Archives for March 2017

[DEAD] Friday: Wicked Audio WI-8240 Triad bundle for $9 + S&H

This meh deal (ha!) expired… More bundles! Wicked Audio is offering a three item boxed bundle, model WI-8240, aka “The Triad”, for $9 plus $5 flat shipping as the Meh daily deal ending by 11:59pm ET on Friday. The bundle includes one over-ear headphone, one earphone and one portable speaker. It should go without saying, don’t throw away the Elear over this 🙂

Free Music: Austin 100 SWSX Sampler

If you like to discover new music or build a library or burn discovery CDs or DVDs, until the end of March 2017, you can download 100 songs from 100 artists as part of the Austin 100 of artists participating in this year’s SWSX music festival.

There are multiple ways to listen to the music. You can download the whole set as a 855MB zipfile (under 4 minute download as of the time of writing). I randomly opened a few, they show as encoded by different versions of iTunes and 320 kb/s, 44100 Hz.

Or you can download mp3 songs individually from their website. If you don’t like downloading things, they have setup two playlists with them, one on Spotify and another inside the free NPR One app.

Samson RT2 Bluetooth On-Ears for $29 w/free S&H

Sometimes an old egg is not as appetizing as a new egg, which brings us to NewEgg (this is where you throw the tomatoes) offering the new condition Samson RTE2 Bluteooth On-Ears for $29 with free shipping. This is sold and shipped by NewEgg actual and you can buy as many as you like. The offer ends next Tuesday or so. It appears to be a new launch at NewEgg since it has no reviews and no Q&A there yet.

iFi Micro iDAC2 DAC/amp for $250

The iFi party continues at Adorama with the iFi Micro iDAC2 DAC/amp going for $250 with free shipping as a limited time promotion. This can get up to Quad-Speed DSD-256 and PCM 384kHz with a new Burr-Brown chipset.

Used B-Stock refurb Sony MDR-10NC for $30 with free S&H [ANC battery does not charge]

If you are a high risk-tolerant shopper, eBay seller “TekDeals” (99.3%, California) is offering B-Stock Display condition manufacturer refurbished Sony MDR-10RNC headphones (NC = active noise cancelling BUT battery does NOT work) for $30 with free shipping. Over 200 units got sold from this listing so far. So the only way you can use active noise cancelling is if they are plugged in to a power source. You can use them in passive non-ANC mode. Check the listing for more details.

PS: if you are inexperienced with headphones, you may want to avoid this listing. If you know what you are doing, then you might be a better candidate for this.

PS2: speaking of eBay, continuing is the new condition sale of the open-back over-ear Philips SHP9500S headphones for $49 with free shipping by NewEgg. I just bought one, so an Unboxing and a Review Diary should be coming as soon as they arrive. The free shipping option says they’ll get here next week but you never know (sometimes it takes longer sometimes they arrive faster, it depends on how the economy shipping winds blow).

Refurbished JBL J55A Closed On-Ears for $20 with free S&H

The official Harman Audio store (now part of Samsung, so Galaxy fanpersons may decide now to shop there instead of Beats) is offering the factory recertified JBL J55A Closed On-Ears for $20 with free ground shipping. As the “A” in the model name semi-hints at, this is the “Android buttons” model. It comes with a detachable 1-button cable and a carrying pouch, so they can become extra accessories even after the headphones reach their end of life. They have 32 ohm impedance which matches their main use-cases profile. Limit five units per customer.

iFi Micro iCAN Special Edition for $220

More iFi sales, this time it is the iFi Micro iCAN Special Edition on sale for a limited time for $220 with free shipping at Adorama.com. This too comes with a 1-year iFi warranty.

Wedn: JBL Reflect Aware USB Type-C Earphones for $80

The price of this continues to drop, the JBL Reflect Aware USB Type-C earphones are down to $80 with free shipping, in your choice of black or white, as one of the A4C Wednesday daily deals ending by 11:59pm ET. This works with USB-C devices (that can output audio over the USB-C connection).

Wedn: Beats Mixr On-Ears (David Guetta) for $150

The new condition Beats Mixr closed-back on-ears in the David Guetta edition, available in seven different color schemes, are on sale for $150 with free shipping at A4C Online as one of their daily deals ending on Wednesday at 11:59pm eastern.

iFi Nano iDSD USB DAC/amp for $140

Another iFi is on sale at Adorama, it is the new condition iFi Nano iDSD USB DAC/amp with PCM/DSD/DXD support going for $140 with free shipping as a limited time offer. They come with a 1-year warranty.

Beyerdynamic Custom “i” Closed On-Ears for $50

The new condition closed-back on-ear and customizable (both sound and looks) Beyerdynamic Custom i On-Ears are on sale at NewEgg by NewEgg actual for $50 with free shipping. Limit up to five per customer. Offer ends next Tuesday.

These look very similar to the Beyerdynamic Custom Streets, but I haven’t seen or touched the Custom “i” so I can’t compare them. I have seen and touched the Custom Streets however, here’s an on-going review and a useful text and pictures unboxing.

Massdrop x HiFiMAN HE-350 for $100 on a daily basis

Do not be alarmed if you see that the HiFiMAN HE-350 listing is expiring soon at Massdrop. This is a hybrid listing, a more traditional retail listing that closes daily and each daily drop ships within two business days of that particular drop. Basically you can buy it as if you were buying it from a “normal” retailer. As of the time of writing over 9240 units got sold from this offer. The price is definitely right for this dynamic headphone to fly off the e-shelves.

iFi nano iDSD Light Edition DAC/amp for $100

The portable and compact USB DAC/amps are multiplying like mp3 players at the iPod peak way back then, another one of the portable battery-powered USB DAC/amps is on sale, the iFi nano iDSD Light Edition DAC/amp goes for $100 with free shipping at Adorama. It comes with a 1-year warranty from iFi, which is totally not iffy 🙂

Phones as DAPs: LG V10 for $290 (Carrier Unlocked, AT&T, No Contract)

The LG V-series is one of the smartphones that get good marks for their audio component. If you like to buy smartphones outright and without any contractual obligations, carrier-unlocked, in new condition, B&H Photo is offering the LG V10 (model H900) for $290 with free shipping. It comes with a 1-year warranty covered by B&H. This is a limited time offer.

It has 64GB on-board storage plus it can take microSDXC cards (theoretically up to 2TB). So plenty of space for your OGGs and WAVs and DSDs 🙂 It has a removable battery, so you can keep listening without having to recharge. If you are planning to use it with a GSM provider other than AT&T, check the bands and/or the phone forums/websites to make sure it will work with your provider(s) of choice.

Audio-Technica ATH-P1 Lightweight On-Ears for $10

The new condition Audio-Technica ATH-P1 lightweight on-ears are on sale for $10 at B&H Photo. If your order total is $49+, you get free shipping. Otherwise, shipping is extra.

Master & Dynamic MH30 On-Ears + FREE Master & Dynamic MP1000 Stand for $299

Another Master and Dynamic offer, not a two-for-one like the ME-03 in-ears but you get a free stand instead. For $299, you can get the new condition closed-back folding on-ear Master & Dynamic MH30 along with your choice of a FREE headphone stand, either the silver or the black of the Master & Dynamic MP1000 stand. You select the color on the product page. The MH30 has four different colors, click on the small color-boxes over there to switch between the colors.

If you are not familiar with how these offers work on the B&H website, I posted a couple of screenshots on how to locate them after the jump…

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Two Pairs of Master & Dynamic ME03 in-ears for $159 total

If you happen to want TWO pairs of Master & Dynamic ME03 in-ears, you can get them together for $159 with free shipping at B&H Photo. This is a limited time “buy one get one free”. Both pairs will be included in the package while this promotion is running. You don’t need any coupons, just add the 2-pack to cart and proceed to checkout. There are three different color combinations, either two black, or two gunmetal, or one of each.

UPDATE: these are also offered for the same price by AudioLAB thru Amazon (not Prime eligible).

Westone UM3X 3-Way BA In-Ears for $250

For a limited time only, the new condition Westone UM3X 3-Way in-ears are on sale for $250 with free standard shipping at B&H Photo. These have three balanced armature drivers.

CEntrance DACport Slim for $100 [MD]

It’s back on again, a Massdrop exclusive, the CEntrance DACport Slim is fully unlocked over there for $100 with free shipping. The offer runs for the next seven days and this is expected to ship fairly quickly after that, Saint Patrick’s Day 2017 is their estimate.

Philips SHP9500S Open-Back for $49 with free S&H

Ready to jump on the Philips SHP9500S hype train? It is currently on sale, in new condition, for $49 with free shipping at the NewEgg eBay store. Limit up to five units per customer. The “S” is the newer model that came after the “SHP9500” (without the S). Over 2000 joined the hype S-train from this eBay offer.

PS: eBay just launched another 10% eBay Bucks promotion for some members participating in their eBay Bucks program. There is no minimum purchase requirement for this round. You have to activate the offer, and you have to be invited by eBay to join – check your email or the eBay messages to see if you are. You can’t do this otherwise. The promotion ends at 3am eastern on Friday 3/10/17.

[DEAD] One month of Slacker Ad Free (TMobile Tuesdays)

This T-Mobile Tuesday promotion expired…

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[DEAD] Tuesday: Modern Portable Super 66 Bluetooth Over-Ears for $49

This daily deal expired…

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[DEAD] New Woot-OFF In Progress

This Woot-OFF ended…

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Cleer DJ headphones for $200

DJ headphone action now, the new condition Cleer Audio Professional DJ headphones are on sale for $200 with free shipping at OneCall and by various at Amazon. This is the first time I heard of this brand. Features include a Stereo/Mono switch and dual audio jacks.

UPDATE: another model of this company, the Cleer BT Bluetooth On-Ears are available in Open-Box “Used – Like New” condition for $100 with free shipping by OneCall through Amazon Warehouse Deals.

New Weekly Round-Up post is UP!

If you like to read a weekly round-up of things happening in the world of headphones, I just posted the third edition of This Week in Headphoolia, with a special segment on the Monoprice M1060 hype train. Other segments include review round-ups, news-related summaries (another mega merger), more streaming options, and more!

Please feel free to give us feedback on this in the comments here or there! I’m making this for you all, so your feedback can help shape them 🙂 Also, if you posted any reviews, first impressions, mods/hacks, or opinions on related matters, please let me know so I can include them in future updates!

You can find all previous editions (three total so far) in the This Week in Headphoolia Archives.

Fender FXA2 Pro In-Ears for $115 with free S&H

The Fender FXA2 Pro In-Ears are currently on sale, in new condition, for $115 with free shipping at Adorama in the blue color scheme or metallic black color scheme. This is a limited time offer.

Chromecast Audio returns to $30

The Chromecast sales are cyclical and the cycle brings the Chromecast Audio back down to $30 at Staples and Best Buy. Free store pickup or free shipping under certain circumstances (eg Staples Rewards members).

Alternately you can get the Chromecast Audio for FREE if you purchase the “Google Home” device for $130 at B&H Photo.

If you are not familiar with this device, here’s our Text and Pictures Unboxing.

Sony MDR-1000X ANC BT for $348

The new condition Sony MDR-1000X bluetooth and ANC over-ears are on sale again, going for $348 with free shipping at Amazon by Amazon actual with a limit of up to three per color per customer.

WoodLab Royal Glam Headphone Stand for $59 [MD]

Wood everywhere at Massdrop! Now it’s the WoodLab Royal Glam Headphone Stand that’s gotten fully unlocked going for $50 plus $9~ flat shipping. Three different options are available at checkout, all the same price. This offer however is for the patience, the shipping estimate is mid-May 2017. That’s almost 2.5 months from blog-posting date!

[DEAD] Monday: Monoprice M560 Planar Headphones AND Stereo Tube Headphone Amp (PID 16154) for $225 After Coupon AND $0.01+ filler item

This Monday coupon expired as well…

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[DEAD] AmoVee Acrylic Headphone Stand for $11

This Monday lightning deal is over but this is a recurring item… Good until 11:10pm ET tonight, you can get the AmoVee Acrylic Headphone Stand in the black color scheme for $11~. Free shipping for Prime members or with a $35+ order. This was the only pre-scheduled headphone-related lightning deal of today (Monday 3/6/17).

[DEAD] Monday: 128GB iPod Touch (6th Gen) for $365

This deal of the day expired…

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Refurbished Bohm B66 BT ANC On-Ears for $40 w/FS

Yesterday it was the Bohm over-ears, today it is the Bohm B66 On-Ear BT ANC headphones that are one of the A4C daily deals, in manufacturer refurbished condition with a 12-month warranty for Bohm for $40 with free shipping. You have a choice of black or brown color schemes. Offer ends Tuesday 11:59pm ET Price increased only from $37 to $40 after the daily deal ended.

Audeze LCD X + Grace m920 + Crimson HPA100 + Just Mobile Stand for $3500

The Crimson Audio head-amp is on sale on its own but it’s also part of a Four Product Bundle at B&H Photo going for $3500 with free shipping. The four items included, all in new condition, are:

  • Audeze LCD-X headphones (Anodized Aluminum, Lambskin Leather)
  • Grace Design m920 High Resolution Monitoring System
  • Crimson Audio HPA100 Reference Headphone Amplifier
  • Just Mobile HS-100 Headphone Stand

No coupon, no rebate, this is a bundle discount. Just add the bundle to cart and proceed to checkout.

Crimson Audio HPA100 head-amp for $249 + S&H

For a limited time only, the new condition Crimson Audio HPA100 Reference headphone amplifier is on sale for $249 plus shipping (around $10 for Ground shipping option) at B&H Photo. You must be logged on to a B&H account in order to see the sale price!