Hi there,
 
A few weeks ago I was in the bus casually going to work, listening to music on my cellphone and then all of a sudden the left earbud of my Tributes started sounding muffled.  I tried removing it and putting it back and it did nothing to solve the problem.  Few moments later it gave in.   I tried them in another audio source to confirm the issue really was with my Tributes...and it was confirmed.
 
I just can't believe this, they just cr*pped out after a year and a half like a pair of 30 buck cheapo POS ear buds.  I was so pissed.  Fortunately, I had purchased them from a legit retailer (J&R) and since there is limited lifetime warranty on those, I swiftly called Monster's (so-so) customer service/tech support for an RMA.
 
After numerous calls because of misspellings in my name and email address, I got my RMA # and sent them back for a replacement.  Shipping delay back to Canada was reasonable.  However, was I surprised when I looked in the box and found out that they had sent me the Miles Davis new TRUMPETS.  I had mentioned on my very first call that I wanted the same earphones, NOT Trumpets.  Anybody here had the same experience??
 
You see, I do not listen to jazz with those, I'm a metal guy.  I purchased the Tributes after hours of reading on those forums and discussing with a few metalhead members who had them.  I was 150% pleased with them, and for the type of mid-bass response they provide.  After reading a thread (here again) comparing both of the Davis, I was even more pissed at this situation, as I found out that the Trumpets do not have the same bass response...at all.  Not that it seems that it sounds thin, but it seems the sound is more oriented to horns type of frequencies.  Well, good thing for jazz listeners, but not for me.  I'm not a total basshead, I like precision too, but I just loved the air-moving feeling that the Tributes provided.  It seems that the Trumpets do not deliver on that end.
 
I think I'm gonna call Monster tomorrow morning and clearly let them know I'm totally dissatisfied...
 
Any insight or experiences on this matter would greatly be appreciated...
 
EDIT: And mind you, I take REALLY great care of my stuff.  Those iems were always stored in one of the provided cases and cable coiled in its "natural" way.  And I of course never yanked at the cord to remove them out of my ears!

As far as I know the tributes are discontinued and are replaced by the trumpets line. If you look back at the MDT thread, you can see people who got the replacement as you as far as back as April.

I personally like the look of the turmpets. Look at it this way. You have a lifetime warranty on a pair of IEMs when other companies barely have warranties over 1-2 years. Your model is discontinued. They gave you new IEMs of the same price bracket and line. You can see it the way you want, but I'd be really happy. A glass of water is both half full and half empty at the same time. I'd hate to work at customer support.

I understand your point.  I know Monster's warranty can't be beat and I was pleased to learn about it when I purchased my Tributes.  I also know that if they would have failed after 10 years, for example, I would expect them to be discontinued and replaced by something else.
 
The way I see it, is in a more global way.  I.e it's only been 1.5 years and they failed, I can see some online stores still selling them, I purchased them for specific tonal characteristics, and they get replaced by a product that is rather oriented towards treble, and are known for being prone to breakage when being handled because of their shape (which I hate, but that's just my opinion...remember, I'm a metal guy, no disrespect but I could care less about the trumpet shape, I like my gear plain, not fancy-shaped).  I would've rather had them replaced with pro gold turbines...
 

lightpsycho said:

I understand your point.  I know Monster's warranty can't be beat and I was pleased to learn about it when I purchased my Tributes.  I also know that if they would have failed after 10 years, for example, I would expect them to be discontinued and replaced by something else.

The way I see it, is in a more global way.  I.e it's only been 1.5 years and they failed, I can see some online stores still selling them, I purchased them for specific tonal characteristics, and they get replaced by a product that is rather oriented towards treble, and are known for being prone to breakage when being handled because of their shape (which I hate, but that's just my opinion...remember, I'm a metal guy, no disrespect but I could care less about the trumpet shape, I like my gear plain, not fancy-shaped).  I would've rather had them replaced with pro gold turbines...

 

Click to expand...

Call them, tell them exactly what you said, It will demonstrate their customer service. Monster are constantly selling refurb Tributes and as you said they're still in-stores. You have nothing to lose by contacting them. I'd be upset myself if I wanted another apple and was sent a lemon. I'd like to hear what they say actually.

Monster has been selling refurbished Tributes. Maybe they'll send you a refurbished Tribute if you ask. Those come with a ninety day warranty.

Pitiful, Poor, and the kind of thing that should be a first rate priority.

Lifetime Warranty means nothing, If they cannot keep customers happy.

I know, I am in the service industry.

I hope you hold their feet to the fire, and resolve your issue.

Jim

fieldingmellish said:

Monster has been selling refurbished Tributes. Maybe they'll send you a refurbished Tribute if you ask. Those come with a ninety day warranty.

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Great Idea...

Maybe, If he acts quickly enough, he could buy his old pair back.

Brilliant

Jim

Quote:

astroturf said:

Great Idea...
Maybe, If he acts quickly enough, he could buy his old pair back.
Brilliant
Jim

Click to expand...

 
If he's too quick, they'll send it back un-repaired, lol.

Fieldingmellish I had a big sarcastic laugh at your comment!  Considering the quality of tech/customer support I've had up to now it wouldn't surprise me...
 
It's a pity I'm too busy at work to call them back today (ironically I work on the phone for tech support too for a cable operator/telco/ISP/mobile carrier), but when I do, well, uhm, I will give them a taste of what I endure all day long!
 
I sure hope that if I'm getting refurb Tributes, I'll still be keeping that lifetime warranty, NOT only 90 days.  If that's the case, I think I'll demand that they give me brand new Pro Gold Turbines.  At least they will sound more like the Tributes...
 
And there is NO way that I'll be shelling out another 20 bucks to ship the Trumpets back to them, they'll have to let me charge this to their damn Fedex account.

It is propably cheaper for them to replace it with something in production ie the trumpets, fix your tributes, sell em as refurbs, you propably have no recourse.

I guess I'll know after my shift (ahem... head-fi at work...ahem) or Monday.  If the s*it hits the fan, I'll ask them the dreaded "I wanna speak with your supervisor".  Lawl.
 

lightpsycho said:

I guess I'll know after my shift (ahem... head-fi at work...ahem) or Monday.  If the s*it hits the fan, I'll ask them the dreaded "I wanna speak with your supervisor".  Lawl.

 

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Or you could just demand a total refund...

Jim

Has Monster ever directly refunded any customer, at all...

Quote:

lightpsycho said:

Has Monster ever directly refunded any customer, at all...

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Prolly not...
 
But Lawyers love a challenge.
 
All joking aside.
 
They should be held to a higher standard. Giving you a lesser product is not that standard.
 
Jim

What I would do
 
Keep the replacement Trumpets and sell, they have more value than the Tributes now.
 
Buy refurbished Monster Tributes, if anything goes wrong Brian at BTG can recable them with a portion of the spare money.