Archives for August 2015

Open box Focal Spirit Classic for $239

The closed-back over-ear Focal Spirit Classic headphones are currently available in “Used – Like New” with the description saying “open box. authorized dealer. full factory warranty” for $239 with free shipping by Gramophone (Maryland) through Amazon Warehouse Deals. This ships from Maryland, not fulfilled by Amazon.

Headphone Sale: AKG K553 for $124, Shure, Ultrasone, Tascam, etc

Musician’s Friend has a limited time headphones sale with 24 items participating. Among the offers:

  • AKG K553 Pro for $124 (3rd row there)
  • Sennheiser HD 6 Mix for $150
  • AKG M80 Mark II Semi-Open for $40
  • two Shure SRH 440 plus HeadAMP 4 Headphone Amp for $200
  • Fostex TX1 for $30
  • various Ultrasones – hiding on page #2 over there
  • Tascam TH-300X Studio for $70
  • check all options there

64GB Astell & Kern AK Jr DAP for $400

On the digital audio player front, the 64GB Astell & Kern AK Jr is on sale for a limited time for $400 at Adorama. Offer ends 8/17/15 or earlier if sold out.

Massdrop Unlocked: Westone Adventure Series Beta for $48

The Westone Adventure Series Beta in-ears are currently fully unlocked for $45 plus $3 flat shipping at members-only website Massdrop. Offer ends in about six days from blog-posting date. It is free to join but because some of their offers are below MAP (minimum advertised price) they are obligated to put their offers behind a login/membership wall.

Pioneer HDJ-2000 DJ headphones for $118

The white color scheme of the Pioneer HDJ-2000 DJ headphones is currently on sale for $118 with free shipping at Adorama. Offer ends 8/22/15.

[DEAD] Starts Sat 10am ET: Audio Technica ATH-M50x Lightning Sale

This lightning deal expired (the price had been $130)…

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Sony MDR-7506 Closed Studio Over Ears for $80

One of the frequently recommended sub-$100 closed-back headphones are the Sony V6 and 7506 “cousins”. The MDR-7506, in new condition, is currently on sale for $80 at Amazon.com by Amazon. This is not the lowest price ever, but if you happen to want/need one right now, it’s not a bad price… On the other hand, its “cousin” the MDR-V6 had a spell of being offered in Amazon Lightning Deals that went as low as $50 (or $45 or something like that).

The 7506 averages 4.6 out of 5 based on 2300+ customer reviews, while the V6 averages the same rounded rating with 2100+ customer reviews. There are plenty of forum posts on the differences and similarities between the two.

Used AKG K551 closed-back for $114~

The white AKG K551 closed-back over-ears are currently offered in “Used – Very Good” condition (damaged original packaging, cosmetic imperfections) for $114~ by Amazon Warehouse Deals actual, while the lowest price for the black-silver version is $116~ but in “Used – Good” condition.

Open Box NAD Viso HP 50 for $189

The black color scheme of the closed-back over-ear NAD Viso HP 50 headphones are currently available in “Used – Like New” condition with the description saying they are open box from authorized dealer with full warranty for $189 with free shipping by Gramophone thru Amazon Warehouse Deals. It ships from Maryland. Of the other colors, the red goes for $187 in “Used – Good” condition from Amazon Warehouse Deals actual which makes no warranty claims but offers a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.

Bluedio T2+ (Turbine 2 Plus) for $36 (bluetooth on-ears)

The Bluedio T2+ (Turbine 2 Plus) Bluetooth on-ear headphones are currently going for $36 per pair at NewEgg Business. Offer ends 08/14/15.

[DEAD] Thur: Monster N-Tune On-Ears for $45 with promo code (Fry’s)

This 1-day offer expired…

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[DEAD] Used Sennheiser HD 429 S for $18

This sold out as of 8/15/15… Actually in this case, I am the guilty one – I scooped up the last one for review and comparison purposes…

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[DEAD] Used Hifiman HE 500 planars for $374

As of 8/15/15 recheck, this sold out… As of the time of writing, according to the Amazon shopping cart, there are two units of the Hifiman HE 500 planars in “Used – Good” condition (repackaged with some cosmetic imperfections) for $374~, sold by Amazon Warehouse Deals actual. These average 4.6 out of 5 based on 83 customer reviews. Solar farm to power them not included 😉

Philips SHP9500 Over-Ear Open-Back for $46

For a limited time only, the open-back over-ear Philips SHP9500 headphones can be had for $45 plus $1 flat shipping at Newegg’s website with promo code EMCAWKN23 entered over there… These are part of the Philips renaissance line-up, they average 4.7 out of 5 based on 49 customer reviews at amazon.com.

Sennheiser PXC 250 II Collapsible ANC On-Ears for $100

Another Sennheiser active noise cancelling headphone, but this one on the other end of the size spectrum, it is a lightweight collapsible model, the PXC 250 II goes for $100 with free shipping with a limit of five per customer at Amazon by Amazon actual with a limit of five per customer. This averages 3.9 out of 5 with 169 customer reviews. The usual ANC caveats apply in terms of usage and expectations.

Yamaha EPH-30 In-Ears for $22 to $30

The Yamaha EPH-30 In-Ears are currently on sale for for $29 at Home Depot (of all places) with free ship-to-store or free shipping with a $45+ order. If you have a Prime members or planning a $35+ order, you can get it for $30 at Amazon by Amazon actual in your choice of black or white, with a limit of fiver per color per customer. There, they average 3.8 out of 5 based on 76 customer reviews.

If you are a more adventurous shopper, these are listed for $22~ with free shipping at Blinq.com.

MEElectronics M9P in-ears (P = mic/remote) for $15 [limit 3]

The MEElectronics M9P in-ears (with P standing for mic/remote) are currently on sale for $15 per pair, with a limit of three per customer at Amazon by Amazon actual. This is the second generation model, in the black-gunmetal color scheme. On the same listing you can find the red color scheme going for $20 per pair with a limit of five.

Sennheiser HD 600 with Fiio E17 DAC/amp and AT2020USB+ for $400

Adorama is offering a bundle of threes. For $400, you get the new condition Sennheiser HD600 along with the Fiio E17 USB DAC/amp and the Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone. No coupons, no rebates, just add bundle to cart and checkout. Offer ends by 8/30/15.

In parallel, they have the same offer but with the HD650 instead for $500.

If you don’t need the AT mic, you can always gift it or sell it or trade it…

Used AKG K550 closed-back for $103~

The closed-back over-ear AKG K550 headphones are available in “Used – Very Good” condition for $103~ by Amazon Warehouse Deals. They have three separate listings as such, so there’s the possibility of price pressure building and pushing them into double figures but that’s only generalized speculation.

Unlocked at Massdrop: AKG K181 DJ for $80, Brainwaz Grab Bag for $22.50

Two new offers popped up at members-only Massdrop, and with seven days left as of the time of writing, they are already unlocked at their lowest price possible during this offer. First up, the closed-back on-ear AKG K181 DJ UE Reference Class headphones are going for $80 with free shipping with a total of 950 units available as part of this offer.

Next up, Brainwavz has a grab-bag promotion going for $20 plus $2.50 flat shipping. For that, you will receive one random earphone from five different options, with the lowest priced models having the higher chances. There’s a limit of two per customer (shipping for the second item is only +$1). A total of 6000 units area available as part of this promotion. Already (as of the time of writing) 1350+ units got scooped up.

Sennheiser PXC 450 ANC over-ears for $227

If you are fond of Sennheiser’s approach to active noise cancellation, the PXC 450 ANC over-ears are currently on sale in new condition for $227~ with free shipping with a limit of five per customer at Amazon by Amazon itself. They average 3.8 out of 5 based on 460+ customer reviews and has nearly 50 questions peer-answered by viewers like you.

[DEAD] Used Fiio X1 DAP for $77.50

Just like the previous time, the used option at this price got scooped up real fast… The Fiio X1 digital audio player goes for $100 in new condition, but if you prefer to save some, you can get it in “Used – Very Good” condition in the gold color scheme for $77.50 with free shipping by Aamzon Warehouse Deals actual. Supplies may be limited. The description says damaged original packaging.

MEElectronics Atlas Orion IML Graphics On-Ears for $20

The new condition MEElectronics Atlas Orion IML Graphics On-Ears are currently on sale for $20 per pair with a limit of three per customer at Amazon.com by Amazon actual. Also for $20 are the Atlas Diamond and Skyline, while the Carbon and Fantasy go for $25 each. All the options can be checked using the thumbnail pictures over there. These are wired headphones, but for some strange reason they share the same product page as a couple of bluetooth models. Only the wired models are on sale for $20 and $25.

Sennheiser HD 419 Over-Ears for $30

The closed-back Sennheiser HD 419 over-ear headphones are currently on sale in new condition for $30 at Groupon Goods. Free shipping over there (just like Amazon and Best Buy) with a $34.99 or higher purchase. You can reach the amount with multiple items (also multiple different items as well) as long as they all ship from Groupon warehouses and not directly from vendors.

Amazon has not fully price-matched them, their price is $33 with a limit of five.

Refurbished Parrot Zik first generation for $210

The first generation of the Parrot Zik buzz-feature headphones (Bluetooth, touch controls, ANC, custom app, etc) are currently available in manufacturer refurbished condition for $210 with free shipping through Groupon Goods. They are model PF560000.

Used Koss SP540 Over Ears for $100 [updated]

On the other hand, you can get the closed-back Koss SP540 full size (over-ear) headphones in “Used – Very Good” condition for around $100 by Amazon Warehouse Deals.

The new condition sale ended: The closed-back Koss SP540 full size (over-ear) headphones are currently going for $130~ in the frustration free packaging option at amazon.com, with a limit of five. They are however in “temporarily out of stock”. The standard packaging is in-stock but at $150.

Used Sennheiser RS 195 RF Wireless for $316 [updated]

The Sennheiser RS 195 RF Wireless headphone system (one pair of headphones, one transmitter base) goes for $450 in new condition at authorized dealers but if you want to save some, you can get it in “Used – Good” condition for $316 (was $337) by Amazon Warehouse Deals. They also have a couple of listings in “Used – Very Good” condition for $360.

Philips SHL3060 DJ Closed-Back Over-Ears for $17 shipped

On the low priced headphones from known brands front, NewEgg is offering the Philips SHL3060 DJ Over-Ears (closed back) for $16 plus $1 flat shipping. Limit five per customer during this sale. No promo code needed. Two PDF brochures on these towards the bottom of the listing over there. Their DJ claim to fame is perhaps this feature: “Auto-return earshells rotate 165° for easy monitoring”…

Used Fiio E18 KUNLUN Smartphone USB DAC/Amp for $124

One more used Fiio offer, the E18 KUNLUN Smartphone USB DAC/Amp is currently available in “Used – Like New” condition with the description “comes in original box. All cables and accessories included. Authorized FiiO reseller” for $124 with free shipping by seller “All About Office” (99%, 8500+ ratings) thru Amazon Warehouse Deals. This ships from All About, so it is not eligible for Prime shipping benefits.

Used Hifiman RE-600 Songbird for $130 [updated]

The Hifiman RE-600 Songbird in-ears are available in “Used – Acceptable” condition for $130 by Amazon Warehouse Deals actual or “Used – Very Good” condition for $140 by seller HeadAmp with the order fulfilled by Amazon.

PS: there is a listing for $130 by a different seller which says one side is louder than the other, so that’s probably as big of a red flag as far as red flags go 🙂

Used (store display) Fiio E17K DAC-Amp for $110

The Fiio E17K ALPEN 2 USB DAC and headphone amp is currently available in “Used – Like New” condition with the description “store display in original box” for $110 with free shipping by seller “All About Office” (99%, 8500+ ratings) through Amazon Warehouse Deals. This ships from All About Office so it is not eligible for Prime benefits.

Massdrop Unlocked: Sony 10R for $98, UE CIEMs for $700

Two new offers launched and are already fully unlocked at Massdrop as of the time of writing (with seven days left in each). First up, the closed-back Sony MDR-10R headphones go for $98~ shipped, with choice of white or black at checkout. Next up, the Ultimate Ears Custom IEMs are going for $700 with free shipping. You have to send your audiologist impressions to UE’s Irvine (Southern California) labs. Shipping estimate per the listing is late September (2015), so not if you have deadlines or special occasions.

Also listed, but not fully unlocked is the DarkVoice 336SE OTL Headphone Amp that could go as low as $235 shipped. This too has seven days left (days count from blog-posting date, not the date you may be reading this in the future).

[DEAD] Ends Thur 1am ET: A-AUDIO A41 Elite HD Earphones for $55

These sold out before the expiration time…
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[DEAD] Wednesday Limited Time Offers: Sony V55, Yuin PK3, etc

These daily limited time offers ended…

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Fiio A3 portable head-amp plus 3.5 to RCA cable for $62

The new Fiio A3 portable headphone-amp currently goes for $60 but if you also happen to need a 3.5mm to RCA cable and don’t want to bother chasing it down separately, you can get the A3 bundled with an Extreme Audio cable of that ilk for $62 by ProStudio thru Amazon. That’s an extra $2 for the cable. The order is fulfilled by Amazon so you get the usual shipping options (free 2-day Prime or $35+ free slow shipping).