okay cool. Yeah I have soundstream  head unit. And that's just what I asked to set it as so I could baby it for a week or two to get everything broke in.

I can almost guarantee that if you port it, you'll be happy.  

I do have to admit when my 15' bl's came in they were in a nice box with wood supports and screwed down into the wood to hold in place, I was very proud of this level of craftsmanship!

i read the first few pages of this post, when my BL came it was in a 1/2" plywood box with like 8 inch screws.... i don't understand how that could be damaged in shipping.  as for a shipping company i have worked at many jobs and the single rule is you want to make as many rules as possible surrounding any handling of items that are not your own. that way you can reduce profit loss as most people violate a rule or two.