My beloved Audeze LCD-X has died on one side and Audeze quoted me $589 to replace both drivers. I have only had them for 3 years since new and still only used them sparingly because I have other headphone. Seems this is a known problem? Well I love the headphones so much I bought a second one an LCD-XC used open box from B&H. Normally if for anything else given how much I love the product I would fix it but am now kind of apprehensive due to the fragility of the drivers. It certainly wasn’t “user error“ that caused it. I mean I put the phones on my head to listen to music and when I am done I take them off. What is headphone user error?
Maybe this is a good opportunity to move on to something else. What would you do?
Interesting situation.
With your headphones having driver issues at just 3 years - you might want to push them
for a lower repair fee. Reason being that they have a 3 year warranty. And many
manufacturers will defray the cost of a repair - particularly a high cost repair - if the
defect occurs (or becomes apparent) just past the warranty period.
Another important point - if they do charge you for the repair - at the stated
amount (or less) - how long will they warrant your repaired headphones?
And what, exactly, will the (new) warranty cover? Whatever it may be,
be absolutely sure to get it in writing. Audeze as a company is very tight
in that respect (and many other respects as well).
I did what I would call a "medium" search on the issue of Audeze headphone' build quality.
I also read their Terms of Service and Warranty thoroughly and completely.
https://www.audeze.com/policies/terms-of-service
https://audeze.zendesk.com/hc/en-us...rranty-Policy-including-Amazon-and-eBay-sales
Problems with their headphones seem to have peaked in 2015 or so,
moderating since to a more normative and reasonable number.
(although much of the available information about Audeze headphones' build quality
is anecdotal, as it must be.)
Nonetheless, my view is they're picky and demanding with respect to their
various Terms. I would personally hesitate to deal with them unless I had
truly endless funds, despite their reputation for great sound.
At the same time, though, bear in mind that "carriage trade" customers buying
unusually pricey goods have been warned for many years
that repairs will be more expensive than with lower priced products.
e.g. a smashed taillight on a Mercedes will cost more to repair
than one on a Honda.
that repairs will not be necessary as often as with less expensive brands,
and, if they are necessary, they will be handled more quickly and professionally
(for example, doing a pick up and drop off of your problematic Maybach).
I do urge you to consider the suggestions in the first paragraph above,
especially regarding negotiating the repair fee for a pricey product
just out of warranty. And you're a repeat customer - always worth
mentioning in such situations.
Feel free to send a PM if you wish.
