The Symphonized wooden in-ears oscillate often between $25 and $16, and right now, three of the five color schemes have dropped to $16 again. You can buy as many as you like. The seller of record is the manufacturer with the order fulfilled by Amazon, so free 2-day shipping for Prime members.
Archives for September 2015
Monster DNA On-Ears (black) for $60
Abandoned by their Beats friends, Monster is more of a ladybug, but I’m digressing. Among the latest eBay featured specials, Rakuten’s eBay store (artist formerly known as Buy.com) is offering the new condition but in non-retail packaging Monster DNA On-Ears for $60 with free shipping with a limit of five per customer.
Fostex T50-RPMK2 headphones for $90
For a limited time, the Fostex T50-RPMK2 headphones are on sale for $90 with free expedited shipping at Adorama’s website. They ship in 4-6 days so keep that in mind if you have a tight schedule. Offer ends by 9/30/15 or earlier if sold out.
Massdrop: Fiio X1, SMSL M8 DAC, BD MXP 50
New offers are up at members-only but free-to-join Massdrop. The following have 6-7 days to go. As of the time of writing they are not fully unlocked. They are:
- Fiio X1 DAP could go as low as $85 shipped
- Beyerdynamic MXP 50 iE iems as low as $33 shipped
- SMSL M8 Desktop DAC (IN: USB, TOS/Coax, OUT: RCA) as low as $180 shipped
[DEAD] Certified Refurbished Sony MDR-ZX770BN/B
This lightning offer ended…
[Read more…]
AKG K619 On-Ears for $30 (multiple colors)
The closed-back on-ear AKG K619 headphones, some could argue a tastefully bassy headphone, is currently on sale for $30 in multiple color options at the AKG mothership, Harman Audio. However, note that this is a fragile headphone per multiple reports, so unless they fixed production/material, hold on tight to the warranty and receipt!
Open-box Sony MDR-Z7 w/full warranty for $589
If you are interested in the Sony MDR-Z7 and you are trying to triangulate between new condition ($700) or used, there is a middle ground option that gets you the full warranty, an open-box in original packaging from authorized dealer OneCall through their eBay store for $589 with free shipping. As of the time of writing, they have three available.
Yamaha EPH-100SL In-Ears drop to $88
The Yamaha EPH-100SL in-ears have now dropped to around $88 at Amazon by Amazon actual {corrected link}, with a limit of five per customer. However, the shipping estimate is a vague “ships within 1 to 2 months”, so if you need them by a specific date or occasion, keep that in mind. Often Amazon has a conservative estimate to prevent disappointments, so they may ship earlier but it is by no means guaranteed. They average 3.9 out of 5 based on 166 customer reviews and have 24 questions answered.
Able Planet Travelers Choice On-Ears for $8 w/free S&H [updated]
UPDATE (9/16/15): you can now get them for less, $8 with free shipping, and in multiple colors of your choice at BuyDig.com. Physically they look a lot like the AmazonBasics On-Ears but I don’t have them both in hand, so I can’t compare.
On the budget $10 on-ear front, you can the Ableplanet Travelers Choice On-ear headphones, available in four different colors, from the Staples website. Free shipping to a local store. If you are a Staples rewards member (free to join), you get free shipping to your address of choice. These are plain wired on-ears, no ANC (a plus considering some of the Able Planet ANC sound).
PS: if you have Staples Rewards, don’t forget to use them towards this purchase!
Koss KPH7 Lightweight On-Ears for $3 [limit 5]
Everybody gets Koss! At the moment, the lightweight on-ear black Koss KPH7 headphones are on sale for $3 per pair, in new condition, with a limit of five per customer at Amazon by Amazon actual. The only downside to this is that they are part of the Add-On program, so you must place a $25+ order before your shopping cart allows you to make a purchase. The restriction applies to Prime members as well. Five of these = $15, so you would still need $10+.
Two more colors of these are on sale for just under $5 per pair, also part of the Add-On program, and with a limit of five each as well.
Massdrop Final Audio Design Grab Bag for $49 shipped
Members-only Massdrop is having another grab bag promotion. This time four different Final Audio Design IEMs of four different price levels are participating. One grab bag means you will get one of the four – randomly. You pay $49 with free shipping. Offer ends in 7 days or when 1000 units are purchased, whichever happens first.
The four IEMs participating:
- Adagio II: 38% of units ($49)
- Adagio III: 38% of units ($69)
- Heaven II: 16% of units ($129)
- Adagio V: 8% of units ($209)
So in the worst case scenario, you will receive the Adagio II. Also, if more than 500 units are purchased, Massdrop have three more advanced IEMs from the Final Audio Design line-up that will be added, one unit of each. So up to three lucky members will get an IEM of $350 or higher.
[DEAD] Onkyo IE-CTI300(S) In-Ears Sale for $50
This offer expired…
[Read more…]
[DEAD] Rare Opportunity: AKG K240 Semi-Open for $50
This 24 hour daily deal expired…
[Read more…]
[DEAD] Ends Thur 2pm ET: Onkyo ES-CTI300 and A-Audio A41 for $50 each
These daily deals expired…
Audio Technica M50x + Fiio E6 + Case + $40 Visa Gift Card for $170
No, this is not turning into an Audio Technica M50x echo chamber, it’s just that everyone is having deals centered around it. The latest one is BuyDig’s eBay store, they are offering the white color scheme of the M50x + Fiio E6 amp + $40 VISA gift card + generic case, all together for $170 with free shipping. Limit five bundles per customer.
Massdrop Unlocked: B-Stock AKG K267 Tiesto for $130 [and other offers]
Another day, another burst of offers at members-only (but free to join) Massdrop. Fully unlocked already (= lowest price under this offer) are the AKG K267 Tiesto DJ headphones in B-Stock condition for $130 with free shipping. A Massdrop representative in their forums [only logged-in Massdrop members can read it] describes these as:
“So basically, these were sitting in a warehouse, waiting to be sold, then someone within AKG decided they needed to update the packaging for this headphone. These units have never been opened, returned, scratched, dented, or anything else. Thier packaging is out of date, that’s it.”
Also added, not fully unlocked as of the time of writing, but they have 6-7 days (from blog-posting time) to get there are:
* xDuoo TA-03 DAC/Amp as low as $260 shipped
* DarkVoice 336SE OTL Headphone Amp as low as $235 shipped
* Firestone Audio Headphone Stand as low as $40 shipped
[DEAD] Tue: Open Box Beats Solo 2 for $100
This daily deal expired…
$8 FLAC (16/44.1) double album: “The Book Of Souls” by Iron Maiden
We don’t cover music (album) sales here regularly, but in case you need a 16-bit FLAC heavy metal digital album for headphone evaluation purposes, the new “The Book Of Souls” double album (92 minutes) from Iron Maiden is on sale for a limited time only as 16-bit 44.1 kHz FLAC for $8 from 7digital.com (they have a US digital store).
Sennheiser HD 429 S for $35 w/free s&h
The closed-back over-ear Sennheiser HD 429 S (with non-removable cable with remote/mic) are currently on sale in new condition for $35 with free shipping, with a limit of five per customer at NewEgg’s eBay store.
The “HD 429 S” should not be confused with the “HD 429” which does not have a mic/remote. Dear Manufacturers, please stop using “s” at the end of a model’s name. Its more common use is plural which creates more confusion in an already confused world 🙂
8GB Sandisk Clip Jam for $35~ (limit 3 per color)
We are going high (Astell & Kern) and Low in digital audio players. On the low front, the 8GB Sandisk Clip Jam is currently on sale for either $35 or $36 (depending on color), with a limit of three per color per customer at Amazon by Amazon actual.
The $35 is actually $34.99, so you have to get over $35 for free shipping (eg $1.47 for this small AmazonBasics camera case (repurposed for small earbuds or small DAPs).
Keep in mind, the newer models are not Clip+ level 🙂 The Clip Jam averages 3.3 out of 5 based on 200+ customer reviews and has 49 questions answered as well.
Audio Technica M50x + Fiio E17K Aspen 2 for $200 total
The Audio Technica M50x headphones along with the Fiio E17K Aspen 2 USB DAC/Amp are bundled together for $200 with free shipping at Adorama. This is a limited time offer.
[DEAD] Used Fiio X5 2nd generation for $300
As of 9/15/15 PM re-checking, this got scooped up, and they have no more used options available (as of the time of this update)…
If you can’t wait for future discounts, you can save $50 by getting the second generation Fiio X5 digital audio player in “Used – Like New” condition for $300 by seller “All About Office” (99%) through Amazon Warehouse Deals. It averages 4.5 out of 5 based on 31 customer reviews with 3-stars being the lowest rating so far.
SMS Audio Street by 50 Cent Wired On-Ears (white) drops to $49
The name almost matches the price! The white color scheme of the 50 Cent wired on-ears are currently going for $49 with free expedited shipping at Adorama. The price earlier was $55, so it dropped already. This headphone has a discount ambition 🙂 Offer ends by 9/27/15 or earlier if sold out.
Audio Technica M50x + 88-key Yamaha YPG-535 Keyboard for $500
The popularity of the Audio Technica M50x is getting it places. In our case, it is getting it into yet another bundle at Adorama. This time you can get both the M50x + Yamaha YPG-535 (88-key portable grand keyboard) bundled together for $500 with free shipping. No coupon, no rebates. The keyboard goes for $500 on its own, so one way to think of it is free M50x with this keyboard purchase. Offer ends 9/27/15 or earlier if sold out.
Walgreens B&M: JVC Flats HA-S160 for $10 (YMMV)
The lightweight on-ear JVC Flats model HA S160 were part of the Walgreens brick and mortar back to school (B2S) promotions. Now that B2S is over and Halloween and the Holidays are on the retail horizon, they are starting to put some of the B2S items on clearance. As such, you may be able to find them for $10 per pair. Inventory and prices may vary from store to store, as some of the clearance decisions may be up to the local and regional managers (and on rare occasion the assistant (to) the regional manager). So, a big YMMV. (they are not available for sale on their website).
Especially of interest if you have Walgreens Register Rewards or accumulated enough Rewards Points to fully or partially pay for them.
These go for $12+ at amazon where the black color scheme averages 4.4 out of 5 based on 800+ customer reviews. Each color has its own reviews, the black has the most.
Fry’s Promo Codes (Sept 13-19): Pono DAP for $300
Neil Young’s heavily discussed (and oft-ridiculed) Pono digital audio player is discounted to $300 for the week of September 13-19 at Fry’s stores and their website. To get the discount, you have to be on their emailing list. They sent emails with personal coupon codes that get you the discounts. As of the time of writing, amazon.com did not price-match it.
[DEAD] Mon Ends 4pm ET: refurb Sony MDR-ZX770BN for $100
This limited time lightning-deal ended…
Used Shure SRH1840 open-back for $394 [was $376] {one left}
UPDATE 9/15/15: Now there is only one used listing left, the price increased to $394…
I believe I used up my quota of Shure/Sure jokes for 2015, but this post is no joke! The open-back over-ear Shure SRH 1840 is available in “Used – Very Good” condition for $376~ by Amazon Warehouse Deals.
As of the time of writing, there are two listings with slightly different descriptions:
- damaged original packaging, minor cosmetic imperfections on the item
- damaged original packaging
Philips X2 drips down to $289
I don’t know if Amazon has some kind of an exclusive on this, because I can’t find it at other major online dealers. Regardless, the hype is still strong with the Phlips X2 because all the used options got scooped up at Amazon. However, there is a small ray of treble sunshine, in new condition, it dropped $11, you can get it for $289 (instead of $300), from Amazon by Amazon actual.
Used w/warranty HiFiMAN HE-400i planars for $370
The HiFiMAN HE-400i planar magnetic headphones are available in Used condition (100 hours burn-in) with full warranty for $370 with free shipping from authorized Hifiman dealer RazorDog Audio on eBay. Only one unit is available with 3 eBay users watching it according to the stats over there.
The latest model in this line is the HE-400S which is in-stock for $300 from various authorized dealers.
Speaking of Hifiman, the old HE-400 dropped a bit more in used condition, you can now get them in “Used – Very Good” for $199~ by Amazon Warehouse Deals. The new condition price is $250.
3.3ft (aka 1m) AmazonBasics TOSlink Cable for $5.09
IF you are fond of the AmazonBasics line of products, their 3.3ft (1 meter) long TOSlink cable is now on sale for $5.09. Thankfully this is not currently part of the Add-On program, so if you are a Prime member, you get free 2-day shipping even if you buy just one of these. Non-Prime members get free S&H with a $35+ order as usual. Limit 30 per customer. They average 4.5 out of 5 based on 5200+ customer reviews, however, note that the reviews of multiple cable sizes are grouped and averaged together.
Samsung Earpods for Galaxy S6/S6_Edge for $8
The white earpods (they soooo don’t look like the Apple earpods) that Samsung is including with the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge smartphones can be purchased on their own in new condition for $8 per pair at Amazon.com via various sellers. BluTek is fulfilled by Amazon. Amazon’s own inventory will be in-stock on September 17 (2015).
Panasonic RP-HTF-295K full size for $14 [limit 5]
On the budget full-size headphones in their teens front, the black Panasonic RP-HTF-295-K (K is black in Panasonic-speak) are now on sale for just under $14 per pair, with a limit of five per customer, at Amazon by Amazon actual. They average 4.3 out of 5 based on 22 customer reviews. The picture of the back of the box over there informs us they have 40mm drives and a 5 meter OFC cable. They have grills on the outside of the earcups, I don’t know if they are semi-open or decoration
Francois et Mimi Bluetooth 4.1 earbuds for $20
Bluetooth earbuds are continuing to go down in price, near the disposable price range if you often lose or break them. Yet another one to join the $20 party is the Francois et Mimi Bluetooth 4.1 going for $20 per pair, sold by a marketplace seller, with the order fulfilled by Amazon.
Massdrop unlocked: Grado SR80e On-Ears for $85
Grado action at members-only Massdrop, their SR80e on-ears are now fully unlocked for $85 with free shipping. A Grado representative (he gave an email address to be contacted at Grado) is participating in the discussion there and said “Massdrop is UNAUTHORIZED to offer Grado Labs products”. Of course you never know with the interwebs whether this is someone from Grado for real or someone trolling. I have no clue, so be sure to do more research if interested. Offer ends in about six days from blog-posting date.
A couple of other items got added there with 4-6 days to go, but they are not fully unlocked as of the time of writing:
* Unique Melody Miracle Universal IEMs could go as low as $730 shipped
* Beyerdynamic Manufaktur MMX300 could go as low as $288 shipped
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