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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
dramatictenor
183 posts
 
I am so sorry to hear about your poor and Inexcusable experience. I am grateful that 6 month in, my Stellias are working well and sound delightful. But now I am worried—what will my recourse be if a $3000 set of cans has problems?
mastering92
870 posts
 
I have a problem with the Focal Utopias....

check out my post too
koles
1 posts
 

Purchased Elegia for about 800$ from authorized retail dealer. Cable failed TWICE before I replaced it with a third party cable. And now the headband has snapped (I've seen multiple posts with the same problem). Focal does not sell replacement parts. Instead you have to send for repair which will cost 400$. As for me I will never buy anything Focal again.

soix
9,563 posts
 

It’s so sad that Focal makes great-sounding headphones that are, by many users accounts, unreliable and not well supported.  Thankfully there are several other great headphones out there that more than compete with Focals sonically without the headaches.  I’ll give a shoutout to Hifiman — I own 2 of their headphones and have had zero problems even though I bought both as open box and came across as nothing but brand new.  Focal’s poor quality control and product support is unforgivable IMHO, especially at the price points at which they sell their products. 

corelli
995 posts
 

Upscale audio has great closeout pricing on Focal phones.  After rereading this thread I would never consider them, even at steep discounted prices.

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