Thread: Need assistance with new mic AKG c214

Do you have the pad switch engaged?

According to what I'm seeing at the Lexicon website, the Alpha doesn't have phantom power. So how are you powering these condenser mics?

Good call. It says right in the Apha user guide that only dynamic mics or self powered condensers are accepted. (Pg.14) I'm not real sure how the AT2020 was working for that matter.

Is the AKG new or used? If new did you buy it on Ebay for less than $350.00. The reason I ask is it may be a counterfeit or knock off there has been a problem with this. This is a very good quality mic if it is an new, real AKG it should perform at least as well if not much better than the AT2020. AKG would not market a $650.00 list price mic with high white noise. Take a close up pic of the AKG logo on the mic and post it.

I did buy the microphone from ebay, Pro Audio Star(22,000+) store for $395.00, the microphone came sealed in its metal carrying case with H 85 shock mount, W 214 windscreen, package was sealed with paper wrapped tightly around it and shrink wrap....did i manage to get a counterfeit?

I don't know whether this is counterfeit or not, but it definitely is not working correctly. You either need to contact Prostar for a replacement or contact AKG directly. AKG will be able to tell you whether its counterfeit or not.

I agree, you should return it right away. They claim to have a 30 day return policy.

It's hard to tell from the pictures if it's counterfeit as AKG states in their Counterfeit Warning But something clearly doesn't add up.

If they are a bonafide AKG dealer, they won't be for long. AKG takes a dim view of this kind of deceptive pricing scheme. A lot of what they sell is B-Stock (which means it has been broken, damaged in shipping, returned, or refurbished (broken, returned, repaired). And there's nothing wrong with selling B-stock merchandise as long as it's clearly marked as such. A company like AKG will often sell items that have cosmetic damage, but it's bad for business to sell one that doesn't function properly. If you paid less than $599 you probably got B-stock, regardless of what the auction said under 'condition'.

The manufacturers dictate the lowest price we can advertise their products. You are free to negotiate a better price one on one with a customer, but you cannot advertise in any way shape or form a price below the price they dictate. They will warn them once before they yank their dealership.

Did you notice their pricing is all over the place? They have a C214 with 3 free cables for $359 and another C214 by itself for $599. Even though they claim the $359 model is "New in box: never opened and never used" Something is shady there.

So either;
A) they're mis-representing the B-stock merch and calling it new, or
B) they're the dumbest businessmen EVER - selling equipment for less than they paid for it, or
C) the merchandise is of questionable origin.

There is no way it isn't at least one of those things.

Good luck.

I have not had satisfactory dealings with those guys. Like Hawk said, they post multiple ads and pricing is all over the map.
I think that they're working out of the trunk of a '77 Eldorado, but I can't swear to that!

" Psssttt.....Hey kid....Wanna buy the Brooklynn Bridge? Only used once......"

Its a shame that there are folks like that out there and chances are they dont feel any remorse at all with stretching the 'buyer beware' to the breaking point.

I would contact them immediately and describe your problem. Also I would contact AKG America directly with the serial number and model of the mic and get their take on the situation. They probably wont handle a claim about this mechandise but you never know. Be sure and mention to the seller that you asked about your problem on an internet site and got this response.....sometimes, having a large viewing audience will prompt those in question to go the extra mile. I'm certainly not saying to use it as a wedge...just informational only....K?

As far as checking what a legitimate price might be for a piece of audio gear, you should look at Sweetwater, Full Compass, B&H Photo, and Guitar Center. I'd never buy anything from GC that I could help just because I don't like them but if you're looking for legitimate price ranges there you go. In this case they all have the same price. Anyone selling something significantly cheaper-and posting that price on the web-is likely either not legit or is selling b stock as new (still not legit). In either case probably not an AKG authorized seller.

In general, when an online retailer won't list their physical address in their contact info, that's usually a bad sign. It makes you wonder who they're hiding from.

Unique Squared uses the exact same DNS servers as ProAudioStar. I'm guessing they are one and the same.

Man, what a world. Who would ever think this would happen to the gear industry. I should start a warning section that displays all the signs of counterfeit gear. I bet this is going to get worse. So disturbing. I bet this is happening with pres and such as well.