AKG Blue Line Actually Costs More At RVA

K

Kelly Olsen

Well-known member
After reading everything here in all the fabulous posts I decided to follow the wisdom of Yankee who was following the wisdom of Matt and was going to get the AKG Blue Line SE 300B power module and the CK93 Hyper instead of the Oktava based on the reported lower handling sensitivity because it will probably be used by unskilled boom people at first (I know, hire a boom person who knows what they are doing, but that's not a possibility for this project).

In one of the threads it was mentioned that RVA in Canada was 40% less than any US retailer. I just got a quote from RVA on the SE 300B power module and the CK 93 and it was $420.00. Trew was $408.00 and B&H was $386.90. You have to wait 10 days plus shipping time because it is a special order item at B&H.

So it appears that RVA is actually the most exspensive place to get the AKG Blue Line, at least if you live in the States. If anybody knows of any other place that is less please let me know, otherwise I'm back to the Oktava.
 
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Did you factor in that RVA is in Canadian dollars? There is about a 1.7 conversion rate, so that could contribute, plus you can also ask them to price match.

Furthermore, regarding the AKG while I still believe that it is a great microphone and better than that Oktava, I actually switched to the Oktava because I love the sound. True, the handling noise is more significant, but I just love the overall sound quality and sound of the mic. It is really a personal preference sort of thing. See which one is going to work best for your needs and run with that solution. Personally I can say I am an Oktava fan and am sticking with that little mic. The AKG sounds great, in fact better than the Oktava, but overall I prefered the combination of the Oktava and 4073a (now Oktava and 416t). Ultimately it is a personal preference thing.

Either choice will make you happy.
 
Try Cascade media and tell them you were referred by TapersSection.com. I bet their price is pretty competitive too...
 
Honestly I'm a huge fan of Location Sound right now, they've done right by me lately. There is also Sweetwater, which is sort of like B&H, but you get a dedicated sales person. Sweetwater will price match anyone, anywhere, and do anything for you. My problem with them is they actually telemarket to get more business if you're dormant for a while, but overall they are like a Walmart with better service.

It's too bad EVS doesn't carry this line of microphone, I'd actually pay more for their service and be happy about it.
 
TheYankee said:
Did you factor in that RVA is in Canadian dollars? There is about a 1.7 conversion rate, so that could contribute, plus you can also ask them to price match.
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This is confusing to me. I don't get the canadian conversion thing. I mean I know how it works in general because I went to England and had to factor in what I was really spending because each Pound was costing me $1.75 US.

When I asked for the quote I said I was in the States so I wanted to know what my actual cost in US dollars were. The person on the other end was very nice but said that she had just started working there and when I said the US dollar thing she seemed a little confused. Does a US dollar buy 1.7 Canadian dollars? If so then, the price to people in the States shoud be less.

$420 divided by 1.7 is $247. Is this right? If so, it looks like they are charging what a US store is charging plus and then making extra on top by getting the advantage of the conversion rate. Or I am just way off on this?
 
I was off on my conversation rate. Right now, what I just saw, was a 1.3 rate.

That means for every us dollar you are spending 1.3 canadian dollars. Call your bank and see what their rate is.
 
Tainted said:
Try Cascade media and tell them you were referred by TapersSection.com. I bet their price is pretty competitive too...
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Talk to Frank at Cascade Media. He sold me my Tascam HD-P2 and was very helpful, informative and a nice guy. He hangs out on RAMPS and not here, but I don't hold that against him. ;-)

Phil
 
I know I've plugged RVA Canada a lot in the past... but I don't own stock in that place... if you find better service or a better deal elsewhere then you're doing us all a favor to post about it.

It just happens that when I bought my akg ULS system that they saved me about $350 off Trew and B&H's prices... and they were always super cool to me... and standard shipping always made it the very next day.

I've been hearing a lot of good stuff about Location Sound lately as well. I've always had GREAT experiences with them too! If I was going to buy any bit of kit I'd check there for sure... on the 4073a it seems you can get one for $499 and get a decent mount instead of $549 and get it bundled with a so-so mount.
 
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TheYankee said:
Honestly I'm a huge fan of Location Sound right now, they've done right by me lately.
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Location Sound was the first store I ever bought from. The mixer I boomed for was a customer of them for years and pointed me to them. At first I was happy with their service but the past couple of years they seemed to have hired some really...well, let's just say they are no Dave Fisk.

Ther are bottom of my list these days (would just as soon purchase from B&H then Location Sound). Last Spring I had my wife call around for an important part I needed to have overnighted to me on set. She reported back that Location Sound talked to her like she was an idiot because she didn't know the specifics of why is was needed overnight (and, no, she is not overly sensitive, she was very clear they were rude and condescending). That was the final straw for me, I pretty much won't acknowledge their existence anymore.

If they did right by Yankee that is great, but they haven't done right by me (or my wife).

JOMO (just one man's opinion)
 
TheYankee said:
Honestly I'm a huge fan of Location Sound right now, they've done right by me lately.

It's too bad EVS doesn't carry this line of microphone, I'd actually pay more for their service and be happy about it.
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Why pay more? What additional service do you need? I can understand for other major things in life maybe, but you order and they deliver. Not to be harsh in anyway at all, I just don't understand that. As a CPA, it would literally pain me to see anyone of my clients spend more for "service".

Northern Sound and LSC have great service as well, but will always have lower prices than EVS. I have been pleasantly surprised at Location Sound's prices and service. You walk in there, they are the nices folks around. Everyone asking you if you've been helped. I would never thought of calling them for anything. You just need to negotiate with them, however.

I usually just buy from LSC, northernsound (Sennheiser/Mackie/Countryman) and markertek (cables) with occassional buys at ENG gadgets and cascade media. But I do agree that cascade media is good as well. I purchased my 302 from them below everyone else's advertised rates.

Send me a PM and I will send you the prices (from LSC and northernsound) of what I paid for my gear. They don't even come close to B&H.

I have learned a lot from you guys on this board. Amazing info from a lot of talented people here. If I can tell you where the lowest price is for a certain item, that would make my day. It's always been my job to help people "keep" the money they have and spend wisely. I never said "not spend", just maximize your dollar.

Sorry for the rant, I'm going to play with my schoeps. Oh by the way, the Rode video mic that everyone sells at 149.00, I just stumbled on a place that sells it at 119.00 with free shipping, new. Jack's Music supply, whoops it slipped out.
 
I completely disagree with you. Service in today's day and age is on the endangered list. I prefer to support a smaller family owned company or a place that offers good service. Without places like that, well, it's a Walmart world.
 
wabbit said:
Location Sound was the first store I ever bought from. The mixer I boomed for was a customer of them for years and pointed me to them. At first I was happy with their service but the past couple of years they seemed to have hired some really...well, let's just say they are no Dave Fisk.

Ther are bottom of my list these days (would just as soon purchase from B&H then Location Sound). Last Spring I had my wife call around for an important part I needed to have overnighted to me on set. She reported back that Location Sound talked to her like she was an idiot because she didn't know the specifics of why is was needed overnight (and, no, she is not overly sensitive, she was very clear they were rude and condescending). That was the final straw for me, I pretty much won't acknowledge their existence anymore.

If they did right by Yankee that is great, but they haven't done right by me (or my wife).

JOMO (just one man's opinion)
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That's terrible Wabbit. If someone talked to my wife that way, it would not be good. Some guys are f ing idiots. I don't know what I would do if that happened to me. But on the other hand, their prices are lower than a lot of people. Ie Tascam HD-P2 recorder. Im fooling, the wife first always.
 
Thanks.

I don't want to say you can't get good service there, it just has gone on the decline in the last couple of years (IMHO). Pricewise you can call Coffey and get just as good prices (if you are shopping on the west coast). Granted with the recent lost of Dave Fisk it can't be as good as it was :)

There are other great audio houses all over the US. If you are east coast Gotham is great. Midwest I would (and do) buy from FullCompass (they are located right near Sound Devices). They also are the best for post audio gear (IMHO). In the south or Canada Trew is king. There is also this great little audio dealer in Colorado called Sonic Sense, REALLY friendly service, but not as much selection on location audio gear. They are more music orientated.

When you are dealing with professional gear that needs servicing and repair, service is worth a couple of bucks more. I can't count the jobs and clients I have saved because of great service. Places like B&H will not lift a finger to help you if you end up in a jam.

Cheers
 
Wow, that's a lot of experiences good and bad. I think some of these places have a good day and a bad day or a really good person working there and a really bad person and it depends on who you get that day or the chemestry etc.

For instance, I know that eveybody loves EVS and I can see how great Rush is here on this site and it's great that they support this site by advertising etc., but after buying my 100b there this week, it is the last place I will go to make another purchase. Tried them three times and had three experiences different than 99.9% of the people on this site.

But back to my needs:) Anybody else know of a place that sells the AKG blue Line for a lower price and just what does this US dollar mean with a higher conversion rate if the price of a store in Canada costs more than B&H?

I thought this would work to my advantage, not make something cost more.
 
There is not doubt about it. Rush is one of the greatest guys that ever lived. I have nothing against him. My only concern is the people on this board.
 
Yankee,

I have always listened to your advice. You are awesome. However, if I can depart any kind of wisdom to you. I wish you could listen. LSC is cheaper so is northern sound. Stretch your dollar. EVS doesnt care about you.
 
I am a lot older than most people on the audio board. I have worked one of the most rigororous jobs in hotel management. Ritz Carlton Buckhead 1993, before Marriott got their hands on it. Granted there are some things people need to pay more for service, but not microphone equipment. That just doesn't make sense. I think Matt In STL can attest. If I am wrong, then i will never post again.

Any tax questions, please post.
 
:grin: Don't pull ME into this! I buy from a pro-shop any time I can! Before I started building cables myself I actually bought them from Trew KNOWING that I was paying $10 MORE per cable then I'd pay from Markertek!!!

I support the pro-shops ANY time I can! Would I pay an extra $300 to support a pro-shop? No effin' way! But I don't watch $5 and $10 very often... and actually (cables aside) Trew has always been very good to me.

The only reason I was ever upset about the cables is because I didn't get what I wanted or what I thought I was going to get... it had nothing to do with the price.

I agree that our society is slowly creating a world of WalMarts... which will SUCK and does suck... Every time I hear sombody (who is cheap) go on about the lack of customer service nowadays I want to kick them in the teeth. Then get out of WalMart you dumbass! People like that KILLED "mom 'n pop"... and now the same "every last DIME is important to me" people are killing pro-shops.
 
When you go on vacation and you pick a hotel, are you getting your room only for the price? Do you choose the Westin or the Motel 6? What is the difference between a $29 room and a $150 room? Obviously it is what comes along with it. There is a noticeable difference, not only from the service side, but also the amenities included.

At the same time, when you are talking about a steak you can go to any number of grocery stores, fresh markets, or butchers to get your steak. You can pay anywhere from $6-$26/lb. What is the difference? Maybe it is the quality of meat, and maybe it is simply the location you purchase from.

When you are buying a pack of cigarettes (at least here in NC) you can get them for $2.46-$4.17 a pack. Is there a difference between going to the outlet store or the expensive grocery store? The product is identical at either location, so why would anyone pay almost twice as much for the exact same product? It could be laziness, it could be that when I buy my smokes that I want to get them without an extra stop, or it could be that there is this hot girl who works at the grocery store so if I get to send her behind the customer service desk and get to watch her walk away it makes my afternoon.

I have been in sales for a long time and used to do national trainings for the recruiting firm I worked for. Part of the training that I administered was on why people buy from one organization over another. There are five factors that determine who someone purchases from: 1. Reputation 2. Price 3. Service 4. Systems 5. Misc.

The Misc. category accounts for 3% of purchases and are normally something intangible that is just a weird part of the survey.

Reputation, while most people would think that this is at the top of the list, is actually relatively low as well. Price normally comes in second, while service is number one.

If my purchase of $150 at EVS helps keep that organization in business, and in exchange for my purchase Rush or his staff spends 10 minutes on the phone with me telling me that I don't want this model and that I would be wasting my money by purchasing it and suggests something else, sometimes a less expensive model, then that is service. Two great examples of EVS' service with me: When I bought my DVX I tried to get an extra battery from Randy. He suggested that I get one of the DVXUser batteries because they last just as long and they are cheaper. Here is a guy who turned down a sale to help a customer. With Rush, when I was shopping for my Glidecam I just needed to talk with someone, and Rush was honest with me about what to expect with the unit and that it is not as simple to use as people expect. That being said, I am willing to pay a little more, as long as it is competitive for that service.

Shopping only on price, well, what happens to people who go shopping for a DVX only on price? They end up with a Brooklyn store having their credit card information.

I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with people who want to do that, but I am willing to pay that premium for the service, reputation, and ease of mind that comes along with dealing with a professional specialty store.

On top of that, I hate the Walmart mentality that is sweeping across this country, but that's a completely different topic.
 
Sorry Matt, didnt meant any harm. Yankee, you are right. Trying to get 100 posts so i can vote for Sci Fest. So a lot of what I said is nonsense.

However, Sennheiser MKH50 1120.00 at northernsound.net. I dare you to find a price this low.
 
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