1964 Ears (The Appreciation Thread) - Page 233

Working fine for me. Maybe it's your ISP?

Not working whatsoever, I also heard from other korean friends that they can't connect to 1964's website.

Is there any 1964 employee here that can address this IP filtering issues to their Network team?

=/

Quote:

Originally Posted by straden 

Not working whatsoever, I also heard from other korean friends that they can't connect to 1964's website.

Is there any 1964 employee here that can address this IP filtering issues to their Network team?

=/

You could try contacting them via email

info@1964ears.com

Quote:

Originally Posted by straden 

Not working whatsoever, I also heard from other korean friends that they can't connect to 1964's website.

Is there any 1964 employee here that can address this IP filtering issues to their Network team?

=/

I had the same problem.  And I connected via several different places to no avail.  It is Korea.   Lol.

So: I have a question about whether or not I'm being reasonable. I got a pair of the 1964 V-3's last June. There were some problems right off the bat -- the fit on the left ear was way off -- but instead of sending them back, I took them to an audiologist, who made some slight adjustments (with 1964 Ear's permission, so as to not void my warranty). 

I've been mostly happy with them and they've greatly enhanced my nighttime (when my wife is asleep) listening. 

In the spring, after I'd had them for about 9 months, a small tear appeared in the soft vinyl tip. This wasn't after something happened to them -- it literally was not there one night and there the next morning; the only thing that happened in the interim was that I took them out of my ears. Even thought they were still under warranty, I decided not to send them back, which might have been a mistake, in retrospect...but oh well. 

Then, in September -- after I'd owned them for 15 months -- the vinyl tip on the right ear completely separated from the acrylic base -- as in, all of a sudden my right IEM was two pieces instead of one. Again, I should stress that I almost never take these out of the house. I don't wear them while walking the dog, I don't wear them running, I don't wear them on my way to work -- so literally, the only pressure they've ever been under is from putting them in and out of my ear. I tried to fix them using tiny dabs of superglue, which worked for a few weeks but ultimately they just separate again, at which point I sent them in to 1964 Ears for repair. (I realize I should have taken a picture of them before I sent  them in so I could show what I'm talking about...once again, oh well.) 

When I heard back from them, I was told that since vinyl tips can't be repaired, I'd need to have a whole new mold made -- and that would be $225, which is the same amount it would cost me if I wanted them to take an old pair of random IEMs and turn them into customs.

My feeling is that $500 headphones should last more than 15 months and that I certainly shouldn't be charged the same amount as if I was asking them to convert a whole other pair of IEMs. I'm also willing to accept that I might be wrong here. So...what are folks' thoughts?

I'm with you on the service aspect. There should be some re-shelling discount consideration for the fact that you bought your IEM from them.

On 1964's FAQ, the first paragraph talks about how the soft tip (hybrid material) option is less durable than the (I suppose) acrylic throughout. With that in mind, perhaps just body fluids can cause a problem within a year's time (assuming these are the tips you have).

I don't own a CIEM, but I know I expect silicon tips to last (at best) 6 months (but typically 4 months). And that's washing them daily. So, I don't know....

I like the idea of soft and expandable. I can eat and listen with no problem. But, If I order the new V6 model, I'll go all acrylic.

I can see how the soft vinyl tips could damage easily. Especially with daily use. The way you have to twist a CIEM to get them in or out would take it's toll on a soft tip.

Kinda would be nice in your case if the reshelling was at least pro-rated. Like after a year, it's only X% and after 1.5 years its X+Y% cost of reshell and then after two years its full price or something. Good luck with your situation. This is usually not a well discussed topic. I know I was interested in soft tips when I was looking at 1964Ears for my first CIEM and while I didnt decide to go with them, I never really heard much in this aspect and am glad it is brought to light. Let us know what happens.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hardtimes 

So: I have a question about whether or not I'm being reasonable. I got a pair of the 1964 V-3's last June. There were some problems right off the bat -- the fit on the left ear was way off -- but instead of sending them back, I took them to an audiologist, who made some slight adjustments (with 1964 Ear's permission, so as to not void my warranty). 

 

I've been mostly happy with them and they've greatly enhanced my nighttime (when my wife is asleep) listening. 

 

In the spring, after I'd had them for about 9 months, a small tear appeared in the soft vinyl tip. This wasn't after something happened to them -- it literally was not there one night and there the next morning; the only thing that happened in the interim was that I took them out of my ears. Even thought they were still under warranty, I decided not to send them back, which might have been a mistake, in retrospect...but oh well. 

 

Then, in September -- after I'd owned them for 15 months -- the vinyl tip on the right ear completely separated from the acrylic base -- as in, all of a sudden my right IEM was two pieces instead of one. Again, I should stress that I almost never take these out of the house. I don't wear them while walking the dog, I don't wear them running, I don't wear them on my way to work -- so literally, the only pressure they've ever been under is from putting them in and out of my ear. I tried to fix them using tiny dabs of superglue, which worked for a few weeks but ultimately they just separate again, at which point I sent them in to 1964 Ears for repair. (I realize I should have taken a picture of them before I sent  them in so I could show what I'm talking about...once again, oh well.) 

 

When I heard back from them, I was told that since vinyl tips can't be repaired, I'd need to have a whole new mold made -- and that would be $225, which is the same amount it would cost me if I wanted them to take an old pair of random IEMs and turn them into customs.

 

My feeling is that $500 headphones should last more than 15 months and that I certainly shouldn't be charged the same amount as if I was asking them to convert a whole other pair of IEMs. I'm also willing to accept that I might be wrong here. So...what are folks' thoughts?

There is a reason they prefer doing full acrylic, as opposed to soft tip.

Damn shame though, and I do hope things work out for you in the end.

As for my thoughts, I'm not here to pass judgement on the horrible things you've done.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hardtimes 

So: I have a question about whether or not I'm being reasonable. I got a pair of the 1964 V-3's last June. There were some problems right off the bat -- the fit on the left ear was way off -- but instead of sending them back, I took them to an audiologist, who made some slight adjustments (with 1964 Ear's permission, so as to not void my warranty). 

 

I've been mostly happy with them and they've greatly enhanced my nighttime (when my wife is asleep) listening. 

 

In the spring, after I'd had them for about 9 months, a small tear appeared in the soft vinyl tip. This wasn't after something happened to them -- it literally was not there one night and there the next morning; the only thing that happened in the interim was that I took them out of my ears. Even thought they were still under warranty, I decided not to send them back, which might have been a mistake, in retrospect...but oh well. 

 

Then, in September -- after I'd owned them for 15 months -- the vinyl tip on the right ear completely separated from the acrylic base -- as in, all of a sudden my right IEM was two pieces instead of one. Again, I should stress that I almost never take these out of the house. I don't wear them while walking the dog, I don't wear them running, I don't wear them on my way to work -- so literally, the only pressure they've ever been under is from putting them in and out of my ear. I tried to fix them using tiny dabs of superglue, which worked for a few weeks but ultimately they just separate again, at which point I sent them in to 1964 Ears for repair. (I realize I should have taken a picture of them before I sent  them in so I could show what I'm talking about...once again, oh well.) 

 

When I heard back from them, I was told that since vinyl tips can't be repaired, I'd need to have a whole new mold made -- and that would be $225, which is the same amount it would cost me if I wanted them to take an old pair of random IEMs and turn them into customs.

 

My feeling is that $500 headphones should last more than 15 months and that I certainly shouldn't be charged the same amount as if I was asking them to convert a whole other pair of IEMs. I'm also willing to accept that I might be wrong here. So...what are folks' thoughts?

This is exactly what has happened to me as well with the vinyl tips. In my case it was less than a year of use on the IEMs. In my case though it cost me less, though I did only get one side done (only one side broke). I guess it's the price to pay for vinyl tips - I think that I would think twice about getting vinyl tips again if I do get another custom. 

I completely agree with your sentiment though. I for one would have expected the vinyl tips to have lasted a lot longer than the one did. Maybe I'd have better luck if I tried Westones?

Quote:

Originally Posted by rroseperry 


This sucks, but in all fairness, they've got a warranty that's good for a year. Since they came apart after that time, there's not much of an option there.

Agreed, but I'd like to point out that a year in this case is a year minus all the time they take to get the order and fit right.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenman345 

Kinda would be nice in your case if the reshelling was at least pro-rated. Like after a year, it's only X% and after 1.5 years its X+Y% cost of reshell and then after two years its full price or something. Good luck with your situation. This is usually not a well discussed topic. I know I was interested in soft tips when I was looking at 1964Ears for my first CIEM and while I didnt decide to go with them, I never really heard much in this aspect and am glad it is brought to light. Let us know what happens.

Yeah, that was the other part that frustrated me: If I'd been told, 'Not only will vinyl tips be more expensive, but you'll essentially be buying something with a shelf life of ~ year,' I obviously wouldn't have gone with that choice, but the way it was presented was that the vinyl tip was more comfortable -- which is why it cost more. I guess when the left ear ripped I should have put 2 and 2 together and sent them back in pronto, but I (naively) assumed that a company selling CIEM would let you know if regular use meant it wouldn't last. 

It's also a little bit frustrating that after sending them in, their first suggestion was that I pay $225 for new vinyl tips without any mention of the fact that if I got them again, I should expect the same thing to happen. 

Anyway, I'll keep people posted. I sent a very polite note yesterday saying I understood that I was no longer under warranty but I didn't think it unreasonable to think that they'd last more than 15 months. I didn't make any specific requests inre: whether I thought they should cover it, whether I thought we should split it, whether it should be pro-rated, whatever, but just left it at that and am waiting to hear back from them. So far, nothing. 

Also, kenman345, I'm curious about your interactions with 1964 overall. In general, I've found their customer service to be a bit lacking -- but perhaps more from lack of awareness than anything else. When they initially sent these to me and the fit was really pretty egregiously off, they didn't say they were sorry but just instructed me to go pay for another ear mold to be made. (They didn't even offer to cover the shipping on sending in that new mold.) Instead, I just paid the audiologist who made the mold to make some slight adjustments -- and they didn't offer to cover any of that either, or say they were sorry it ended up being a hassle -- they just said, essentially, good, glad it's fixed. It's not even that I think they should have covered that cost -- I haven't given it much thought one way or the other -- but it would have nice to have some acknowledgement on their part that their first attempt didn't work and that they were going to do whatever they could to make it right. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by rroseperry 


This sucks, but in all fairness, they've got a warranty that's good for a year. Since they came apart after that time, there's not much of an option there.

True -- and certainly I don't think that under the letter of the agreement that they owe me anything, but I do think it makes sense for a boutique company that has personal interactions with its customers, and which is selling a high-end and very specific product, to go more with the spirit than the letter -- especially because this isn't something that went wrong that just means their product is slightly less appealing, it means their product is completely unusable.  

And regardless of whether it's a big or small company, or whether a product is or isn't under warranty, I think that there is at least some responsibility to tell a customer if they're buying something that isn't expected to last. But I could be being unreasonable there.