Care to invest in an Array 1400 system?

[villastrangiato]

I know I am not alone when I say I feel screwed having layed down a good chunk of change for speakers I thought I'd own for a long time - for me one of the primary reasons for buying JBLs was that they'd last and be readily fixable.

So before anyone else reading this decides on buying a 5 thousand dollar (or more ) pair of speakers from Harman, you might want to take a look at how well you and your products will be supported into the future.

Below is a link to JBL's support site - specifically listing parts for the Array 1400. Now I haven't looked to see what they cost but my guess is well over 5 grand a pair - what I paid for 250ti Limiteds about 15 years ago. Notice you have to be put on a wish list if for some reason your amp burns up a voice coil and you need a new woofer - NICE. Or perhaps a fine Harman rep will suggest you buy one of their PSW1400 subs currently on sale for 1200 to cannibalize the part out of it.

Just wondering out loud about you folks up in Northridge - what's next? Will be seeing the current Harman CEO up on capital hill some time soon - asking for a bailout so it can afford to continue honoring legal committments to stock parts for products it is currently selling?

http://www.harmanaudio.com/search_br...L&MarketId=HOM


http://www.harmanaudio.com/search_br...00BLK-Z&status=

[timc]

You confuse me.

Are you saying your dealer cant get replacement parts for your Array1400?


That sounds weird to me. The dealer here in Norway have no problem supplying the units.


-Tim

[BMWCCA]

Maybe they're not making the parts available to just anyone. If you really need them, have you tried calling with your speakers' serial number to order parts? Perhaps they're saving them for those who actually own the product rather than selling the parts to just anyone. :dont-know

See, in Norway you might actually have an independent dealer who stocks the products, and I'm not talking parts, but current systems to see, touch, and hear.

[Titanium Dome]

Honestly, is this what we've come to? Pick up the darn phone, call an authorized dealer or even email [email protected] (listed on that same page) and ask about any part needed.

If you bought on the gray market, maybe you'll have a harder time getting the parts, but the parts are there. If you bought through legitimate JBL channels, then it's easier.

How often has anyone even needed parts for Array 1400s and couldn't get them? Or is this just Chicken Little screaming "The sky is falling!"?

[JeffW]

I think what he means is if you buy an Array 1400 today, will you be able to get parts for it down the road. Using the analogy of the 250ti, which was one of the better systems a few years ago but is not fully* supported today.

*You might be able to get a LE14H-3 down the road if they make another batch, but what if you want a left grill or a crossover or a 044ti? Not sure they could hook you up.

[timc]

Maybe they're not making the parts available to just anyone. If you really need them, have you tried calling with your speakers' serial number to order parts? Perhaps they're saving them for those who actually own the product rather than selling the parts to just anyone. :dont-know

See, in Norway you might actually have an independent dealer who stocks the products, and I'm not talking parts, but current systems to see, touch, and hear.

No they don't stock up on parts. They order them when needed.


-Tim

[villastrangiato]

To answer some questions:

1) Yes, i emailed Harman and the domain kicked back my email
2) I then sat on the phone listening to a voice recording tell me that I could leave a message and someone might get back to me in a day or two (listened to the message loop for about 20 minutes - no one picked up)
3) Is it a crime to want to order a pair of LE14H3 's to have as spares in case another voice coil burns out of one of my LE14H's - because the recone kits are no longer available and I don't feel like chasing down a particular individual who lives two thousand miles away to "CUSTOM BUILD" a new one for me for what I'm sure will be a very nominal fee?


Most manufacturers of products would be happy to sell parts for their stuff to any willing buyer - no matter what the buyer intended for them (ie. throwing them off a cliff, burying them in the back yard, making nice garden ornaments out of them.....) As long as they can sell the part - who cares. Small companies like GM, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, General Electric, Hewlett Packard, Dell - they don't ration parts to customers that are more deserving than others. There are laws in most states that provide penalties for companies who sell major ticket items without offering spare parts and adequate support services. I introduced this thread because the LE14H-3 is currently listed on Harman's parts site as a wish list item. The Array 1400 which is currently being offered for sale in addition to the PSW 1400 - both use this part. I don't trust a company that sells something it can't provide parts for. And I suspect most rational, reasonably intelligent folks feel the same way. Imagine buying a new Chevy Cobalt SS and finding out that the turbocharger you need replaced under warranty is on a "wish list".

[Mr. Widget]

Look, if you bought a pair of Array Series speakers talk to your dealer and I am sure he'll be happy to help you out. If you just want a pair of LE14H-3s then put your name on the waiting list like everyone else.

As for your car analogy... my dad has been waiting 4 months for a replacement tail light for his Cadillac. Just in time inventory welcome to the modern world.


Widget

[hjames]

To answer some questions:

1) Yes, i emailed Harman and the domain kicked back my email

Really?? Who did you write and where?

Usually mail to a bad domain bounces immediately, but as a test
I just wrote to that address "[email protected]".

HJ: at 4PM, its 10 minutes later, and MY mail didn't bounce ...
edit - 5PM, 1hr 10min later, still no bounced-back email...


from hjames ########@gmail.com
to [email protected]
date Fri, Feb 27, 2009 at 3:50 PM

[Mr. Widget]

Just wondering out loud about you folks up in Northridge -

Posts like this make me want to turn off the computer. What a stupid speculation... I am sure that parts will be available for well beyond the warranty period, beyond that it's anyone's guess, but JBL's history of servicing their older systems is better than anyone else. Sure it would be nice to be able to repair every speaker they ever made, but they are running a business and some sacrifices must be made if a company is going to remain in business.

Try to get repair parts for your 15 year old Dunlavys or even Sonus Fabers or...


Widget

[Robh3606]

Thanks Widget

Couldn't have said it better myself. Make it 5 years old as that would be even more accurate.

Rob