Archives for April 2017

eBook: “Love Is a Mix Tape: Life and Loss, One Song at a Time” by Rob Sheffield for $2

And now a music ebook is on sale, the 240-pager “Love Is a Mix Tape: Life and Loss, One Song at a Time” by music writer Rob Sheffield is on sale for $2 for the Amazon Kindle.

But if you find emotions and feelings talk schiity, well, here’s another ebook on sale, Schiit Happened: The Story of the World’s Most Improbable Start-Up for $3.82, written by the two co-founders. This is a 383-pager. You can get a feel for it by looking at their various forum posts about the company at the head-fi forums.

Open-box Philips DJ PRO headphones: A1 for $31, A5 for $89

If you are interested in the Philips A-series PRO DJ headphones, they are currently on sale in open-box condition at NewEgg by NewEgg actual as follows:

+ open-box A1 PRO / 27 for $31 with free shipping (limit one per customer)

+ open-box A5 PRO for $89 with free shipping (limit two per customer)

Open box Phiaton MS300 BA earphones for $49

The Phiaton MS300 BA earphones are offered in open-box condition by NewEgg actual with a limit of one unit per customer. NewEgg does not guarantee the inclusion of any accessories with open-box purchases.

If you prefer new condition, it goes for $65~ by Amazon actual where it only has one review. Or it goes for $60 shipping directly from Electronics Expo.

Ear Zonk Replacement L Cushions for Grado for $10

The new condition Ear Zonk Replacement L Cushions for select Grado headphones are currently on sale for $10 per pair, sold by EarZonk with the orders fulfilled by Amazon. Limit up to three pairs per customer. Free shipping for Prime members or with a $35+ order. They average a zonky 4.4 out of 5 based on 159 customer reviews.

[DEAD] Refurbished Philips SHP9500 Open Over-Ears for $40

As of a 4/19/17 re-check, this is sold out as refurbished at this price.

The open-back over-ear Philips SHP9500 (the older model, without the “S” at the end of the name) is currently available in refurbished condition for $40 by a marketplace seller with the offer fulfilled by Amazon (so Prime eligible) through Amazon Warehouse Deals. There are no details on who did the refurbishing, so assume it is a seller refurbished. It is a smaller seller, under 500 ratings with 100%, so it’s a higher risk but the orders are fulfilled by Amazon, which is more helpful (than direct shipment from the marketplace seller) in case of problems.

PS: the latest model is the SHP9500S, with a final “S” in the name, an unboxing of which, in text and pictures only can be found here.

Klipsch Reference On-Ears for $69 (or Used for $42~)

The new condition of the closed-back Klipsch Reference On-Ears is currently going for $69 by a marketplace seller, with the order fulfilled by Amazon, so you get free 2-day shipping if a Prime member. These ship in frustration-free packaging and average 4.2 out of 5 based on 50 customer reviews. Or you can get them in “Used – Very Good” for $41.50 by Amazon Warehouse Deals.

Or if you prefer the black color scheme, it goes for $54~ with free S&H in open-box condition by NewEgg actual. NewEgg does not guarantee that any or all accessories are included with their open-box sales.

Monday: NAKAMICHI ANC80 Over-Ears for $18

On the budget side of ANC, for Monday 4/10/17 only, promo code EMCSRERK6 gets you the new condition closed-back over-ear NAKAMICHI ANC80 with Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) for $18 with free shipping at NewEgg by NewEgg actual. Limit three per customer. They have four customer reviews over there.

Sennheiser PX 200-IIi On-Ears for $50

The new condition Sennheiser PX 200-IIi Closed-Back On-Ears are on sale for $50 with free shipping at B&H Photo. Offer ends Wednesday at 11:59pm ET or earlier if sold out. All orders placed at B&H will ship after April 19.

Speaking of which, these four Geekria travel case go for $10~ to $12~, sold by Geekria direct and fulfilled by Amazon that fit folding headphones that are shaped like the PX100 and PX200 and such. Check dimensions and the 24 customer reviews for more details.

Used Grado SR60e for $59

The entry-point into the Grado sound is the SR60e, and it goes for $79 in new condition at authorized dealers, but if you want to try out the “Grado Wall of Sound” for less, this is available in “Used – Good” condition for $59 by Amazon Warehouse Deals actual.

As of 4/10/17 PM, this sold out: On the other hand, if you want to jump in a couple of steps above that in the line-up, the SR125 goes for $150 in new condition, but you can get it in “Used – Good” for $112.50 by Amazon Warehouse Deals.

Used Sony MDR-Z7 for $377

The closed-back over-ear Sony MDR-Z7 are currently available in “Used – Good” condition (cosmetic imperfections; damaged original packaging) for $377~ by Amazon Warehouse Deals actual (AWD). AWD’s used products have a 30-day return policy but make no promises of a warranty.

If you prefer a warranty, you can get them in open-box condition with a 1-year warranty for $439 by RazorDog Audio on eBay. They are described as an open-box return with less than two hours of use.

Used Sennheiser HD 598 CS for $68

If you can’t wait for the next Sennheiser HD 598 CS sale in new condition for $100, it is available in “Used – Good” condition for $68 and “Used – Very Good” for $72 by Amazon Warehouse Deals (AWD). On the other hand, if you don’t need it right away, but you still prefer used, you may want to wait until the new condition goes on sale, it may (there’s no guarantee) push the used prices down as well. As usual when buying used at AWD, make sure you check who the sellers are. If you want to lower risk, buy from AWD actual and any recognizable sellers. Things that ship directly from marketplace sellers have a higher risk since Amazon actual has the least amount of control on the transaction.

AKG N20 earphones for $96

With the Samsung Galaxy hype machine behind it and the blessings of the Galaxy S8 and Tab S3 flagships, AKG headphones may be getting “rediscovered” by the general population as the hype tide lifts all boats. As long as the Galaxy S8 doesn’t explode 🙂 Which brings us to the AKG N20 earphones, on sale for $95 in either the black or white, at Amazon by Amazon actual.

NuForce Primo8 In-Ears for $200 + S&H

It’s Nuforce time at Massdrop (MD), the Primo8 In-Ears go for $200 plus shipping and handling, with the offer running for the next three days, and shipping late May 2017. All sales are final on this offer too, which will ship from MD, and carries a one-year warranty per the listing.

Also unlocked there, but with two days to go, is the XDuuuuooo X10 digital audio player going for $140 with free shipping on this critter. It takes two microSD cards, has a dedicated LineOUT (optical). The volume buttons are on the side on their own, the power button is not near by, so you don’t have the accidental power-button presses when trying to change the volume like you get with many smartphones and some other DAPs (eg Fiio X1 on the left hand side).

PS: a new installment of This Week In Headphoolia should be posted by late Sunday night.

[DEAD] JLab J6MS JBuds (double flange) for $8

This Monday lightning deal expired…

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[DEAD] Used OPPO PM-3 Planars for $352

As of 4/10/17 late PM re-check, this is sold out as USED… This is a surprise, the OPPO PM-3 are available as used for a discount. As of the time of writing, there is one listing by Amazon Warehouse Deals actual of the black color scheme of these planars in “Used – Good” condition for $352. There’s another listing by a marketplace seller with the same price but only three ratings, so make sure you buy from AWD actual if you want to reduce potential risk.

[DEAD] 1More Triple Driver IEMs with Lightning Connector available for pre-order

As of late 4/10/17, the pre-orders are sold-out and cannot be ordered… 1More is striking while the iron is hot, they have a new Triple Driver IEM, with a Lightning Connector, available for pre-order for $150 at Amazon. The shipping estimate is a nebulous “1-2 months” which often means just about anything (since it doesn’t have a hard date).

On the other hand, if you want the regular triple driver IEMs, they go for $80 at Costco but they were on sale for less late last year.

Photive HF1 Bluetooth On-Ears for $30

The black color scheme of the new condition Photive HF1 Bluetooth On-Ears is on sale for $30 by a marketplace seller with the order fulfilled by Amazon (Prime eligible). This is not a lightning deal. They average 4.1 out of 5 based on 270+ customer reviews. This is another one of the popular budget bluetooth over/on-ear headphones making the rounds there.

GermanMAESTRO GMP 8.35 for $170 [MD]

Sennheiser and Beyerdynamic are not the only German companies making headphones. The GermanMAESTRO does too as they remind us in the name 🙂 And their GMP 8.35 closed-back and promised to be “nearly indestructible” is fully unlocked at Massdrop for $170 with free shipping. The offer runs for the next six days and it is estimated to ship early May 2017. Note that “all sales (are) final” on this offer too.

Massdrop x Fostex TH-X00 Purpleheart for $450

Dynamic Fostex headphones now, these are not planars. The Massdrop x Fostex TH-X00 Purpleheart are back on again, offered for $450 with free shipping. Only 83 units are available for this offer which will end in seven days IF they don’t run out of units by then. These ship late April 2017 from MD, but still “all sales final”.

Thinksound IEM grab bag for $35 + S&H [MD]

IF you love the randomness of grab bags, Massdrop has yet another round, this one is centered on the Thinksound wood in-ears. Most people will get one of the ts02 versions (with or without mic; left to randomness, you have no choice), while a few will get an ms02 or a rain3. You pay $35 plus shipping. Limit two grab bags per customer, with up to 700 units available for this offer which ends in seven days from today. Shipment is from the vendor in early May and “all sales final”.

Fostex TH-900 Mk II and Audeze Deckard amp for $1400

Bundle up time once again. This time it is two different headphone manufacturers bundled up, the new condition Fostex TH-900 Mark II headphones are bundled with the Audeze Deckard headphone-amp, together for $1400 with free shipping at Adorama.com. No coupon, no rebate, just add to cart and proceed to checkout.

Audeze LCD-2 (Aluminum and Lambskin) for $699

This recurring promotion has recurred again 🙂 The Audeze LCD-2 (Aluminum and Lambskin) planar-magnetic over-ears are on sale again for $699 with free shipping for a limited time at authorized dealer Adorama.com. No coupon, no rebate, just add-to-cart and checkout.

Audio-Technica ATH-AD1000X for $270

The open-back over-ear Audio-Technica ATH-AD1000X are currently on on sale for $270 at Walmart by Walmart actual with free 2-day shipping. Free store pickup is also an option where available/possible. That “D” in the middle of the product name is code for “Open Back” 🙂

[DEAD] YMMV: B&O Play H6 Over-Ears for $149 [limit 1]

UPDATE 4/7/17: it hasn’t come back since, so I’ll pronounce it DEAD for now… I will post a new post if it ever comes back…

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

This daily deal expired, but it is a recurring offer at A4C, it will likely return again and again until they run out 🙂

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[DEAD] Friday’s Offers: two headphone stands and Symphonized IEMs

These lightning deals expired, but all three are recurring items, so if you missed them, fear not ~ they will likely return in the future…

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[DEAD] Avantree Bamboo or Steel Headphone Stand for $20

This offer expired…

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Pre-order 1More Quad Driver IEMs for $200

If you want to be among the first to get the new 1More Quad driver IEMs and don’t want to wait for future discounts, they are now available for pre-order for $200 at Amazon.com, with two seller options, Amazon actual or 1More’s Amazon store (fulfilled by Amazon, so you get Prime benefits). 1More’s estimate is April 11, while Amazon’s own estimate is “temporarily out of stock” which could mean just about anything 🙂

PS: the Costco website does not carry the quad drivers (yet?). I can’t check the Costco stores due to lack of superpowers 🙂

Status Audio CB-1 Closed for $55 + S&H [MD]

Status Audio is another one of the brands riding the hype train, with both open and closed headphones sitting side by side on said train. The closed version are currently offered at the members-only but free-to-join Massdrop for $55 plus shipping. The offer runs for the next seven days and it is estimated to ship early May 2017. This too is an “all sales final” offer.

If you don’t want to wait or you are not fond of the Massdrop way of doing things, Status Audio has also set up shop at Amazon with the four headphones they offer fulfilled by Amazon, so you get free 2-day shipping if you are a Prime member. The Amazon price is $79 with free shipping for either the open or closed models.

Koss KDE250 Earphones for $100 + S&H [MD]

This defy conventional categorization, are they earbud-speakers or headphones with a mini earcup or earphones in the true sense of the word? We’ll let the various subcommittees debate this while Massdrop offers the Koss KDE250 Earphones for $100 plus shipping. The offer runs for the next seven days with an early May shipment estimate. This too is an “all sales final” promotion.

Audio-Technica ATH-W1000Z for $350

Z is not for Zombies! The closed back (closed by solid wood) over-ear Audio-Technica ATH-W1000Z are currently on sale for $349 with free shipping at Amazon by Amazon actual with a limit of up to three units per customer. The shipping estimate however is a nebulous “1 to 2 months”. They average 4.1 out of 5 based on nine customer reviews.

AmazonBasics In-Ears with mic/remote for $5~

On the budget side of things, almost disposable pricing, or bed time earphones mayhaps, the new condition AmaznoBasics angled in-ears with mic/remote are on sale for around $5 at Amazon’s own website. Despite the low price, they are NOT an Add-On item, so as a Prime member, you get free 2-day shipping even on one pair of this. Non-Prime members have the usual $35+ hurdle to climb. They also not quantity-restricted (in practical terms), you can get up to 30 per color per customer.

[DEAD] Thursday: Sony Walkman mp3 players: 8GB for $50, 16GB for $70

These Thursday daily deals expired…

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[DEAD] Thursday: refurbished Turtle Beach Ear Force XO ONE for $20

These Thursday daily deals expired…

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Astell & Kern Michelle Siren IEMs and Fiio A3 and cables for $499

It’s bundle time! The regular price of the Astell & Kern Michelle Siren IEMs is $499, but for the same price, you can get them with three freebies, the Fiio A3 headphone-amp, along with two cables (Fiio L16 interconnect, iFi micro headphone matcher). This is offered by Beach Camera thru Amazon, with Prime members getting them with Prime-like delivery speed. It ships from Beach Camera though, not an Amazon facility.