Archives for January 2017

[DEAD] Sennheiser PX 100-II On-Ears for $30 w/free S&H

This sale ended…

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Used Sennheiser HD380 PRO for $84 + S&H

The clsoed-back over-ear Sennheiser HD 380 PRO are currently available in “Used – Excellent” condition for $84 plus shipping (starting at $7 based on zipcode) at authorized dealer at adorama.com. They offer a 30-day return policy, and a 90-day Adorama warranty on the used products sold on their website.

Used Pro-Ject Phono Box MM DC Phono Preamplifier for $63

If you are dabbling in vinyl, the new condition Pro-Ject Phono Box MM DC Phonograph Preamplifier goes for $79 in new condition at reputable dealers, but if you want to save some, there are some used options at Amazon Warehouse Deals with the “Used – Good” going for $63~ (cosmetic imperfections, original packaging), and “Used – Very Good” going for $67~ (cosmetic imperfection, original packaging).

Used RHA S500 in-ears for $24, S500i in-ears for $34

A couple of RHA earphones are available for noticeably less in used condition at Amazon Warehouse Deals, and for each one there are multiple listings, so there the possibility of future price drops (other things equal). The used S500 start at $24~ in “Used – Good” and go to $26~ in “Used – Very Good”, and $27~ in “Used – Like New”. Meanwhile the model with a mic/remote, the used S500i go for $34~ in “Used – Very Good” and $36~ in “Used – Like New” conditions.

Phones as DAPs: LG V20 (International Version) for $550

From the Phones as DAP department, if you are interested in the new LG V20 but don’t want to pay the $800+ for the USA edition, and you understand the trade-offs of getting an international model, among the latest ebay daily deals, eBay seller “NeverMSRP” (99.9%, Houston) is offering new condition international versions of the LG V20 (model H990DS) for $550 with free shipping, in either silver or gray. The pink is currently sold out. Limit up to five per customer. This is unlocked, no carrier logos, no contracts, no installment plans. The compatible bands are in the listing, but check phone forums if you are not certain your carrier(s) of interest are compatible. Check audio forums and websites for discussions on the audio capabilities of the V20.

Massdrop: Maestro GMP 400 for $173, GMP 450 for $183

If you like German engineering and high impedance headphones, Massdrop has now two Maestro models fully unlocked. The open-back GMP 400 goes for $165 plus $8~ flat shipping, while the closed-back GMP 450 goes for $10 more. They will ship in late February 2017, and the offer runs for the next seven days.

While at Massdrop, if you are a fan of name-brand wooden headphone stands, the Sieveking Omega Headphone Stand (in various wood options) is fully unlocked for $130 plus $8~ flat shipping. It runs for the next seven days as well and it is expected to ship mid-February.

On the other hand, if you are a fan of the omega-style design, but also a fan of your wallet (or not getting yelled at by the Spouse CFO), you can find various wooden options under $40, or acrylic under $15 by various sellers at Amazon.

Monoprice M560 Monolith Planar Headphones + Stereo Tube Amplifier with Bluetooth for $290 after coupon

Good until Thursday night (1/26/17), you can get the Monoprice M560 planar magnetic headphones bundled with the Monoprice PID 16154 Stereo Tube Amplifier with Bluetooth (24-bit/96kHz USB DAC, PreAmp out) for $290 at the Monoprice website if you pay with MasterPass and enter coupon code MASTER50 in the shopping cart [promotion details].

Before coupon, the bundle price is $340. Individually (before coupon), the M560 sell for $200, while the Stereo Tube amp sells for $140. The M560 is not eligible for the coupon on its own.

Monoprice $50 off $150+ order with MasterPass (the 11567 Desktop Headphone amp is eligible and goes for $70 before coupon!)

A new Masterpass Promotion is running at the Monoprice website. Coupon MASTER50 gets you $50 off orders of $150+. Most Monoprice-branded products are eligible, but not all of them. You can add items and coupon to the shopping cart and see what qualifies (you don’t need a Monoprice account/login to test the coupon).

The Monoprice 11567 Desktop Headphone Amp is on sale for $70 and it is eligible for the coupon. On the other hand, the Monolith M560 Planar Headphones (PID 16051; $200) are not eligible. I just retested both of these with this new coupon.

However, the M560 headphones are eligible for the coupon if you purchase them bundled with a Stereo Tube Amplifier (the PID 16154 for Stereo Tube amp on its own) for $340. The bundle price is the sum of their stand-alone prices ($140 + $200). The coupon brings it down to $290. I will create a separate post for this as it is buried in this long-winded and never-ending post 🙂

Also eligible for the coupon are the new Triple XXX Triple Driver Earphones. They go for $50, so in order to use the coupon, you need an order total of $150+ in eligible products.

The Monolith M1060 Planar Headphones are not eligible since they cannot be ordered/pre-ordered yet. Their latest ETA is February 24 (2017).

The coupon expires on Thursday night (1/26/17).

[DEAD] Symphonized ALN 2.0 Wood In-Ears for $15

These Thursday lightning offers expired…

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[DEAD] Thursday’s Offers: Symphonized, Yurbuds, Monster, Etc

This round of lightning deals expired…

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[DEAD] V-Moda Crossfade Wireless Closed Over-Ears for $265

That didn’t last long. As of 1/26/17 re-check, the price returned to $300…

And we are back with another round, starting with the V-Moda Crossfade Wireless closed-back over-ears, these are a Bluetooth model based on the M100, and the “Phantom Chrome” color scheme of these is currently on sale for $265 at Amazon by Amazon actual with a limit of up to three units per customer. This is not a lightning deal, so the price is adjusted by market forces or randomness or however else it gets decided 🙂

Free Sennheiser Momentum 2 Wireless Headphones with purchase of select Surface devices

If you are/were interested in getting a Microsoft Surface device, select models of the Surface 4 tablet or the Surface Book laptop, are eligible to get you a pair of Sennheiser Momentum 2 Wireless (bluetooth) headphones for FREE through the Microsoft online store. It has steps to follow, it’s not a simple add-to-cart-now promotion:

  1. you may have to be a member of the Microsoft Rewards program (free to join – see at the bottom)
  2. in your Rewards dashboard or emails, you receive a promo code for this offer – Spoiler Alert: the coupon code is HEADPHONES for everybody
  3. then you select an eligible Surface devices at the online Microsoft Store and add it to the shopping cart
  4. avoid the Office and NFL Type Cover upsell traps (unless you want to buy them)
  5. enter the promo code HEADPHONES, and the Sennheiser headphones magically appear in your shopping cart. You don’t add the headphones manually. You don’t need to login to test the coupon. Just add an eligible Surface to the cart and proceed to checkout and enter the promo code

STEP by STEP

You can see which models are eligible by clicking on the two blue links at the Surface-Sennheiser promotional page, a screenshot of those are below to help you locate them quickly since they don’t look like web links but they are clickable over there (not below, below it’s only screenshot):

When you click on either of the blue buttons, you see the various sub-models. The ones eligible for this promotion have a “Microsoft Rewards” logo on them. Not a surprise, but the entry-level models of the Surface 4 and the Book are not eligible. Of the Surface 4, the two eligible models are the two 256GB storage models (i5 or i7; 8GB RAM). Of the Surface Book models, all except for the entry-level option (i5, 128GB SSD, 8GB RAM) are eligible. Screenshot below:

Models that are not eligible for the offer do not have the purple “Microsoft Rewards” rectangle at that position.

THEN YOU ENTER THE PROMO CODE

After you add an eligible Surface to your cart, and go through the Office and Type Cover upsells, you have to enter the coupon code HEADPHONES by clicking on the “Enter Promo Code” which will reveal a box to type in.

After you type it in and hit Apply, the headphones magically appear in your shopping cart just like the screenshot below:

It’s Easy to Join

It’s easy to join Microsoft Rewards, especially if you already have a Microsoft account, eg one you use at the Microsoft App Store or to login to Windows (not a local account) or one of the other Microsoft services. You just go to your account and find the Join the Rewards option, click a button and you are in. The offer is right there waiting. I just did this – here’s a screenshot of how the promotion looks:

Sony MDR-XB-950-AP/H Extra Bass Over-Ear for $82

The new condition Sony MDR-XB-950-AP/H Extra Bass wired closed-back over-ears are currently on sale for $82~ with free shipping at Amazon by Amazon actual with a limit of up to three units per customer. These average 4.3 out of 5 based on 78 customer reviews. As the “AP” hints in the model name, these have Android (non-iOS) buttons,.

PS: these should not be confused with the more well-known bluetooth version, the XB-950-BT, which have over 1750 customer reviews.

Now shipping: Blue Ella Planar-Magnetics for $699

The CES 2017 headphones are slowly starting to roll-out. Another one is joining the world of available planar-magnetic headphones, the Blue Microphones Ella is in-stock for its starting price of $699 by various at Amazon (Amazon actual is still 3-5 weeks away), along with Music123 on eBay and Musicians’ Friend and Woodwind and Brasswind.

PS: we are slowly but steadily tracking the new releases at the Headphone Tracker perma-post.

Cambridge Audio DacMagic 100 for $280

The Cambridge Audio DacMagic 100 (Black color scheme) is currently on sale, in new condition, for $280 with free shipping, Prime eligible, offered by two different marketplace sellers at this price at amazon.com (“Audio Advisor” and “avSoundz”). Used prices there are at $250. The DAC averages 4 out of 5 based on 46 customer reviews.

Used Audioengine D1 24-bit DAC for $135

The Audioengine D1 24-bit DAC is currently available in “Used – Very Good” condition (original packaging, original accessories) for $135 with free shipping by “Audio Advice” through Amazon Warehouse Deals (AWD). This is not Prime eligible. The lowest price eligible used price is $139~ sold by AWD actual. This DAC averages 4.3 out of 5 based on 293 customer reviews.

Now shipping: Monoprice Triple Driver In-Ears (model 18516) for $50 + S&H

The 1More hype train is choo-chooing to quad drivers [see CES 2017 round-up], but Monoprice is just now “discovering” triple driver technology, their brand new “Triple XXX Triple Driver Earphones” (model aka Product ID 18516; that’s their official product name, with triple redundancy – the joke’s on us!) have now been released, going for $50 plus shipping. They are so new they have just one customer review posted there last week. That person discovered them randomly too 🙂

Because they are a new release, they are not eligible for the $35/$100+ Masterpass promotion.

Massdrop unlocked: Koss KDE250 for $108 and more

More offers have been unleashed and unlocked at the members-only Massdrop, starting with the unconventional-looking Koss KDE250 earphones (earphones is probably the best way to describe them, in-ears or earbuds don’t quite fit them) going for $100 plus $8~ flat shipping. They run for the next eight days with a late February 2017 shipping estimate (good thing February is a short month then!).

With the same expiration date and similar shipping estimate, but a decidedly more conventional in-ear look, the NuForce Primo8 are going for $130 plus $4~ flat shipping.

Last but not least, it’s the return one of their regular bang-for-the-buck headphones, the closed-back over-ear AKG K553 PRO go for $120, and will ship early February 2017. This offer runs for the next five days.

[DEAD] Monster DNA In-Ears for $27 (ends Wedn 2:09am ET)

This lightning deal expired…

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Used Grado SR80e Open-Back for $79

The open-bcak Grado SR80e go for $100 in new condition, but if you are comfortable with used, you can get them in “Used – Very Good” condition (minor cosmetic imperfections; original packaging) for $79~ by Amazon Warehouse Deals. This is perhaps the best entry-point value-wise into the Grado sound signature.

Sennheiser HD600 for $299

The new (and hard to find) Sennheiser HD 6XX (Massdrop exclusive), based on the HD 650, created a disturbance in the classic 600 vs 650 dilemma, now making it a 3-way debate. If of those three you have decided on the HD 600, it is currently on sale, in new condition, for $299 with free shipping at Amazon by Amazon actual.

Used iFi Micro-iDSD 512 head-amp for $344 + S&H

The used iFi Micro-iDSD 512 portable headphone amplifier is currently available in “Used – Demo” condition for $344 plus shipping (under $10 for most zipcodes) at Adorama.com.

Used Shure SE 535 for $344 to $350 + S&H (Clear or Bronze)

The clear color scheme of the Shure SE 535 in-ears are offered in “Used – Demo” condition for $344 plus shipping (under $10 for most zipcodes) at authorized dealer Adorama.com. Used items sold at Adorama come with a 90-day warranty from Adorama, and they can be returned within 30 days of purchase.

Meanwhile the Metallic Bronze color scheme of the SE 535s is offered for $349 plus shipping (under $10 as well) in “Used – Demo” condition as well.

Used iFi Micro iCAN SE 4000mw 16ohm Class A head-amp for $194 + S&H

The iFi Micro iCAN SE 4000mw 16ohm Class A headphone amplifier is available in “Used – Demo” condition for $194 plus shipping and handling at Adorama.com. The lowest shipping option is around $8 (varies slightly by zipcode – at least of the zipcodes I tried).

Audio Technica P1 Lightweight Open On-Ears for $10 + S&H

It turns out, the Cassette tape purchase options you may have seen at some bands’s’s Bandcamp pages were not an ironic joke, but actual cassette tapes, because actual cassette sales skyrocketed by 74% in 2016. With them, it’s only fair that we see an increase in Walkman-era style headphones, one of which, the Audio Technica ATH-P1 lightweight open on-ears is on sale for $10 at B&H Photo. Free shipping if your order total is $49+, so perhaps it’s best if you “append” this to a larger order, so you can get free shipping.

Fiio X1 Armband for $12

The official Fiio armband for the X1 digital audio player is currently going for $12 by various Prime-eligible sellers at amazon.com. This is a product with distinct trade-offs though – it is advertised as a “sports” armband but the reviews say it’s not flexible enough for exercise (muscle contraction/movement), and the X1 is unprotected on the front and sides, so it’s more of an armchair armband 🙂

I don’t have this, but I have the Fiio X1 DAP [see unboxing text/pictures post]. I have yet to finish the X1 DAP review [spoiler alert: not bad for an $80 microSD-based DAP], so buying/reviewing the armband will have to wait 🙂

Fiio E18 Kunlun USB DAC/Amp for Smartphones for $95

I have yet to crack the Fiio line-up code, but if of all the options they offer it is the E18 Kunlun USB DAC/Amp for Android/Smartphones the one you want, it is currently on sale, in new condition, for $95 with free shipping by Adorama.com, an authorized dealer.

Speaking of DAC/amps, the desktop Monoprice 11567 dropped further down today to $70 and it is eligible for the $35 off / $100+ MasterPass promotion (expires 1/24/17 PM).

Massdrop x HiFiMAN HE-350 Over-Ears for $100

Hifiman is catching a lot of FLAC (ha!) for their new expensive headphones announced at CES 2017 (let’s not forget the $2000 RE-2000 in-ears), but they also have some budget options out there, one of which is back on again at members-only Massdrop, their exclusive “Massdrop x HiFiMAN HE-350” over-ears going for $100 with free shipping. These are dynamic headphones, not planars. The offer runs for the next four days (but it is a recurring feature there, so don’t worry if you miss it), and it is expected to ship early February 2017.

Bose SoundTrue Around Ears II for $129 (iOS) [updated]

UPDATE: the Apple-buttons Charcoal color-scheme goes for $129 at Amazon by Amazon actual (limit 3).

The closed-back over-ear Bose SoundTrue Around Ears II headphones, in the black color scheme, and with the Android/Samsung button configuration, are on sale for $150 with free expedited shipping at authorized dealer Adorama.com which includes $7.50 in rewards with purchase. The rewards can be used in future purchases at Adorama (think of it as promotional store credit for future purchases). These are wired-only headphones, no ANC, no Bluetooth.

AKG K240 II Semi-Open Over-Ears for $80

The release of the AKG M220 (mostly through Massdrop at favorable pricing) has caused a convergence in the pricing of the three related models (K240, K240 II, M220), with the K240 II dripping down towards the other two. If the K240 II is the one you want, it is currently going for $80~ with free expedited shipping at Adorama.

It also goes for the same price at amazon.com but pay attention to who the actual seller is. Amazon’s own listing is not the featured offer there at the moment (check “Other Sellers” section on the right hand side to locate Amazon as the seller)…

Refurbished Marantz HD- DAC1 USB/DAC-amp for $629

The Marantz HD- DAC1 USB/DAC-amp is available in refurbished condition with a one-year warranty from the seller, authorized dealer OneCall (Huppin’s), sold through Amazon Warehouse Deals (AWD). This ships directly from OneCall, so it is not Prime eligible. AWD’s own price is $639 in “Used – Very Good” condition. AWD actual (Amazon Warehouse Deals being the actual product seller) offers a 30-day return policy but makes no claims of warranty.

[DEAD] Tuesday’s Offers: AKG Q460 Minis, Lots of Earphones, Comply, Music (CD/Vinyl), Etc

This parade of budget earphones expired…

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Sony MDR-ZX110 Closed On-Ears for $9

On the budget side of things, you can’t go wrong for $9 on this closed-back folding on-ear, it is the new condition Sony MDR-ZX110 on sale for $9.29 at the Walmart website, sold by Walmart actual at this price. Free store pickup at nearby stores, or free shipping with a $50+ order, or if you are a member of the Walmart Prime-like $50/year service. These average 4.1 out of 5 based on 59 customer reviews. Select the black color scheme at the “Actual Color” box over there to see this.

Monster NTune On-Ears for $23 to $25 w/FS (different colors)

More budget on-ear options, the official Monster eBay store is offering about half a dozen different colors of the closed-back on-ear Monster N-Tune headphones for $23 to $25 with free shipping. Price varies by color. Over 4000 units of these have been sold so far, with prices steadily dropping over time.

Massdrop round-up: In-Ears Galore, and more

A lot of Massdrop offers are currently fully-unlocked (lowest offer price during this promotional period), with three to seven days left from blog-posting date (January 22nd in 2017). I am posting them in expiration date order:

Shipping fee is included in the total below, but not taxes or imports/duties/etc:

+ prices are rounded to the nearest dollar
+ LZ A4 in-ears for $183~
+ OSTRY KC06A in-ears for $48~
+ Cayin C5 DAC/Amp for $154~
+ Klipsch X6i in-ears for $100
+ Final Heaven III IEMs (Massdrop exclusive) for $73)
+ Klipsch R6 Bluetooth in-ears for $53
+ AKG K240 for $58 (it went as low as $50 at other retailers a few weeks ago)
+ Glow Audio Amp Two Tube Speaker Amplifier for $700~
+ Thinksound ON2 Wood On-Ears for $148~
+ CustomArt Ei.XX CIEM (Massdrop Exclusive) for $654