This round of lightning deals expired…
NOTE: I only post these on days where there is some reasonable action. I don’t want to post them when there’s almost nothing from known manufacturers…
Sony MDR-XB-450AP/B On-Ears for $30 (Rewards Members Only)
If you are a Best Buy Rewards member (any tier) and you are logged on to your Best Buy account, the price of the closed-back Sony MDR-XB-450AP/B On-Ears drops from $60 to $30. This is an “Early Access” sale, where their Rewards members get the offers first. It looks like this:
It is free to join their Rewards program, and the bottom tier has no annual spending requirements. The next tiers have more benefits but you have to spend a certain amounts per year. Magnolia spending counts towards that too.
Speaking of Best Buy, good until February 22 (in 2017), the VISA Checkout offer is back. Purchases of $100+ get an automatic $25 off discount. Some products are excluded, such as Bose, Sony, Denon, Polk, etc. Check the promotional page for all the exclusions. The shopping cart will simply not discount the purchase if ineligible items are included.
Used Philips X1 Over-Ears for $178
If of the various Philips open-back over-ear headphones it is the good old X1/28 the one you want, it is currently available in “Used – Good” condition (no further details given) for $178~ with free shipping by Amazon Warehouse Deals actual. There is only one listing at this price+condition combination.
[DEAD] Bose with coupon: QC25 or QC30 for $250, QC20 for $200, Etc
As of a 2/19/17 re-check, there are no Bose headphones left in the Bose store…
Used Master & Dynamic MH40 Over-Ears for $225
The Master & Dynamic MH40 closed-back over-ears have a $400 regular price in new condition at authorized dealers, but if you go the Way Of The Used, you can almost cut in the price in half, assuming the discounts color-schemes are the ones you like (or at least do not object to). So off to Amazon Warehouse Deals we go…
… where Audio Advice (they have two B&M stores in North Carolina) is offering the brown color scheme in “Used – Very Good” condition (original packaging) for $225 with free shipping through Amazon Warehouse Deals. This ships directly from them, so it is not Prime eligible.
On the other hand, if you like the convenience of Prime, the Gunmetal color-scheme is offered in “Used – Very Good” condition (minor cosmetic imperfections; damaged original packaging) for $234~ with free shipping by Amazon Warehouse Deals actual.
Sennheiser HD 461i Closed Over-Ears for $38 [limit 3]
Another one of the wave of next-generation HD 4*/5* series headphones is the HDG 461i with mic/remote of the Apple kind (thus the small “i” in the model name). This very headphone is currently on sale for $38, in new condition, at Amazon by Amazon actual, with a limit of up to three units per customer. The Galaxy/Android version is not on sale. Together they average 3.9 out of 5 based on 39 customer reviews, and they have a lucky 13 questions answered by the “internet people” 🙂
Massdrop x Fostex TH-X00 Purpleheart for $450
They are back on again, this offer running for the next seven days from today (or when the 300 available units get spoken for; whichever happens first). The Massdrop x Fostex TH-X00 Purpleheart biodynamic headphones are unlocked for $450 with free shipping. They come with a 2-year warranty and will ship at the very end of February 2017.
Running in parallel are the Earsonics SM64 double-flange in-ears, going for $280 plus $7~ flat shipping. There is very limited supply (only 35 units). They come with a 2-year warranty and will ship from Massdrop facilities in late March 2017.
Last but not least (at least in terms of comfort) among today’s unlocked drops, the ZMF Ear Pads go for $50 plus $3 flat shipping. These are the Ori. For +$10, you can upgrade to the Eikons. They ship late March 2017 as well.
Sennheiser HD700 drips to $419 [limit 3]
The Sennheiser HD700 has dripped further down, now $419 with free shipping, sold and shipped by Amazon actual with up to three units per customer. This is squeezed between the 600s and the 800s 🙂
NOTE: when price-checking the 800s at Amazon, note that most of the marketplace sellers that sell them for significantly less are not authorized and not well known dealers. Avoid buying from those unless you are 100% convinced this is what you want to do!
Fostex TX-1 Closed Over-Ears for $20 w/free S&H
Fostex too has headphones all over the price range. On the budget side of things, their TX-1 closed-back over-ears go for $20 with free shipping by the Musician’s Friend (MF) group of companies including MF directly and Music 123 thru Amazon (not Prime eligible) and by MF through eBay.
Speaking of them, the CAD MH-310 which looks very similar (but not identical) to a certain Superlux/Samson headphone (I think the SR-950) is on sale for $30 with free shipping by Musician’s Friend and free store pickup by Guitar Center. But if you don’t have coupons or store credit or gift cards there, the Samson SR-950 goes for $24 with free S&H at Adorama.
Both are budget studio headphones, so it is reasonable to assume trade-offs versus well-regarded $100+ studio headphones. Although I suppose a more accurate term would be “studio-useful headphones” versus “studio” which is as much marketing as it describes function 🙂
MEE Audio Air-Fi Matrix2 AF 62 for $63
Not a bid discount over current prices, but if you were planning to buy it anyway or have a Massdrop coupon or store credit, the new condition MEE Audio Air-Fi Matrix2 AF 62 is offered for $55 plus $8~ flat shipping. This bluetooth headphone is running for the next eight days, and it is estimated to ship mid-March 2017. Three hundred units are available for purchase during this particular offer (a “drop” in MD-speak).
Also running for the next eight days and fully unlocked are:
+ Fanmusic E6 earphones for $34 shipped
+ Dekoni Bulletz Earphone Tips for $13 shipped
Used Beyerdynamic T1 (2nd Gen) for $659
A mini used trip yielded a trio of potentially interesting items, starting with the higher priced one, the second generation Beyerdynamic T1 semi-open over-ears are available in “Used – Good” condition (cosmetic imperfections; original packaging) for $659~ by Amazon Warehouse Deals actual. These are part of the Tesla umbrella, with 600 ohm impedance.
Used Sennheiser HD 598 CS for $67
If you don’t want to wait for the next sale, or you are comfortable with used headphones, the closed-back over-ear Sennheiser HD 598 CS are currently available in “Used – Very Good” condition (minor cosmetic imperfections, damaged original packaging) for $67~ with free shipping by Amazon Warehouse Deals actual. There are multiple listings of this condition, so time could put price-pressure on them.
Recertified Bowers & Wilkins P7 with 2-yr warranty for $280 [or Very Used for $200] {updated}
UPDATE: this post has been rewritten after I discovered a better option…
Tthe closed-back over-ear Bowers & Wilkins P7 wired headphones are currently offered for $280 with free shipping and a 2-year warranty in Recertified condition by Amazon actual, with a limit of up to three units per customer. The current regular new condition price is $400 at authorized dealers. Given the warranty of the recertified, that’s a bang for the buck over the new condition.
On the other hand, if you are comfortable with heavily used headphones, and a higher purchase risk, marketplace seller “Cellular Stream” is offering “Used – Acceptable condition” for $200 with free shipping, with the order fulfilled by Amazon, so you get free Prime shipping (if a member) and 30-day money back guarantee (IMPORTANT since this is a higher risk purchase). Per the listing, you only get the headphones, no other accessories. Make sure you select one “fulfilled by Amazon” or a seller you know and trust.
If you want a lower risk, Amazon Warehouse Deals’ own lowest price is $252 in “Used – Good” condition. Note that there are multiple options on the same product page, so make sure you are looking at the one you want (there’s wired, wireess and recertified on the same listing).
[DEAD] Sennheiser HD 4.30G Closed Over-Ears for $70
This Monday lightning deal expired…
[DEAD] Musician’s Gear MG40 On-Ears for $10 w/free S&H
This daily offer expired but many of the MF deals are recurring every few days/weeks… The Musician’s Gear MG-40 on-ears are offered for $10 with free shipping and handling as one of the three Musician’s Friend Stupid Deals of the Day, good until 8am ET on Monday or earlier if sold out.
[DEAD] Monday: A-Audio Legacy Over-Ears for $45 + S&H
Monday is over and so is this meh Meh daily deal 🙂
Focal Spirit One S Closed Over-Ears for $125
The closed-back over-ear Focal Spirit One S headphones are currently offered for $125 with free shipping by “HiDef Lifestyle” with the order fulfilled by Amazon. They come with a case, a pouch, and other extras.
Samson SR450 On-Ears for $23 + S&H
The closed-back Samson SR450 on-ear headphones are currently on sale for $23 at B&H Photo. You have to login to see the price. Shipping is free IF your order total is $49 or more. Otherwise you have to pay shipping.
In-Stock Now: AKG N90Q for $1500
The new AKG N90Q headphone is currently in-stock from two recognizable dealers at amazon.com by “World Wide Stereo” and “HiDef Lifestyle” of Pennsylvania.
Massdrop x Fostex TH-X00 Ebony for $500
Knock, on wood! (to test the headphone’s wooden acoustics and isolation) 😉 Massdrop is back on again with another exclusive, their “x Fostex TH-X00 Ebony” headphones are unleashed for $500 with free shipping. The offer runs for the next eight days and estimate to ship in late February 2017. They come with a 2-year warranty. Only 120 units are available as part of this run, with about 1/6th of them already spoken for as of the blog-posting date. These are (bio)dynamic headphones.
Monoprice Sonic Solace ANC Bluetooth (PID 116219) for $60
The Monoprice SonicSolace Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth over-ear headphones, model 116219, are currently on sale for $60 with free shipping at Amazon by Amazon actual. The shipping estimate is a nebulous “1 to 2 months”, so don’t buy them if you want them delivered by Valentine’s day 🙂
[DEAD] Bluedio Turbine T3 Extra Bass Bluetooth Over/On-Ears for $30
This daily deal expired…
Audio Technica ATH-WS55-BK Solid Bass for $48
The Audio Technica ATH-WS55-BK Solid Bass over/on-ear headphones are currently offered in new condition, in the black color scheme (thus the “-BK” in the model name) for $48~ by a marketplace seller, with the order Prime-eligible since it is fulfilled by Amazon. It averages 4 out of 5 based on 110 customer reviews. Non-Prime members will have to get to $49+ to get free shipping (eg add a cable or adapter or some other small or add-on item).
Samson SR950 Closed-Back Over-Ears for $24 w/free S&H
The closed-back over-ear Samson SR950 studio headphones are back on sale again for $24 with free shipping at Adorama.com. This is a recurring but unpredictable sale for both these and their semi-open cousins the SR850.
I haven’t seen or touched the SR950, but I just posted a brand new text + pictures useful unboxing of their “cousins”, the semi-open Samson SR-850. The picture below is the SR-850, showing their semi-openess:
Sennheiser HD 600 drips to $288
The launch of the (impossible to get) Sennheiser HD 6XX at Massdrop for $200 (based on the HD 650) kinda audio-blocked the HD 650, and at the same time, it created another window for the HD 600. Speaking of which, the HD 600 is currently on sale in new condition for $288 with free shipping at Amazon by Amazon actual. Limit three per customer. This is not a lightning deal.
Sony MDR-XB-650-BT Extra Bass Bluetooth On-Ears for $68
The closed-back Sony MDR-XB-650-BT Extra Bass Bluetooth On-Ears, in three different color schemes, are currently on sale, in new condition, for $68 with free shipping, at Amazon by Amazon actual. Limit three per color per customer. This is not a lightning deal.
PS: these should not be confused with the larger MDR-XB-950-BT which go for $100 in certified refurbished condition.
PS2: there is a method to the product name’s madness. It is decoded thusly: MDR + XB (Extra Bass) + 650 (model number) + BT (bluetooth) + /B (black color scheme) or /R (red) or /L (bLue)
[DEAD] Thursday’s Offers: MEE Pinnacle P1 in-ears, Skullcandy Master DJ Celtics, Symphonized, Etc
This daily deal expired…
Beyerdynamic DTX 910 Over-Ears for $38 w/free S&H
Buydig continues their Beyerdynamic eBay sale with a sub-$40 model, the new condition over-ear DTX 910 headphones are on sale for $38 with free shipping and handling. Up to 50 units per customer. Over 360 got sold so far from this listing per the stats over there.
Beyerdynamic DT880 PREMIUM (250 ohm) Chrome Special Edition for $149
Speaking of BuyDig, Beyerdynamic and eBay, the same combination is offering the new condition Special Chrome Edition DT880 PREMIUM (250 ohm) for $149 with free shipping, with a limit of up to five units per customer. Over 270 units of this semi-open over-ear headphone have been sold so far per the listings over there.
Beyerdynamic T90 Open Over-Ear Chrome Limited Edition drops to $229
This has dropped further down since the last time we posted about it here in mid-January. It is the Chrome Limited Edition of the Beyerdynamic T90 open-back over-ear headphones, on sale for $229 [was $239] with free shipping by BuyDig’s eBay store. Over 640 units have been sold so far from this particular listing. These are 250 ohm headphones.
AKG Y50 Closed On-Ears (yellow) for $75
Yellow headphones are a must when you listen to Coldplay’s Yellow 🙂 The black/yellow color-scheme of the AKG Y50 closed-back on-ears is currently on sale for $75 by a marketplace seller, with the orders fulfilled by Amazon, so you get the usual Prime 2-day free shipping. These average 4.3 out of 5 based on 80+ customer reviews. The other colors go for more. There is a big AKG logo on the earcups of these.
PS: AKG is part of Harman which was recently purchased b Samsung. So if you are a Samsung fanboy/fangirl, AKG headphones are now “part of the family”.
Beyerdynamic DT 880 Premium (32 ohm) for $139
Back to the Beyerdynamic ever-growing DT 7-8-9 line-up we go, where the new condition DT880 PREMIUM (32 ohm) is offered for $139 with free shipping by BuyDig’s eBay store.
PS: if you are not familiar with this line-up, check the various heaphone and audio forums; much and more has been written about them! These are semi-open over-ears.
Limitless Creations HP3BK Over-Ears for $25~
On the budget closed-back studio-ish over-ears, the Limited Creations HP3BK Over-Ears are currently going for $25.50, sold by Limited Creations, with the order fulfilled by Amazon, so you get Prime benefits if a member.
They are also offered on Groupon Goods for $25, but you need to place a $34.99+ order to get free shipping.
These remind me of CAD MH-series studio headphones, but I don’t have them side-by-side, so I can’t tell for certain.
E-MU Walnut Over-Ears for $99 (ships from USA; two left)
More wood headphone action, there are two units of the E-MU walnut lightweight over-ears available for $99 from a US based seller, with the order fulfilled by Amazon, so if you are a Prime member, you get them in two days. These appear to be based on the well-received Creative Aurvana LIVE!, plus a wooden tax 🙂
Used Definitive Technology Symphony 1 Bluetooth Over-Ears for $190
The Definitive Technology Symphony 1 Bluetooth Over-Ears are currently available in “Used – Very Good” condition (cosmetic imperfections, damaged packaging) for $190~ by Amazon Warehouse Deals actual. This is another one of the “techie” sub-genre headphones.
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