Three cheers for Mr. Klemme

G

ggrantly

Veteran
I had the unexpected pleasure of speaking with himself, Mr Klemme, of K-Tek. He generously helped me out in a couple of ways, making sure my concerns were resolved. We had the most delightful chat as I used to own a machine shop myself. I just wanted to thank him here (he does read this board) and tell all you folks who don't know, K-Tek is one first class outfit.
 
You are absolutely correct. As I have stated many times, great people, great products. Help keep them in business by buying their products and spreading the word (as you have just done).
 
He was a pleasure to work with when I was at coffey sound. Sometimes he would personally deliver product if we needed it in a hurry, making the hour and a half drive one way. He was open to ideas, and would always come in to show us new products and new ideas. He made me feel like a very valuable dealer for his products. Their customer service is second to none. Their turn around time for making products is also second to none. A first class company all the way. Manfred is also one very cool guy to hang with.

-Dave
 
I love that guy and I love K-Tek products... anybody that reads my posts knows that I'm a big fan of K-Tek.

I like intelligent, minimalist design... we deal with things where weight and function are major considerations and Manfred's designs reflect a high awareness of that fact.

Manfred is like the Frank Lloyd Wright of the location sound world. It's all beautiful gear that's attractive to the eye and satisfying in use.
 
I have already told my great Ktek customer service experience several times. In the end it just simple boils down to Ktek is a great company. No one should have any hesitation buying their products.

Cheers
 
I also would agree 100% -- I had called there and spoke with the staff for some advice on products and they were very, very helpful. A first-class operation all the way!
 
I was just at the K-Tek booth at GVExpo today--man what a nice company with great products. I was talking to a woman in the booth and admiring the K-GPSS Short Suspension mount--and she goes, "Oh, I build those". I just go--wow these mounts are beautiful--and they really are. Not to mention the K-152 with side connector--that's on my wish list.
 
They do seem to have quality products. I wish they would update their website.
The website has no info on their K-BWS ring adapter for Sony and the brand new K-BWJ ring adapter for the DVX and the new K-ZEP wind system with basket , suspension and mount.
The only reason I ever found out about these was by accident through Trew Audio and B&H. If anyone is in contact and manages to drop a hint, might benefit everyone.
not making rain here, just .02
 
Actually, it seems to be an interesting trend with the audio manufacturers...their Web sites are painfully out of date. I haven't looked at K-tek's in a while, but the Countryman Web site is really old, as is the Zaxcom site...and they even split their site into two and neither one is up to date.

Phil
 
Yeah, their web site is a real mess. One of you web geniuses should offer to rebuild the site from ground up in exchange for some of their gear.
 
As much as I love K-Tek and their products, I don't need that many boom poles in my bag of tricks.

Now, on the other hand, if Zaxcom wanted to trade 6 wireless sets or a deva V, then we're talking. :-) I'd build a great site for them, with flash and all sorts of cool stuff! ;-) Awww heck, I'd even take a Deva IV. :-)

Phil
 
ptalsky said:
Actually, it seems to be an interesting trend with the audio manufacturers...their Web sites are painfully out of date. I haven't looked at K-tek's in a while, but the Countryman Web site is really old, as is the Zaxcom site...and they even split their site into two and neither one is up to date.

Phil
Click to expand...
Good to be warned but I just dont get it. Why cant somebody go to a site, find out whether or not they have or dont have what you need-----and rely on it?.
Word of mouth alone doesnt exactly inspire confidence. Maybe they have enough business already.
 
GCO,

It may be a financial situation - a complete Web site re-vamp for a business can cost upwards of $10-15,000 if done correctly. I've gotten the impression (maybe I'm wrong on this) that most of the smaller audio manufacturers are not really rooted in computer technology (audio technology yes, computers no). I also suspect that K-tek probably is not swimming in cash. Stable yes, but the price of their products seems to indicate that they are working on slim margins (I have no actual knowledge of their financials...just a guess).

So, overall, I agree with you in theory. In practicality, it isn't such a clear issue. That's why I like using B&H for research, then usually buy from someone more customer friendly.

Phil
 
I agree that it is very frustrating not being able to get all the product information off of the companie's website. However, K-Tek is not alone in this. Go to EVS for an example. They have numerous problems with missing products and broken links and products that don't come up in the search engine within their site. Sammy's has the same.

In fact, most companies that are not entirely web based have poor websites. I saw a great line of lights from a company who was at the DV Expo and when I got home I wanted to look at the specs again so I went to the website of the company and the lights were no where to be found. I then went to the retailer's website that the owner of the light company recommended and they didn't have the lights listed either. I think they would sell a ton of these things, but they are no place to be found on the internet. Very frustrating.

I spoke with Manfred at the DV Expo last month about the K-Tek website. He is a hands on type of guy which is one of the reasons his products are so good. But the downside of this is that he is not extremely web savey and his priority has been on the engineering and manufactoring of products.

Also, you have to remember that 99.9% of K-Tek products are sold through dealers. So I think the K-Tek website was a little added bonus and Manfred did not realize how much research many of us do online before we buy a product.

Manfred told me that he has hired a pro to re-do the site so maybe they will finally get all the products up on the site.

But don't let this issue color your view of K-Tek, the owner, or the product. Great family run and owned company, great product, great service. These things are more important and maybe soon we will have the entire ball of wax with a complete K-Tek website.
 
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I finally just ordered my KTek zeppelin kit today (thank you Christmas bonus) based off the recomendations of this forum. The kit is for my mkh60. It was so nice to have a <$300 charge instead of the $700 for a Rycote that I was planning on.
 
Kelly Olsen said:
I agree that .............................................
I spoke with Manfred at the DV Expo last month about the K-Tek website. He is a hands on type of guy which is one of the reasons his products are so good. But the downside of this is that he is not extremely web savey and his priority has been on the engineering and manufactoring of products........................................
But don't let this issue color your view of K-Tek, the owner, or the product. Great family run and owned company, great product, great service. These things are more important and maybe soon we will have the entire ball of wax with a complete K-Tek website.
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Agreed.
I wasnt intending to rant on K-Tek per se, just frustrated at not finding things that should be found at the source, especially given their great product and service reputation.
Good of you to bring it up with Manfred. Hopefully you helped him realize just how important his site really is. Sounds like they would be better off with an in house guy rather than high $$ web designer as Ptalsky mentioned. If they really do go through with an update or redesign then you certainly did everyone a favor.
Thanks Kelly
 
ptalsky said:
GCO,

It may be a financial situation - a complete Web site re-vamp for a business can cost upwards of $10-15,000 if done correctly. I've gotten the impression (maybe I'm wrong on this) that most of the smaller audio manufacturers are not really rooted in computer technology (audio technology yes, computers no). I also suspect that K-tek probably is not swimming in cash. Stable yes, but the price of their products seems to indicate that they are working on slim margins (I have no actual knowledge of their financials...just a guess).

So, overall, I agree with you in theory. In practicality, it isn't such a clear issue. That's why I like using B&H for research, then usually buy from someone more customer friendly.

Phil
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Given that so many others seem to be the same way, that makes sense. If someone isnt able and is paying that kind of money to get a site up, holy smokes.
BTW, what you said about B&H and buying from others-----great idea!. LOL!>
I'd rather support the smaller guys anyhow.
 
[SIZE=+0]On dvxuser recommendations we picked up a boom pole, shock mount and windscreen from them. They all work great. The cool part of the whole thing was that they are located right in the San Diego area so I just hopped in my car and stopped by. They gave me a full factory tour and everything. They are the most helpful and nice people and were a pleasure to do business with. They even showed me a prototype windscreen for one of those hand held stereo digital recorders. It looked like a little fuzzy beany. I will recommend them to anyone.[/SIZE]

Oh by the way I asked them about their website and they said that they are in the process of a redo. They said the guy doing it is taking his sweet time about it.
 
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I got in my Ktek zepp today and, holy crap is it nice! Big, big thanks to this board for steering me that way instead of Rycote. I saved over $400 for a product that seems superior. Honestly, the Ktek zepp looked kinda cheapo on the web pictures but in person it feels and looks so solid. 5 stars.
 
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