On the budget side of things, the closed-back on-ear Panasonic RP-HF-100M, with mic/remote, in four color schemes, are on sale for $18 by Amazon actual. Limit up to three per color per customer. The different colors can be handy if you want to colorcode them for kids and grandkids so they don’t get confused/fight over who owns what. They average 4 out of 5 based on over 700 customer reviews.
Thinksound ON2 On-Ears for $140 [MD]
Good for the next three days (from blog posting date), the new condition closed-back wood on-ear Thinksound ON2 is offered for $140 with free shipping by members-only but free-to-join Massdrop. It comes with a two year warranty and ships early May 2017. This too is “all sales final”.
Bose Around Ears II (iOS) for $90
On the Bose without ANC front, the navy blue color-scheme of the wire-only closed over-ears Sound True AE II, with the Apple mic/remote, is on sale for $90 with free shipping by Amazon actual with up to three units per customer during the sale. The other combinations for $100+. They average 3.8 out of 5 based on nearly 1000 customer reviews.
NOTE: a new lawsuit according to Reuters against Bose claims that its “Bose Connect app” (iTunes, Google Play) is spying on users and selling their data without permission. More on this when I post the weekly Headphoolia round-up during the weekend (usually by Sunday night but there’s no fixed schedule).
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.
[DEAD] Friday: JLAB Audio FLEX Closed Over-Ears for $35 shipped
This daily deal expired…
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 🙂
[DEAD] MEE audio Matrix2 Bluetooth Headphones for $59 (ends Thursday 5:35pm ET)
This Thursday lightning deal expired…
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
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.
[DEAD] Wednesday: Bohm B76 Over-Ears for $88, B66 On-Ears for $68 [BT & ANC]
This daily deal expired…
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.
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)…
[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 🙂
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.
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.
[DEAD] Monday: Monoprice M560 Planars + Tube Head Amp drop to $240 with Coupon AND $0.01+ filler item
This coupon expired but it returns every few days or so, so if you missed it, patience is a virtue, it will return in the future 🙂
[DEAD] Monday’s Offers: Status Audio, Aukey, MEE, Stand, Etc
This round of lightning offers expired…
AKG K842 Master Reference and Beyerdynamic A20 head-amp and Slappa Case for $1499
Another bundle of three from Beach Camera through Amazon, this bundle is centered on the AKG K872 headphones, a closed-back over-ear four-figure studio-branded model. The two other items bundled with it are the Beyerdynamic A20 headphone-amp and the Slappa Hardbody PRO case.
As with some of the other bundles, some are not necessarily intended or ideally suited to be used together, they are more of interest to the headphone fan that has multiple items and likes to mix and match and experiment with.
Pioneer SE-MJ553BT-K On-Ears and Indigo head-amp and Slappa case for $70
It’s bundle up time now. You get three different products for $70. The new condition closed-back on-ear Pioneer SE-MJ553BT-K bluetooth headphones, the Indigo portable headphone-amp (which looks a lot like this M-Audio ~ they both for $30 on their own), the Slappa hardbody headphone case (goes for $20 on its own).
All these are by Beach Camera thru Amazon. It ships directly from Beach Camera (New Jersey) but if you are a Prime member, you get Prime-like shipping speed directly from Beach.
On the other hand, if you don’t want the portable headphone-amp, you can a different bundle for $10 more: it replaces the amp with an omega-shaped wood headphone stand.
PS: some of these bundles are value plays, you don’t necessarily have to (or you can’t) use all the items together, eg the portable head amp and a bluetooth-only headphone.
In-Stock Now: V-Moda Wireless II with apt-X for $350
The official V-Moda store at Amazon is offering the new apt-X model of their recently-revealed Crossfade Wireless II headphone, the Rose Gold color scheme for $350 with free shipping. Only the “Rose Gold” has apt-X. The other two colors do not, which is why they cost $30 less. This is fulfilled by Amazon, so Prime members get them in two days.
AKG K545 Closed Over-Ears for $85 shipped [K495NC On-Ears for $95 shipped]
The new condition closed-back over-ear AKG K545 headphones, only in the white color scheme (the black one is sold out) are going for $80 at Woot’s website. Limit three units per customer.
This is part of a random headphone sale that carries 31 headphones of different kinds, including a handful of 1Voice earphones, older PowerBeats, and the new condition AKG K495NC On-Ears for $90, with the same limit of three. This sale has a mix of conditions, so check each listing individually, do not assume they are all new condition.
Shipping is $5 flat for everything you buy in a single day. They are not daily deals, but a longer-running offer that ends 4/18/17 at 11:59pm Central time.
In-Stock Now: V-Moda Crossfade II BT for $330
The Matte-White color scheme of the brand new V-Moda Crossfade II Bluetooth (wireless) headphones is now in-stock and ready to ship for $330 by v-Moda thru Amazon. This is fulfilled by Amazon, so you get free 2-day Prime shipping. More and more manufacturers open “Amazon stores”. The other two colors are not in-stock yet from V-Moda or Amazon actual.
PS: the “Rose Gold” color scheme is the only one of the three colors that has Apt-X, which is why it costs $20 more. The price difference may be a hint at Qualcomm’s licensing fees for Apt-X and perhaps a reason why Apt-X is not everywhere 🙂
Focal Classic Over-Ears AND Sphear In-Ears for $268
If you want a “Focal Value Meal”, AudioLAB through Amazon is offering a bundle of one over-ear and one in-ear, together for $268 with free shipping (not Prime eligible). The bundle is the Focal Classic closed over-ears AND the Sphear in-ear (a rhyme-y thing).
JBL Coach E40 BT On-Ears for $30
This is a NewEgg “daily” deal, so it is offered for two days. On Day #1 (Friday), promo code EMCSREBE2 gets you the new condition JBL Coach E40 Bluetooth On-Ears for $30 with free shipping. You may have to be a NewEgg email subscriber to use this coupon. On Day #2 (Saturday), it becomes one of the daily deals posted on their ShellShocker daily deals.
PS: I can’t see the benefit of this convoluted way of doing daily deals, but what do I know? 🙂
Amazon Prime Store Card: 10% back on select Musical Instruments (includes 36 headphones)
If you have an Amazon Prime Store credit card (not to be confused with the Chase VISA card), you earn 5% cashback on Amazon purchases. For a limited time until 5/1/17, you will earn an additional 5% cashback, for a total of 10% back on your statement when you purchase select Musical Instruments gear, which includes 36 headphones (the last row that says “Featured headphones”).
A number of well-known studio-type headphones are eligible, including the Sony V6, AKG, KRK, DT-series, Pioneer, Shure, Fostex, etc. Headphone prices are all over the place in terms of competitiveness, so if you are not familiar with a particular headphone’s price, price-check first before buying.
Sony MDR-XB950 AP Extra Bass for $59
Good until Friday, the new condition closed-back over-ear Sony MDR-XB950AP/H Extra Bass in the gray color scheme is on sale for $59 with free shipping by Focus Camera through NewEgg Flash.
PS: this is the wired-only version. The Bluetooth version has a BT appended to its model name, it is MDR-XB950-BT. Plus the bluetooth is available in black, blue or red, not gray. The Bluetooth version has a newer version even, the MDR-XB950-B1 which goes for its honeymoon era price of $198.
[DEAD] Beats Studio Wireless Over-Ears (BT and ANC) for $210
This daily deal expired…
PS: this market segment (over-ears with bluetooth and ANC) continues to increase in popularity (to the chagrin of some audiophiles) and it is heavily contested as a nice profit margin segment in the $200+ price range, with Bose, Sony, Sennheiser, V-Moda, B&W, B&O, and many more vying for earfection. Ear affection that is, although on re-reading this new made-up-word, it sounds more like an infection ~ which the dissenting audiophiles will agree with 🙂
V-Moda Crossfade M100 Closed Over-Ears for $200
The new condition closed-back over-era V-Moda Crossfade M100, in the matte-black color-scheme is currently on sale for $200 with free shipping at Amazon by Amazon actual with a limit of up to three units per customer. These are wired-only, no BT/ANC. All together they average 4.4 out of 5 based on 1600+ customer reviews.
Koss KSC21 SportClip Clip-On for $6 [limit 3]
Clip-on action now, the new condition Koss KSC21 SportClip are on sale for the very specific price of $5.89 at Aamzon by Amazon actual with a limit of up to three units per customer. Despite the low price, they are not an ADD-ON item, so if you are a Prime member, you get free 2-day shipping with just one pair of these They average 3.8 out of 5 based on 117 customer reviews.
PS: this should not be confused with the more famous clip-ons, the Koss KSC-75.
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