No Shame on Audeze!!! Buyer needn't beware.

[analog'd]

 

hey Jeb!


I guess I wasn't clear. I am reacting to the fact that two people here in the last week had drivers fail, and had Audeze quote them $800 because they were over 36 months old.


My pair failed in June 2013 and the drivers were replaced. That's what I meant when I said should mine fail again, and it were to be beyond the 36 month mark, I would not pay them *00 to repair what are obviously defective drivers. I have used many headphones for far more than 10 years without problems. It is outrageous of them to stick to their initial warranty time frame when there are known issues with their drivers.


 

+1. Well said, I have lost some respect for Audeze . And Audeze should stand by their product, not hide behind the warranty. Thanks for the heads up, I might get a HE-6 and modify it, .

Don't be too hasty. The jury is still out on this and from the statement made here by Audeze, and the fact that they are taking care of the owner who I'd been talking with, we are all holding our breath and hoping for an affordable, and more reasonable policy from them.

 

[corbin1]

No doubt it's understandable that for those of us who bought used LCD3's knowing that the warranty was transferable would still be disappointed if they crapped out reasonably  shortly after the warranty expired due to known manufacturing defects. However nothing lasts forever so to expect an open ended warranty whether to the original purchaser or secondary purchaser  doesn't seem realistic nor fair to Audeze.  Yes,  even if you paid $1,500 for a used pair that lasts 38 months that basically works out to $475 a year for  the period you own them before they "break" due to no fault of your own (if a true manufacturing defect).  I've owned  the Stax 4040 Signature ensemble for at least 10 years, have countless hours on them and they function as new so yes I do believe  a premium product should last a "premium" time. 
 
My guess is that Audeze will ultimately replace truly manufacturing related defective drivers for  longer than the 3 year warranty period, at least those related to these relatively early "known defects".  I could be wrong, happens a lot (ask my wife, she'll tell you every mistake I ever made in excruciating detail).  
 
In the meantime my LCD3's are at least to my ears and eyes such a stunningly beautiful  product from both a sonic and visual perspective that I'm not going to worry about the drivers failing until if and when they do and hope for the best.  

 

[1c3d0g]

Makes me feel good I went with the Fostex TH900 instead of Audez'e. I was seriously considering the LCD-X! Hopefully the current owners can get some sort of positive resolution out of this mess.

 

 

[Jeb Listens]

 

  My guess is that Audeze will ultimately replace truly manufacturing related defective drivers for  longer than the 3 year warranty period, at least those related to these relatively early "known defects". 
 

 
Hi Corbin -  what you said above was the crux of what this thread was about rather than it being about owners wanting an open-ended warranty for everything that can and does go wrong with electronics products in this rather random crazy world we live in.  I think it was also already established prior to this thread that there was a solid three year warranty that was transferrable.  
 
The question was specifically about a *known* driver-related issue or issues and how Audeze would handle that after the 3 year period was over, since owners are claiming that such a defect may well manifest after 36 months in many cases.    One issue is described here in this link. 
 
In their response yesterday Audeze stated that they would deal with out of warranty claims on a 'case by case' basis - which I have inferred as meaning that there could/would be leniency in the warranty length and/or cost of repair if, upon inspection, a driver was found to have failed due to this or another known manufacturing error.   
 
In addition they stated that they would re-examine the cost of driver replacements which would be of benefit for those who had a driver failure but did not qualify for free repair for whatever reason.  I would think this would be issues relating to user-error or a malfunction that is realistically beyond their control at any stage of the process.   
 
Personally, that's what I wanted to hear.

 

[analog'd]

  Makes me feel good I went with the Fostex TH900 instead of Audez'e. I was seriously considering the LCD-X! Hopefully the current owners can get some sort of positive resolution out of this mess.

 

It looks very much as though we already have begun to get a very positive resolution to this. I am convinced that the people at Audeze are determined to NOT let their product ownership be left high and dry. Except for this issue, which I think is no longer going to be an issue, Audeze had the best track record of any company known to man for their dedication to standing behind their products and making any inconveniences to owners with problems as tiny as possible. Their turn around time, responsiveness to emails and phone calls, and fixes/solutions has consistently been top notch.

Their nearly immediate response to the issues expressed here is just further evidence that they are in fact the company you can MOST feel comfortable in dealing with. My reactions to the $800 charge were quite strong because it scared the heck out of me that something had changed at Audeze, and that I might be left without functioning LCDs should I have a problem. I was also receiving mail from an owner who was shocked at his predicament, and thought it important to raise the banner now.

I certainly didn't intend to leave any lasting fear in any consumer's mind should Audeze step back up to the bat, and they have already done so at lightening speed and with finesse! 

Keep your fingers crossed for affordable replacement drivers for those not failing from a manufacturing issue, it's pretty clear that Audeze has left us nothing to worry about re: those defects or failures.

Thanks Audeze. Keep up the great work; your headphones are incredible and your customer service is beyond reproach. I thank you every time I turn the music on.

 

[analog'd]

  No doubt it's understandable that for those of us who bought used LCD3's knowing that the warranty was transferable would still be disappointed if they crapped out reasonably  shortly after the warranty expired due to known manufacturing defects. However nothing lasts forever so to expect an open ended warranty whether to the original purchaser or secondary purchaser  doesn't seem realistic nor fair to Audeze.  Yes,  even if you paid $1,500 for a used pair that lasts 38 months that basically works out to $475 a year for  the period you own them before they "break" due to no fault of your own (if a true manufacturing defect).  I've owned  the Stax 4040 Signature ensemble for at least 10 years, have countless hours on them and they function as new so yes I do believe  a premium product should last a "premium" time. 
 
My guess is that Audeze will ultimately replace truly manufacturing related defective drivers for  longer than the 3 year warranty period, at least those related to these relatively early "known defects".  I could be wrong, happens a lot (ask my wife, she'll tell you every mistake I ever made in excruciating detail).  
 
In the meantime my LCD3's are at least to my ears and eyes such a stunningly beautiful  product from both a sonic and visual perspective that I'm not going to worry about the drivers failing until if and when they do and hope for the best.  

I think it is already again not anything to be worried over should it occur. I deeply trust Audeze based on three years of outstanding product and service. Hopefully they meant to type a "3" and not an "8". I wish all the businesses, health care providers, etc that we all deal with had half the heart of Audeze. Life would be much nicer. 

 

[corbin1]

Agreed,  the way Audeze immediately responded directly to this forum addressing the concerns of owners and potential owners was impressive.  GM has been screwing around with their defective ignition switches for a decade (spending a good chunk of it hoping the problem would just disappear) and sometimes still seem to be struggling to get it right.  Audeze is demonstrating how things should be done. Take responsibility and make it right...

 

[analog'd]

  Agreed,  the way Audeze immediately responded directly to this forum addressing the concerns of owners and potential owners was impressive.  GM has been screwing around with their defective ignition switches for a decade (spending a good chunk of it hoping the problem would just disappear) and sometimes still seem to be struggling to get it right.  Audeze is demonstrating how things should be done. Take responsibility and make it right...

yessir. the gm thing is a great example of what's bad. they are still not standing up. just saw on the cbs news last night that they refuse to entertain any further claims than those that have already been filed. 


ok, i'll stop hijacking my own thread. 

 

[mikroski]

Pre-order EL-8 with 300$ down payment for early bird price. If price for repair is 800$ in US, it will be worst in my country.
 
I will check this thread regularly. If there is no policy on international market within next week, I will discuss with shop to cancel order and by some thing else. WA7tp+Alpha Dog will be a better solution for me.

 

[analog'd]

  Pre-order EL-8 with 300$ down payment for early bird price. If price for repair is 800$ in US, it will be worst in my country.
 
I will check this thread regularly. If there is no policy on international market within next week, I will discuss with shop to cancel order and by some thing else. WA7tp+Alpha Dog will be a better solution for me.

I know of many people around the world who have sent gear to Audeze under warranty. I am certain the warranty is not based on where you live. I don't know what that dealer is doing, but....are they doing reparis there, or for 1 year they will handle the shipping to and from audeze?

 
Simply email or call Audeze and ask them. The only issue with being out of the USA and using their warranty is the shipping costs being so much higher.

In terms of the $800, they have already stated that they are revisiting that. Don't give up, nothing else will sound like what you can get from them, and it looks very much as though they are continuing to stand firmly behind their products. 

 

[mikroski]

 

  Pre-order EL-8 with 300$ down payment for early bird price. If price for repair is 800$ in US, it will be worst in my country.
 
I will check this thread regularly. If there is no policy on international market within next week, I will discuss with shop to cancel order and by some thing else. WA7tp+Alpha Dog will be a better solution for me.

I know of many people around the world who have sent gear to Audeze under warranty. I am certain the warranty is not based on where you live. I don't know what that dealer is doing, but....are they doing reparis there, or for 1 year they will handle the shipping to and from audeze?

 
Simply email or call Audeze and ask them. The only issue with being out of the USA and using their warranty is the shipping costs being so much higher.

In terms of the $800, they have already stated that they are revisiting that. Don't give up, nothing else will sound like what you can get from them, and it looks very much as though they are continuing to stand firmly behind their products. 

Hi,
 
Thanks for advise. Anyhow, one year warranty isn't good enough. I read some posts of LCD owner that, Audeze still tune up their phones, after they launch their product. It seem unfair for people that trust them and buy their first batch.
 
And then this thread urge me to find another solution for this pleasure hobby. I will wait for an official statement of worldwide warranty and replacement cost of EL-8. If they don't have them soon, I will spend my money on other gears.
 
Don't get me wrong, I just want to be happy with my hobby, no offense with Audeze and wish that they will have some good statement soon.
 
Have a good day

 

[Sopp]

HiFiMan were worse. A few years ago I had one of their products which was out of warranty. Emailed customer service for help to fix the phones and they immediately refused to do it. Even though I told them that I would pay whatever they asked for repair (shipping on me also), they just simply said NO again and closed the case, no more reply from them. The $500+ cans became a junk and this resulted that I will never consider anything manufactured by HiFiMan.

 

[DaemonSire]

Maybe I'm a bit jaded, but I don't see how Audeze is standing behind their product or doing the right thing by revisiting that atrocious $800 price.  They are doing so because it was made public on these forums and it has gotten negative attention.
 
If they were doing the right thing, they wouldn't have labelled such a ridiculous repair amount to begin with.  Regardless of how this plays out, they have lost me as a potential customer.
 
And to add, whatever they adjust the new repair price to, I sincerely hope they reimburse the difference whomever had to bear that original price tag.

 

[oneway23]

Got an e-mail from Audeze to pre-order the EL-8...Maybe I should wait 3 years and one month before placing my order? 

 

[analog'd]

  Maybe I'm a bit jaded, but I don't see how Audeze is standing behind their product or doing the right thing by revisiting that atrocious $800 price.  They are doing so because it was made public on these forums and it has gotten negative attention.
 
If they were doing the right thing, they wouldn't have labelled such a ridiculous repair amount to begin with.  Regardless of how this plays out, they have lost me as a potential customer.
 
And to add, whatever they adjust the new repair price to, I sincerely hope they reimburse the difference whomever had to bear that original price tag.

I don't know how jaded you are, but for the many hundreds of Audeze customers who have been dealt with cordially and extremely fairly by the company, and who own and love their headphones; Audeze's immediate response is enough to calm our fears. I am of the belief that one should not condemn one's friends for making a single mistake. Because of the treatment I received from them when I needed help with a faulty driver (politeness, immediate turn around, no charge to me although I was the second owner of  LCD3s)  I consider Audeze a friend.  And because of their fantastic developments in the field (the LCD3 is indeed, as Tyll summed it up initially, "a desert island headphone" - and I'd add a beautiful bit of craftmanship and engineering) I want them to succeed and prosper. Making one wrong move does not get you written out of my (good) will, especially when you rectify it.