Archives for September 2015

Audio Technica M70x + Focusrite 2i2 + Samson MTR101 for $330

If you happen to need all three, there is a triple-double bundle at Adorama. For $330 with free expedited shipping, you get the Audio Technica M70x headphones, the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 2-Input/2-Output USB Audio Interface, and Samson MTR101 1″ Diaphragm Condenser Microphone with Shockmount. No coupons/rebates. Offer ends 9/16/15.

Massdrop: Sony Z7, BeyerD DT990-600 Premium, Sieveking

The action continues at members-only Massdrop with three items added. As of the time of writing they are not fully unlocked but they have seven days to do so (from blog-posting date). They are:

* Sony MDR-Z7 over-ears as low as $510 shipped
* Beyerdynamic DT990 Premium (600 ohm) as low as $228 shipped
* Sieveking Omega Headphone Stand as low as $140 shipped

Astell & Kern T5p Tesla + 64GB Jr DAP for $1200

Bundle time again, this time we have the Astell & Kern T5p Tesla Audiophile Headphone (special Beyerdynamic edition) bundled with the 64GB Astell & Kern AK Jr. DAP together for $1200 with free shipping at Beach Camera. No coupons, no rebates.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Earbuds for $4 w/free S&H

And now something for the glove box or to hand out to people who break things or guests (to prevent them from grabbing your favorite earphones) or for Samsung Galaxy users. For $4 with free shipping you can get in new condition (bulk packaging) the Samsung Galaxy S4 Earbuds. You only get one set of eargels, the ones pre-installed. This is a very primitive sound, their main use is the 3-button remote for Galaxy devices (volume up/down, play/pause). Limit five per customer. Nearly 10,000 units sold so far.

PS: I haven’t listened to them extensively, but I recall once at a busy/loud coffee house how I could still notice how bad/earbudy they sounded. Then I remembered they were $4 shipped with 3-button remote/mic 🙂

V-Moda Crossfade LP Over-Ears for $90

If you happen to have a soft spot for the V-Moda Crossfade LP first generation closed-back over-ear headphones, they are now available in new condition for $90 with free shipping, in four different color schemes, with a limit of five per customer, sold by Focus Camera’s eBay store.

Refurbished Parrot Zik (first gen) for $140

Curious about the Parrot Zik buzz but don’t want to spend a lot on a tech curiosity? There’s a middle ground now. You can get the first generation of these headphones in manufacturer refurbished condition for $140 with free shipping, with a limit of five per customer by Sonic Electronix on eBay. They come with a one year warranty and Sonic is an authorized internet dealer. This is Bluetooth, has ANC, removable rechargeable battery, touch controls, custom apps, etc.

Shure SE 215 in-ears + Fiio E12 head-amp for $180

We have two back to back Fiio bundles with the Shure SE 215 in-ears (black) at Adorama. We start with the SE215 bundled with the Fiio E12 Mont Blanc headphone amp for $180 with free expedited shipping.

Shure SE 215 in-ears + Fiio E6 head-amp for $101

The Shure SE 215 in-ears are fairly steady at $100, with rare discounting at authorized dealers, but sometimes we do get some deals, for example, $101 with free expedited shipping gets you the black SE 215 in-ears and the portable Fiio E6 headphone amp at Adorama [corrected the link].

Massdrop unlocked: Macaw GT100S IEMs for $58 [also added: Zik 2.0, Yuin PKs)

All three of the Massdrop items mentioned below expire in about seven days from blog-posting date. One of them is fully unlocked as of the time of writing, the Macaw GT100S IEMs go for $55 plus $3~ flat shipping. The other two are not unlocked yet, but they have plenty of time. The Parrot Zik 2.0 over-ears all-buzzword-team headphones could go as low as $328 shipped, while the Yuin PK2 earbuds (actual earbuds) could go as low as $50 shipped.

Sennheiser HD 419 headphone for $30 w/free s&h

The closed-back over-ear Sennheiser HD 419 headphone is currently on sale for $30 with free shipping by Sonic Electronix via Amazon (ships from Sonic), where it averages 4.2 out of 5 based on 420+ customer reviews (ha!) and has 50 questions answered by viewers like you. Single-side non-detachable cable and as with all the models in the HD-4xx series, they have 32 ohm impedance.

Schiit Modi DAC (first gen) for $80 w/free s&h

If you need the first generation Schiit Modi DAC (the latest model is the “Modi 2”), the first generation, in new condition, is currently going for $80, sold by Schiit Audio with the order fulfilled by Amazon so free shipping. The Schiit website typically charges shipping. The new Modi 2 goes for $100 + shipping and the Modi 2 Uber goes for $150 + shipping. When the sell on Amazon on the other hand, they increase the price but offer free shipping.

Refurbished Shure SRH550 DJ headphones for $70

On the DJ headphones front, the closed-back Shure SRH-550 DJ go for $100 in new condition, but if you want to save some, you can get them in refurbished condition for $70 with free shipping by AudioTopia (97%, 5786 ratings) with the order fulfilled by Amazon.com so eligible for free 2-day Prime.

FiiO E1 Portable Head-Amp for 30-pin Apple devices for $7.50

This is only good for 30-pin Apple devices (older iPhones, iPods). The FiiO E1 Portable Headphone Amplifier is now down to $7.50, sold by various marketplace sellers, with the orders fulfilled by Amazon. So if you are a Prime member, you get this with free 2-day shipping. If not, you need a $35+ order for free shipping. This averages 3.9 out of 5 based on 99 customer reviews.

Audio Technica M70x with Fiio E6 and bag for $300

The Audio Technica M70x are bundled with the Fiio E6 portable headphone-amp ($27-ish on its own) and a general purpose gadget bag for $300 with free shipping by Beach Camera with free 2-day Prime shipping for members. This is part of the new Prime benefit introduced by Amazon, even though they ship from Beach Camera directly, they are eligible for free 2-day shipping. (Not to be confused with the “fulfilled by Amazon” which means they ship from an Amazon Warehouse).

Coming Soon: AmazonBasics On-Ears in Blue or White (still $15)

After a successful introduction of their black color-scheme closed-back on-ear bass-favoring-but-not-obnoxiously-so AmazonBasics On-Ears, the company is bringing it out soon in two new color schemes, in blue color scheme or white color scheme. The price remains the same, $15 per pair. They have a single-entry cable (left side), layflat earcups, and come with a basic/cheap drawstring bag (the only accessory). They average 4.4 out of 5 based on 284 customer reviews so far.

Used Ultrasone Edition 10 Limited S-Logic Plus for $1628 [was $1713]

From a $3 splitter we jump to a four figure headphone! The Ultrasone Edition 10 Limited S-Logic Plus is available in “Used – Very Good” condition (original damaged packaging, cosmetic imperfection) for $1628 [was $1713] by Amazon Warehouse Deals. One is available according to the shopping cart… Price updated here on 9/2/15…

In new condition it goes for $2600 at sellers such as Zzounds

Ultrasone is one of the brands with strong anti-fans, such as this customer review (“coats feces in Palladium”).

Belkin 2-to-1 splitter for $3 (black; Add-On) [or generic from China shipped for half]

The black two to one headphone splitter from Belkin is going for $3 with a limit of five per customer at Amazon.com. It is however part of the Add-On program, so you must place a $25+ order, otherwise the shopping cart will Mutombo (verb) any attempts to purchase it.

On the other hand, if you are not in a hurry to receive it, and do not object to receiving items from Asia, a number of vendors from there are offering Generic Splitters for $1.50 with free shipping. Sellers include Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong and China. Check the percentage rating, and the number of transactions of the sellers over there to increase the chances of a successful transaction… The first US seller for this item is currently on page #3, for $2.56 with free shipping (CMPLE from NY).

Tue (Frys): Sennheiser RS 175 Wireless for $180 w/promo code

The promo code deals at Fry’s Electronics for 9/1/15 include an offer for the Sennheiser RS 175 wireless headphone (online or brick and mortar stores) for $180 after you enter your unique personalized coupon code found in their e-mail newsletters. This offer is limit one per customer…

It hasn’t been price-matched at amazon.com where it goes for $280 with an average of 4.7 out of 5 based on 90+ customer reviews and has 50+ questions answered if you are curious about it. This is RF wireless, not bluetooth. You get one pair of headphones and the charging station which is also a transmitter and a headphone stand. You can connect up to two pairs of headphones to this transmitter (only one is included in this box).