Order Process
Our manufacturing process
We are a bespoke manufacturer that values quality over quantity.
We plan three manufacturing runs a year to fulfil orders placed over the previous four months. This allows us to deliver beautiful custom products while giving our customers a committed and defined delivery window.
We also limit the number of loudspeakers in each production run to ensure we don't overload our trusted suppliers.
To confirm your order we ask you to place a non-refundable* 50% deposit, which secures your place in the order queue. To do this please click the "Order Now" button at the top right hand corner of the website. This will allow you to select which product family you would like to order. You may then choose the specifications of your loudspeakers and provide your email address.
Once your order is submitted, a member of our team will be in touch with payment details for the non-refundable deposit. After we have received your deposit, we will confirm your delivery date.
Although we craft to order, we may occasionally have stock available for immediate shipment. If this is the case we will notify you on receipt of your order. If you would like to know what stock we have available, please mention it on your order form.
*In the unlikely event that we are unable to fulfil your order after your deposit has been received, we will of course refund the full amount. However if you cancel your order after your deposit has been received, we will be unable to refund the deposit. We recognise that circumstances can change unexpectedly, so we allow a 2 week grace period to cancel your order. However, we will deduct a 5% administration charge from your deposit before we return the balance to you.
Our schedule
Our order deadlines are as follows:
- Spring: End of December, for shipment in April
- Summer: End of April, for shipment in August
- Autumn: End of August, for shipment in December
When do I get my loudspeakers?
If you were to order loudspeakers on the 1st of January (day after an order deadline), the latest we would ship to you would be the end of August.
Assuming a maximum transit time of 4 weeks, you would recieve your loudspeakers no later than the end of September. This equates to a maximum lead time of 9 months.
We always do everything we can to minimise this lead time by working closely with our suppliers. If you would like your loudspeakers sooner, and you order just after an order deadline, we may be able to squeeze you into the previous order queue. This depends on how full the order book is for that particular manufacturing run.This would mean a minimum lead time of 4 months.
FAQs
Q:
This seems like an awfully long time to wait for my loudspeakers: can you ship them earlier?
A:
In special circumstances and for an additional fee, we may be able to start the manufacturing process immediately on receipt of your down payment - this will ensure we ship your loudspeakers within three months.
Q:
Why do you need a non-refundable deposit?
A:
We are a bespoke, make to order manufacturer. Although we keep a minimum of materials in stock, we do not warehouse our raw materials, components or finished products. Your deposit pays for many of the materials to make your loudspeakers, and to secure the delivery date with our sub-suppliers.
Q:
How do you guarantee your delivery dates?
A:
To ensure we meet our delivery targets we are in constant communication with our sub-suppliers to update order volumes. We will always keep you fully informed about the progress of your loudspeaker build.
Q:
Is shipping included in the price of the loudspeakers?
A:
No. We ship worldwide and shipping costs can vary hugely, so each customer must pay an appropriate shipping charge dependent on their location in the world. The shipping charge will be quoted to you after you have submitted your order request.
Q:
My loudspeakers seem to be twisted. Are they damaged?
A:
No. Your loudspeakers are made of solid hardwood; they respond to temperature and humidity changes, which may make them twist over time. This does not affect the sound or performance at all! The resonating panels at the heart of your loudspeakers bend and move with the wood, easily accommodating and adapting to the natural movement of your unique frames.
Q:
Can I have my loudspeakers made out of wood, or a material that I source?
A:
Please contact us if you have special manufacturing requests: we will do our best to fulfil any of your requirements.
Q:
Can I have the loudspeakers painted?
A:
Yes. We offer a fully bespoke service and will colour match a provided sample. Please note this will incur an additional fee.
Q:
I've lost one of the spikes. Can you provide a replacement?
A:
Of course! Please let us know which model you have, and we will send you a replacement. Please note there will be a charge for this replacement.
Q:
I've lost one of the spikes. Can you provide a replacement?
A:
Of course! Please let us know which model you have, and we will send you a replacement. Please note there will be a charge for the replacement part.
Q:
The entire loudspeaker seems to vibrate, especially with loud music, and I can even see some panel movement in sync with the low frequencies. Are my loudspeakers falling apart?
A:
Your loudspeakers are resonating; exactly what they are designed to do. Conventional loudspeakers restrain and damp resonance. Our loudspeakers are siblings with acoustic musical instruments. We don’t restrain or clamp the energy, we celebrate it! There is so much resonant energy coming out of a cello, that the floor around the cello and the human body of the cellist resonate in sympathy. Acoustic instruments last for hundreds of years, happily resonating and bending away. Your Podium Sound loudspeakers will last as long as any loudspeaker.
Q:
How do I clean the loudspeakers?
A:
With a dry, lint free cloth or compressed air. Do not use a vacuum cleaner, water, cleaning spray or any other cleaning products. Note that your warranty will be voided, and we will charge to repair any damage that is caused by improper cleaning or handling of the loudspeaker.