Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Wait on VaSSallos

I was wondering on what the average wait time was for those that ordered VaSSallo custom wood finishes in their speakers. Axiom states to expect 4 weeks for the custom finishes. I understand it taking longer to make the custom ones, but a whole month or more? From the day I ordered and was charged for my M60s in Cherry Chestnut, it took almost 7 weeks before I had them both. About a week of that however was caused by the wait it took to get the wood sample, and confirm with Axiom that was indeed what I wanted (though had I known they were going to do that I'd have just said skip the sample.)

Does constructing the box and applying stain/gloss really take this long? If there's only one person that makes them I guess that would explain it, being that they may be high in demand. I have my vp150 and pair of QS8s on order, and it will have been about a 5 week wait on the center, and possibly longer on the surrounds as I haven't asked for a shipment date yet.

They are worth the wait of course, and the particular finish I'm getting on all of my speakers is very impressive (wish I had them in full gloss now.) I'm just maybe complaining a bit here as to why it's taking over a month to get each speaker, when if I had ordered just the non-custom ones they would have been shipped immediately.

End of rant.

Part of the wait is probably getting the wood in house. Chestnut is not a common wood. How about some pictures? We're always up for more speaker porn around here.

The process involves (I think) something along the lines of 20 coats of finish and coating. Those layers have to dry in between. In addition, it's a custom order. Custom orders take longer--no matter who you're ordering them from.

Also, I believe each coat is lightly sanded as well. Afaik, there is just the one fellow doing the finishing process on the cabinets.

I was wondering about that. You can let stuff partially dry to a sticky finish between coats (a couple of hours) if you don't sand between, but I know nothing about producing a high gloss finish.

I can understand wanting to get them quicker, but I would rather wait and receive a product that was skillfully built with pride.

If you only have your fronts now, get the others in HG and send back the towers for a HG finish.

Call Axiom and ask them.

Dude?!?

So, putting aside how long it took to get them, how do you like the speakers?

I have had my VaSSalo speakers about 3 weeks now. A pair of M80's, VP150 center, a pair of QS8's and an EP500 subwoofer in custom oak butternut semigloss. It took right around 5 weeks give or take a day or two. The finish is flawless. I cannot find one flaw on any of the speakers. The sound paired with my Integra DTR 9.9 and Oppo BD-83 is spectacular! The help that people from this forum gave me was spot on (thanks sirquack)

In this world of underperforming companies how nice it is to have my expectations exceeded in every way. Oh did I say that I like my speakers??!