Archives for July 2017

Skullcandy Crusher Headphones with Built-in Amplifier for $48

Powered non-ANC, non-Bluetooth headphones are rare, but not as rare as they used to be. Skullcandy (trigger warning for some audiophiles) has 15 different color schemes (!) for their Skullcandy Crusher Headphones with Built-in Amplifier (powered by a AA battery in the earcup) and they are on sale with varying different prices. The lowest of them is the White color scheme going for around $48 at amazon.com, with the microfloral a close second at $49~, and RealTree Dark Tan for $50. A number of sellers offer each color, check each color listing.

PS: File this under April Fool’s Day ideas: the color of the headphone affects its sound signature because …solar rays and heat absorption 🙂

PS2: speaking of powered headphones, the Blue Microphone’s Mo-Fi continues to go for $210, while the unpowered LOLA also continues for $125. Both have a few weeks estimated shipment delay.

July 7, 2017 Filed Under: headphones Tagged With: ,

[DEAD] Sunday’s Offers: Creative X7 USB DAC/amp, KEF M500, Brainwavz HM2, UrbanEars, Thinksound, Symphonized, Etc

These lightning deals expired…

[Read more…]

July 7, 2017 Filed Under: headphones

[DEAD] Brainwavz Sheepskin Leather Memory Foam Earpads for $24.50 [ends 9:15pm ET]

This lightning deal expired…

[Read more…]

July 7, 2017 Filed Under: accessories Tagged With: ,

Now shipping: Audio Technica ATH-DSR9BT with Pure Digital Drive for $549

UPDATE: Blog-post title correction: the price is $549, not $600!

The Audio Technica ATH-DSR9BT that generated some buzz at CES 2017 thanks to its semi-mysterious “Pure Digital Drive” technology has now began shipping at its starting price of $549 by a couple of recognizable sellers, “Audio Advice” and “Electronics Expo”, both fulfilled by Amazon, so Prime members get them in about two days.

Amazon’s own listing is a nebulous “Usually ships within 1 to 2 months”. This headphone is a Bluetooth 4.2 with support for aptX HD, aptX, AAC and SBC codecs.

July 6, 2017 Filed Under: headphones Tagged With: , , ,

Philips SHP9500S for $53 with free S&H

The new condition Philips SHP9500S went as low as $49 in new condition as far as I can recall, but if you don’t want to wait for a new “price bottom” to appear, it is currently on sale in new condition for $53 with free shipping at NewEgg by NewEgg actual. The offer runs until next Monday, so there’s no hurry.

Their new condition eBay listing is currently out of stock.

Their open-box option is currently out of stock and cannot be ordered.

We have a Text and Pictures Unboxing post here. I am planning to use this as a guinea pig for my “long form” review format. Which is currently only written in my head 🙂

July 6, 2017 Filed Under: headphones Tagged With:

Xiaomi Mi IV Hybrid Dual Driver Earphones for $16 w/free S&H [from China]

UPDATE: they reloaded their silver color scheme inventory, as of 7/7/17 AM, they have over 460 units available…

If you don’t mind waiting for a shipment to arrive from China, the golden color scheme of the Original Xiaomi Mi IV Hybrid Dual Drivers earphones is on sale for $16 with free slow shipping (unregistered) at GearBest. The offer runs for the next four days. The silver is also on sale but as of the time of writing, they have only two pieces left, so it may be sold out by the time you read this.

July 6, 2017 Filed Under: in-ears Tagged With: ,

Used Grado SR225e Open-Back for $162

If you are interested in getting the Grado SR-225e used, and have some patience (eg, you don’t need them yesterday), there are multiple listings of them in “Used – Good” condition for $162 at Amazon Warehouse Deals. If supply wins over demand, the Amazon price bots may discount them in the future. This is of course only a guess, as no one (probably not even Amazon employees) can guess for sure since Amazon is very data-driven and (their software/bots) make multiple on-the-fly adjustments.

The headphones themselves average 4.3 out of 5 based on 100+ customer reviews. There are many philosophies on what the entry-point into Grado might be for one. Some suggest the low risk approach of the SR80/SR60, others the SR125, and yet others the SR225.

July 6, 2017 Filed Under: headphones Tagged With: ,

AmazonBasics Over-Ear Wireless RF Headphones for $22

As part of the Pre Prime Day Festivities, Amazon is discounting a variety of its own brand products, including the new condition AmazonBasics Over-Ear Wireless RF Headphones for $22 [WAS $24] with a limit of up to three units per customer. You get the headset and the transmitter/base. This is good old RF radio signals, not bluetooth. They average 3.5 out of 5 based on over 400 customer reviews, and have 120 questions answered.

Needless to say, these are more of utilitarian use (TV, movies, YouTube, audiobooks), not critical music listening.

July 6, 2017 Filed Under: headphones Tagged With: ,

Now shipping: Audio Technica ATH-DSR7BT with Pure Digital Drive for $299

The twin of ATH-DSR9BT is the $299 ATH-DSR7BT, and this too has began shipping for $299 from a couple of fulfilled by Amazon sellers, “Electronics Expo” and “Wasabi Japan”.

Amazon’s own listing is a rather ambiguous “Temporarily out of stock”. These too support aptX HD, aptX, AAC and SBC codecs.

July 6, 2017 Filed Under: headphones Tagged With: , , ,

[DEAD] Friday: Guardians of The Galaxy Vol 2 Marvel Movie Kid Friendly Groot Headphones for $18

These daily deals expired…

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July 6, 2017 Filed Under: headphones Tagged With: ,

[DEAD] Saturday’s Offers: Brainwavz Sheepskin Earpads, Kicker, Altec, Symphonized, Etc

These daily deals expired…

[Read more…]

July 6, 2017 Filed Under: headphones

$2 eBook: “Louder Than Hell: The Definitive Oral History of Metal”

If you are interested in heavy metal music, there is a deal at the moment at Amazon, you can get the Kindle edition of Louder Than Hell: The Definitive Oral History of Metal for $2. This has 768 pages, and is written oral-history style. It averages 4.3 out of 5 based on 90+ customer reviews.

You can check the Kindle sample and the “Look Inside” feature of the Paperback to get a pretty good feel for it. The Kindle sample shows the first few pages, while the “Look Inside” allows you to jump around the book.

July 5, 2017 Filed Under: music Tagged With:

AmazonBasics In-Ears for $3+ [not Add-ON]

As part of the pre-Prime-Day festivities, Amazon is cycling through discounts on various of their own products. One such as their AmazonBasics In-Ears currently on sale, in new condition, for $3.18 in white, $3.35 in pink, $3.42 in blue, and $4.37 in black. These are limit up to three per color per customer.

The above are wired only, no mic/remote. But if you prefer the model with a 1-button mic/remote, the white color is on sale for $3.45 and this one does not have a “limit 3”, you can buy up to 27 units. Classroom size order 🙂 Some schools actually may have need of these in case you feel generous or need the tax deductions.

Better yet, these are not currently marked as ADD-ON items, so if you are a Prime member, you can buy just one of them, and still get free 2-day shipping.

July 5, 2017 Filed Under: in-ears, Uncategorized Tagged With:

New Unboxing post: Klipsch S4A (II) in-ears

We have a new content post for you, as I am finally ramping up the production on the content part of the website. It is text and pictures unboxing of the Klipsch S4A (II) earphones. They were an impulse buy, I found them on clearance at a closing Office Depot/Max store.

July 5, 2017 Filed Under: Uncategorized

Refurbished Harman CL On-Ears (rectangular earcups) for $40 w/free S&H [NC for $90]

The official Harman Audio online store has a refurbished headphone sale headlined by the Harman CL On-Ears (rectangular earcups) offered for $40 with free ground shipping for all orders. Meanwhile the NC (active noise cancelling) version of it goes for $90. The sale ends 7/9/17 (or earlier if any sell out). Limit five units per customer.

PS: the Harman website prices are on the crazy side if they are not on sale 🙂

July 5, 2017 Filed Under: headphones Tagged With: , ,

Refurbished PowerBeats 3 Bluetooth Earphones for $85 to $90

The official Best Buy eBay store is offering the Geek Squad refurbished PowerBeats 3 bluetooth earphones for $85 in the black color scheme and $90 in the other three color schemes. Free shipping. Limit three per color per customer during the sale. The new condition ones are NOT on sale. They come with a 90-day Geek Squad warranty.

July 5, 2017 Filed Under: earbuds Tagged With: , , , ,

Sony XB450 Extra Bass On-Ears for $30

The new condition closed-back wired Sony XB450 Extra Bass On-Ears in the black color scheme are on sale for $30 with free shipping at Amazon by Amazon actual (limit three per customer) and at B&H Photo. Only the black color scheme is on sale.

PS: these are Extra Bass, but not bluetooth.

July 5, 2017 Filed Under: headphones Tagged With:

[DEAD] Friday’s Offers: KEF M200 Starts at 7:20pm ET

These lightning deals expired…

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July 5, 2017 Filed Under: headphones Tagged With:

[DEAD] Used Etymotic ER4SR for $244 [updated]

As of late 7/9/17, this is no longer available used…

[Read more…]

July 5, 2017 Filed Under: in-ears Tagged With: ,

Used Vic Firth Stereo Isolation SIH-1 headphones for $34 [updated]

UPDATE 7/5/17: there is now a “Used – Acceptable” condition option for $34~ by Amazon Warehouse Deals actual while the previously mentioned “Used – Like New” is no longer available…

The Vic Firth Stereo Isolation SIH-1 headphones go for $70 in new condition but if you want to save some, you can get them in “Used – Like New” condition (damaged original packaging) for $44~ by Amazon Warehouse Deals actual. These headphones average 4.1 out of 5 based on nearly 350 customer reviews.

July 4, 2017 Filed Under: headphones Tagged With:

Akai Professional 50X Studio headphones down to $23

The price of this headphone has been steadily dropping (a “falling knife” situation as the stock traders like to say), falling faster than Alicia Keys can sing “I keep on falling”. It is the new condition Akai Professional 50X Studio headphones currently down to $23.47 at Amazon by Amazon actual with free shipping for Prime members or with a $25+ order for non-members. Limit three units per customer.

This looks and it is even named after the AT M50x 🙂 It averages 3.6 out of 5 based on 60+ customer reviews. It comes with two detachable cables, an adapter, and a leatherette pouch, so you get reusable accessories in addition to the headphones 🙂

July 4, 2017 Filed Under: headphones Tagged With: ,

Used M-Audio M50 Over/On-Ears for $32

The M-Audio M50 Over-Ears (they look more on-ears to me looking at the pictures, but I can’t tell for certain since I haven’t seen them in person) go for around $80 in new condition, but if you want to save more than half off, you can get them in “Used – Good” condition (various cosmetic imperfections, damaged original packaging) for $32~ by Amazon Warehouse Deals actual, or $36~ in “Used – Like New” condition (damaged original packaging).

PS: when shopping at Amazon Warehouse Deals, make sure you check who the actual seller is. There are many iffy or “Just Launched” or “email me before you buy” or low-rated marketplace sellers over there. A safe bet is to buy from Amazon Warehouse Deals actual (Amazon’s own persona), and recognizable marketplace sellers (nationally known retailers or recognizable authorized local A/V retailers with Amazon stores).

July 4, 2017 Filed Under: headphones Tagged With: ,

[DEAD] Thursday’s Offers: Rosewill, 808, Ausdom, Symphonized, Etc

Thursday’s over, and so are its deals…

[Read more…]

July 4, 2017 Filed Under: in-ears

[DEAD] Refurbished Bragi Truly Wireless for $104

This daily deal expired but if you missed it, fear not ~ it is a recurring offer at Woot…

Good until 1am ET on Thursday, you can get the factory reconditioned Bragi Truly Wireless bluetooth earphones for $99 plus $5 flat shipping as the current Woot Daily Deal. Limit up to three units per customer. They come with a 90-day warranty from BRAGI.

July 4, 2017 Filed Under: earbuds Tagged With: , , ,

FREE to Watch Music Classes as they record LIVE

CreativeLive.com offers online classes but they have a more user-friendly twist. Their classes are recorded LIVE on the web. While the class is recording LIVE, you can watch it online LIVE as it happens for FREE. After the original recording is completed, you have to pay (buy) to watch. But if your schedule is flexible enough to adjust to the available classes, you can watch a lot of creative classes for FREE!

They feature a variety of creative topics, including a Music and Audio category. Page down to the “Upcoming Classes” section over there to see what’s available. They don’t have any headphone-centric classes, but cover a diverse variety of music topics (music theory for Electronic musicians, Home Recording, Logic PRO, Mixing EDM and Rock, Metal Mixing, etc).

You only own the class if you pay for it. Watching it for free while it is originally recording does not mean you own it for later (re)watching.

July 3, 2017 Filed Under: music Tagged With:

Creative Flex Ultra-light On-Ears for $20

On the lightweight headphones front, the new condition Creative Flex Ultra-light Closed On-Ears are on sale for $20 by the Creative Amazon store, with the order fulfilled by Amazon, so you get free 2-day shipping as a Prime member. They only have one customer review so far from early June, so they may be more of interest to those of you who like to “discover” or “test” headphones that are not on the mainstream or off the radar.

The grills are decoration, they are not open. Zoom in the pictures in the gallery over there, and you’ll see there’s nothing behind the grills.

July 3, 2017 Filed Under: headphones Tagged With: ,

[DEAD] Tuesday’s Earphone Offers: Brainwavz S5, S0, Titus Audio, Symphonized

These daily deals expired…

[Read more…]

July 3, 2017 Filed Under: in-ears Tagged With: , ,

8GB Tensun MP3 Player with microSD for $25 after coupon

If you like to explore budget Chi-Fi mp3 players, the 8GB Tensun MP3 with microSD slot (up to 64GB) drops from $30 to $25 when you enter coupon code R7JWEYMN at checkout, sold by Tensun, with the order fulfilled by Amazon, so it is Prime eligible. It supports various formats and averages 3.9 out of 5 based on 24 customer reviews and has a dozen of answered questions. It also includes a pair of basic-looking earphones.

I haven’t seen or touched this. It is slightly tempting to do a budget chi-fi DAP group review, but I would need 240 hours per day for that 🙂

July 2, 2017 Filed Under: digital audio players Tagged With: ,

Panasonic RP-HJE120B bluetooth earphones for $30

Trying to piggy-back on the popularity of the frequently recommended single-figures RP-HJE120 earphones, Panasonic has released a new version with a starting price of $40, but as of the time of writing, the new condition bluetooth version in the blue color scheme, model RP-HJE120B-A, is on sale for $30 at Amazon by Amazon actual. This is not a lightning deal but an “organic” sale.

PS: in Panasonic-speak model naming, “A” = blue, probably Azure, and “B” = bluetooth.

July 2, 2017 Filed Under: in-ears Tagged With: ,

Used AudioQuest Nighthawk for $349 to $356 [updated]

The AudioQuest Nighthawk wood over-ear headphone is available in “Used – Very Good” condition (cosmetic imperfections, repackaged) for $356~ [was $342~] by Amazon Warehouse Deals (AWD) actual and for $349 in “Used – Very Good” (original packaging) by Audio Advice (ships directly from them) through AWD.

As usual when shopping at Amazon Warehouse Deals and such, make sure you avoid unknown sellers, especially the “Just Launched” types, or any that want you to contact them directly before buying. Nothing good will come out of these sellers!

July 2, 2017 Filed Under: headphones Tagged With: , ,

New Weekly “This Week in Headphoolia” is ready!

A new week is in the books, and we have a new weekly “e-zine round-up”, a new This Week in Headphoolia with more fallout from the Sony MDR-Z1R measurefefe, two high profile reviews of the Mr Speakers AEON, an AudioQuest factory tour, a THX update, and lots and lots of new reviews, especially of earphones.

If you missed any previous editions, all 19 previous installments are waiting for you to revisit at any point in time.

July 2, 2017 Filed Under: general topics

Monoprice Sonic Solace ANC/BT Over-Ears for $54 + S&H after coupon

Coupon code CHILL15 gets you 15% off many (but not all) products at Monoprice until Tuesday night. Yes, finally, a 3-day coupon, so you won’t miss it and you can find time to plan a purchase, since they have many affordable cables and adapters and such.

Which brings us to the brown/tan color scheme of the Monoprice Sonic Solace ANC + Bluetooth Over-Ears dropping from $64~ to $54~ with the coupon CHILL15. Shipping is extra and varies depending on what else you buy and such. The black color scheme is not on sale, and is not coupon eligible.

PS: I just re-tested their M560 and M1060. Neither of them is eligible for the coupon (they rarely are).

July 2, 2017 Filed Under: headphones Tagged With: , , ,

Used Titus Audio Symphony Line Conductor earphones for $24

The Titus Audio Symphony Line Conductor earphones are available in “Used – Very Good” condition (cosmetic imperfection, damaged original packaging) for just under $24 by Amazon Warehouse Deals. The new condition price is $70. There’s only one used listing.

PS: there are multiple different models on the same product page, so when reading reviews, make sure you drill down to this particular model (the “Conductor”).

July 2, 2017 Filed Under: in-ears Tagged With: ,

Deals Update: Used TEAC HA-P90SD DAP for $166, Blue Microphones Lola for $125, Mo-FI for $209

I just updated the Latest Deals Summary and some of the bigger discounts since the previous update are the following:

+ new condition Blue Microphones Lola Over-Ears for $125 at Amazon actual (1-2 months; Prime only)

+ new condition Blue Microphones Mo-FI powered for $209 by Amazon actual (2-5 weeks)

+ new condition Beats Powerbeats 3 bluetooth earphones for $130 by Amazon actual (multiple colors)

+ new condition Akai Professional 50X Studio headphones for $26 at Amazon actual

+ Used condition TEAC HA-P90SD DAP in RED for $166~ by Amazon Warehouse Deals

+ the Hifiman earphones and over/on-ears sale continues ~ find them throughout the round-up

July 1, 2017 Filed Under: headphones Tagged With: ,

Used Shure SE 215m+ for $64 + S&H

The Shure line-up continues to be on sale, with the new condition Shure SE215m+ Special Edition going for $119 [was $109 earlier] at authorized dealers, while the SE 215 go for $89.

But if you are comfortable with used earphones, Adorama has the Shure SE 215 m+ in “Used – Excellent” condition for $64 plus shipping (starts at $3.75 since earphones are small enough to get lower cost shipping). There is also a listing in “Used – Excellent Plus” condition for $10 more.

July 1, 2017 Filed Under: in-ears Tagged With: ,