Archives for April 2017

Sound Intone CX-05 On-Ears for $22

At the intersection of budget and fashion-y on-ear headphones, the brown color scheme of the Sound Intone CX-05, in new condition, is currently on sale for $22 by a marketplace seller, with the order fulfilled by Amazon so it is Prime eligible. It averages 4 out of 5 based on 700+ customer reviews and has a whopping 250+ questions answered.

JBL Reflect Aware USB Type-C sport earphones for $50 with coupon

The prices keep on dropping for this, if you are looking for USB-C headphones (not as populous as lightning cables that have Apple’s hype train behind them), the JBL Reflect Aware USB Type-C sport earphones can be yours for $50 with free shipping at A4C (All4Cellular) when you use limited time coupon FLASH50 (a flash sale coupon).

In-Stock Now: 1More Quad Driver IEMs for $200 [limit 1]

They are back in-stock! If you are on the 1More quad driver hype train, the official “1More USA” store has them in-stock, fulfilled by Amazon (so Prime eligible for members) for $200 with free shipping. Currently there is a limit of one unit per Amazon customer.

DarkVoice 336SE OTL Headphone Amp for $200 + S&H [MD]

Another offer of potential interest is now fully unlocked at the members-only shopping club that is Massdrop, it is the DarkVoice 336SE OTL Headphone Amp going for $200 plus shipping. The offer runs for the next seven days and will ship late May 2017 from MD. Note that this too is an “all sales final” type of an offering.

[DEAD] Friday: JLAB Audio FLEX Closed Over-Ears for $35 shipped

This daily deal expired…

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Etymotic ER4XR or ER4SR IEMs + FREE ER Earplugs for $300

The Etymotic ER4 IEMs are bundled with a free set of earplugs for the same price of $300 with free shipping as follows:

+ ER4SR (studio response) with FREE Etymotic Research ER20XS High Fidelity Earplugs (Standard Fit, Frost Tip) included at B&H Photo
+ ER4SR with three different options of FREE Earplugs by AudioLAB thru Amazon

+ ER4XR (extended response) with FREE Etymotic Research ER20XS High Fidelity Earplugs (Standard Fit, Frost Tip) at B&H Photo
+ ER4XR with FREE Large Purple Stem Earplus by AudioLAB thru Amazon

Sennheiser HD 461 Closed Over-Ears for $37 w/FS

Sennheiser ushered out an insane number of new HD 5XX and 4XX headphones, in a way doing them a disservice since individual models don’t have the space to bloom like pour-over coffee, instead they get compressed like the soundstage of an SMS Audio closed-back on-ear headphone, making it hard for any of them to break out. I suppose that’s what early adopters and reviewers are for 🙂

Which brings us to the closed-back over-ear Sennheiser HD 461 going for $38 with free shipping in both iOS and Android button configuration by NewEgg actual and iPhone-buttons only by Amazon actual.

Philips SHP-9500S Open Over-Ears for $50

It’s back on sale again, the new condition Philips SHP-9500S (“S” is part of the model name) that appears to be a NewEgg exclusive model is going for $50 with free shipping by NewEgg’s eBay store with a limit of up to five units per customer.

I have this and I am planning a review (everything is moving in slow motion review-wise) but I posted a useful text and pictures unboxing. No video, no audio, just text and pictures, not even a wooden table 😉 For the price, it’s definitely a good value for an open-back over-ear with a detachable cable (the included cable is a basic one; and no mic/remote). It is very big-head friendly, I can just barely fit in the Monoprice 8323, but this one I’m only halfway up in the extension sliders.

As with any headphone that builds up hype train momentum, this is by no means perfect, so don’t expect unicorns and butterflies flying around your head when you listen to it 🙂

Astro A40 TR Gaming Headset with Astro MixAmp Pro TR with $100 Promo eGift Card for $250

If you are a fan of shopping at the Dell website and the Astro A40 TR gaming headset bundled with the Astro MixAmp Pro TR, you can buy the bundle for $250 at Dell website and 10-20 days after purchase, you will receive an email with a $100 promotional eGift card that can be spent at the Dell website within 90 days after you receive the eGift card. You know the promotion is running when you see the offer mentioned like this (screenshot below):

Orderable again: 1More Triple Driver Lightning Cable IEM for $139

The Lightning cable edition of the 1More Triple Driver in-ears are not participating in the limited-time Amazon deal (I’m trying not to say “lightning deal” because this is an earphone with a lightning cable), so if you are interested in them, they are order orderable again at Amazon for $139. The shipping estimate is currently a floating “2 to 4 weeks”. This is from Amazon actual. 1More also lists directly on Amazon, but they currently don’t have a listing for this particular model.

PS: Xiaomi is one of the investors in 1More.

[DEAD] MEE audio Matrix2 Bluetooth Headphones for $59 (ends Thursday 5:35pm ET)

This Thursday lightning deal expired…

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In-Stock Now: V-MODA REMIX Head-Amp and Bluetooth

Sometimes it only takes one product to break your whole categorization scheme apart. Such is the case with the new V-Moda Remix bluetooth speaker, which looks like a “yet another bluetooth speaker”, except it also has a built-in …headphone amplifier with VAMP technology. And it is now in-stock and ready to ship for $300 by V-Moda’s Amazon store, with the orders fulfilled by Amazon, so you get free 2-day shipping if you are a Prime member. Amazon’s own inventory is “1 to 3 weeks” away. Both the silver and the black color-schemes are in-stock likewise. They are on the same product listing page.

Massdrop Objective 2 (O2) head-amp for $80 + S&H

Back to Massddrop, another offer is now fully unlocked, the Massdrop Objective 2 (O2) headphone amplifier is fully unlocked for $80 plus shipping. the offer is running for the next seven days and will ship late July 2017. That’s three months from blog-posting time, so keep that in mind if you don’t want to wait! They ship from Massdrop and it’s another “all sales final” type of a promotion.

Technics RP-DJ1210 headphones for $50 (Used) [updated]

DJ headphone action, the Technics RP-DJ1210, closed back with a long coiled cable, folding design, and splash-proof are available in “Used – Good” condition for $50 with free shipping by a marketplace seller through Warehouse Deals. The Technics are average 4.6 out of 5 based on 18 customer reviews.

UPDATE: the new condition jumped from $80 to $100 as of a 4/20/17 recheck. It jumped …high 🙂 for $80 by a marketplace seller, with the order fulfilled by Amazon

Audio Technica LP60 record player for $79

This is not a headphone (obviously) but if you happen to need a solid two-figures vinyl record player that does not fit in a suitcase (ha!), the silver color scheme of the Audio Technica LP60 is on sale for $79 with free shipping by Amazon actual. This is the analog-only version. The one with USB output costs more.

20% off select items at AWD (no coupon needed)

In a new Earth Day promotion, Amazon Warehouse Deals (AWD) offers an automatic 20% off discount in the shopping cart on select Used products sold there by AWD actual (not marketplace sellers). Eligible items mention this promotion in their detailed listings and the price automatically drops in the shopping cart.

You can see an example of this in the Parrot Zik 3.0 post.

Parrot Zik (first gen) for $100 (Yellow-Gold only)

But wait, there’s more! This is the fourth in a row Parrot post, so if you are trying to decide, check all four Parrot posts. The color of this is a bit of an acquired taste, which is why it is discounted significantly over the other color options. It is the new condition first generation Parrot Zik headphone (BT and ANC) in the Yellow-Gold color-scheme, going for $100 with free shipping by a trio of marketplace sellers, with the orders of all three fulfilled by Amazon. The headphones average 4.1 out of 5 based on nearly 600 customer reviews and has over 150 questions answered by internet people 🙂

Used Parrot Zik 3.0 Wireless for $180 w/promotion

The “Black Overstitched” color scheme of the Parrot Zik 3.0 headphones (bluetooth and ANC) is available in “Used – Good condition” for $225~ by Amazon Warehouse Deals actual (AWD). For a limited time, Amazon has an Earth Day promotion, where select items offered through Amazon Warehouse Deals get an automatic 20% off discount in the shopping cart. This is eligible, dropping the price to $180~. As usual, only products sold by AWD actual are eligible. Used products sold by marketplace sellers there do not get the discount.

This is indicated in the AWD listings:

The discount is reflected automatically in your shopping cart (top right corner):

Parrot Zik 3.0 (Green) Wireless for $250

In the second of three back-to-back Parrot Zik posts, the new condition third-generation (Zik 3.0) model, in the green color scheme, is on sale for $250 with free shipping, sold by Parrot’s Amazon store, with the order fulfilled by Amazon, so you get free 2-day Prime shipping if a member. The next close price for the other colors is $279~ for the brown color scheme, but it is shipped directly from a marketplace seller (“Tech for Less”).

Refurbished Parrot Zik (first gen) for $90

The first generation of the Parrot Zik Wireless headphones (bluetooth and ANC) are available in refurbished condition for $80 with free shipping and free returns at Groupon Goods with a 90-day warranty. It is available in Black or Black Gold. This ships in two days (after purchase) and should be delivered within seven business days. Groupon’s shipping speed is the anti-Prime, so if you need it quickly, there’s no way to expedite it at Gropuon.

LG V20 Unlocked International Version for $440

On the “Phones as DAPs” front, the international version of the LG V20, H990DS, factory-unlocked but does not work with CDMA since that’s a US market thing, with dual SIMs, is on sale, in new condition, for $440 with free shipping by NeverMSRP on eBay in black or silver. The pink is out of stock. Limit five per buyer.

Check bands in the listing and online if you are not certain this will work with your carrier of choice. A US charging adapter will be included by the seller. Since this is imported, no LG USA warranty.

This has a headphone jack, it is USB-C powered, supports Bluetooth 4.2 with apt-X, and has the highly talked about Quad DAC. 4GB of RAM, 64GB on-board storage, microSD (up to 256GB), and removable battery bode well for music playback. The size may be a bit of a detriment if you plan to use it as a pocket DAC.

I’m finding a 6-inch phone (I don’t have this one) with a headphone cord attached to it becomes a bit of a pocket monster. On the other hand, if you like to watch music videos or concerts on the phone, the extra screen and resolution can be handy. Remember, if you are paying for Google Play All Access or YouTube RED, you can download the YouTube Music app and play YouTube music ad-free either in video or audio-only mode (saves battery, especially if you are not looking at the screen). You are not going to get audiophile-level streaming from YouTube Music, but some content cannot be found or purchased from the various music streaming services (eg, “Cassette” from “Viet Cong” reborn as “Preoccupations” ~ as seen at Coachella 2017 ~ after getting yelled at for inappropriate use of a name. The band seems to have trouble picking names in general, both of their studio albums are self-titled, and their first EP was titled “Cassette”).

AKG Y20 earphones for $20

On the budget side of the things, the AKG Y20 earphones are on sale for $20 in new condition by Amazon actual in black and by Harman on eBay in white. Free shipping for all from Harman, and for Prime members (or $35+) at Amazon’s.

Beats X bluetooth in-ears for $120 (all colors)

All four colors of the “Fall 2016 Apple Collection” Beats X bluetooth earphones (first generation, first in its name) are currently on sale for $120 with free shipping, at Amazon by Amazon actual with a limit of up to three per color per customer. All together they average 3.8 out of 5 based on 92 customer reviews over there.

Per the Amazon page, they are currently ranked as the best selling new “Audio Headphone”, but take those rankings with a grain of salt as they depend on the product categories being correct, and these days, with millions of products and marketplace sellers entering things, it’s chaos and disorder 🙂

[DEAD] Wednesday: Bohm B76 Over-Ears for $88, B66 On-Ears for $68 [BT & ANC]

This daily deal expired…

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[DEAD] 1MORE Triple Driver In-Ears for $80 [ends Wedn 4:29pm ET] {updated}

This 6-hour lightning deal expired…

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Used AudioQuest NightHawk Carbon Semi-Open for $614

The around-ear AudioQuest NightHawk Carbon Semi-Open headphones go for $700 in new condition at authorized dealers, but if you are comfortable going used, they are available in “Used – Like New” (damaged original packaging) for $614 by Amazon Warehouse Deals actual. These are dynamic drivers, not everything these days is planar you know 🙂

NOTE: make sure you avoid the “Just Launched” and low-rated sellers that may be offering things at much lower prices or ask you to email them before buying. You have not won the deal lottery, unfortunately they are scammers and Amazon hasn’t apparently yet found a way to permanently shut them down.

Used FiiO EX1 2nd Gen IEMs for $39 w/free S&H

The second generation of the Fiio EX1 earphones is currently available in “Used – Very Good” condition for $39~ with free shipping, in original box with all original accessories included by Electronics Expo through Amazon Warehouse Deals. This ships directly from EXPO, so no Prime shipping. The new condition price is $60.

AKG K553 PRO Closed for $110 [MD]

The closed-back over-ear AKG K5530 PRO headphones are back on at Massdrop, they are fully unlocked with four days to go (from blog-posting date) for $110 with free shipping. They come with a 2-year warranty, and will ship from Massdrop in late April 2017. Note however that all sales are final.

Beyerdynamic DT1350 Gold LE On-Ears w/$20 Promo eGift Card for $120

Prices at NewEgg proper and NewEgg Flash (their Groupon-y style competitor) are not always the same. Case in point, the new condition gold color-scheme (there’s only some gold; the whole headphone is NOT gold) closed-back on-ear Beyerdynamic DT1350 limited edition is offered for $120 with free shipping by Focus Camera thru NewEgg. You will also receive a $20 promotional NewEgg e-gift card. The gift card will arrive on its own about four days after you are invoiced, you don’t have to file any paperwork. Promotional gift cards at NewEgg expire one year after they are issued, a reasonable amount of time to spend them 🙂 The offer ends 4/24/17 (or earlier if sold out).

[DEAD] Status Audio CB-1 Closed for $63

This 4-hour lightning deal ended with 73% claimed… If you missed it, there’s always a chance it will return because a lot of the lightning deals have some kind of a recurring pattern (or randomness in their return)…

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[DEAD] Last Day: New eBay coupon includes 300 headphones (20% off; max discount $50)

This coupon promotion expired, but eBay seems to be launching more and more of them these days, so stay tuned in the future for potentially future ones 🙂

[Read more…]

Beyerdynamic DT 880 (250 ohm) Premium Chrome SE for $139

The Cylons are coming, hot off the Beyerdynamic baseship, Buydig’s eBay store is offering the new condition BeyerDynamic DT 880 Premium Special Edition Chrome Version 250 ohm for $139 with free shipping. Limit up to five units per customer. They sold over 370 units so far per the eBay listing statistics.

New “This Week in Headphoolia” round-up

A new This Week in Headphoolia round-up just went up on the parallel content website, with more reviews (including a 7-way closed top-of-the-line comparison), more CanJam action, and a detailed Bluetooth 5 explainer in text and video!

For previous editions (or future one if you are reading this in the future) check the Phoolia archives 🙂

If you have any feedback or suggestions or recommendations, please leave a comment in any of the relevant posts!

Beats Solo 3 Bluetooth On-Ears for $160 [limit 3]

The Galaxy S8* smartphones are the first with Bluetooth 5, but as far as I know, no bluetooth 5.0 headphones yet, and since the Bluetooth connection works in a lower common denominator fashion, you’ll have to wait for compatible BT 5.0 headphones before you can take advantage of the BT 5 features of the Galaxy S8s.

Which brings us to Apple’s approach to bluetooth, their “Class 1” technology employed in some of their Fall 2016 products, headlined by the Beats Solo 3, the black color scheme of which, in new condition, is on sale for $160 with free shipping at Amazon by Amazon actual with a limit of up to three units per customer. The “gloss white” is next in terms of discounting, going for $173~. All together, they average 4.5 out of 5 based on over 1000 customer reviews and have over 300 questions internet-answered.

Powerbeats 3 Wireless (BT) Earphones for $130

The black color scheme of the Powerbeats 3 Wireless (= bluetooth) earphones, geared towards sports/exercise, with their Class 1 bluetooth technology, ushered in with the Fall 2016 Apple line-up, are on sale, in new condition, for $130 with free shipping, at Amazon by Amazon actual with a limit of up to three units per customer at this point in time.

All together (the different colors, which are the same product, no Rose Gold V-Moda apt-X shenanigans here) they average 3.6 out of 5 based on 1000+ customer reviews, but they only have a 2:1 “review intensity ratio” (5-star vs 1-star reviews), which is a sign of issues and trade-offs, so be sure to read reviews and such before buying if you are not familiar with them.