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Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => LAB Lounge => Topic started by: Dave Wightman on February 18, 2013, 11:38:24 AM

Title: ProX Rack Cases
Post by: Dave Wightman on February 18, 2013, 11:38:24 AM
I'm looking to purchase a 12 space rack case and after seeing the shipping prices for 1 from audiopile (I live in NJ), I am searching for a cheaper, yet just as reliable alternative. I happened to stumble across ProX cases. When comparing the specs, they seem very similar to  the cases that audiopile produces, but due to the price, I am a little skeptical. I was wondering if anyone here has ever used any ProX cases or could give me any more information on them. Thank you!

Here is the link to the case: http://www.ebay.com/itm/200841641549?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619
Title: Re: ProX Rack Cases
Post by: Jack keaton on February 18, 2013, 12:36:38 PM
I'm looking to purchase a 12 space rack case and after seeing the shipping prices for 1 from audiopile (I live in NJ), I am searching for a cheaper, yet just as reliable alternative. I happened to stumble across ProX cases. When comparing the specs, they seem very similar to  the cases that audiopile produces, but due to the price, I am a little skeptical. I was wondering if anyone here has ever used any ProX cases or could give me any more information on them. Thank you!

Here is the link to the case: http://www.ebay.com/itm/200841641549?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619

I can tell just by the wheels on that thing it isnt the level of audiopiles. Dont go for cheap when it comes to protecting your gear.
Title: Re: ProX Rack Cases
Post by: g'bye, Dick Rees on February 18, 2013, 12:59:26 PM
I'm looking to purchase a 12 space rack case and after seeing the shipping prices for 1 from audiopile (I live in NJ), I am searching for a cheaper, yet just as reliable alternative. I happened to stumble across ProX cases. When comparing the specs, they seem very similar to  the cases that audiopile produces, but due to the price, I am a little skeptical. I was wondering if anyone here has ever used any ProX cases or could give me any more information on them. Thank you!

Here is the link to the case: http://www.ebay.com/itm/200841641549?_trksid=p5197.c0.m619

http://proxcases.com/index.php

Contact them directly.  Talk to a real person.  Ask about their warranty.
Title: Re: ProX Rack Cases
Post by: Dave Wightman on February 18, 2013, 01:51:01 PM
http://proxcases.com/index.php

Contact them directly.  Talk to a real person.  Ask about their warranty.

Just sent them an e-mail concerning the warranty. I'll see what they have to say and will report back with their response.
Title: ProX Rack Cases
Post by: Brian Larson on February 18, 2013, 01:52:49 PM
"Specs"? It's a box.
Title: Re: ProX Rack Cases
Post by: Dave Wightman on February 18, 2013, 02:01:43 PM
"Specs"? It's a box.

Maybe I didn't use the correct term. What I meant by "specs" were the size of the casters, handles, type and length of plywood used, etc.
Title: Re: ProX Rack Cases
Post by: Ned Ward on February 18, 2013, 02:19:42 PM
I'd be careful. For instance, OSP looks great on ebay in terms of their products, but after buying one and getting it home, it's nowhere close to Audiopile quality.
Title: Re: ProX Rack Cases
Post by: Corey Scogin on February 18, 2013, 02:21:24 PM
Those casters don't look 4".  I have purchased many cases from Audiopile and have had no issues with the cases but I have had issues with the casters.  Many of the casters from Audiopile have had bumps on the wheel surface.  Some of the worst ones, I asked for and received a replacement from Audiopile.  Others I have just purchased from SES Casters.  I suspect you may end up wanting to replace the casters on that ProX case at some point.

That price would tempt me too.  If it's at all close, I'd always recommend Audiopile.  Mark & Liz are great people to work with.

Edit: The Audiopile cases have shipped with different casters over the years.  I haven't purchased any recently so they may no longer have the rough wheel surface issue.
Title: Re: ProX Rack Cases
Post by: Randall Hyde on February 18, 2013, 04:18:18 PM
I'd be careful. For instance, OSP looks great on ebay in terms of their products, but after buying one and getting it home, it's nowhere close to Audiopile quality.

The casters on OSP truly suck, but I've not had any problems with the (shock rack) cases themselves.
OTOH, not sure I'd by anymore; the casters alone are a good reason to spend a lot more money on the case.

Now OSP snakes, OTOH, are not something I'd recommend.
Cheers,
Randy Hyde
Title: Re: ProX Rack Cases
Post by: James A. Griffin on February 19, 2013, 04:23:29 PM
The eBay ad says "Built to the most demanding specifications."    What else do you need to know?   You can't just make up stuff like that and put it on eBay.

 ;D
Title: Re: ProX Rack Cases
Post by: Brian Jones on February 19, 2013, 10:04:39 PM
Now OSP snakes, OTOH, are not something I'd recommend.


Why is that? I have two snakes, an OSP and a LiveWire (Guitar Center) and the OSP is built far better, but I'm guessing that's not saying much. I actually never use the OSP though because the format (short 12/4 vs. longer 16/4) just isn't what I need. I'll be selling it soon. I'm guessing Whirlwind is better though.
Title: Re: ProX Rack Cases
Post by: Josh Edward on February 20, 2013, 08:06:41 AM
Why is that? I have two snakes, an OSP and a LiveWire (Guitar Center) and the OSP is built far better, but I'm guessing that's not saying much. I actually never use the OSP though because the format (short 12/4 vs. longer 16/4) just isn't what I need. I'll be selling it soon. I'm guessing Whirlwind is better though.

The first snake I bought years ago was a 24 channel OSP snake from ebay. As soon as I got it I noticed it wasn't even close in terms of quality to a name brand snake. On it's first use 4 or 5 of the channels were making terrible noises. After the gig I took apart the cheaply made XLR connectors and found that the wires were stripped so far back that when the cable twisted inside of the connector (the strain relief doesn't grip the wire barely at all) the channel would short.

Anyway, to the OP, you should check out http://shop.vendio.com/djkits/item/952478222/index.html

I bought a 14 space DJK case from ebay a couple years ago to house 4 mackie FR2500's. It was a great case. I ended up selling the whole amp rack... I wish I never did. I've been looking at the cases at audiopile.net and the shipping prices have scared me away too. I'm willing to bet the DJK cases are going to be right up there with the EWI cases.
Title: Re: ProX Rack Cases
Post by: Dave Wightman on February 20, 2013, 12:04:25 PM
So after trying to contact ProX cases a few days ago, I still have not heard back from them and therefore, they will not be receiving my business. After some thinking though, I have decided that I will be going with an 8u rack instead of the 12. There are quite a few gigs I play throughout the year with a friend of mine as an acoustic duo, and in that situation, I would prefer traveling as light as possible and only carrying necessary equipment. Thank you all for all the help, but I will most likely be doing business with Audiopile once again, which has never let me down.
Title: Re: ProX Rack Cases
Post by: Brian Charbobs on February 20, 2013, 02:56:43 PM
So after trying to contact ProX cases a few days ago, I still have not heard back from them and therefore, they will not be receiving my business. After some thinking though, I have decided that I will be going with an 8u rack instead of the 12. There are quite a few gigs I play throughout the year with a friend of mine as an acoustic duo, and in that situation, I would prefer traveling as light as possible and only carrying necessary equipment. Thank you all for all the help, but I will most likely be doing business with Audiopile once again, which has never let me down.
Title: Re: ProX Rack Cases
Post by: Brian Charbobs on February 20, 2013, 02:57:34 PM
So after trying to contact ProX cases a few days ago, I still have not heard back from them and therefore, they will not be receiving my business. After some thinking though, I have decided that I will be going with an 8u rack instead of the 12. There are quite a few gigs I play throughout the year with a friend of mine as an acoustic duo, and in that situation, I would prefer traveling as light as possible and only carrying necessary equipment. Thank you all for all the help, but I will most likely be doing business with Audiopile once again, which has never let me down.


I also had plan on ordering a Mixer case and other items from Audiopile but about fell over on the shipping. End up going to Guitar center. The money spent in shipping allowed me to buy other things. Sorry Audiopile.
Title: Re: ProX Rack Cases
Post by: George Friedman-Jimenez on February 20, 2013, 03:05:12 PM
I ordered a couple of 4 RU cases from Audiopile and also found that the shipping was quite high for the cases alone. Most of that shipping cost, however, is due to the size not the weight. When I got done ordering a few short snakes, cables, connectors, and a few other odds and ends, the shipping cost was virtually unchanged. By packing all the other stuff inside the cases, the shipping is essentially free for everything else. The cases by the way are very sturdy, well designed and built, and I am very pleased with them. If you want to order other items along with the case, ask Liz if they can pack everything inside the case and how much that would save on shipping.
Title: Re: ProX Rack Cases
Post by: Loren Aguey on February 21, 2013, 12:28:16 AM
I ordered a couple of 4 RU cases from Audiopile and also found that the shipping was quite high for the cases alone. Most of that shipping cost, however, is due to the size not the weight. When I got done ordering a few short snakes, cables, connectors, and a few other odds and ends, the shipping cost was virtually unchanged. By packing all the other stuff inside the cases, the shipping is essentially free for everything else. The cases by the way are very sturdy, well designed and built, and I am very pleased with them. If you want to order other items along with the case, ask Liz if they can pack everything inside the case and how much that would save on shipping.

I've also recently spent a lot of time in pretty much the same situation, looking for the same quality as Audiopile on the east coast without having to pay shipping. I've found that buying cases locally with similar specs, ie. 3/8" ply, 4" casters, and the same level of craftsmanship, are still more expensive than paying shipping to Audiopile. The added benefit of them throwing a bunch of stuff inside the case if you have other stuff to buy however is a great point.
Title: Re: ProX Rack Cases
Post by: Loren Aguey on February 21, 2013, 12:39:47 AM
The first snake I bought years ago was a 24 channel OSP snake from ebay. As soon as I got it I noticed it wasn't even close in terms of quality to a name brand snake. On it's first use 4 or 5 of the channels were making terrible noises. After the gig I took apart the cheaply made XLR connectors and found that the wires were stripped so far back that when the cable twisted inside of the connector (the strain relief doesn't grip the wire barely at all) the channel would short.

Anyway, to the OP, you should check out http://shop.vendio.com/djkits/item/952478222/index.html

I bought a 14 space DJK case from ebay a couple years ago to house 4 mackie FR2500's. It was a great case. I ended up selling the whole amp rack... I wish I never did. I've been looking at the cases at audiopile.net and the shipping prices have scared me away too. I'm willing to bet the DJK cases are going to be right up there with the EWI cases.

Agreed on both counts. I did one gig where we had OSP sub snakes on stage. Over the course of a 3 day festival we had several bad channels on 2 or 3 of the snakes. Same deal, when we pulled off the connecter, and found the wires to be stripped off roughly a full inch past the cups of the xlr pins.

DJK are nice cases, I ordered them when I lived in Canada and still have a 4U rack from them. My only beef is that the front and rear lids are not interchangeable. One lid has the hinge "ears" and other lid has the hook part. A small gripe, and still a great deal for a case. They don't have the selection of Audiopile, but if they have what you need it looks like shipping is cheaper so that'd be a good alternative. And I'd say its definitely the same quality of case.
Title: Re: ProX Rack Cases
Post by: Tim McCulloch on February 21, 2013, 12:50:20 AM
I've also recently spent a lot of time in pretty much the same situation, looking for the same quality as Audiopile on the east coast without having to pay shipping. I've found that buying cases locally with similar specs, ie. 3/8" ply, 4" casters, and the same level of craftsmanship, are still more expensive than paying shipping to Audiopile. The added benefit of them throwing a bunch of stuff inside the case if you have other stuff to buy however is a great point.

About once a year, someone in the NE puts together a group Audiopile order, and Mark & Liz palletize the goods and ship via motor freight to the aggregator.  Having everyone drive in to pick up the stuff makes a good reason to have a little listening party with food and beverages, too. ;)
Title: Re: ProX Rack Cases
Post by: Nils Erickson on February 21, 2013, 12:47:03 PM
I've had Liz at Audiopile put several things on a pallet for me and send as truck freight instead of UPS.  She has always been cool about doing this, even suggesting it herself.  It saves a few bucks if you are getting multiple cases and don't mind driving to a freight yard to pick them up.

I haven't really had many problems with the wheels on the EWI (Audiopile) cases; the old caster brakes on the other hand are not great and I have broken several.  They have an improved caster brake now; I have order several to replace some of the others, and I will probably replace them all as time goes on.

My only OSP case (I won't be buying another) feels cheap by comparison; but maybe it's because on its first gig, an outdoor show in full sun, the laminate surface on the lid cracked and broke off.  It is about as thin as a hair.  So then I had to break it all out and sand and paint it; the time alone cost me more than ordering the right case the first time.

Cheers,
Nils
Title: Re: ProX Rack Cases
Post by: AllenDeneau on February 21, 2013, 03:58:41 PM
DJK are nice cases, I ordered them when I lived in Canada and still have a 4U rack from them. My only beef is that the front and rear lids are not interchangeable. One lid has the hinge "ears" and other lid has the hook part. A small gripe, and still a great deal for a case. They don't have the selection of Audiopile, but if they have what you need it looks like shipping is cheaper so that'd be a good alternative. And I'd say its definitely the same quality of case.

I also run with DJK cases and have found them to pretty decent and affordable. Actually I'm getting ready to order another one in a few days. I really liked buying from them when I lived in Chicago as they have a warehouse right there, now it's shipping time :(

I didn't like the lids at first either until I learned, or discovered, that they are designed that way to latch together for cleaner storage. I've even used the "locked lids" as supports for stuff.