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Focal Headphone Repairs?

Unfortunately, it appears that despite their high-end reputation, Focal has crap quality control. Their Drop Focal Elex is infamous for driver and connecting wire failures. And now, I find so is their Focal Clear model.

I bought a pair in May, and after less than 20 uses, the left channel is dead. It’s not the cable or anything external, but definitely something internal. I take extremely good care of my stuff, so there’s no excuse for this type of failure.

Although the headphones are still in warranty, I’ve been told Focal is awful about honoring US-based claims. Plus, shipping them back to France will be expensive and take weeks, if not months. So, I’m afraid my only choice is to pay someone to fix them stateside. I’d be grateful if anyone can recommend an experienced, reliable repair shop for the Clears in the US.

Thanks.
output555
tooblue
1,888 posts
 
What cleeds said.
output555 OP
120 posts
 
Tried that, and no go. Needs to ship back to France, at my expense.
corelli
942 posts
 
Wow. Great reason to cross Focal off your list. Too bad your dealer did not tell you that ahead of time. Almost sounds like a no win. Blow the bucks to fix them just to have them break again. Fix and sell them--I’d have a hard time doing that with a known quality issue. Sorry to hear your misfortune but your post is valuable to others looking to purchase headphones.
P.S.  I'd find a new dealer as well
Ag insider logo xs@2x
cleeds
5,652 posts
 
Given that your dealer has proven useless, I suggest contacting the distributor, which looks like Focal Naim America, in writing. If the best they can offer is that you return the product to the country of origin, I’d ask my dealer for a refund.

If the dealer refuses, I’d take him and Focal Naim America to small claims court and argue that the product hasn’t met its implied warranty of suitability.

This all assumes that your dealer is an actual authorized dealer.
yyzsantabarbara
4,490 posts
 
Sorry to hear that, my headphone dealer who is also a Focal dealer told me to stay away from them because he was so upset with amount of repair work he had to coordinate.
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