Why I'm ticked at avatar.

PDK · #1 05-22-2010, 06:07 AM

I bought a 4x10 neo from Avatar about 5 years ago. I've never pushed this cabinet hard. About 6 months ago I noticed a speaker buzz not real loud but like there is something loose. Turns out the glue from the speaker had some how effected the cone. So I took it in for repair. The repair guy who looked at was an eminence dealer. He was on the phone to eminence trying to match the speaker b/c they quit making these exact speakers 4 years ago due to a defect. I get a new speaker for it and now the other 3 speakers are doing the same thing. If I replace them all then that's like buying a new cab. So I guess I'm screwed. I want to get rid of it but I doubt anybody wants it the way it is now. Any advice with this would be greatly appreciated. I know avatar is a budget cabinet this is nuts.

lbwdog · #2 05-22-2010, 06:11 AM

Maybe Eminence will replace them if they have a known defect.

Maybe avatar can help by getting you a set at cost.

pasta4lnch · #3 05-22-2010, 06:29 AM

^^ +1 I would def check w/ Avatar. Only been a pleasure w/ me and I've on;y heard good stories ...

SlingBass4 · #4 05-22-2010, 06:40 AM

*I* believe your frustration is misdirected. You're holding Avatar responsible for a 5 year old speaker they didn't even make? Avatar put in as good a speaker as claimed. Seems to me IF you're ticked BEFORE you've even checked with Avatar OR Eminence......you've put the cart before the horse. IF you're ticked, it should be at yourself for even posting this drivel without performing your due diligence and making contact with either party (Eminence first). IME both go out their way (and have gone beyond stated warranty limits) to accommodate their good customers. It appears you may not fit into that grouping

wcriley · #5 05-22-2010, 06:40 AM

If the speakers have a defect, shouldn't you ticked at Eminence instead of Avatar?

Edit: Oops, SlingBass4 types faster than I do.

PSPookie · #6 05-22-2010, 06:41 AM

It sounds like your problem is with Eminence, not Avatar.

Contact both companies and give them a chance to make things right.

Infa Red · #7 05-22-2010, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PDK

Why I'm Ticked At Avatar

Look on the bright side though, at least it was a great movie !! LOL --

j/k - sorry, I had to - just trying to make light of this bad situation.

I agree with the other two repliers. You should contact Avatar though (cause technically, business wise, they are the ones responsible for YOU, not eminence. You didn't buy speakers from Eminence, you bought a cab with eminence speakers in it from Avatar. Avatar chose to use those speakers, so Avatar has to stand behind them speakers, etc..You deal with Avatar, they deal with Eminence, and thats the way the business world works), explain your situation and loyalty as a customer, and I am sure they will do something to help you out to be able to keep your current cab and have a new great set of speakers that wont bug out on you again.

(pour on the, "I always admired your company and have been a fan from day one. I trust you guys are a good company that will do the right thing here. All I do is recommend your product to my colleagues and on the forums. I hope you wont give me a reason to start changing my opinion on you as a company", yada yada yada -- they'll follow through then)

Good luck -- and I am sure it will work out.

lbwdog · #8 05-22-2010, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Infa Red

I agree with the other two repliers. You should contact Avatar, explain your situation and loyalty as a customer, and I am sure they will do something to help you out to be able to keep your current cab and have a new great set of speakers that wont bug out on you again.

Right, but don't tell 'em you flamed them on TalkBass!

Ralphdaddy · #9 05-22-2010, 06:56 AM

All things have a service life, nothing lasts forever. I've had three Avatar cabs and all have performed more than admirably and Dave has never been anything but a true gentleman to work with. Call him, let him know what happened and who knows, even though your cab is five YEARS old and has no doubt been played through a great deal, he may work with you. If it makes you feel better, I just bought a cab that was only three years old and has four creased drivers requiring total replacement. I knew it going in but still, it happens. So think about solving your problem rather than intentionally publishing bad press about a product that has served you well for five years and may simply need some maintenance.

billfitzmaurice · #10 05-22-2010, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Infa Red

You should contact Avatar though (cause technically, business wise, they are the ones responsible for YOU, not eminence. You didn't buy speakers from Eminence, you bought a cab with eminence speakers in it from Avatar. Avatar chose to use those speakers, so Avatar has to stand behind them speakers, etc...

-1. If Avatar chooses to stand behind them that's nice, but they have no duty to do so. As a parallel, the warranty on the tires of a new car is held by the tire manufacturer, not the car manufacturer. In most cases the car dealership will act as a helpful intermediary if there's a tire warranty issue, but they have no legal obligation to do so.
As to the OPs situation you should contact Eminence customer service, with complete details on the drivers.

rovito · #11 05-22-2010, 07:11 AM

I believe Eminence Speakers have a 7 year warranty. Call them.

MichaelThomas · #12 05-22-2010, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rovito

I believe Eminence Speakers have a 7 year warranty. Call them.

Precisely, they need to get you a new set. End of story.

lbwdog · #13 05-22-2010, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rovito

I believe Eminence Speakers have a 7 year warranty. Call them.

+1...Em's CS has always been very accommodating the few times I dealt with them.

SlingBass4 · #14 05-22-2010, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Infa Red

I agree with the other two repliers. You should contact Avatar though (cause technically, business wise, they are the ones responsible for YOU, not eminence. You didn't buy speakers from Eminence, you bought a cab with eminence speakers in it from Avatar. Avatar chose to use those speakers, so Avatar has to stand behind them speakers, etc...

I have to disagree. You're partially correct that Avatar made and sold the cab, and has a responsibility to customer satisfaction. This, however, is an out of warranty 5 year old cab that's been through who knows what. Many speaker manufacturers change specs quite ofter these days in an effort to be cutting edge and/or remain competitive in an escalating marketplace (you'll find that stated on most warranties that they retain that right). Emeinence should be contacted first - without a doubt. BTW: *I* frankly find patronizing talk to a company you've flamed on public forum to be pathetic, and beyond contempt......but that's just me

Bass Junkie · #15 05-22-2010, 07:20 AM

The OP comes on TB bashing Avatar before doing any research.

"The Genuine Eminence warranty remains in effect for seven years from the date of the first consumer purchase (in the US) with the original bill of sale. Without an original bill of sale, the manufacturing date will establish the beginning of the warranty period.

Your warranty covers all defects in material and workmanship except: damage caused by accident, misuse, abuse, product modification or neglect, or damage incurred during shipment; damage resulting from the performance of repairs by unauthorized Genuine Eminence recone/repair centers; claims based upon any misrepresentation by the seller; any Genuine Eminence product on which the date code/serial number has been defaced, modified or removed.

Eminence will pay all labor and material expenses for all repairs covered by this warranty. Please be sure to save the original shipping cartons. A charge will be made if replacement cartons are requested. You are responsible for transporting your product for repair or arranging for its transportation and for payment of any initial shipping charges. We will pay the return shipping charges if repairs are covered by the warranty.

Eminence's liability is limited to the repair or replacement, at our option, of any defective product and shall not include incidental or consequential damage of any kind."

lbwdog · #16 05-22-2010, 07:25 AM

AFAIK no cab maker or driver manufacturer will warranty against abuse (such as overexcursion, etc.), but if you do your homework and find out more details from your speaker repairman about the specific model and the admitted defect of such, you'll be better prepared to talk to either company about the problem.

I'd be willing to bet you'll get some help from one or the other if this driver did indeed have an inherent defect.

Infa Red · #17 05-22-2010, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

-1. If Avatar chooses to stand behind them that's nice, but they have no duty to do so. As a parallel, the warranty on the tires of a new car is held by the tire manufacturer, not the car manufacturer. In most cases the car dealership will act as a helpful intermediary if there's a tire warranty issue, but they have no legal obligation to do so.
As to the OPs situation you should contact Eminence customer service, with complete details on the drivers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlingBass4

I have to disagree. You're partially correct that Avatar made and sold the cab, and has a responsibility to customer satisfaction. This, however, is an out of warranty 5 year old cab that's been through who knows what. Many speaker manufacturers change specs quite ofter these days in an effort to be cutting edge and/or remain competitive in an escalating marketplace (you'll find that stated on most warranties that they retain that right). Emeinence should be contacted first - without a doubt. BTW: *I* frankly find patronizing talk to a company you've flamed on public forum to be pathetic, and beyond contempt......but that's just me

Very true, and I agree about the warranty. 5 years from Avatar is it, then 5 years is it. I wasn't saying they had to. Just being in business long enough, I know that if it were in warranty, you go to the people that you dealt with, not the people they "sub'ed" work out to.

But this is a weird case. It is past the warranty of the "whole thing" you bought from said company. But some inner parts (speakers) manufactures have a 7 year warranty. Eminence didn't sell you their speakers though. Avatar did. Avatar actually bought them speakers from Eminence, therefore the person who really holds the 7 year warranty from Eminence is Avatar.

Basically you call the company from which you have a receipt from first. Thats what I'd do. If they send you to Eminence, then do that. But call the company on the receipt first. Cause they hold the warranty from eminence and they will need to claim it for you. Which they will do.

And the tires on the car analogy is only true if you bought the tires later separately. 10 times outta 10 on a new car, if something goes wrong with the tires or anything for that matter that you did not replace or abuse, then you deal with the car company. And the car company deals with the tire/parts company. At least this is from my experience.

On most contracts this is the case. When a company chooses a manufacture for a part, they are the ones responsible to you, not all the individual sub'ed companies involved.

But hey, I could very well be wrong about this. And honestly it is no big deal. I just personally stated my general "rule of thumb" on this matter on how I handle these situations.

lbwdog · #18 05-22-2010, 07:55 AM

Every new car warranty manual states that the tires are not covered by the car manufacturer, but by the tire manufacturer.

As I said before, I would contact both companies, armed with research about the claimed defect.

Bass Junkie · #19 05-22-2010, 08:00 AM

Avatar's Warranty:

"All Avatar® products are guaranteed for one year labor and ninety days parts. The limited warranty does not cover product abuse such as over heated speaker voice coils due to amplifier strain, punctured, creased or broken speaker cones. multiple blown speakers are not defects and are deemed as abuse or accident and are not covered by any warranty ."

Infa Red · #20 05-22-2010, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbwdog

Every new car warranty manual states that the tires are not covered by the car manufacturer, but by the tire manufacturer.

As I said before, I would contact both companies, armed with research about the claimed defect.

Well at least with mine, and maybe yours if you read closer or actually try to file a claim. You still deal with that "tire manufacture warranty" through the car company.

What they are disclaiming with that statement is just simply that they can not control what the tire company will or will not satisfy on a claim cause "the warranty is with the tire manufacture, not us". It doesn't mean you call the tire company or even deal with them. You still deal with the car company, and they deal with the tire company but at the mercy of the tire companies warranty.

But this is all side tracked. AND why are we comparing these speakers to tires. Tires are the only thing that is funny like that anyway. Why not compare the speakers to the radiator, or hell compare the speakers to the speakers in the car... Those are all 100% covered by the car company, or definitely dealt with through the car company from which you "hold the receipt" from. (unless you got some radical option upgrade or something, but even then, it is covered usually through the car company)

Right ??