Phonak Audeo Defect Thread

[doubts even here]

I hoped this problem would silently pass me, but I just noticed two small cracks in the left earphone, black PFEs.

Just wrote to the Hören-mit-Fiebing-Shop for replacement and if its possible to upgrade to the mic version (since I've got an Iphone now).
Of course I'll let you know about the replacement process.

Oh, and as someone already mentioned, the cables became very stiff too. I use no earguides.

 

[Bullseye]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevvyboy /img/forum/go_quote.gif The seller i used in UK recieved my 'phones today, and they contacted Phonak who will send me a replacement pair direct. Good work Phonak

If you would not mind telling me which seller from UK you used. I also got mine in Uk (even if I am not living in UK), and I have a very small start of crack in my left hedphone. I am afraid it might expand

 

[soozieq]

Quote:

Originally Posted by doubts even here /img/forum/go_quote.gif Oh, and as someone already mentioned, the cables became very stiff too. I use no earguides.

Hi there, sorry to hear of another faulty pair. Hopefully the replacement will hold up. By the way, where did the cable crack, is it where the earguides would have gone if you'd used them?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullseye /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have a very small start of crack in my left hedphone. I am afraid it might expand

If you get a replacement, find out what the date of manufacture is. I think the current stock is dated 17/11/08, and the faulty ones were from the 16/10/08 stock, I think... maybe someone else knows.

Do you have the black PFE's with no mic?

 

[kshelton]

I have to hand it to Phonak for taking care of their customers. I am looking into buying my first high end earphone and I am really leaning towards the PFE. At first I was concerned about the problems people seem to be having but they seem to be taking care of it no problem. Things happen and most people understand that, seeing a company fix their problem is refreshing. You hear all to much these days about a company just saying sorry your out of luck we already got your money.

Now I am just waiting for things on ebay to sell so I can get my new PFE's and a Cowon S9

 

[imackler]

I give to kudos to Phonak too for taking care of customers but hearing of more cracks makes me feel better about returning mine within the first fourteeen days. I've definitely questioned my decision, even though I had some issues w/ cracking/hissing and a broken filter. That being said, I'm left scrambling for anything close to the PFE at the <$200 price point! I wish that no issues had surfaced. I was loving mine at first!

 

[cn11]

Get white ones... they seem to have far fewer instances of cracking.

 

[yeahx]

Well I thought I was one of the lucky ones but I can see a faint outline of that typical chunk that falls out of the black ones. I was worried more about the cable lasting. I'm pretty good with them though so hopefully it will stay where its at now or take a while to pop out completely. I'm hopping that by the time I have to do a return, they will have a new batch with the problem solved. I might ask to change to white because the silver part is mostly what is showing when then are in.

 

[miprasetya]

Hi there, this is my first post in Head-fi, unfortunately is about PFE cracked, my PFE came from mit fiebing store, is there any procedure to get a replacement from phonak, I'm live in Jakarta, Indonesia, thanks B4

 

[doubts even here]

Quote:

Originally Posted by soozieq /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi there, sorry to hear of another faulty pair. Hopefully the replacement will hold up. By the way, where did the cable crack, is it where the earguides would have gone if you'd used them?

Thank you, I hope for a fast replacement too, since I still love their sound every day.
The cables didn't crack yet (though they might as stiff as they are right now), they just kind of "hardened" and stay in a position as if they had some small hard earguides inside of them

.
And yes, the stiff part is exactly the one which is worn over the ears.
I guess its since the others parts of the cable are moved in normal use and those always stay in the same place (maybe one should bend/massage this parts from the beginning to avoid stiffness???).

These cable issues aren't really such a problem as the cracks in the earpice, but they aren't nice either, maybe one day we get a PFE V2 with better plastic and a better cable (dreams...)

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by soozieq /img/forum/go_quote.gif If you get a replacement, find out what the date of manufacture is. I think the current stock is dated 17/11/08, and the faulty ones were from the 16/10/08 stock, I think... maybe someone else knows. Do you have the black PFE's with no mic?

Yes, black without mic. I'll try to find out as soon as I get a replacement. But since its not directly from Phonak I'm not very sure that it will be a new batch

.

 

[Bullseye]

I have black ver without mic from 2008-10-16

 

[cn11]

Quote:

Originally Posted by miprasetya /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi there, this is my first post in Head-fi, unfortunately is about PFE cracked, my PFE came from mit fiebing store, is there any procedure to get a replacement from phonak, I'm live in Jakarta, Indonesia, thanks B4

Hey-
Sorry about your cracked PFE. I'd suggest PM'ing 'wbrownie' of Phonak to find out the answer to your question. He's been very helpful all along, and I'm sure would know how to get your replacement expedited. Here's a link to a post of his earlier in the thread, so you can PM him:

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/5586470-post70.html

 

[mierenneuker]

I have received mine back from Fiebing, seems like the shell is replaced

 

[buggalugs]

Bought a pair (black) 6 weeks ago.
A cursory visual inspection revealed no cracking but a slight and barely noticeable ripple in the moulding on the left unit only just visible under bright lighting) with what appeared to be 3 tiny scratches - nothing to worry about here I supposed; the right hand earpiece had been moulded perfectly.
Now having stumbled across this thread I have rechecked the left hand unit and notice (using a magnifying glass) that one of these "scratches" is turning itself into a crack - once again barely noticeable (.5mm) but definitely a developing fault.
I don't intend to return the 'phones just yet but will monitor the fault carefully. Hopefully by the time they fail completely Phonak will have nailed the problem.
I'm not quite sure where to return these phones here in the UK - I bought them from Swisshearing aids.com but they seem a little difficult to get hold of.

 

[soozieq]

buggalugs, they don't seem to list a phone number, but if/when you need to have them replaced, use the 'contact' form here... SwissHearingAids.com > Main Section > Contact Us ...

... but email them too: stephan@swisshearingaids.com

It might be worth including the link to wbrownie's post in your communication - Phonak replacement guarantee - which promises to replace any cracked earphones, no questions asked. Hope that helps. Oh, and if you get a replacement, ask about the date of manufacture to make sure you don't get a pair from the suspect batch!

mierenneuker - did your replacement come in new packaging, and if so, does it have a date of manufacture on the box?

EDIT: buggalugs, keep an eye on the scratches and let us know if they get worse. I won't add you to the list yet until an actual crack appears.

 

[buggalugs]

Thanks for your very helpful reply sooxieq.
There is now a definite (but miniscule) crack on my LH earpiece - funny its now grown from about .5mm and only visible with a magnifying glass to about 1mm now and feelable (is that a word?) with a finger nail.
This increase has occurred whilst it has been carefully stored in a drawer since my previous post about 6 hours ago - this would seem to indicate that the plastic housing is under a little stress even when not in use.
I'll carry on using the phones until and if the crack grows to a more obvious level.