I think that the overall quality/reliability issues described here on this forum is heavily focused/bias to pointing out flaws rather to praising generally good equipment.

In the 20 years I have owned B&O, I have had one issue with one Beolab 4000 amp and one issue with a BL7.2 amp (which was out of warranty and a function of the crappy/dirty SE Asian mains supply). That’s it; from 5 Stereos, 5 TV’s, 7 sets of active loudspeakers and a handful of miscellaneous other stuff (phones, decks, videos etc..).

To possibly show some systematic replication here, I have also spent the last year or so on the Aston Martin forums (Pistonheads and AMOC) – mainly, because I am fortunate enough to now own one (and please forgive the snipe, but also because the Beoworld forum seems to have become too intent of being overly critical of B&O for what it is and for not being what everyone’s idea of what they would like it to be).

Back to the topic in hand. If you read any of the AM forums, you would be led to believe that this exotic (Vantage, DB9 or DBS) is constantly having QA/QC faults and breakdowns left, right and centre – and thus seem to seriously DETRACT new buyers/owners from splashing out and therefore ultimately erode the viability of the brand. The reality, as indicated by many owners who voice their opinion (and on the two cars I have had the pleasure to own) is that there is very little that does go wrong (compared to other exotics and other daily-drivers) but that it is a very small and prevalent world in which to go wrong!

Again, I have had zip, squilch, nothing wrong/go wrong on two cars and if there is a quality issue, I have the secure knowledge that a 3 year warranty plus the dealer commitment will put it right ASAP, no questions asked and possibly be allowed to have my wicked way with the receptionist while the car is sorted. I am not saying they dont go wrong, they do. There is a need for context.

I would also add that like Beoworld, you do also get the “old-school” AM boys who think the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s stuff is better than the new gear anyway.

Where I seriously think B&O could pull their boot-strings up is on the farce they call BeoCare. Unlike AM, when there is a problem, the Dealer fixes it with deepest apologies and mainly without approval from Gaydon (blown engines let’s say), BeoCare does not seem to allow that automatically and is becoming more centralised with less approachability. If I want to talk to Gaydon, it accessible quite easily once the cars registration number is given. That does not happen with BeoCare. You get ignored.

However, the flip-side of this openness is abuse. Again, I don’t think many AM owners would be surprised if they where to constantly contact AM Customer Service and place a desire for them to make a new car that had to be either red or yellow, a rear engine V12 with a squillion BHP and a couple of horses or bulls plastered on the side (or half-eaten rainbow-coloured fruit if you get my point) along with the latest skid-steer-crash-bang stability acronym because it seems like everyone must have it (at the price of a Kia, I add) cos’ it isn’t going to happen.

Perhaps the solution for many is to dream somewhere else.

10%

Mr10Percent:

I would also add that like Beoworld, you do also get the “old-school” AM boys who think the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s stuff is better than the new gear anyway.

In both cases... it is!

Seriously though... I mentioned removing my "BW" blinders, and your comparison with other forums is valid. I don't really frequent other forums that much, but I think that they are all very similar. People looking for advice, repairs, or just a shoulder to lean on are the norm. I think that the open talk about issues is good for prospective buyers to at least let them know it is not ALL roses. At the least, they may be able to discuss the issues at the point of sale and determine just how informed and responsive their potential dealer may be.

Regarding Trip and his post with the percentages... I don't doubt the numbers. Is it something that is mentioned when dealing with clientele?

burantek:

Regarding Trip and his post with the percentages... I don't doubt the numbers. Is it something that is mentioned when dealing with clientele?

Generally not, but I have discussed it before. I don't think that people are so interested in the statistics in individual cases. If you think about it, you could wind up in half a percentile and your system is still 100% broken. What I do get questioned about frequently is long-term service. Not just product warranty, but people go to great lengths to establish what service will be like in the future. i.e. will they pay every time something goes wrong? How much? How often can they expect to require a service call? What, historically, might happen that would require a service call, etc. Those are all questions I can give fairly accurate and satisfying answers to.

TripEnglish:

If it's generally of interest:

iPods have around a 15% failure rate

Laptops have over 20% failure rate (mac included here)

Televisions seem to hover just under 10%

B&O is around 2-3% (internal numbers, I don't think any external body has done a review on us) This is based on warranty claims to mfg. 

We're remarkably low for electronics and although some items exhibit greater reliability issues than others (BeoSound 3), on the whole, issues are limited and resolved in 4-6 weeks.

You can still argue, and be correct, that you don't need a BeoVision that costs more than a Samsung, but you can't reasonably say it has anything to do on being less (or at least no more) reliable. 

Thanks Trip. Somehow those statistics seem very reassuring re B&O, but simultaneously unreassuring regarding the risks involved in spending a lot on technology products in general!

Graham

Tell me about it!

I have to think that service is the biggest issue. The way things are manufactured it's very difficult to have a spotless record no matter who you are. Service has to be the major factor. It's funny that despite Apple's poor reliability, I consider their products the most reliable when I think of them. I've had to have literally every single product repaired or replaced, often more than once, and yet it's so easy to do and done with so little friction that my attitude has become "well everything is going to fail at some point, but at least I don't have to worry about how it will be resolved." I guess I'm more concerned with the reliability of the company than its individual products.

most reliable thing i've ever bought was a gaggenau dishwasher , had it almsot 13 years and still going strong , amazing bit of kit

designed by david lewis as well , so i'm told

Dillen:

And don't forget that you often hear about the few faulty products as their owners tend to make their opinion very clear.
You rarely hear from the thousands of happy owners.

agree, faulty products was also in the iwc forum an issue. but if you pay high prices for products you estimate high quality.

burantek:

Mr10Percent:

I would also add that like Beoworld, you do also get the “old-school” AM boys who think the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s stuff is better than the new gear anyway.

In both cases... it is!

i love this 60's, 70's b&o stuff because of the straight thinking from the engineers and designers.

I think they have great products.  The whole line integrates excellently with the home.  They also have wonderful customer service.  It may take them a few times to get it right but they do a great job of it once they do.  No complaints here.....

My Beocom 2 did have the battery replaced recently and has had a few issues holding a charge.  Hoping it is just the charger now!!!