end customer has the ability to offload an unusually heavy product in a none warehouse location is something that should be addressed. In this case I definitely think it's Arendals fault for not specifying the need for the pallet to be unloaded by the logistics company.
Nondemo01
Active Member
Yeah, no. Arendal uses DHL. DHL contacts you to arrange delivery. DHL does off load the pallet via lift gate. Now, one can argue over "curbside" or "door to door" and 9 times out of 10, the driver will give you use of his pallet jack. His pics are clearly depicting that he didn't appreciate carrying them INSIDE his home. That's NOT a thing, like anywhere. If you want INSIDE service, it requires additional fees and certain bonding by the carrier. So no, it's not Arendals fault or any other manufacturer, but probably the lack of preparedness to receive 2 x 174 lb speakers.
EDIT
Check out YouthMan's video. His video is exactly what they provide. Now, did the Robinsons experience something different? Maybe. But I would have refused delivery if they didn't get them off the truck. If you accept and then try to offload yourself, that's on you.
I have had multiple heavy speakers delivered “free”. It is fraught with “hand-off” errors from sending companies with good intentions. Then received by a contractor at a HQs whose interpretation of delivery instructions differs from the company with good intentions. Then there is the “local” receiving warehouse company who only delivers to your area one day a week. Then the delivery team sometimes is only one ancient guy with no clue as to the weight ahead of time.
My point is only “you” have the motive to see that it goes well. Local delivery is usually restricted/predicted to a 6 hour window. If possible I have them move it into my garage on a pallet jack. Then I have an install team from a local AV company scheduled on a subsequent day to unbox and carry them inside using furniture carrying straps. The heaviest were the D215s subs at over 200lbs. It was an orchestrated but still frustrating experience.
My point is only “you” have the motive to see that it goes well. Local delivery is usually restricted/predicted to a 6 hour window. If possible I have them move it into my garage on a pallet jack. Then I have an install team from a local AV company scheduled on a subsequent day to unbox and carry them inside using furniture carrying straps. The heaviest were the D215s subs at over 200lbs. It was an orchestrated but still frustrating experience.
Jelle
New Member
Just wondering: do you agree on this? Do you experience that you need to play above a moderate sound level for the speakers to come alive? Or that the music only starts flowing into the room above a certain level?
Nondemo01
Active Member
No. I'm in a modest apartment and closer than I'd like to be right now, but I can say the difference between these and the sub/bookshelf combo is noticeable. These integrate better in MY room. Are they big? You bet! Do you need to listen at over 80 dbs to "enjoy" them? NO. Preposterous. Obviously, there's physics involved and you need to understand the transition point (level of direct sound equals the level of reverberant sound), directivity (no issue with the Tower 8s), integration distance (you can google the calculation, but towers can typically fully integrate their drivers at "normal" listening distances of between 1.5-2 meters), and MOST importantly (to me anyway), stereo geometry (stick as close as possible to a triangle. Meaning, try to keep your seating equal distance to each tower as each tower is to each other.) Can soundstage collapse due to volume? Of course it can. Is it something to lose sleep over with these speakers? No.
Complete Subjectivity Zone:
My assumption and I have ZERO proof/evidence to support this, BUT I feel his review was going to be "meh" the second they realized they didn't get "white glove delivery" from truck to sofa and complained to Arendal, seemingly not getting the response they wanted. They gravitate toward speakers with an elevated treble region and aesthetics. **I also believe they fall prey to sound level. These Arendals like the Perlistens I've demo'd, have tremendous dynamic range. Twice that of many of the speakers they typically review. That has an impact on how we perceive "volume". The "quiets" are quieter and the "louds" are louder. They also for whatever reason, have a listening space that's a giant square box with a lot of hard, reflective surfaces - all fine but that lack of absorption or diffusion can impact sound, and most importantly, REFLECTED sound that can increase perceived "volume".**
I've had both the KEF R11 Meta and Mofi Sourcepoints in room and prefer the Arendals. Doubly so for build quality. I don't think the KEFs are built as well as the boxes the Arendal came in. They sound fine but a quick internet search and you'll see all kinds of stuff from trim rings coming lose to incorrect wiring. I'm not crossover guy but the stuff inside the R series is cheap. No slight against KEF, they clearly built to a price point. Mofi already offers a "masters crossover" that I could argue should have been included in their original model. Just like demands of "white glove delivery" no? I digress.
**EDIT**
ONE LAST thing and I'll shut up on this thread, if you are already not sure if the Tower 8s will fit or have concerns over "tower" speakers in general, get their Monitors or bookshelf. Floor stand people WANT these to be the first thing seen and talked about in our rooms. I went with the Anniversary for more than just their measurements. They are drop. dead. gorgeous. Full stop. Add in the rest (measurements/sound, build, warranty, return policy) and I'd have been just as happy with the non-anniversary.
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Nondemo01
Active Member
For anyone that cares, Stereophile just reviewed the Tower 8s to include measurements done in both the near and far field by John Atkinson who's been doing this forever. As noted elsewhere, they measure very well, are big and heavy. My advice? Get a good amp, get a good dolly, and don't think twice, but I'm biased.
Interesting, I've been declined a review at Stereophile because they require local distribution in the US (so in practice they do not review D2C manufacturers). Apparently that changed now? @Kal Rubinson ?
I think you should contact the Editor and find out.
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https://www.stereophile.com/content/arendal-sound-1528-tower-8-loudspeaker-measurements
Fortunately I had a helper to manage the handling:
John Atkinson
Technical Editor, Stereophile
Nondemo01
Active Member
You had a helper! That's cheating!
No_hair_left
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I cant remember what video it was but this bloke and whoever the woman is were crying really badly on it about a soundbar that everyone was asking for them to review because the company wouldn't send them one to review for free, asking them to stop asking for reviews about it and throwing shade, came off as really entitled and whiny.
Best sentence of the day.
And your most excellent review was well received, but left me wondering about too low effective impedance in the bass for my Nilai 500…
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