Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
SlickSnake, since we have you talking about HK again, why does harmanaudio have such a steady stream of all refurbished units to sell to people? I honestly haven't heard a good explanation for it, but the things I've generally read is about poor quality control and defective units. I bought a receiver from harmanaudio, so don't think that I'm against the idea or anything, but I wondered why you think HK's quality control is so much better overall when HK quality control has been suspect for years?
Over 3/4s of what I bought from Harmanaudio on Ebay and on their website as a refurb was clearly brand new in the box, and not a refurb at all. On the few items that were actually refurbs, it was clearly marked on the box as such, including on the UPC label, and you could tell after opening it had been repackaged. I have bought all of my HT receivers, DVD players, 5 disc CD changers, at least 20 HT speakers (2 complete Interlude 5.1 surround systems, of every type made but one, plus 2 12 inch Interlude subs) a JBL mini system and a set of PC speakers from them. The only problem I had was with one set of 2 way Betas that were obviously refurbs, shipped in 2 different boxes, and one had the wrong speaker cover on it. They sent me 2 brand new covers for the 2 speakers! I even ordered 6 JBL 3 way wall hanging speakers once, for whole house use from winning different Ebay auctions, and every single pair was brand new.
I think they are actually selling off warehouse overstock for the most part on Ebay and on their website, not refurbs. But because they have to keep their retail customers happy and appear they are not undercutting them, they just say it's all refurbs. Some of the stuff that I got refurbed was the electronics. A CD changer, DVD player and the mini JBL system were all refurbs. And the 4 way Interlude IL60s were refurbs, and were marked as such. But they are also powered with 500 watt 12 inch subs in them. The rest of my Interludes were all new, including the 2 12 inch IL120 subs! Even 2 sets of 2 way interludes for wall hanging were new, not refurbs.
I can't support people who say their quality control is bad, not knowing if UPS dropped the units in shipping or what. I did get one set of speakers from them, the Interlude 3 way powered model IL50 that were both literally falling out of the box and damaged by UPS delivering it. I had the chance to hear them on my system, and was not overly pleased with the bass sound or speaker imaging (compared to the others) and sent them back, and did not replace those particular speakers.
I also did buy a refurb older model Infinity HPS1000 15" 1000 watt sub with dual 15" passive radiators from Ubid once, which was a one of a kind offer actually shipped from H/Ks warehouse, and it arrived mashed on the bottom on one corner from UPS, with one foot broken off. It rattled horribly, and when I found out H/K would not cover it for warranty repairs after shipping damage, it was sent back, regrettably. And it could not be replaced by H/K. I can hardly blame H/K for shipping damages by UPS on such large heavy items.
But considering what I have spent on Harman Kardon equipment, which even discounted was around 10k, I would have to disagree strongly with that statement that their QC is suspect. I have not had one blown speaker or faulty electronic part in over 6 years. And their refurb stuff is guaranteed with a full factory warranty, not a cheesy 30 to 90 days like a lot of companies do on refurbs. They are obviously standing behind their products.
