If you are thinking about putting JL Audio components in your Z or any other vehicle, be sure you are aware of this: JL Audio will NOT warranty anything purchased online. Not only do you have to buy it through an authorized JL dealer, but if you choose to install it yourself, you get the worst warranty in the biz-only 90 days. If you have your dealer install it, you get 1 year, which is still pretty pathetic.
Having said this, let me relate my tale- First off, I used to build high-end PA speakers for a living-I built all the plug plates, switches, crossovers, modified components (such as switching 8 ohm and 16 ohm diaphraghms), you name it. So when I received my XR-650-CSi components from my online dealer, I was very impressed-Air core inductors, hi-temp ceramic resistors, poly film capacitors, all the best stuff, and very cleanly done. All made in Germany. So I figured, who cares about the warranty, this stuff isn't going to break down. Well, one day after installing my system, I notice one tweeter isn't working. So I tear off the door panel, and test it-Nope, it's toast. I think, how can this happen? My amp is rated lower than it's capacity, and it has a built in protection circuit at the x-over. So I put my old Bose tweet in the hole, pull out my warranty info, read the verdict, and think, "I'm screwed". No, I figure I'll sweet talk their customer service dep't into replacing it. So I call this morning, and I get the rudest bee-yotch you'd never hope to meet on the phone, who proceeds to inform me that I'm screwed. So, just keep that in mind when you go to buy your JL stuff. And even worse, most of their authorized dealers are guys like Tweeter and the Good Guys, where the staff are mostly clowns and you can't bargain on the price. But, on the flip side, those are the same kind of guys who always fail to check returns very closely, with that being in my favor. JL is going to get my tweet back and pay for it whether they like it or not......

 

there is no such thing as customer service anymore. To wit, when you spend $$ at Macy's or some other store like it, it's the customer who ends up saying "thank you" as the clerk silently hands him his change.

As for car stereo, you can oftentimes save so much buying gray market that even if the component fails, you can afford to junk it and replace. In your case, JL's warranty sux because they're trying to price fix the market. But as we all know, there's more than one way to skin a cat.

 

I do believe that is the way it is with most mfgrs. For subs, 1 year is a long time. If you blow your subs in 1 year, you can get another. At least you know you need to upgrade or turn the volume down.

 

There is still a place with great customer service - Boston Acoustics. Don't believe me, call them up and talk to them yourself. Boston employees are very passoniate about what they make and their customer service shows. Better yet, lifetime warrenty .

 

JL Audio are trying to force people to buy through overpriced distributors. I'll tell you right now, I would not have purchased my JL amp at those prices. That company needs to wake up, and get on board with the rest of the world. They are not some fancy boutique amp company. These things are freaken mass produced.

I understand that the distributors have bills to pay, but JL should just discount the price to them. Obviously they could do that, because somebody on the grey market is buying quantities at lower prices, and undercutting there distributors. Its not by a little either, it's by a large amount.

Also, quality and customer service are so hard to find that it's sickening.

TheLex hit the nail on the head:
"when you spend $$ at Macy's or some other store like it, it's the customer who ends up saying "thank you" as the clerk silently hands him his change."

End of rant

 

Not sure who you talked with but I have NEVER had a problem like that with JL AUdio. I usually buy my stuff at Tweeter because I had some VERY good friends that work there. Unfortunately they have all quit or left for whatever reason. Back to the point last month the 12W3 in my boys car quit. (he bought it at Tweeter but I installed it). Took it back to Tweeter and they exchanged it on the spot no questions asked. The way it was explained to me if you buy JL from an authorized dealer the warranty is one year at that shop regardless of who installs it. If you have an authorized dealer install it i think the warranty is 2-3 years. Maybe they changed recently but i have never had a problem with them

 

Where is the best/cheapest place to buy JL from? Warranty or no warranty.

thanks

 

There is a group buy being organized over at www.g35driver.com

 

i would just buy another set from a "local authorized" dealer, take it back with the bad tweeter, get another set, and sell them, or return them later and get something else. They try to dick you over so you dick them over. Thats that.

 

Umm, I think I was referring to something along those lines, but let's not let it be said SPECIFICALLY. God forbid that I would want to mistreat JL after being mistreated by them. Although I'm starting to think it might not happen, since everyone will have to special order them, and probably won't take returns on S.O.'s. But on the bright side, the Clarion/Bose piece of crap isn't really that bad-It sounds comparable to the so-called "high-end" 1" neodymium aluminum dome super-duper blow-in-one-day JL tweet, so go figure. At least I can't say the same for the 6 1/2"s- The JL's blow the freakin' doors off the Bloses.....If they didn't, I'd be bummed that I spent $400 for them. That's the catch-22 of the situation-Great sounding speakers, lousy customer service. Maybe I should have bit the bullet and gone MB Quart.

 

You spent $400 for XR 6.5 components on the internet? Jesus. I got mine for $280 from an authorized dealer, which means I have a warranty. Should have shopped around.

 

No, I spent $400 for both the XR's and the VR's that are in the rear-If I had wanted to spend $400 on the XR's, I could have gone to any authorized dealer......The XR's cost me $258, the VR's $139. What, you think I that dumb? Me no pay tax neither.

 

Why do you think you were mistreated by JL? Because you didn't follow their policy?

 

Looks like it

 

if jl audio lives up to their reputation, you wont need to use their warranty.

 

How would I know about their policy until AFTER I had bought their sh*t and read the warranty card? HUH? Unlike many of the clowns around this forum, I have a life that doesn't give me the time to spend all day researching informaation online, and I bought based upon how they sounded at the stereo store. I guess I assumed that quality gear carries a decent warranty. My Infinity sub has a 3 year warranty, and compared to what JL charges for a comparable sub, it was dirt cheap. So go figure. And before you write snide remarks questioning other people's activities, just go take a little walk on water to remind yourself that you're not perfect either. Oh, and to bastard, don't try too hard to live up to your name by bandwagon jumping.

 

It is good to know someone that works for a JL dealer. I used to work for Tweeter a few years ago in Vista and hooked up all my friends. An Authorized dealer is the best way to go plus some mfg's have a longer warranty if you have that dealer install the equipment.

 

I don't believe I ever did any "bandwagon jumping" as you so asininely put it. I stated that you should have shopped around and done some research. You did not do this and feel that you have a free license to complain. I spent the time finding prices and haggling with stereo shops to get the deals that I did while keeping the warranty.

If you had spent the time researching your purchases and shopping around that you have spent bitching on this forum, maybe you wouldn't be in the position you are in. JL's warranty limitations are common knowledge on this forum and are very likely known by any car stereo people.

 

OK, eloquently put. But you didn't say those things in response to Stu46's post, all you said was "Looks like it." Yes, had I the time, I could have shopped around more, but right now I'm working 11 hr days minimum, and I don't have a bunch of friends who are into this stuff with whom to discuss the merits or failings of various manufacturers. But admit it-you did jump on the bandwagon when it came to bashing me. But no hard feelings on my part. Really, my only gripe about JL Audio is that their customer service person was rude and unhelpful, and basically told me to **** off. And that's not customer service in my book.

 

What about the JL Audio Stealth box, anyone have any experience with that?