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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 => SR Forum Archives => Product Reviews: Sound Reinforcement FUD Forum Archive => Topic started by: Bennett Prescott on January 06, 2006, 12:45:35 PM

Title: EWI Cases
Post by: Bennett Prescott on January 06, 2006, 12:45:35 PM
I finally bit the bullet and bought 6 EWI cases from Liz at Audiopile.net, who couldn't be a nicer person. To give you an idea of what I got and what it cost me, here's the invoice for 6 cases shipped all the way across the US:

2 A14U 14 space anti-shock amp racks on castors @ $190.00 each = $380.00
2 PA18U 18 space pullover amp racks on castors @ $200.00 each = $400.00
1 C002 large road trunk on castors @ $190.00
1 DR002H 4 drawer tool case on castors @ $230.00
Shipping FedEx Ground to 03755 = $456
TOTAL = $1656.00

That's $76 shipping per case, not bad considering, and there's a discount in there because I was doing so much shipping with FedEx.

The cases finally arrived on Tuesday for delivery Wednesday. FedEx Ground and Home Delivery then fought over whose problem I was until Thursday evening, at which point I borrowed a truck and went and got the cases myself. While picking them up, I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the packing... strapped, well-labeled, heavy-duty boxes for every case. Nevertheless, FedEx managed to drive something through one of the 14U amp racks. Liz has already taken care of it (I got an email reply from her 37 minutes after she opened at 9:00!), which wins her the customer service award for this year.

After driving them home, I set about the task of un-boxing and castering the cases. Even the packing is well thought out, with a few box cutter slices and two flips the case is unpackaged and ready to go. Cases have an extra heavy-duty skirt of cardboard around the caster area to protect it, too, which makes 4 layers of thick cardboard for protection in that particular area.

Anyway, on the the interesting part... I was immediately impressed with how well the cases are assembled. I opened the road trunk first and spent a good 10 minutes just looking it over to notice the attention to detail. EWI has some very smart people working for them... they've figured out how to make their manufacturing process as efficient and free of waste as possible without any significant quality loss. All the hardware is flawlessly aligned and machined, there are no burrs, rattles, or obvious joints. Rivets are oversize and backed by washers in the important places. Bolts have proper nylon retaining nuts or lockwashers. These cases aren't going to fall apart. I compared them to my custom 22" deep cases from Modern Case, which were far more expensive, and the US made ones feel sloppily made and cheap in comparison. Even though the EWI cases are less deep than my custom cases, they're a very good size... I won't be missing those extra few inches.

A couple other things I've noticed: All of the wood is 3/8" and sturdy. Rack rails get an extra wood standoff and are bolted securely in place in four separate locations. The 1" foam used in the shock racks is firm and very securely glued to the case, as well as absolutely uniform throughout the case... seams are flat and meet evenly, cuts are smooth. The caster boards are equally well thought out and made, with standoffs to keep them firm against the bottom of the case and good steel T-nuts to hold the caster bolts. The drawers in the 4 drawer toolcase are on very smooth slides, with a firm detent to keep them closed (as well as a support in the lid to make sure they stay that way when the lid is on), and a layer of 1/4" foam around the inside. Casters are smooth, rotate easily, lock well, and have a rubber that is both firm enough to make a good wheel but bouncy enough to take up a little shock when you're banging the cases around. The butterfly closing latches feel very rigid, lock very well, and are not by any means going to separate from the case. From one manufacturer to another... Touche, EWI.

Fit everywhere is good. All lids fit on easily, without requiring any jimmying, and sit well on the lip of the caster plate while you tighten them down. None of this one-corner-still-sticking-out you get with some cases. The tops on the pullover cases go on and off smoothly and easily, I can do it without any help. The interior racks are a little snug in the base, you need a foot on the base to get them out and a little wiggling to get them in, but that's a minor and my only complaint. Even the removable lid on the 4 drawer toolcase slides up and removes smoothly, and putting it back on isn't difficult either.

Everyone here on the board knows how picky (read: what a gear snob) I am, and how much I notice the little details that could cheapen an otherwise nice piece of hardware. Let me dispel any doubts you may have had about the EWI cases: They are the best deal on the planet. They beat the pants of most every domestic case I have seen, with the exception of R&R, Anvil, Calzone, and the other "these were really pricey" case companies. If you need stock rack cases, toolchests, and trunks you really can't afford not to give these cases a try. I have no doubt that they will be with me for years and withstand all sorts of abuse.

Photos: http://www.campuspa.com/images/cases/Desktop.html
[edit: changed photo link]
Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: Adam Mottley on January 06, 2006, 01:12:45 PM
Bennett Prescott wrote on Fri, 06 January 2006 11:45

I finally bit the bullet and bought 6 EWI cases from Liz at Audiopile.net, who couldn't be a nicer person. (snip) They are the best deal on the planet. They beat the pants of most every domestic case I have seen, with the exception of R&R, Anvil, Calzone, and the other "these were really pricey" case companies. If you need stock rack cases, toolchests, and trunks you really can't afford not to give these cases a try.


Bennett,

I couldn't agree more. Your experience with EWI cases and the good folks at Audiopile mirrors my own.

Adam
Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: Jason Ketchem on January 06, 2006, 01:29:53 PM
I'm really diggin' that work box.  I Foresee one of them in the near future sitting in my shop.
Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: RYAN LOUDMUSIC JENKINS on January 06, 2006, 02:01:48 PM
Now this is a true product review.  If everyone would take the time to review products like Bennett did then the other forum members would have a lot easier time deciding what products to look at.  Thanks Bennett!

Ryan
Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: Tom Manchester on January 06, 2006, 04:06:03 PM
I have the EWI microphone case from Audiopile. I got it because my mic collection was getting a little to big for the pistol cases I had been using and I wanted to be able to carry them all in one trip. I ordered it and had to pay with a personal check since I don't have a credit card yet and Mark and Liz didn't mind at all. At $75 I was expecting something like one of those cheesey fake ATA cases like you get from harbor freight or walmart with the faux aluminum finish but when it arrived I was pleased. It is "medium grade" like they describe on the website but still sturdy and well made none the less. It uses real flight case hardware with spring loaded handles and steel ball corners with a solid latch. The aluminum trim is a little thin but fine for a case of it's size. It fits together well and has a nice little latch I keep padlocked to keep people from helping themselves to a little present when I am not looking. Inside it has plenty of room for all of my mics. I currently have all but a few of the holes filled with regular handheld mics. Under the pull out mic tray I have an AKG headset mic, and in the little open space on the side I keep my D6 kick mic, beta 98, e609, 4 DI boxes and a short beyerdynamic boom attachment, and some spare clips. I could probably fit a few more mics in. I've used it at probably 10 gigs so far and it looks new except for a few small scratches on the aluminum, and some sharpie. It keeps my mics smelling like new shoes or vicks vapo-rub too from whatever the  lining of the case is. It's pretty strong as I have used it as a seat on a few occasions when my chair was "borrowed" from FOH.  
Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: Tom Manchester on January 06, 2006, 04:19:52 PM
...Well I think the case smells like new sneakers or vapo-rub, but one muso seemed to think it smelled like mulberries. Then again, I'd take fresh mulberries over the second muso's mic that was supplied by the venue and smelled like bakery products!
Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: Mike McNany on January 06, 2006, 04:24:48 PM
Thanks for the great and thorough review, Bennett.

What dealings I've had with the Audiopile people has also mirrored your experience. That shipping kills me. I'm sure you're claiming all that as expenses, though, at tax time.

If I ever get away from the SKB & plastic clones, I'll be going the EWI way  Cool

Mike McNany
Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: David Henry on January 06, 2006, 04:40:13 PM
Thanks alot for the good review, well done Bennett!  Don't forget to change your website equipment page.  They look real nice, have a fun time with your new toys.

David
Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: Bennett Prescott on January 06, 2006, 04:58:38 PM
Mike McNany wrote on Fri, 06 January 2006 16:24

I'm sure you're claiming all that as expenses, though, at tax time.

Oooh baby, I'm rockin' the IRS already. Wink Don't you worry.

David Henry wrote on Fri, 06 January 2006 16:40

Don't forget to change your website equipment page.

I will as soon as I get a few more pieces of equipment in place and wire it up... it'd be a shame to leave it the way it is when I've got all this new shiznit.

And, yeah, Tom... the smell is pretty intense. I'm not sure what I'd call it, but I swear it's giving me nose cancer. Very strange "new case" smell... must be that sideways glue they use in China.

Liz was also kind enough to include a bag of goodies... a free mic cable, hat, cable ties, more rack screws... I think I'm in love. I wish all merchants I did a few grand worth of business with were so good to me. <cough>Harman</cough> I'm a whore for polo shirts and cable ties, people!
Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: John Chiara on January 06, 2006, 05:08:53 PM
Bennett,
What is the EWI website again?  Every search I do turns up everything but.

JOhn
Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: RYAN LOUDMUSIC JENKINS on January 06, 2006, 05:12:23 PM
http://www.audiopile.net/

Here you go!
Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: John Horvath on January 06, 2006, 07:54:51 PM
EWI does not make their cases, they're OEM manufactured by Road Ready.  EWI's prices are definitely lower though.

Also, they're not 3/8" ply.  They're 5/16" ply with 1/16" laminate.  The total thickness is 3/8".

I'm not knocking anything though, EWI/RR cases are definitely the best buy, but only for a specific group, like muso's and regional/local sound companies that don't work with Union crews & loaders.  Unless they're housing something lightweight like a couple wireless units or some rock stars wig collection, 1/4" ply cases and single-wall extrusion cases usually won't last one abusive tour.  Back in '93 I had to have my lower leg X-rayed when one came apart and landed on my shin.  EWI/RR cases have a slight extra thickness, and have double-wall extrusion, so I believe they'd probably last a bit longer.  
Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: Mike Pyle on January 07, 2006, 12:42:03 AM
I'll be surprised if FedEx makes good for the damage to the case. It's gotten to the point where the risk of shipping damage kills what what would be a good business deal.

Truck freight seems a bit less prone to destruction.
Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: Rodd Lowell on January 07, 2006, 09:18:20 AM
Excellent review!

Exactly what I was looking for.

Thanks for biting the bullet for all of us.

I guess it is time for me to give them a call.

Thanks for helping us all out at your expense.

Rodd
Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: Bennett Prescott on January 07, 2006, 10:36:17 AM
FedEx has been good to me on the shipping damage side so far... they trashed a 1066 on me and paid the insurance with little hassle, then returned it to me so I could send it to dbx. Hopefully I'll have a $80 1066 at the end of it all.

This particular time I don't even have to worry, Liz and Mark had a new case out to me yesterday so I could make my time crunch, and she's handling FedEx, too. Talk about a way to keep customers. I know where I'll be getting my cases and audio adapters for the next long while.
Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: Bennett Prescott on January 07, 2006, 10:36:57 AM
Interesting.
Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: Chris Davis on January 07, 2006, 12:25:12 PM
Hi Bennett, I agree with the others that your review is well done.
I have a couple old RR cases in my err..case collection.  Your overall description of the case, the wood standoffs, and other attributes made me think of my cases before anyone even mentioned RR in the thread.  Similar design except yours have all the desireable finishing touches.  I am a big fan of the soft blue non-marring types of wheels.  Cool

Obviuous differences in price point I see are market sector, overseas production, materials design, and also perhaps manufacturer capability (R&R doing OEM speaker cabs for instance).

Chris
Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: Lee Brenkman on January 07, 2006, 07:14:41 PM
"EWI does not make their cases, they're OEM manufactured by Road Ready. EWI's prices are definitely lower though."


Are you sure of that statement?

Although they look very similar, I have cases from both EWI and Road Ready.

The Road Ready cases were made in Southern California.

The EWIs came from China

The nuts and bolts that came to attach the casters to the racks were VERY different.

The EWIs have foam inside the lids, the Road Ready cased do not.

They even SMELL different.

Cheers,
Lee
Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: John Horvath on January 07, 2006, 08:37:31 PM
Could be.  Myself and a friend were both told on the phone from Road Ready that they make OEM cases for a number of different companies.  And since the EWI cases are damn near identical to the Road Ready cases, I figured it was a pretty good assumption EWI was one of those companies.  
Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: Bennett Prescott on January 07, 2006, 09:29:31 PM
This must be where the "Behringer OEMs that part for Ebtech" comes from Wink Just giving you a hard time, John.
Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: Rickk Kreuzer on January 09, 2006, 10:04:49 AM
Bennett-

Thank you for the review! I am planning on picking up 2 of their 18 space racks in the very near future.

You mentioned that you got the pull over type for your amp rack. I'd like to know your thoughts on this. I hadn't considered this because I will be using the top of the rack to set my mixer on occasionally and will like to put the covers back on the rack. Can you tell me why you choose this style?

Second, would you or anyone recommend seriously that we step up to the shock mounted?

I am also liking the 4 drawer toolcase. I assume that will be my next case purchase.

Rickk
Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: Bennett Prescott on January 09, 2006, 12:46:33 PM
Sorry, I should have been clearer about my uses. The 18U pullovers are for FOH effects and EQ. I've then got a road trunk for power and speaker cables, a 4-drawer toolbox to store my kit, and a pair of 14U castered shock racks for amplifiers. I went with shock all around because, while I'm not entirely convinced it's going to do me any good, for the extra $10... why not? Now I've got that edge Wink

BTW, the 4-drawer toolbox is an upgrade from this: http://www.skbcases.com/product/pro_audio/mic_equip/skb-1713 .html so I'm in heaven. Plus, I have a new table for my laptop.
Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: theo mack on January 13, 2006, 03:27:37 PM
I was just looking at that site.

They have the best price on xlr turn arounds too.
Ordered a dozen of each, I will post on their quality after I get them.
Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: Brian Adams on January 15, 2006, 04:44:16 PM
theo mack wrote on Fri, 13 January 2006 14:27

I was just looking at that site.

They have the best price on xlr turn arounds too.
Ordered a dozen of each, I will post on their quality after I get them.


They work fine.  Just make sure you keep the screws tight, but that's true for anything I guess.  I'd say they're comparable to the other stuff out there, such as Hosa adapters.

BTW, what are you going to do with a dozen of each?  I have 6 of each, and I don't think I've ever used more than 4 of any one kind at a time.  They're nice to have though. Smile
Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: Tom Manchester on February 02, 2006, 03:43:53 PM
I'll put in another endorsement for EWI cases. I just received my second case from Mark and Liz (I already have the mic case). I got the 10.5" deep 4 space one on closeout for $65. I had been looking for another rack case for my monitor processing equipment on ebay but I couldn't find anything for under $100 that wasn't crap. For $65 the EWI is easily worth double that. Very well constructed like everyone says. Mine now has 2 compressors and an eq in the front, and a power strip and input output panels on the back rails (tight fit!) It's way better then the old case I made of pine. That one now houses my wireless setup.

index.php/fa/3949/0/
New rack. The EWI one is on the bottom with the Eq and comps. It replaced the one on top which now houses 2 wireless mic recievers and associated equipment. Also a back view and pic of the lid.
Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: theo mack on February 17, 2006, 03:48:50 PM
we just ordered the 4 drawer work/toolbox too.
so cheap.

unbelievable.

Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: Bennett Prescott on February 17, 2006, 04:02:21 PM
Ain't it? Every time I go for a piece of gear I breathe a sigh of relief.
Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: RYAN LOUDMUSIC JENKINS on March 08, 2006, 11:02:15 PM
So I just had Liz ship some new racks to me... They came in on the day that was promised!  I threw a bunch of amps in them, took about 6 hours to wire them up and now I have two extremely heavy amp racks that will pack easier in my trailer and cut out setup times down a little.

I can't wait to get some I-Techs however the Camcos look like a viable option for me too.

index.php/fa/4251/0/
Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: jeffhtg (Jeff Kenney) on March 26, 2006, 01:20:31 PM
I dont think road ready makes these cases..  I had a couple cases made from a company in california - I believe they are OEM'd from road ready. (at least they look it).. You standard dual 575 moving  head case. anyways they used aluminum rivets on the corner.. needless to say the cases came back from the first time beeing on a truck with no corners on.
Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: Bennett Prescott on October 07, 2010, 12:53:02 PM
That photo link doesn't work any more. I think these are what it was supposed to point to, though:

http://www.campuspa.com/images/images/Desktop.html
Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: Ken Barlow on October 25, 2010, 03:18:14 PM
I have been a fan of Mark and Liz for many years. I have ordered many snakes, connectors, DI's, cables and recently bought their top of the line mic case. One poster said it smells a little funny but I just attributed to that "new mic case smell". It's not unpleasant, just different. The build quality vs. price is unbeatable. I bought this case shipped to my house for around what Sweetwater would want for a SKB 12 hole mic case. I continue to recommend www.audiopile.net to everyone I know due to quality and most importantly, customer service
Ken

.index.php/fa/33285/0/
Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: Ken Barlow on October 25, 2010, 04:47:44 PM
Bennett Prescott wrote on Thu, 07 October 2010 12:53

That photo link doesn't work any more. I think these are what it was supposed to point to, though:

http://www.campuspa.com/images/images/Desktop.html


Bennett,

How is the weight distribution on that 4 drawer case? Does it want to fall forward when you open 1 too many drawers?

Ken
Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: Bennett Prescott on October 25, 2010, 05:06:53 PM
Ken Barlow wrote on Mon, 25 October 2010 16:47

How is the weight distribution on that 4 drawer case? Does it want to fall forward when you open 1 too many drawers?

Yep, some care is required. I don't know if there is a new version, but the drawer close detents on mine could use an order of magnitude more force.
Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: Dick Rees on October 25, 2010, 08:24:21 PM
Ken Barlow wrote on Mon, 25 October 2010 15:47

Bennett Prescott wrote on Thu, 07 October 2010 12:53

That photo link doesn't work any more. I think these are what it was supposed to point to, though:

http://www.campuspa.com/images/images/Desktop.html


Bennett,

How is the weight distribution on that 4 drawer case? Does it want to fall forward when you open 1 too many drawers?

Ken



I purchased the four drawer work box.  The original caster board placed the front wheels under the case itself, slightly abaft of the door.  This led to tipping with more than one drawer out, so I made a new board with the front casters as far forward as possible without obtruding.  This fixed the problem completely.  I phoned in to M & L with my report and at the time they indicated that a design change was already in the works.  I don't know if it has been implemented, but the DIY caster-board swap took all of about half an hour.

DR
Title: Re: EWI Cases
Post by: Philip Roberts on October 25, 2010, 08:52:03 PM
Dick Rees wrote on Mon, 25 October 2010 20:24

I purchased the four drawer work box.  The original caster board placed the front wheels under the case itself, slightly abaft of the door.  This led to tipping with more than one drawer out, so I made a new board with the front casters as far forward as possible without obtruding.  This fixed the problem completely.  I phoned in to M & L with my report and at the time they indicated that a design change was already in the works.  I don't know if it has been implemented, but the DIY caster-board swap took all of about half an hour.


I think this fix has been made. I bought a pair of the work boxes 6-9 months ago and the caster board sticks out beyond the front of the drawers by 2-3". It looks like the pictures on the web site have been updated to show this also. Of course with the longer caster board the bottom drawer some times catches on the edge of the caster board.

Also +1 on needing heavier drawer closed detents.

Despite these quibbles I still really like the Audiopile products and am even considering a third work box.