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B&W 800D or 802D Cosmetic Issues

Hello folks,

I am seeking feedback from 800D or 802D owners only. I have recently order a pair of 800D2 from my dealer. The pair arrived 2 weeks later and delivered to my home. Upon close inspection, I notice finish imperfections on one of the speaker's Marlan head and tweeter tube. There are several deep scratches embedded in the finish that are visible in day light or with the flash light. If you stand couple of feet away, you cannot spot these imperfections. The other speaker is perfect with no sign of scratches...the finish is smooth and inky glossy black.

The dealer sent over the field inspector to address the issue. The inspector notice the imperfections and gave the following explanation -

"800D are hand made, no two speaker will have the same finish and you may find these minor imperfections on another pair as well". He went on to say, that I am being 'picky' and no one really inspect these speakers with a flash light.

I feel bit disappointed with the craftsmanship and still in disbelief that these speaker passed the Q.C. test at B&W facility and no one noticed these imperfections.

I do realize that over time piano black finish tend to generate surface scratches....sort of nature of the beast. I can understand the disparity in wood grain finishes but these Marlan heads and tweeter are being painted and applied several coates of lacquer, shouldnt they be identical and spotless?

I wonder if anyone out there experienced these issues with the finish. For what I have seen at dealer showroom and another pair at local shop, a brand new pair shouldn't have these cosmetic issues. After all you're buying a flagship pair at a 24K price point.
128x128lalitk
vapor1
107 posts
 
Actually wet sanding and buffing is what I do with any new car. Every factory paint will have some peel, the only way to remove it is with wet sanding.

The point was, swirl marks can happen so easy that it's unreasonable to expect replacement if you have a few. You can unwittingly create swirl marks just by rubbing your shirt against them while unpacking, or laying them on your carpet.

Now, if they're something deeper in the finish, not just swirl marks which are easily dealt with, than that's a different story. I didn't miss the point, just trying to offer a little perspective without benefit of pictures to know what the problem actually is.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"09-10-15: Vapor1
Actually wet sanding and buffing is what I do with any new car. Every factory paint will have some peel, the only way to remove it is with wet sanding."

Yes, but that's if he leaves the speakers outside and exposed to the elements. The OP is going to keep them in the garage. Shouldn't have any problems.
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,610 posts
 
If all fails you can this a try!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8filgVOZ1Uw
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,610 posts
 
If all fails, these guys will fix 'em up !

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6izFhAhU5c
bcgator's avatar
bcgator
355 posts
 
The OP clearly pointed out in the original message that the issue is more than just swirl marks, and please allow me to pile on and add that for $24K you should absolutely, positively, beyond any shadow of any doubt NOT have to do wet sanding on a brand new pair of speakers. As has been said by other members who have their heads on straight, those speakers should have come out of the box factory-fresh and perfect. You are doing the appropriate thing getting replacements. I hope you enjoy them so all of this can be forgotten in the end - you've bought some fantastic speakers.
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