i just ordered 2 days ago an epic 80 system thru the outlet but after reading some older posts i'm concerned now if i did the right thing?
are they really returns or refurbished ?
and anyone who has gone the outlet route please let me know how everything was,its not to late to change my order!!

reyzor,
Have no fear.
A 'refurbished' Axiom speaker would have all new drivers (or faulty drivers) replaced at the very least. It would also go through the entire QA/QC process again before being shipped out. They are extremely thorough about this. You should have no reservations about the quality of the speaker being received, although i cannot say the same for some of the bigger electronics companies and their often unknown policies on such returned items.
However, the outlet items typically have a physical blemish of some sort. This could be a small nick in the vinyl somewhere or something similar. Of the FO speakers i've purchased, i really had to look for these blemishes.
Take a look at my vp150 "blemish" as well as the single blemish on my one (of two) QS8s. They are nearly impossible to spot beyond a 2 foot distance.

I bought all my speakers from the outlet as well. I'd call the marks on Chess's speakers extreme. Seriously, don't worry about it. I found one TINY little bump on one of my M60's, I never found anything wrong with the rest of my setup.

I bought my M22s from the outlet and could find no noticeable flaws inside or out and they sound wonderful.

those marks are severe

generally, Axiom could sell theB stock speakers as new and you wouldn't notice the difference.

I just ordered a pair of M60's from the outlet yesterday. I am also getting a little worried about the blemishes but then I have to tell myself that my 1 year old will eventually ding them up anyway so why worry about it. I don't know about you, but this 3 week waiting period is going to kill me. I should have just sucked it up and spent the extra $80 to get them in two days.

i'm not so much worried about appearance as i am about getting someone elses headaches!! (returns)
the wait is killing me to i bought a complete system so $ difference was $260 for me and i'm still thinking about calling in and switching to new!!

Both of you gotta chill.

The only reason to buy from the regular store is if you simply cannot wait to get your stuff. I can't think of a single instance in which someone ordered from the outlet and was not completely shocked at the quality of the speakers they received. The pictures Chess posted are by far the most blemished outlet units I've seen. (and even he's happy as a clam!)

You should not get anyone else's headaches. Every speaker sold from the outlet is guaranteed to be sonically perfect. If someone has a problem with say, a driver, Axiom will replace the driver for them. If a speaker is returned because someone doesn't want it, and it should have a problem, the part that is causing the problem is replaced making the speaker, for all practical purposes, brand new. Factory outlet speakers are sold at a discount because they might have a small cabinet issue like Chess' above. Fess up. You're having second thoughts just because you don't wanna wait.

is it that obvious ?
i'm getting really restless sitting here waiting and i can't read the same posts over and over again!!!!!
i feel like grasshopper, "must focus must be patient"
please help me yoda!!!!!!!!!!

I ordered a pair of m22s and a vp100 from the outlet. I haven't found a blemish of any sort.

reyzor, it might help you to shorten the wait if you spent the time shopping and bought me a really, really expensive gift. Honestly, I'd be happy to support that.

thanks for the suggestion but i have to pay for my present first (speakers)then the wifes (new tile)for letting me get these speakers then if theres any $ left i'll have you send me a wish list

reyzor

New tile? That's it? You got off light.

Don't tell him to sell this one, Ray.

reyzor, Mike is absolutely correct. Your skills are to be admired. Tile for HT - I love that! I withdraw the suggestion of a gift. Rather, you should consider a plasma TV and give your wife.... new drapes. An expensive receiver and give her...... countertops. The permutations are endless. If I ever see you, you MUST sign my hat.

funny you mention countertops!!!!!!!

i guess i did it a little different.. i just havent bought any 'big ticket' item for myself in 4 years, so when i said "i wanna buy something", her only question was, "what color is it"!!! during these four years, she has worked part-time jobs while i put her thru school to get her masters, got 5th row dixie chicks tickets, a kick-a$$ computer(that i am on right now), a canon elan camera for her graduation, and new furniture for the bedroom..

so for me to ask for a HT, it was no big deal.. i am beginning to wonder who got the short end of the stick on this deal???

bigjohn

Can you still get the extra 5% off factory outlet speakers if you waive the 30 day return.

I really dont want to waive the return but I'm sure these will sound better than what I got and the extra cost savings would be nice.

Ahem.
Well for one, the blemishes i have are not as bad as those very large pictures show.
There is only the one blemish on one QS8 and it is about 3/4 inch long which is not visible beyond 2 feet.
Since it is on the 'back' corner, when wall mounted, you would never notice it.
As for the VP150, with a grille on, you would never see the nick. Even with the grille off, my wife never spotted it. At this time, i can only ASSUME that is the flaw Axiom QA/QC picked out. I really did expect to see ALOT more in the way of flaws when i received my FO speakers.

Secondly, i really don't think clams have many emotions, if any at all. I have a friend i work with who is a clam specialist though, so i will ask him just to be sure.

In reply to:

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so for me to ask for a HT, it was no big deal.. i am beginning to wonder who got the short end of the stick on this deal???

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Clearly it was her bigjohn.
You can both use the computer, the camera and the furniture.
But who really gets to tinker and build the HT eh?

Don't hold me to this Josh, but, in the dark recesses of my aging memory, I seem to recall someone posted that Axiom had discontinued the 5% discount for waiving the 30 day return period. Your best bet for being sure is to just give them a quick phone call.

From a recent call to Axiom (a couple of weeks ago), they had an email go out stating that they are no longer offering the addition 5% off for waiving the 30 days. I JUST made the cut off by like a couple days! Who knew?! Still...the 10% off is still available and is a nice option if you're patient...which I've learned that I'm not