Archives for October 10, 2018

Used Focal Spirit One S closed-back for $49

FOCAL started slow with their headphone line-up before going on an audiophile big bang that got us many options, such as the Elear, Clear, Utopia and so forth…

Of the first wave of closed-back models, the Focal Spirit One S is currently offered in “Used – Like New” condition [no further details provided] for $49 with free shipping by marketplace seller “Fique” (96%, 730+ ratings) through Amazon Warehouse Deals. This ships directly from the marketplace seller and it is NOT Prime-eligible, so there is some higher risk since you won’t be dealing with Amazon shipment and customer service for any order-related issues…

Sennheiser Urbanite XL Closed Over-Ears for $70

The Urbanite was one of Sennheiser’s attempts at counter the ever-growing popularity of the pre-Apple Beats headphones. It hasn’t grown as much as the Momentum line (now sold as HD1 in some markets) in terms of model line-up, but their new condition over-ear closed-back wired model, the “Urbanite XL” is currently on sale for $70 with free shipping by Amazon actual with up to three pairs per customer at the sale price… At Amazon, this averages 3.8 out of 5 based on nearly 200 customer reviews. I have seen them but have not listened to them…

Used Sony MDR-1A Closed Over-Ears for 92 euro

UPDATE: as of 10/22/18 recheck, the price increased to around 92 euro for the silver color-scheme in the same condition. The other color is slightly more…

And now off to Germany we go, where the closed-back over-ear (previous generation) Sony MDR-1A is offered in multiple listings and in various conditions starting at around 87 euro in “Used – Good condition” by Amazon Warehouse Deals actual, with prices rising to 92~ euro in “Used – Very Good”, and 97~ in “Used – Like New” on the fifth page of the results.

Strategically, given all these listings, one can play the waiting game and see how low the Amazon price computers will drop their prices given all the pages and pages of listings.

Audio Technica ATH-AD700X Open Over-Ears for $96

There are not that many open-back options under $100, especially with Philips bowing out with their half-legendary SHP-9500/S [see our unboxing] and the Status Audio OB-1 being hard to find… But Sennheiser and Grado are not the only games in town either! Audio Technica has its own ATH-AD series and the second entry in this line, their ATH-AD700X open-back over-ears is currently on sale for the very specific price of $95.72 by Amazon actual

Used Sony XP550 AP Extra Bass for $20

If you want to try the Sony Extra Bass line without breaking the bank, you can go the way of the used, as as of the time of writing, Amazon Warehouse Deals has the black color scheme of the 2017 model of the XB550 AP Extra Bass for under $20 in “Used – Very Good” condition with free shipping for Prime members. Make sure AWD itself is the seller [or any other sellers you recognize]… Of the other color schemes, the blue is available for $22~ BUT it is only in “Used – Acceptable” condition, so that’s a higher risk…

Used Sony WH-CH700N ANC/BT for $90

If you are a fond of used, and bluetooth and ANC, the Sony WH-CH700N headphone is available at the moment in “Used – Very Good” condition for the very specific price of $89.50 with free shipping by Amazon Warehouse Deals itself (AWD). Make sure AWD is the actual seller, and not the iffy sellers over there…

We have a text and pictures un-boxing of this very headphone… The PORG is NOT included 🙂

[DEAD] Used Grado SR80e open on-ear for $84

As of a 10/18/18 re-check, this sold out in used condition, but such is the cycle of used Grados on Amazon. If you wait, it will eventually return…

If you are Grado-curious but don’t want to pay the full price, then Amazon Warehouse Deals comes to the rescue as they currently have a “Used – Like New” (comes in original packaging [that’s a spartan “pizza box”]) for the very specific price of $84.15 with free shipping. The new condition price at authorized Grado dealers is $100… This is an open-back model and a low-risk entry-point into the “Grado sound”…