Amazing aftermarket audio system/speaker upgrade

[SiMsound]

Finally received the entire system (USPS lost the first subwoofer and @SiMsound sent a replacement - thank you Bjorn). Got the doors done a couple of weeks ago. Now for the rest. @SiMsound or @acaciolo , can either of you confirm whether the DRC power/bass knob should still be installed even though I'm not installing the standalone bluetooth module?

Do you already get our installation manual? There you can see where we suggest to place the DRC controller incl. step by step explained how to do.

 

[avidtest]

Yes I did. I finally realized it would have to work. My confusion was because the manual explained the DRC installation section as "Only if Stand-Alone Kit was was ordered", which I did not include. However, I now realize the V4M kit will allow the DRC by itself.

 

[WaterOx]

I'm still waiting to receive the third parcel of my order but so far I'm quite disappointed.

- the grill of the subwoofer was dented (parcel #1)
- one of the 6.5 speakers is severely bent (parcel #2)
- one of the A-pillars is significantly scratched (parcel #2)

While it's possible to blame the dented grill and bent speaker on extremely rough shipping/handling (parcel #2 did not look abused), the A-pillars were wrapped in a lot of bubble wrap which had no signs of damage. So I can only assume it was this way before it was shipped?

I expected much better. Think twice before ordering this.

 

[ADVAW8S]

I'm still waiting to receive the third parcel of my order but so far I'm quite disappointed.

- the grill of the subwoofer was dented (parcel #1)
- one of the 6.5 speakers is severely bent (parcel #2)
- one of the A-pillars is significantly scratched (parcel #2)

While it's possible to blame the dented grill and bent speaker on extremely rough shipping/handling (parcel #2 did not look abused), the A-pillars were wrapped in a lot of bubble wrap which had no signs of damage. So I can only assume it was this way before it was shipped?

I expected much better. Think twice before ordering this.

Luck of the draw. I had a box that looked like it was handled by ox but I expect nothing less from DHL. Everything inside was perfect. I would put a claim in with DHL.

 

[SiMsound]

I'm still waiting to receive the third parcel of my order but so far I'm quite disappointed.

- the grill of the subwoofer was dented (parcel #1)
- one of the 6.5 speakers is severely bent (parcel #2)
- one of the A-pillars is significantly scratched (parcel #2)

While it's possible to blame the dented grill and bent speaker on extremely rough shipping/handling (parcel #2 did not look abused), the A-pillars were wrapped in a lot of bubble wrap which had no signs of damage. So I can only assume it was this way before it was shipped?

I expected much better. Think twice before ordering this.

@WaterOx
That´s not how it should be. Sorry for that. But whay you didn´t write me an Email? As we talked about the Subwoofer Grille before. We are always willing to solve every problem. It you have damaged speakers or else come back to me and you get some new.
Posting here is good to blow off some steam which I can totally understand but it don´t solve your problems. So please write me an Email and I will take care ASAP.

 

[Phred]

Kudos SiMsound, great customer support.

 

[avidtest]

DHL actually lost my sub. Bjorn made it right, right away, and shipped a replacement. The original mysteriously arrived months later. It was in in perfect shape, so it got forwarded to another US customer. While it's disappointing I'm sure, that you'll have to wait a bit longer for replacement or fix, I'm confident Bjorn will make it right. I appreciate a vendor like him, and his willingness to provide such a great product, and deal with the pain in the ass of packaging and shipping internationally, so that we in the US can get our hands (and ears) on it.

 

[parb]

Yeah, I think the first message should go to the vendor. Name and shame should only happen if results was unsatisfactory.

 

[Kinglenario]

I would definitely recommend shopping elsewhere as well. While the Audison is ok this vendor is not. Not very good to deal with or responsive to issues. Mostly he is concerned with his bottom line. Bad attention to detail in packing and tuning and doesn’t deal with broken parts. The packaging of the systems is very bad. I’m sure he does this on other forums with a lot of systems but this system isn’t worth it and the tuning is terrible. When you contact him about anything it’s always someone else’s fault. Bad shipping company etc…. Also a lot of “you’re the first to complain” type responses.


I ordered the v4 system from simsound (Bjorn at car & audio) and I would recommend purchasing elsewhere. First, there were some good things about the system, the cables were good and all worked for the most part. The directions were adequate and the insulation kit was good. The bad: The shipping, packing, customer service and tuning of the system was all horrible. Also this is just a basic Audison system you can buy all the parts for. The only thing custom is the little tiny sub and the cables. And the tuning file which you shouldn’t even use.



My system took 27 days to arrive to the US from Germany. For over $3000 spent you’d probably like to select a better shopping option. He argued with me and said no, too expensive. And told me DHL only delivers in the US with USPS which isn’t true. They have a DHL option that is express as well as FedEx which has an express international option. All too expensive he said but I’m sure the client would pay. Very rigid, not open to discussion which is the case on every discussion with this guy. Broken pieces in shipping included the subwoofer driver, subwoofer grille, 3d printed spacer, and the front woofers were all beat up with no packing material. Everything was single boxed.



So my packages all came with USPS which is always a disaster. First thing that arrived is the sub which was heavily damaged and had literally no packing material. I thought it was just the grille dented at first so I just asked for a replacement grille. I later realized that the whole basket of the speaker itself was bent over a 1/2” and was distorting badly.



I contacted him about covering the cost for a replacement woofer. I could order one locally to get here in 2 days for $277 including shipping. He wouldn’t hear of it because he could get the parts cheaper. He insisted on shipping me another woofer from Germany. This would maybe take another 27 days? This is just super bad customer service in my opinion. In the end he offered to send me 100 euro because he said that’s all that this would cost him. Since the packing was so bad with multiple damaged pieces I thought he should cover the expense of a replacement woofer locally. It was $277 including shipping. I later found one on amazing for $249 shipped.



Tuning: this is a DSP system and based on some other reviews I was expecting it to be great. I work in music so I’m a pretty experienced engineer. After a little digging I got a test mic and retuned the system. The tuning from Bjorn at Car & Audio in my opinion is way off. Like I’m not even sure how they got it so off. Even the phase and time alignment numbers are way off the mark.



If anybody wants my tuning config file you can have it. Just send me a message and your system will sound so much better. With the pc software you can easy switch back and forth between the two. Night and day.



The sub: It is insuffienft in this conflig because the caninet is so tiny. Doing a larger cabinet somewhere in the back and small mid bass drivers in the front under the seats would be better. This works but it’s not great.



In the end I would recommend ordering elsewhere. If you want Audison there is a dealer that Audison recommends for the Grenadier in their site who is not this dealer. In the US if I had it to do over I’d probably go with a different manufacturer. Although the tuning software for Audison is pretty cool, the eqs and amps don’t sound amazing. Keep in mind this is kind of a consumer system using high level outputs from thr Grenedier head unit. Meaning you’re getting amp distortion from the head unit and the Audison. Not ideal but easier install with smaller footprint. With a better sub solution and additional tweaking I think it could be a lot better.

 

[parb]

I picked the audison m8 for my build, 90w per channel with a really great DSP for each element.
And Audison m1 for the sub in the trunk , 600w at 4ohmm 1,200w at 1ohm with builtin DSP.

Sub is Hertz MPBX 250 S2 mille pro series with ultra shallow box. 500w continuos power handling, 1,000w peak. A bit space consuming in the trunk but there is no way you'll get decent sound from the space under the seat. I get the value of space efficiency though, I'm not going to brag about that. Just my choice.

Audiofrog gs10 tweeters in A pillar, GS60 midrange in door, GS642 coax in rear door. Those where my choice, I listened extensively to what was in there market and I liked them better than focal.

PC tuned with a calibrated mic at install, 40 his hours and again at 100 hours of run time. Sounds amazing, super clean which is what I was after.

 

[SiMsound]

@Kinglenario
As I told you many many times by mail. We have such a huge number of customers which are really really happy ith the system and love what it gives them. When you are not happy with the result because of a complete other understanding of what a soundsystem have to souns. No problem. You have a dsp amplifier which you can also tune by yourself like you want.

Regarding the shipping. As I said in my mails. There is no option for shipping DHL priority ( I called with my DHL agent and he approved). If we use FedEx for Example the shipping is not 120,- Euro it´s around 380,- Euro only for getting the system earlier. I think for the most it´s ok to wait some days for an international shipping. It´s only a soundsystem system. Nothing which is important to survive.
Also I tried to explain you many times that there was on two of your packages an random security check made by the U.S. customs which opened the boxes and don´t it it proper back in. Below you can see the picture how the speaker box looks like when we shipped them.

As you can see. There is no damage (btw. this is your box because we made a picture of every set we send if there is a problem with the shipping we can talk with our DHL agent to get money back etc.).
Also you get a new subwoofer grille from us for free. A few days later you came back with the broken spacer rings. So we made a second package for free (every package is around 35,- Euro shipping) and another day later with the damaged subwoofer itself which we also wanted to change (for free) but you bought a new one from another seller before you came back to us and want the money back for the new bought woofer.
Sorry this is not how warranty changes work. We want to change the woofer for free also (again 35,- Euro shipping) and you don´t have to send any back.
Also I offer you that you can send the system back for free if you are not happy with it but you don´t want. So what should I do?? Give all the money back and you keep the system?

No one should misunderstand me. I´m very sad about so many problems with only one customers and it should not be happen. We always willing to make him happy but after more or less 25 mails plus this shitstorm here about our system and myself I´m at the end of my patience.

 

[Kinglenario]

@Kinglenario
As I told you many many times by mail. We have such a huge number of customers which are really really happy ith the system and love what it gives them. When you are not happy with the result because of a complete other understanding of what a soundsystem have to souns. No problem. You have a dsp amplifier which you can also tune by yourself like you want.

Regarding the shipping. As I said in my mails. There is no option for shipping DHL priority ( I called with my DHL agent and he approved). If we use FedEx for Example the shipping is not 120,- Euro it´s around 380,- Euro only for getting the system earlier. I think for the most it´s ok to wait some days for an international shipping. It´s only a soundsystem system. Nothing which is important to survive.
Also I tried to explain you many times that there was on two of your packages an random security check made by the U.S. customs which opened the boxes and don´t it it proper back in. Below you can see the picture how the speaker box looks like when we shipped them.

View attachment 7905867
View attachment 7905868
As you can see. There is no damage (btw. this is your box because we made a picture of every set we send if there is a problem with the shipping we can talk with our DHL agent to get money back etc.).
Also you get a new subwoofer grille from us for free. A few days later you came back with the broken spacer rings. So we made a second package for free (every package is around 35,- Euro shipping) and another day later with the damaged subwoofer itself which we also wanted to change (for free) but you bought a new one from another seller before you came back to us and want the money back for the new bought woofer.
Sorry this is not how warranty changes work. We want to change the woofer for free also (again 35,- Euro shipping) and you don´t have to send any back.
Also I offer you that you can send the system back for free if you are not happy with it but you don´t want. So what should I do?? Give all the money back and you keep the system?

No one should misunderstand me. I´m very sad about so many problems with only one customers and it should not be happen. We always willing to make him happy but after more or less 25 mails plus this shitstorm here about our system and myself I´m at the end of my patience.

Your bad customer service speaks for itself. It’s everyone else’s fault. You act like I didn’t report the damage. The three different things broken were three different shipments. I sent the pictures of the broken stuff as it happened. I didn’t even really care about the grille I just cared about the functional stuff. The subwoofer was distorting so badly I had to take it apart to find that the frame was heavily bent and needed to be replaced. I asked you to cover local replacement of the speaker so I didn’t have to wait another month. I waited for the parts for a month and everything was installed expept the broken sub. Naturally I wanted to get a replacement woofer quickly so I ordered locally. Common sense. But nope you either wanted to ship another speaker from Germany OR your first solution, which is really ridiculous, send back the whole system for a refund. Oh yeah, 10+ hour install with full door insulation, just pull it all out and ship it to Germany lol. People need to know what they’re in for.

The shipments weren’t stuck in the US. They were stuck in Germany for weeks.

The packaging was insufficient. Period. Multiple customers with damage.

There are a lot of other faster shipping options you could give people to ship a $3000+ system. FedEx etc. I also receive a lot of packages from DHL express which arrives in 3 days and DHL delivers here. The customer pays shipping. I don’t understand the argument here except stuck in your ways.