780 users: it the noise really acceptable?!

[gail31818]

For those using the Epson 780 printer do you find the noise level acceptable? I just visited someone with a new 890 and the difference in the decible level between the two is dramatic. Maybe other printers are as loud at this one but when it sounds worse than my four year old Epson 600, that's pretty bad.

Gail

 

[Doctorfrag]

Gail,

sorry I've not heard the 780, but as a sideline, did you notice any visible difference in the output of both printers...I bet not.

Joe

For those using the Epson 780 printer do you find the noise level
acceptable? I just visited someone with a new 890 and the
difference in the decible level between the two is dramatic. Maybe
other printers are as loud at this one but when it sounds worse
than my four year old Epson 600, that's pretty bad.

Gail

 

[Bob40333]

Remember that the 780 is Epson's new "entry level" printer - not my terms, saw this in numerous reviews. As such, it is not surprising how noisy it is.

If you want REALLY quiet, check out the Canon S800 - it is 5db quieter than even the 890!

 

[Diane Krny]

Hi, Gail -

I just got my 780 yesterday - used the slick deals $40 coupon for Staples and sent for my $50 rebate. In the end - the printer will cost me $109. I traded up from my 4 color Epson 760. YES, I was a bit taken aback at how much louder this is than my 760 BUT...I was blown away..I mean blown totally away by the stunning quality of the output. Just to compare I had printed an 8x10 taken with my Coolpix 950 of my cat the day before yesterday. It was very nice out of my 760. I printed the exact picture with no adjustments out of my 780 yesterday as soon as I set it up and I that picture LEAPED off the page at me. Wow - so real looking I could almost smell her cat breath! Much more detail and subtle shadow detail. I'll put up with the noise happily for the amazing photos at this amazing price!

Diane

Diane

For those using the Epson 780 printer do you find the noise level
acceptable? I just visited someone with a new 890 and the
difference in the decible level between the two is dramatic. Maybe
other printers are as loud at this one but when it sounds worse
than my four year old Epson 600, that's pretty bad.

Gail

 

[brian38417]

I agree, The quality of pictures it produces is amazing! A little noise is worth the great pix's you get. I don't even think it is that nosiey! I don't need silence when I print out pictures.

I just got my 780 yesterday - used the slick deals $40 coupon for
Staples and sent for my $50 rebate. In the end - the printer will
cost me $109. I traded up from my 4 color Epson 760. YES, I was a
bit taken aback at how much louder this is than my 760 BUT...I was
blown away..I mean blown totally away by the stunning quality of
the output. Just to compare I had printed an 8x10 taken with my
Coolpix 950 of my cat the day before yesterday. It was very nice
out of my 760. I printed the exact picture with no adjustments out
of my 780 yesterday as soon as I set it up and I that picture
LEAPED off the page at me. Wow - so real looking I could almost
smell her cat breath! Much more detail and subtle shadow detail.
I'll put up with the noise happily for the amazing photos at this
amazing price!

Diane

Diane

For those using the Epson 780 printer do you find the noise level
acceptable? I just visited someone with a new 890 and the
difference in the decible level between the two is dramatic. Maybe
other printers are as loud at this one but when it sounds worse
than my four year old Epson 600, that's pretty bad.

Gail

 

[MK]

Ditto! The noise is only "loud" during the startup of the printer as it readies the jets. During the actually print the noise level is acceptable. I must admit that my ORIGINAL Color Stylus that I replaced with the 780 is much much quieter. That's ancient technology as that was the first color inkjet and still it can beat the 780 in the noise department.

Since I'm a home user and don't print constantly I'll take quality over noise any day.

I just got my 780 yesterday - used the slick deals $40 coupon for
Staples and sent for my $50 rebate. In the end - the printer will
cost me $109. I traded up from my 4 color Epson 760. YES, I was a
bit taken aback at how much louder this is than my 760 BUT...I was
blown away..I mean blown totally away by the stunning quality of
the output. Just to compare I had printed an 8x10 taken with my
Coolpix 950 of my cat the day before yesterday. It was very nice
out of my 760. I printed the exact picture with no adjustments out
of my 780 yesterday as soon as I set it up and I that picture
LEAPED off the page at me. Wow - so real looking I could almost
smell her cat breath! Much more detail and subtle shadow detail.
I'll put up with the noise happily for the amazing photos at this
amazing price!

Diane

Diane

For those using the Epson 780 printer do you find the noise level
acceptable? I just visited someone with a new 890 and the
difference in the decible level between the two is dramatic. Maybe
other printers are as loud at this one but when it sounds worse
than my four year old Epson 600, that's pretty bad.

Gail

 

[gail31818]

I'll put up with the noise happily for the amazing photos at this
amazing price!

This issue is a matter of taste, or should I say, sound.

There is no denying the quality of the output of the 780! The price is reasonable with the rebates (though I've never seen a band new product discounted @ 25% by the manufacturer so quickly).

I've now had a chance to look at the two in action (780/980) and to observe the construction of each much more closely than I did in the store. My preference is to have quality in output AND construction (including a better mechanism that moves cartridges), even if I have to pay more.

In the review I read and prior to me bringing up the point in these forums, I saw no mention of the noise. Maybe I just missed it. But I did want to post my personal observations here so others can be aware of the concerns and make a more educated purchasing decision than I did.

Gail

 

[Travis]

Gail,

I'm not sure I understand your situation. If I remember correctly, you purchased your 780 at Best Buy, right? First one was defective? Now you have a replacement which works fine?

As others told you at the time, Best Buy WILL take printers back WITHOUT a restocking fee, and you should have insisted on it. Then you could have gotten your money back and bought the 890. It's understandable that you want others to be aware of the noise that the 780 makes, but if you aren't happy with it, then why not return it and get the 890 instead?

The 780 is the most inexpensive Epson photo printer that I've seen, so you shouldn't really expect it to have the same build as the more expensive 890, 870, etc. It's an economy printer that probably isn't made for heavy duty (and quiet) printing. But it's amazing that you can get the same photo quality on the 780 that you can on much more expensive printers. Most likely, Epson wanted to increase its market share by introducing an affordable photo printer. But of course, they don't want it to be TOO good, which would cut into sales of the more expensive 890/1280 - so it's louder! Seems fair to me...

Travis

 

[Terry Thorn]

Gail,

I'm not sure I understand your situation. If I remember correctly,
you purchased your 780 at Best Buy, right? First one was
defective? Now you have a replacement which works fine?

As others told you at the time, Best Buy WILL take printers back
WITHOUT a restocking fee, and you should have insisted on it. Then
you could have gotten your money back and bought the 890. It's
understandable that you want others to be aware of the noise that
the 780 makes, but if you aren't happy with it, then why not return
it and get the 890 instead?

The 780 is the most inexpensive Epson photo printer that I've seen,
so you shouldn't really expect it to have the same build as the
more expensive 890, 870, etc. It's an economy printer that
probably isn't made for heavy duty (and quiet) printing. But it's
amazing that you can get the same photo quality on the 780 that you
can on much more expensive printers. Most likely, Epson wanted to
increase its market share by introducing an affordable photo
printer. But of course, they don't want it to be TOO good, which
would cut into sales of the more expensive 890/1280 - so it's
louder! Seems fair to me...

Travis

Perhaps the Best Buy in her area didn't carry the 890. The Best Buy stores in my area (Houston) don't carry either the 780, 890, or the 1280. I don't believe they ever carried the 870... just the 875. Speaking of Best Buy stores, you might want to drop by there and see if they're giving away free samples of Hammermill's Jet Print Professional Photo Paper. They're doing that around here. I found them by the digital camera display cases.

 

[kcxpert]

I just bought one myself at BestBuy and print are amazing, on premium epson photo paper the print not only looks real, but smells, feels and has the glossiness of a real lab print. The noise didn't seem as bad as people make it seem, at least it doesn't sound like the tektronix in my office. I probably wouldn't get the 890 over the 780, there really isn't much advantage in the price difference. The only thing I will complain about is that the printer at 2880 took a really really long time to print a 5 x 7.

dan

 

[gail31818]

It's

understandable that you want others to be aware of the noise that
the 780 makes, but if you aren't happy with it, then why not return
it and get the 890 instead?

I plan to do just what you suggest assuming they will not charge me a 15% restocking fee. I'm awaiting a call from a store manager (thought I'd phone first since it is 30 miles each way and I've already logged 120 miles for the 780).

The 780 is the most inexpensive Epson photo printer that I've seen,
so you shouldn't really expect it to have the same build as the
more expensive 890, 870, etc.

Happened to stop into Office Max this morning and couldn't resist doing a bit of "test driving." They had another new Espon model (sorry, don't remember the #) for $149.00 - $50.00 less than I paid for the 780. It was ever so MUCH quieter! HP, Canon, et. al. have printers a lot cheaper than that, and they are quiter too.

But of course, they don't want it to be TOO good, which would cut into > sales of the more expensive 890/1280 - so it's louder! Seems fair to me...

As I posted previously, I am sure someone out there will find this info useful. I've had many printers before, including two Epsons, and just never had such a noisey one. Four years is a lot in technology. Obviously one can not purchase a new product based solely on past assumptions and experiences.

While I must admit my disappointment, I don't blame Espon...I blame myself for not educating myself better before I handed over my money.

Of course, the kid behind the customer service counter didn't help the situation.

Thanks all for your insights and comments.

Gail

 

[gail31818]

Gail,
If I remember correctly,
you purchased your 780 at Best Buy, right? First one was
defective?

As others told you at the time, Best Buy WILL take printers back
WITHOUT a restocking fee

but if you aren't happy with it, then why not return
it and get the 890 instead?

Thanks, Travis, for indirectly urging me to call the store manager.

I spoke with him earlier and explained the situation. The customer service kid DID make a mistake. The 780 will be retuned Monday for a full refund or credit (without a 15% restocking charge). It WILL be replaced by a better built, quieter printer.

Gail

 

[Terry Thorn]

Gail,
If I remember correctly,
you purchased your 780 at Best Buy, right? First one was
defective?

As others told you at the time, Best Buy WILL take printers back
WITHOUT a restocking fee

but if you aren't happy with it, then why not return
it and get the 890 instead?

Thanks, Travis, for indirectly urging me to call the store manager.

I spoke with him earlier and explained the situation. The customer
service kid DID make a mistake. The 780 will be retuned Monday for
a full refund or credit (without a 15% restocking charge). It WILL
be replaced by a better built, quieter printer.

Gail

Way to go, Gail! I'm happy to see they made things right for you. Which printer are you going to get to replace the 780?

 

[gail31818]

Way to go, Gail! I'm happy to see they made things right for you.
Which printer are you going to get to replace the 780?

I AM a big fan of Epson. Assuming it is in stock, I will get the 890.

I feel so dumb that I didn't think to ask for the manager the day I returned the defective printer. I had been sitting in computer class and had an hour ride home in drive-time traffic ahead of me. Guess I shouldn't be too hard on myself. Who could possibly think after studing six hours straight about HTML! ;-)

Gail

 

[Terry Thorn]

Way to go, Gail! I'm happy to see they made things right for you.
Which printer are you going to get to replace the 780?

I AM a big fan of Epson. Assuming it is in stock, I will get the 890.

I feel so dumb that I didn't think to ask for the manager the day I
returned the defective printer. I had been sitting in computer
class and had an hour ride home in drive-time traffic ahead of me.
Guess I shouldn't be too hard on myself. Who could possibly think
after studing six hours straight about HTML! ;-)

Gail

I was at my local Best Buy store today and they didn't have the 890 there but they did have LOTS of 780 printers. I have to say that Best Buy has always treated me well and as a result, I do most of my shopping there.

 

[Travis]

I AM a big fan of Epson. Assuming it is in stock, I will get the 890.

Congratulations on getting them to make things right for you! I doubt you will find the 890 in stock at Best Buy, but if you get your money back, you could always order an 890 from an online dealer or possibly a camera shop who deals with Epson?

Travis

 

[Terry Thorn]

I AM a big fan of Epson. Assuming it is in stock, I will get the 890.

Congratulations on getting them to make things right for you! I
doubt you will find the 890 in stock at Best Buy, but if you get
your money back, you could always order an 890 from an online
dealer or possibly a camera shop who deals with Epson?

Travis

I wouldn't be surprised if Circuit City would carry the 890. I believe they did carry the 870 whereas Best Buy never did. Best Buy did carry the 875 though. Strange. I would also expect CompUSA to carry the 890 as they've carried most other Epson models including the 2000. But both CompUSA and Circuit City WILL charge a restocking fee if you decide to return it. CompUSA will exchange the printer for another one just like it without charging a restocking fee if it's defective though. I don't know about Circuit City. Here's another tip that some people may not be aware of... CompUSA will allow you to return OPENED software IF it has a money-back guarantee from the manufacturer which is the case with Microsoft products. Electronics Boutique will allow the return of software or hardware goods within 10 days (when accompanied by a receipt) with no restocking fee.

 

[gail31818]

Gail,
If I remember correctly,
you purchased your 780 at Best Buy, right? First one was
defective?

but if you aren't happy with it, then why not return
it and get the 890 instead?

Wasn't available so I decided to keep the 780 and learn to live with the noise. I still had a lingering suspicion about Espon's $50 rebate for a brand new printer.

NOW, after only a week of use, there is a problem with the new printer: it does NOT print out black. I've spent an hour on the phone, at my expense, with Espon. They are going to replace my second 780 with another one.

THREE Epson 780's in less than three weeks!

If this doesn't work out I"m going to demand a refund as my patience is running out. I should really return it but it's such a long drive.

In sincerity, I could NEVER recommend this printer to anyone!

Gail

 

[Terry Thorn]

Wasn't available so I decided to keep the 780 and learn to live
with the noise. I still had a lingering suspicion about Espon's $50
rebate for a brand new printer.

NOW, after only a week of use, there is a problem with the new
printer: it does NOT print out black. I've spent an hour on the
phone, at my expense, with Espon. They are going to replace my
second 780 with another one.

THREE Epson 780's in less than three weeks!

If this doesn't work out I"m going to demand a refund as my
patience is running out. I should really return it but it's such a
long drive.

In sincerity, I could NEVER recommend this printer to anyone!

Gail

Gail, it's not just the 780. The originator of this link is on his third 1280.

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1003&message=978859

 

[C. D. Lee]

Gail, don't feel lonely, I returned a 780 this week for black nozzel blockage that could not be cleaned after three cycles.

Gail,
If I remember correctly,
you purchased your 780 at Best Buy, right? First one was
defective?

but if you aren't happy with it, then why not return
it and get the 890 instead?

Wasn't available so I decided to keep the 780 and learn to live
with the noise. I still had a lingering suspicion about Espon's $50
rebate for a brand new printer.

NOW, after only a week of use, there is a problem with the new
printer: it does NOT print out black. I've spent an hour on the
phone, at my expense, with Espon. They are going to replace my
second 780 with another one.

THREE Epson 780's in less than three weeks!

If this doesn't work out I"m going to demand a refund as my
patience is running out. I should really return it but it's such a
long drive.

In sincerity, I could NEVER recommend this printer to anyone!

Gail