Archives for April 2017

New Weekly Round-up post is up

Another week went by, and so we have another weekly round-up, the new This Week in Headphoolia #10 covers up to Sunday 4/30/17, and includes the Sennheiser HD 820 leak, an assortment of reviews, an equalizing tutorial, another detailed CanJam report, and more… You can also check all previous installments in the Headphoolia archives

Noontec Hammo S Over Ears for $40 with purchase of select Noontec TerraMaster NAS products

This is a bit of an unusual combination deal, but here we go. You can get the Noontec Hammo S Over Ear headphones for half their current price ($80 drops to $40) when you purchase them together with eligible Noontec TerraMaster products when you enter coupon code L3A9AY6W at checkout. Eligible Terramaster products mention this promotion on their individual product pages if they are eligible.

It looks like this when you scroll further down the individual product pages of participating products that are eligible (the screenshot below is cut-off on the right side):

FiiO E12A Mont Blanc IEM Special Edition Portable Headphone Amp for $80

I’m surprised there’s not more like this considering the abundant abundance of DACs and amps these days. Regardless, the FiiO E12A Mont Blanc IEM Special Edition Portable Headphone Amp (targeting earphones) is on sale in new condition for $80 with free shipping by Beach Camera through Amazon. This ships directly from Beach (New Jersey typically) and it is not Prime eligible. The amp averages 4.6 out of 5 based on 77 customer reviews, and has 45 answered questions by other interview viewers like you.

Used Blue Ella Planars for $560 [was $577]

The first waves of used Blue Ella (planar-magnetic headphones) are making their way to the interwebs. The Blue Ella goes for $700 in new condition, but right now, you can get it in “Used – Very Good” condition (minor cosmetic imperfection; original packaging) for $560 [WAS $577~] by Amazon Warehouse Deals actual. There are three listings in this condition, along with a “Used – Like New” for $594~ [WAS $612~]. Planar Mania 2017 🙂

UPDATE: price updated in the post here on 5/1/17 AM.

NVX XPT100 Closed Over-Ears for $80

Sometimes at $100, and sometimes at $80, the new condition closed-back over-ear studio NVX XPT100 headphones are back down to $80 with free shipping either fulfilled by Amazon or by Sonix Electronix (limit five per buyer).

First Harmonic IEB6 IEMs for $20 w/FS [MD]

Another offer is now unlocked at the members-only Massdrop, the First Harmonic IEB6 earphones go for $20 with free shipping. The offering runs for the next seven days and it is estimated to ship late May 2017. A total of 300 units are available as part of this promotion.

With the same expiration date, the Fire S Audio Headphone Stand goes for $35 plus shipping. They will ship mid-May 2017, and come pre-assembled.

As with most things at Massdrop [MD], all sales are final for these two offers as well.

Blue Ever Blue grab-bag for $24 + S&H [MD]

If you like the mild adventure of a grab bag purchase, Massdrop is back with another grab bag, this one featuring four different “Blue Ever Blue” (that’s the brand name) earphones. You will randomly receive one of the four, and you can buy two grab bags (a total of 1250 earphone units are available for this offer). This runs for the next seven days and will ship in early June 2017. As usual, “all sales final”, including if you don’t like the random model the grab bag randomizer sends you.

CustomArt Ei.XX CIEM (Massdrop Exclusive) for $625 + S&H

If you are a fan of custom in-ears and CustomArt, Massdrop is back with yet another unlocked offer, the Ei.XX CIEM (an exclusive) is unlocked for $625 plus shipping. The offer runs in the next seven days. The offer has two options actually, custom (you get impressions from the audiologist and send them to CustomArt in Poland) but also universal but customizable physically (colors, designs). Only forty units are available for the universal but customizable.

These will ship late July 2017 at the earliest. All sales final.

Sony MDR-100-ABN Bluetooth with ANC for $180

Now living in the shadow of the buzz-generating Sony MDR-1000X, the older Sony MDR-100-ABN (also Bluetooth with ANC) is having good reasons to get discounted. The black color scheme of the 100ABN is currently on sale, in new condition, for $180 with free shipping, by BUYDIG’s eBAY store. You have to do the “add to cart” song and dance to see the $180 price.

Klipsch R6i earphones for $30 w/FS after coupon

Another two-step at NewEgg, the new condition Klipsch R6i earphones in the white color scheme can be yours for $30 with free shipping if you enter coupon code EMCSRECK4 on Saturday or look for them in the ShellShocker page on Sunday. Their daily deals are a little bit complicated these days 🙂

[DEAD] Monday: Samson RTE 2 Bluetooth On-Ears for $30 w/free S&H

This daily deal expired…

[Read more…]

Ear Zonk Grado S Cushions for $5 to $7

If you have Grado headphones and need more pads, the Ear Zonk Grado S cushions are currently going for $5 (blue or red) or $7 (black) through Amazon. All three are Prime eligible, however, they are also marked as “ADD ON” items, so you must place an order of $25+ before their shopping cart allows you to buy them. Limit two per color, so you can get to $25+ with five of them or any other combination of eligible products at Amazon.

Used Grado SR60e On-Ears for $59

If you want a curiosity-entry into the Grado sound, their SR60e open-back on-ear is available in “Used – Good” condition (no details given) for $59~ with free shipping by Amazon Warehouse Deals. The new condition price at authorized dealers is $79. They arrive in a pizza-style box (unless they changed their packaging).

Philips A1PRO/27 DJ Over-Ears with FREE Sportsband Earphones for $40 w/free S&H

The deal-hunting dive into Amazon also finds deals at other retailers as price-checking and surfing around and sifting the sands tends to do.

Would you like some headphones with your headphones? If so, NewEgg has a Philips Bundle. If you buy the new condition closed-back over-ear Philips A1PRO/27 for $40 with free shipping (NewEgg actual is the seller of record), you will receive the Philips SHQ4300WS/27 ActionFit Sportsband earphones for FREE.

The offer is good as long as you see this mentioned on the product page (see screenshot below) and the freebie gets automatically added to your cart:

On the other hand, if you have eBay money to spend (gift cards, eBay Bucks, coupons, etc) and you don’t care for the ActionFit freebies, you can get the A1PRO/27s for the same price by NewEgg’s eBay store (no free ActionFits).

AKG K81 DJ On-Ears for $27 to $30

A couple of fulfilled by Amazon marketplace sellers have the new condition good old AKG K81 DJ closed on-ear headphone for around $27. Fulfilled by Amazon adds a level of protection but these are not well-known sellers. If you want to minimize risk they go for $30 at B&H Photo but your order total must be $49+ in order to get free shipping.

In-Stock Soon: Denon AH-D7200 for $999

Now that the Monoprice M1060 is steadily in-stock, it is time to start “babysitting” other headphones. If you are looking to find the Denon AH-D7200 in-stock, good news, the new condition will be in-stock on May 2nd by HiDef Lifestyle (real world A/V B&M store) with the order fulfilled by Amazon, so Prime members will get it in about two days after it becomes available (eg arrives at Amazon’s warehouses).

Used Sennheiser Momentum In-Ears for $50

If you want to get a piece of Sennheiser Momentum “history” (they are rebranded as HD1 in the USA), stay tuned to the used Amazon Warehouse Deals (AWD) listings for the Momentum In-Ears in the Black-Chrome iOS version. There are currently many listings as “Used – Very Good” condition for $50~ by AWD actual, and given the number of units, other things equal, time should put some pressure on those prices and drop them further down. As usual with these type of things, your guess is as good as mine as to when and by how much…

Used Focal Listen Closed Over-Ears for $220

This is the first time I recall seeing this available as used, but the discount is not big. The Focal Listen closed over-ears go for $250 in new condition at authorized dealers, but if you are fond of used, you can get them in “Used – Good” condition (no details specified) for $220~ by Amazon Warehouse Deals actual.

While we are focusing on Focal (pun intended), their new condition Sphear in-Ears go for $90 (AudioLAB thru Amazon, Prime eligible), while their closed-back over-ear Spirit Classic go for $169 (same seller).

The Classic were part of the first wave of Focal headphones, before the Elear-Utopia hype train 🙂

Koss ESP-950 Electrostatic Stereophone for $625

Come on Barbie, let’s have an Electrostatic Party! Mayhaps I need to start a Patreon where people can donate to block me from repeating jokes like this one 😉 Regardless, the new condition Koss ESP-950 Electrostatic Stereophone is on sale again, going for $625 with free shipping by Amazon actual. Limit one unit per customer at the moment. This is a system, you get the headphone and matching amp, unlike most headphones out there.

HeadAmp Pico Slim Amp for $200, Pico DAC/amp for $250 [MD]

Speaking of DACs and amps, with the Massdrop clock ticking (two days left in the offer), the HeadAmp Pico Slim Amp goes for $200, while the Pico non-Slim DAC/amp version goes for $250, with free shipping. They ship in mid-to-late May 2017, and these too are “all sales final”. They are made in USA by Headamp which offers a refreshing 3-year warranty. The amp has 3.5mm inputs and outputs. The DAC/amp has those too, along with USB input.

[DEAD] Saturday: 128GB iPod Touch (6th Generation) for $350

This daily deal expired…

[Read more…]

Schiit Fulla USB Dongle DAC/Amp for $59

The first generation Schiit Audio Fulla USB Dongle DAC/Amp is a closeout product, and it is one of a very few Schiit products that sells for the same price on their website and at Amazon, $59. Typically the prices at Amazon are higher because of the overhead and fees (from a seller’s and a manufacturer’s perspective). Since the Schiit website does not offer free shipping, in this case, buying the first generation Fulla fulfilled by Amazon is cheaper since you don’t pay shipping and if you are a Prime member, you get free 2-day shipping on it.

Speaking of Schiit Audio, the Kindle e-book (383 pages) that is the story of the company is currently on sale for $3.82. It comes out to a penny per page. Perhaps Schiit is trying to be funny with the ebook price too, not just the company and product names 🙂

Astell&Kern Beyerdynamic AK T1p Semi-Open Headphones for $699

If you prefer the Astell and Kern variant of the Beyerdynamic T1p Semi-Open Headphones, they are on sale for a limited time for $699 with free shipping by Adorama.com, an authorized dealer. This is a limited time offer, but no coupon, no rebate. The price will change when the sale ends.

Bose QuietComfort 15 ANC Over-Ears for $180

The Bose QuietComfort 15 ANC Over-Ears are making a sales tour across the various membership shopping clubs. They already sold out at Sam’s Town (okay, Sam’s Club), but they are currently in-stock at the Costco website. If you are not a Costco member, you can still buy them, but you have to pay a 5% surcharge (+$9 if my head-math is correct).

In case you are not tired of hearing this, there is a lawsuit against Bose that they have been profiteering from customer data without permission ~ when people are using their “Bose Connect app”. Details on this in this week’s Headphoolia round-up. The round-up name matches the situation 🙂

20% off headphones at A4C with coupon

If you feel like deal-fishing, coupon code APRIL20 gets you 20% off at All 4 Cellular (A4C) until the end of the month. This is a search for headphones but you can search for other things (eg earphones) or navigate the sub-categories.

They carry a variety of used, refurbished and new condition products, so check the condition of each individual listing. The coupon is a limited time promotion!

[DEAD] Friday: Amazon Premium Earphones for $6 w/FS

The daily deal expired, they went “up” to their $8 “regular” price, but this daily deal returns every few days…

[Read more…]

Refurbished Sony NW-A26HN DAP for $200

A more advanced variation of the Sony “mouse ears” digital audio players, the Sony NW-A26HN is available in manufacturer refurbished condition in the 32GB denomination (WITH a microSD card slot on the side) and with a 90-day warranty by Secondipity through Amazon Warehouse Deals. This link shows the lowest price per color. To see details for each individual color, expand them using the “See all offers for this product” next to each color’s name.

These have “HiRes” marketing/branding, and play FLAC, WAV, ALAC along with the more common file names. They stream via bluetooth, and promise up to 50 hours of battery life. They average 4.2 out of 5 based on 30 customer reviews.

Breaking News: Headroom getting out of retail and focusing on making gear (including new planar headphones)

UPDATE 4/26/17 at 11:32pm ET: as expected, the bidding wars heated up for the domain name, currently at a minimum bid of $100,000. It will likely get into the millions. Which is good because it will fund future Headamp DACs, amps, headphones and other audio devices 🙂

Breaking news! Headroom is getting out of the headphone retail business and will be focusing on making headphone gear instead (aka going back to their roots). Their domain (a very desirable headphone.com) is available for purchase through domain-seller Sedo (currently at $90 but it will go much higher). Their gear, including the upcoming “Cosmic” planar magnetic headphone (coming summer 2017) can be found at headroomaudio.com. The announcement just came out in their emailing list and on their twitter.

This is not an April Fool’s Day joke!

Refurbished Klipsch In-Ears: R6 for $20, R6i for $25

On the Klipsch earphones front, a couple of models are discounted in certified refurbished condition by Beach Camera thru Amazon (Prime eligible). They are on the same listing, the R6 goes for $20, while the R6i goes for $25. The “i” is for Apple remote/mic. Free shipping for Prime members or with a $35+ order.

On the other hand, if you are fond of new condition, the R6i is offered for $59 with free shipping at NewEgg Business using the $20 off coupon code BTHYJKA1 by the end of day on 4/30/17.

AKG M220 Semi-Open for $50 w/free S&H

It’s back on again at Massdrop, with five days to go from blog-posting date, the new condition semi-open AKG M220 (based on the good old K240) over-ears studio headphones are going for $50 with free shipping. These orders will be shipped by the vendor (not specified) and all sales are final as usual, so not a plus if you like to have return-flexibility. Orders will ship mid-to-late May 2017.

PS: Studio headphones has become more of a marketing term, but these are legit ~ considering the price 🙂

1Voice Audio Blast Copper earphones for $16.50 to $21

Copper “Moscow Mule” cups are all the rage these days, so the copper mania apparently jumped to earphones as well. 1Voice is offering 100% copper earphones, the “1Voice Audio Blast”. They are available at various retailers, the lowest price you pay depends on whether you can get free shipping or not (eg depending on order total or membership):

+ Overstock for $16.50 + shipping
+ Groupon Goods for $18 (free S&H with $35+ order)
+ Overstock on eBay for $21.44 with free S&H

1Voice has a few models, this is the “Blast” model, not to be confused with the “Bliss” or the “Bang” or “Boom”. Their product naming scrabble bag only has words beginning with a “B” 🙂

A-Audio A-01 closed over/on-ear for $30

A handful of “fulfilled by Amazon” marketplace sellers appear to be in a price war (human or machine controlled price war, I do not know) on the new condition A-Audio A01 Closed-Back over/on-ears The lowest price is now $30, fulfilled by Amazon, so if you are a Prime member, you get free 2-day shipping and Amazon customer service, which is an extra layer of protection when buying from marketplace sellers, since the products are under Amazon’s control (in their facilities/warehouses), so if there are any issues or shenanigans, Amazon will fix it, you don’t have to hope rando-seller is honest.

NOTE: there are multiple different models on the same Amazon product page. The ones on sale for $30 are the A01, not to be confused with the A02 Legacy or the A11 Lyric which go for much more. They have detachable cable (either side), and come with a luxury travel case and cable with mic/remote.

I am not quite sure whether the A01 is over-ear or on-ear. The Amazon page is confused and so is the A-Audio website which (in addition to the browser security complaints) has a 404 error where the user manuals for the A01 and A02 models should be.

So this is a bit of a higher risk purchase…

PS: you can see a picture of the travel case in gallery picture #4 at Stacksocial.

Store Demo Sony PHA-3 portable DAC/amp for $629

We are double-amping (in terms of back to back blog posts that is), the RazorDog Audio eBay store is offering in Store Demo condition (eBay calls it “New – Other”) with full warranty the Sony PHA-3 portable DAC/amp for $629 with free shipping and handling. It ships from Minnesota. Lakes NOT included in the package 🙂 They only have one unit available at this price.

Used Teac UD-503-B Dual-Monaural USB DAC / Amp for $650

I am overdue for another Amazon Warehouse Deals immersion session (when I find uninterrupted time for it), but in the meantime, the Teac UD-503-B Dual-Monaural USB DAC with Headphone Amplifier is available in “Used – Like New” condition for $650 with free shipping by Wisconsin’s Hifi Heaven through Warehouse Deals. It ships directly from Heaven, and it is not Prime eligible. Diary Aire included for FREE in the package 🙂

Speaking of Amazon, the Guitar PRO 6 software is on sale for $20 (mail delivery, not digital download).

Comply Isolation T-500 earfoam (select sizes) for $15

On the consumables front, the Medium size of 3-pairs of Comply Isolation T-500 earfoam (short for earphone foam tips) is on sale for $15 at Amazon by Amazon actual, with up to three sets per customer. These are also available as a “Subscribe and Save” purchase since they are consumables, the foam tips don’t last as long as silicone. Keep in mind future “Subscribe and Save” shipments will be based on future prices, not the original price you pay now for the first purchase.

The same price is available for the 3-pairs set of Small / Medium / Large set, handy if you use different sizes on each ear, or if shopping for multiple people, or planning to sell IEMs and want to make your offer more tempting by adding value-add accessories to them.