Archives for March 2018

FREE 3-Month TIDAL Music Subscription [new customers]

For new customers only, Groupon is offering a FREE 3-Month TIDAL Music Subscription. After the three months expire, you will be automatically converted to the $10/month service. This is the standard service, not the higher-resolution “HiFi” service.

Speaking of music apps, free for a limited time is the “pro” version of the “RadioApp PRO” by Tal Shrestha on iTunes. You need an iOS device or Windows running iTunes to get it. If you get it from Windows, you don’t even need to have an actual Apple device to grab it for future use.

Advanced Sound Accessport Lightning DAC/Amp for $45 [MD]

For Lightning-connected iPhone, iPod and iPad devices, Massdrop is offering the new condition Advanced Sound Accessport Lightning DAC/Amp for $45 with free US shipping for the next five days and change (from blog-posting time). This will ship in late April 2018 from Massdrop by the vendor. There is no mention warranty in the listing.

PS: compatible devices are iPhones 5 (and later), iPod Touch 5 (and later), iPad Mini 2 (and later), all the iPad PRO and Airs, and iPad 4 Retina (and later).

Blue Ever Blue Earphone Grab Bag for $24 w/FS [MD]

If you like the quasi-mystery and randomness of grab bags, Massdrop is back with another Blue Ever Blue grab bag running for the next five days and change (from blog-posting time). You pay $24 with free US shipping and for that you are guaranteed to randomly receive one of the following earphones:

To make the most of a grab-bag, assume that you are going to get your least desirable item from the list. If that’s okay with you proceed. If not, maybe save that money and put it towards the outright purchase of the item of choice 🙂

You can buy up to ten grab-bags per customer, but keep in mind, each selection is random, there’s no guarantee you will receive unique items if you buy more than one. Especially since one of the earphones has a 50% chance.

These will ship in early May 2018 with all sales final as usual. You can’t return them if you don’t like your randomly selected choice.

Monoprice Hard-Cases (Weatherproof) sale

If you like to store your headphone and audio gear in weatherproof hard cases but don’t want to pay the big bucks for the manufacturer custom-cases or buy the more expensive name-brand products, one option is the Monoprice Hard Sale of their house-brand weatherproof cases. Check the pictures and dimensions of each case of interest to see whether it would fit your intended use. This is a limited time sale, but expiration is not mentioned.

I did not test these two coupons to see if they work with any of the 23 above, try it if you are interested in buying any of them. The coupons expire Saturday 3/31/18 11:59pm pacific:

+ PLAY5 is $5 off orders of $25+
+ PLAY20 is 20% off orders of $150+

Trainer by Gibson TH100/27 Exercise Bluetooth On-Ears for $40

A couple of exercise headphones are on sale for a limited time at NewEgg’s websites.

We start with the new condition Trainer by Gibson TH100/27 co-branded with speedster Usain Bolt in the white-gold color scheme for $30 with free shipping. These are bluetooth with “weather seal” and come with a pouch and charging cable. They do not come with the additional freebies you can get with the $60 option at Woot Plus. The sale runs until Saturday night.

Or if you want to pay $10 less, for $30 plus $4 shipping [or free with memberships] you can get them in open-box condition. Same expiration as above. No promo codes, no rebates needed.

Next up, offered by NewEGG Business is the new condition Klipsch AS-5i Pro exercise earphones, with hooks and all, going for $24 with free shipping. No coupon, no rebate.

xDuoo TA-10 Balanced Headphone DAC/Amp for $240 [MD]

Another offer has “blossomed” (okay, unlocked) at the members-only Massdrop, it is the new condition xDuoo TA-10 Balanced Headphone DAC/Amp going for $240 with free US shipping. The offer runs for the next four days and change from blog posting time. It will ship in early May from Massdrop with all sales final as usual. There is no mention of warranty in the listing.

Belkin 3.5mm Splitter Cable for $2

A marketplace seller has triggered a price-match from Amazon’s own price-bots and the new condition Belkin 3.5mm Splitter Cable is down to $2 in the white color scheme. You can buy as many as you like. At this low price however, it is an Add-On item, so your order total must needs be $25+. You can get to $25+ with just a baker’s dozen of these, the limit is 30 per customer. They come with a lifetime warranty per the listing.

This is an unpowered splitter, it takes one 3.5mm audio input and spits it to two 3.5mm audio outputs. Different models are on the same listing, so dig deeper into the reviews (the other option is a hard Y splitter but it’s not on sale)…

PWYW ($1 minimum): “Manga Guide to Electricity” (DRM-Free)

If you are interested in the more technical aspects of DACs and AMPs and DAPs, impedance matching and other audio related technobabble, or want to a better understanding of the NwAvGuy detailed blogs, but find all the electricity talk intimidating, then how about this?

With a donation of $1 or more, the MakerSpace Humble Bundle includes the DRM-free e-book “The Manga Guide to Electricity”, a 224-page manga-style e-book that explains many things electricity in simple and fun ways. As if you are reading a manga (comic book). By Kazuhiro Fujitaki, Matsuda, and Trend-pro Co, Ltd.

I just purchased this and e-flipped through it, it is pretty good! You get a PDF and an ePUB version, both are DRM-free so you can read them with any device and app you like. You can download both, you don’t have to pick between PDF and ePUB.

The publisher has posted updates on the book, there are three corrections listed.

Better yet, you can randomly dive inside the book using the Amazon “Look Inside” feature on the Print Book page. Keep scrolling to see more and more of the book. This is better than a Kindle sample, because the Kindle sample only shows the beginning of the book.

This averages 4.6 out of 5 based on 42 customer reviews at Amazon.

This Humble Bundle offer expires on 4/9/18 at 2pm eastern. A minimum $1 donation also gets you five other e-books and a sample from “No Starch” (the publisher). You can donate as much as you like. There are additional tiers with additional ebooks added to the bundle.

PSA: Amazon deleting user-uploaded mp3s on 4/30/18, but you can keep them by pressing a button

Amazon will be deleting the user uploaded mp3s from your Amazon Music account on 4/30/18, but if you want to keep them, you have to take action before the deadline. All you have to do is press a button. I just posted a step by step guide if you are not sure what needs to be done.

Stacksocial Coupons: $25/$150+ or $15/$75+ or $5/$50+

The Audeze iSine are no longer there but there are various other headphones at Stacksocial including the 1More Quad Driver IEMs ($150 before coupon) along with options from Treblab, Paww, Freshebuds, and the The Anchor by Elevation Labs. Stacksocial does not have 3rd-party sellers offering unauthorized copies like Amazon.

The coupons are $25 off orders of $150+ with SAVE25, or $15 off $75+ with SAVE15, or $5 off $50+ with SAVE5.

UPDATE: coupon names corrected…

PS: as of the time of writing, it looks like Amazon has removed the iffy sellers from The Anchor listing, it’s just Elevation Labs and Amazon actual offering it there.

Used/Open-Box Sennheiser AMBEO Smart Headset (iOS) for $239

If you are curious about Sennheiser’s 3D earphones but don’t want to pay the $300 new condition price, Blinq has the Sennheiser AMBEO Smart Headset (iOS) in “Used – Like New” open-box condition offered for $239 [WAS $225] with free shipping through Amazon Warehouse Deals. Blinq’s sale of used/open-box products is endorsed by Sennheiser as we learned yesterday

NoiseHush NX80 earphones for $7

On the budget side of things, the new condition NoiseHush NX80 earphones, wired with mic/remote are offered in the black and white color scheme for $7 each in the Woot Plus headphone page, with up to ten pairs per customer. Free shipping for Prime members or the usual $5 flat shipping for everything purchases in a single calendar day at Woot. They average 3.7 out of 5 based on 2050+ customer reviews at amazon.com where they go for $12 in this color ($11 in red/black) and have over 100 answered questions.

PS: these are not ANC earphones. The “hush” in their name is for their “In-Line Noise Cancelling Microphone”…

ONKYO rubato DP-S1(B) DAP for $199 w/FS

Surprise-surprise, the latest Newegg e-Newsletter sale has a DAP among the many techie products it features! It is the new condition ONKYO rubato DP-S1(B) offered for $199 with free shipping, sold by Electronics Expo through NewEgg. No promo code, and no mail-in rebate needed! Just add to cart and proceed to checkout.

There is also a headphone sale in this lot, the new condition Philips FS3BK lightweight on-ears going for $15 with free shipping, sold and shipped by Newegg actual.

Both offers are good until Thursday night or earlier if sold out.

[DEAD] Saturday PADs: refurb LG V10 for $120, V20 for $190

These tempting PAD sales are over, so I’m safe 🙂

[Read more…]

Sennheiser just opened an Outlet Store on Amazon

If you are a fan of Sennheiser and Amazon, it’s a new Sennheiser x Amazon partnership 🙂 Sennheiser has opened up an Outlet store on Amazon offering certified refurbished headphones.

As of the time of writing they have five certified refurbished headphones available there with these prices:

  • refurb HD 4.40 BT Over-Ears for $70
  • refurb HD 650 for $307
  • refurb HD 280 PRO (older model) for $82
  • refurb RS 175 RF wireless system for $147
  • ignore the HDR 120 headset, it’s cheaper these days to buy the RS 120 which includes one headset and a transmitter/base

As of the time of writing, these ship directly from the Sennheiser Outlet. I have no idea whether they will also offer “fulfilled by Amazon” options. If I was guessing, I’d say they will eventually do, it may be a matter of time until they get setup and starting shipping inventory to Amazon.

If you go to the Sennheiser website, the Outlet link will actually redirect you to the Blinq online store, so Blinq is in a way “blessed” by Sennheiser.

So it is possible they are expanding to other marketplaces, or want to replace Blinq with Amazon. Only time will tell 🙂

Used (Open Box Like New) Beats Solo 3 for $138

A limited time sale on select random products at Blinq includes the open-box like-new Beats Solo 3 bluetooth on-ear headphones for $138~ with free shipping and easy returns. The Solo 3s are in the “center square” of the promotion 🙂

Aune Z1S Anniversary Edition DAC/amp OR X7S Balanced Amp for $200 each [MD]

Another day, another offer unlocked at Massdrop! It’s the new condition Aune X1S Anniversary Edition DAC/Amp going for $200 with free US shipping. But that’s not all. On the same listing you can instead purchase the X7S balanced headphone amp in silver or black (but no Raiders edition). If you want both, there is a $20 combined purchase discount, you pay $380 instead of $400.

These will ship in early May 2018 from Massdrop, with all sales final. There is no mention of warranty in the listing. The drop is running for the next four days and change from blog posting time.

UK: Free BOSE QC35 II with Huawei P20 or P20 PRO purchase

I don’t usually look for deals in Europe, but this one appeared right in front of me, so I might as well post it! For a limited, in the United Kingdom, Car Warehouse is offering FREE pair of Bose QuietComfort QC35 II ANC/bluetooth over-ears for FREE when you pre-order the Huawei P20 or P20 PRO smartphone from them!

The P20 and P20 PRO (along with the Mate RS) are all without a headphone jack

Refurbished AKG K545 Closed Over-Ears for $100 w/FS

If you are a fan of the AKG K-closed back series, their K545 wired closed-back over-ears are available in refurbished condition with a 1-year warranty for $100 with free 2nd-day air shipping at the official Harman Audio store. Maximum up to five pairs per customer. Four different color schemes are available, which is a plus if you are buying multiple units for people in the same household, or if you want to split them by usage (eg DIY/mod one of them).

Ztech Airpod clones for $8 (right only) or $14 (pair)

Currently the #1 best seller at Woot according to their website is this Ztech Airpod clone going for $14 in many colors or for $8 for just the right earpiece. The $14 set includes two earphones and a charging case. The $8 is the right earpiece with a charger. Up to three per customer at the sale price. Free shipping for Prime members or $5 flat for non-members. There are about three days and change left in the offer (as of blog posting time; they are not daily deals). These are “truly wireless”…

New at Woot Plus: Sony MDR-222KD Kids for $7 and more

The Woot Plus headphone sale (longer running, not a daily deal) added a handful of new condition headphones since our last mention:

+ Sony MDR-222KD kids headphones for $7

+ Sennheiser OCX 686i Sports earphones for $60

+ Tenergy T20 Bluetooth IPX7 exercise earphones for $17

+ Klipsch Image S4i in-ears for $25
+ we have here a text and pictures unboxing of the Klipsch S4A II

Speaking of Klipsch, Adorama is offering for a limited time the new condition Klipsch R-26PF 260W Powered Floor standing Bluetooth Speaker with Remote Control (Pair) for $500 with free shipping…

[DEAD] Monoprice 2-Day coupon: 20% off $150+ eligible orders

This coupon discount expired, but if history repeats itself, it will return next Friday (with a different coupon code)…

[Read more…]

PAWW Wavesound 2.1 bluetooth headphones for $55 + S&H

A couple of new audio-related offers have gone up at Touch of Modern. First up, of headphone interest, the new condition PAWW Wavesound 2.1 bluetooth headphones are offered for $55 per pair in your choice of black or silver-brown color schemes.

On the audio front, they have a sale on select Thonet and Vander home speakers, with prices ranging from $20 (bluetooth adapter) to $120 (blueotooth speakers).

Shipping is always extra and depends on the order total. Sale ends on 4/2/18 at 3pm ET.

Hifiman HE-400i Planar Over-Ears for $186 after coupon

The inclusion of Beach Camera in the eBay coupon promotion using coupon code PSPRINGBF can get you the new condition Hifiman HE-400i Planar Headphones for $186~ with free shipping. The price before the coupon is $219. Note that Hifiman has above average issues with build quality, so keep that in mind before buying! Offer ends 4/1/18 at 8am pacific or earlier if sold out.

Master & Dynamic MH30 On-Ears for $119 after coupon

Another “find” among the latest eBay coupon promotion: using coupon code PSPRINGBF you can get the new condition Master & Dynamic MH30 On-Ears for $119 with free shipping. This is sold by eBay seller “Deal Fisher” (98.6%, New Jersey) and per the listing, it says it comes with a manufacturer warranty. Only the “Gunmetal” color scheme is available for purchase. The “Brown” color scheme is out of stock. Offer ends 4/1/18 at 8am pacific or earlier if sold out.

Audio Technica ATH-PRO 500 Mark II for $72 after coupon

We have our first “find” from the latest eBay coupon promotion: using coupon code PSPRINGBF you can get the new condition Audio Technica ATH-PRO 500 Mark II in the red color scheme for $72.42 with free shipping from eBay seller “Big Value Inc” (98.8%, New Jersey).

There are four units available as of the time of writing. Offer ends 4/1/18 at 8am pacific or earlier if sold out.

eBay Coupon: 15% off $25+ until 4/1/18 (up to $50 off; use twice)

The flash sale eBay coupons are flexible but they typically last 6-8 hours, so unless you happen to be near a computer and have time to go “deal fishing”, they can expire unused. On the other hand, the promotions that are restricted to 100+ different eBay sellers last for a handful of days, giving you more time and flexibility in deal fishing.

And it’s another deal fishing expedition of the latter kind. A total one hundred eBay sellers are participating in this coupon promotion using coupon PSPRINGBF that gets you 15% off discount on orders of at least $25. The biggest discount you can get with the coupon is $50 off. BUT you can use this coupon TWICE per eBay account during this promotional period.

The promotion expires on 4/1/18 at 8am pacific.

Of headphone interest, there are 320+ items under Portable Audio and of those, 133 of them are headphones.

A variety of sellers are participating, some authorized dealers, some not. The products can be in different conditions as well. Check each listing ~ do not make assumptions! eBay is an open wild-west [but not Westworld yet] type of a marketplace 🙂

The extra duration of this offer also gives me more time to go through more listings fishing for deals and posting them 🙂

Shure SE-846 CLEAR In-Ears drop to $699

The new condition Shure SE 846 in-ears in the CLEAR color scheme are currently on sale for a limited time for $699 with free shipping at Focus Camera.

As far as I can tell, this is the current/previous generation model. At CES 2018, Shure announced a relaunch of the SE-series models 846, 535 and 425. The new ones will come with a switchable iOS/Android cable and a bluetooth cable. Thus satisfying multiple demographics and use-cases among potential buyers. The new models will come out at the very nebulous time of “Spring 2018” 🙂

Now shipping: FOCAL CLEAR Professional for $1699 [CORRECTED]

Hide your wallets! The Red Temptation is Here! No, not Melisandre, it’s the Focal Clear Professional headphones, in-stock and ready to ship right now at B&H Photo [CORRECTED LINK!]. If you want them now, order them before Thursday at 7pm eastern! After that, B&H Photo closes for Passover and orders placed after that time will be processed beginning April 8! Their starting price is $1699 with free expedited shipping…

For more comings and going of hard to find or recently-released headphones, check our Headphones Tracker… Speaking of which, the RHA CL1 is estimated to be in-stock again on April 1st for $219…

Used Denon Music Maniac AH-C250 In-Ears for $37 + S&H

If you are trying to find the Denon Music Maniac AH-C250 In-Ears, they are currently available in “Used – Excellent” condition for $37 plus $4+ shipping and handling at Adorama.com. When they sell out, you will no longer see them in the aforelinked search results.

NOTE: Adorama will be closing for Passover. Orders placed before Friday at 12pm ET will be processed before they close. Orders placed after will be processed when they return on April 8…

JBL Synchros S300 NBA Edition Headphones for $40 w/FS

The NBA basketball season is heating up as we get closer to the Playoffs, and with it we have the return of the JBL Synchros S300 NBA team licensed headphones at the official Harman Audio Online Store for $40 with free 2nd-day air shipping. These closed-backs are available for six teams, the Lakers, the Knicks, the Bulls, the Celtics, the Spurs, and the Seattle Super-Thunderoma 🙂

Meze 99 NEO Closed Over-Ears for $199

If you are Meze curious but don’t want to pay the $300+ price, we have a discount! The new condition Meze 99 NEO Closed-Back Over-Ears are now on sale for $199 with free shipping by various sellers fulfilled by Amazon, including the MEZE Amazon store, FatWyre and Amazon actual. Only the NEO is on sale. The “Classics” with Walnut remain at $309.

Refurbished Klipsch R6i In-Ears for $20

One more headphone has been added to the longer-running Woot Plus headphone sale, it is the Klipsch R6i in-ears going for $20 in factory reconditioned condition, with free shipping for Prime members or $5 flat for non-members. Maximum ten units per customer at the sale price.

I haven’t seen or touched the above model, but we have here a text and pictures unboxing of the Klipsch S4A II…

[DEAD] Optoma NuForce BE2 bluetooth earphones for $29

This lightning offering expired…

[Read more…]

Aune B1S Portable Headphone Amp for $170 [MD]

I think this is the last one of the currently unlocked offers at Massdrop, we are back to the headphone amps with the new condition Aune B1S Portable Headphone Amp going for $170 with free US shipping, running for the next three days and change from blog-posting date. You have a choice of silver or black, but no Raiders edition 🙂 It will ship in early May from Massdrop, with all sales final. There is no mention of warranty in the listing.