The Hifiman HE400S planar-magnetics go for $300 in new condition at authorized dealers, but if you prefer used, you can get them in “Used – Very Good” condition by Kraft Audio and Audio Advisor, with the orders fulfilled by Amazon, so they are Prime-eligible. The $200 listing is a high risk purchase, so avoid it.
Used Schiit Valhalla 2 Amp for $311
And now a breezy stroll down Amazon Warehouse Deals, starting with the Schiit Valhalla 2 Headphone Amplifier going for $311 in “Used – Very Good” condition (minor cosmetic imperfections, damaged original packaging) from Amazon Warehouse Deals actual. The new condition price at Amazon is $379, while at Schiit’s website is $349 plus mandatory shipping (unless you can pick up from SoCal).
Used Schiit Magni Uber 2 Amp for $143
Schiit sells their products through Amazon (fulfilled by Amazon, so Prime eligible) for more than they do on their website, but their website charges shipping and handling based on destination, while Amazon is free shipping for all ($49+ or Prime). With that in mind, the Magni Uber 2 amp, in new condition, goes for $150 plus shipping ($11 to $15 lowest price on West/East coast zipcodes I tried) at the Schiit website and $180 through Amazon.
If you are comfortable with used, there is a “Used – Very Good” cosmetic imperfection, damaged original packaging for $143 by Amazon Warehouse Deals actual. If the price is too close to the new condition, you can keep an eye on the listing in case it drops further down in the future.
PS: if you are not familiar with their line-up, there’s a simple way to remember which one is the DAC and which one is the AMP. The MoDi is a DAC, while the mAgni is an Amp.
PS2: if you are curious about the company’s history, the two co-founders published a 383-page e-book with their story. The chapter titles (36 of them) when you “Look Inside” the book or get a Kindle sample will give you a good idea of what the book covers.
Used Fiio Q1 portable DAC/amp for $49
The Fiio Q1 portable DAC/amp (flask shaped) is currently available in “Used – Like New” condition for $49~ with free shipping by Electronics Expo through Amazon Warehouse Deals. This ships directly from Expo, so it is not Prime eligible. So many Fiios, so little time!
Used Fiio A3 amp for $46, refurbished for $50
The silver color scheme of the new Fiio A3 headphone amp is currently available in “Used – Very Good” condition (repackaged) for $46~ or for $50 in refurbished condition at Amazon Warehouse Deals (AWD). The former is offered by AWD actual, while the refurbished is offered by Beach Camera and ships directly from them (New Jersey). The new condition price is $60.
PS: be careful when looking at the listings, there’s a few of “just launched” sellers offering it for less.
Used Grado SR80e Open On-Ears for $74
I don’t know if it’s the same headphone playing hide and seek in their warehouse or computer servers, but the “Used – Good” condition of the open-back on-ear Grado SR80e is back again at Amazon Warehouse Deals for $74. This is described as having cosmetic imperfections and damaged original pizza box packaging. It’s been on and off so often, I am even recycling the jokes 🙂
TEAC HA-P50 portable headphone amp for $165
The black color option of the TEAC-P50 portable headphone amp, in new condition, is currently on sale for $165 by World Wide Stereo at amazon.com. This ships directly from wWS, so no Prime shipping. Amazon’s own price is $167~ with a “1 to 2 months” shipping estimate. It averages 4.3 out of 5 based on 20 customer reviews.
On the other hand, if you prefer a headphone-amp that is almost as red as Melisandre, the red version is available in “Used – Good” condition (cosmetic imperfections, damaged original packaging) for $146~ by Amazon Warehouse Deals. The new condition of the red is $195.
Open-Box Definitive Technology Symphony 1 for $245
On the techie side of headphones, the new condition Definitive Technology Symphony 1 go for $400, but if you are tech-curious but don’t want to spend that much, they are available in Open-Box Used “Like New” condition for $245 with free shipping by HifiDef Lifestyle through Amazon Warehouse Deals. They ship directly from HiDef (actual real-world A/V store with showroom in Pennsylvania). If you prefer a Prime-delivery, they go for $260 by Electronic Expo.
These are bluetooth with ANC and built-in battery. They average 4.1 out of 5 based on 46 customer reviews.
AKG M220 Semi-Open Studio for $58 New (MD) or $49 Used (Now)
Based on the good old AKG K240 semi-open over-ear studio-headphones, the new M220 are currently offered on Massdrop for $50 plus $8 flat shipping with a late September 2016 shipping estimate. The offer runs for the next seven days or so.
If you don’t want to wait that long, they are available in “Used – Like New” condition (store demo) for $49 by AudioWattStore with the order fulfilled by Amazon, so they are Prime eligible. The new condition price at Amazon is $79. They average 4.7 out of 5 based on 34 customer reviews.
Used Pioneer SE-M521 for $17 to $19
The new condition Pioneer SE-M521 go for $27 with Prime shipping, or if you can wait for them to arrive from Japan, over a dozen sellers ship from Japan for around $22. If you don’t want to wait that long and instead prefer the 2-day Prime shipping, they are available in Used condition for $17~ (“Good”) and for $19~ (“Very Good”) by Amazon Warehouse Deals actual (Prime eligible). They average 4.5 out of 5 based on 32 customer reviews.
Used Sony MDR-XD100 for $18.81 [was $20.60]
If you happen to be interested in getting the now discontinued Sony MDR-XD100, it is currently available in “Used – Very Good” condition (repackaged) for $18.81 [was $20.60] by Amazon Warehouse Deals actual, so free Prime shipping for members. It averages 3.6 out of 5 based on 300+ customer reviews… Price updated here 8/14/16 PM…
[DEAD] Used Grado SR125e On-Ears for $108 [updated]
As of 8/14/16 PM re-check, this sold out in used condition at the prices mentioned…
Used Sony MDR-7506 for $62 to $66 [updated]
The good old Sony MDR-7506 headphones go for $80 in new condition at authorized Sony dealers, but if you want to save some, you can get them in used for $62 to $66 in various used conditions with free shipping by Amazon Warehouse Deals actual. Availability changes often, so YMMV depending on when you check.
[DEAD] Used Philips M2L/27 Lightning Headphones drop to $112
As of 8/26/16 PM recheck, the used prices went up, probably because of the continuing rumors for the iPhone 7 headphone jack removal…
Used Shure SRH-940 for $180
The closed-back over-ear Shure SRH 940 with their shiny silveriness are available in “Used – Like New” condition for $180 by seller “AC Gears” with the order fulfilled by Amazon, so it is Prime-eligible. Next step in price/condition is a refurbished listing for $199 by seller Fique (ships directly from them, no Prime).
[DEAD] Used Sony MDR-Z7 for $300
As of a late 8/10/16 re-check, this sold out… The Sony MDR-Z7 was offered as a refurbished by Secondipity for $320 (or slightly less during Prime Day and eBay promotions). The refurbished is out of stock, but Secondpity also has it in “Used – Very Good” condition for $300 through Amazon Warehouse Deals. This is repackaged with missing documentation. No warranty on this one. This ships directly from Secondpity so it is not eligible for Prime shipping benefits.
[DEAD] Used V-Moda Crossfade Bluetooth Over-Ears for $210
As of 8/7/16 PM, the lowest used price for this is $225+…
[DEAD] Used HiFiMAN HE6 Planars for $850 (scratched)
As of 8/7/16 late PM re-check, the $850 scratched option is no longer available. The lowest price there as of this time is $1100+…
Used Grado PS500e w/upgraded cushion pads for $555
We have a “Grado Trilogy”, starting with the PS500e available in “Used – Very Good” condition with upgraded Grado G cushion pads and lots of pictures in the seller’s gallery (click on one of the two pictures and a gallery of six pictures will pop up), going for $550 plus $5.50 flat shipping by seller AudioCritic (100%, 113 ratings) through Amazon Warehouse Deals. The new condition price is $595.
[DEAD] Used Grado SR225e On-Ears for $170
As of late 8/2/16 recheck, the used option for $170 sold out…
Our random excursion at Amazon moves to Amazon Warehouse Deals (AWD) where they have a listing for the Grado SR225e Open On-Ears going for $170 with free shipping in “Used – Like New” (original damaged pizza box packaging). This is sold by AWD actual, not marketplace sellers. The new condition price for these is $200.
PS: the “e” are the latest models in the Grado line-up, while the “i” are the previous generation. The “i” however is not an indicator of MFi (Made for iPhone/iPod/iPad), it’s just a letter 🙂 These are wired headphones, no mic, no remote, no technobabble.
[DEAD] Used Grado SR80e On-Ears for $79 [was $85]
As of 8/4/16 AM re-check, the used unit(s) got scooped up and only new-condition items are available…
[DEAD] Used Shure SRH1840 Open-Back for $326
As of 8/9/16 recheck, this sold out at this price… The open-back over-ear Shure SRH 1840 are currently available in “Used – Like New” condition for $315~ plus $11 flat shipping by seller “World Class Inc” (99%, 80K+ ratings) through Amazon Warehouse Deals. This is not Prime-eligible, it ships directly from the seller, so it is a higher risk transaction.
Sennheiser HD700 drops to $454 [or Used for $341]
The King Stannis of the Sennheiser audiophile line-up is on sale again, squeezed between the larger than life Robert and extrovert Renly, the HD700 is having trouble standing out, which keeps pushing its price down, currently going for $454 with free shipping, in new condition, with a limit of five per customer at Amazon by Amazon actual.
As of the time of writing, there’s one “Used – Good” condition listing (cosmetic imperfection, damaged packaging) going for $341 at Amazon Warehouse Deals.
Refurbished Panasonic RP-BTD5-K Bluetooth On-Ears for $22 w/free S&H
This is a higher risk purchase since it is shipped by a fairly unknown marketplace sellers, but the purchase price is low enough to make the risk tradeoffable (it’s a new word!). The closed-back Panasonic RP-BTD5-K bluetooth on-ears are available in certified refurbished condition with a 90-day Panasonic warranty for $22 with free shipping for all by “alwaysAdeal” (99%, 4502 ratings) through Amazon Warehouse Deals. This ships from the seller directly, so it is not eligible for Prime 2-day shipping.
[DEAD] Used Grado SR60e Open On-Ears for $67
As of 7/31/16 recheck, this got scooped up… The entry-point in the Grado line-up are the $79 SR60e on-ears at authorized dealers, but if you want to save some, you can get them in “Used – Like New” condition (damaged original *cough* pizza box *cough* packaging) for $67~ by Amazon Warehouse Deals actual.
Sennheiser Momentum In-Ears: Open-Box for $55, New for $71
If you are interested in the Sennheiser Momentum in-ears in new condition, the black/chrome color scheme is currently on sale for $71 with free shipping with either the iOS or Android button remote at Aamzon by Amazon actual.
If you are okay with open-box gear and want the black/red iOS version, you can get it in open-box condition for $54 with free shipping from authorized dealer VM Innovations on eBay.
Used Beyerdynamic DT990 PRO (250 ohm) for $115
If you don’t want to wait for future sales or bundles, the open-back over-ear Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO (250 ohm) are available in “Used – Very Good” condition for $115 (various conditions) with free shipping by Amazon Warehouse Deals (updated link) and “Used – Like New” for $122~. Since there are multiple listings, price pressure may (or may not) build up over time.
UPDATE: there are multiple used listings, some are back-ordered (strangely), others are not.
PS: there’s a goofy thing with Amazon Warehouse Deals, sometimes it shows a summary of the listings, so not all used options may be shown unless you go specifically to the used-only listings. This headphone, as of the time of writing, is a good example. The general listing only shows some of the used options, but when you click on the Used-only option in the left hand side, you see all used listings. Same thing with new and refurbished. Even though I am aware of this, I still forget about it!
Used Magni 2 Uber Headphone Amplifier for $124 [was $128]
The Magni 2 Uber Headphone Amplifier goes for $149 in new condition and $139 in Beef Stock condition at the Schiit website. Shipping is additional and mandatory. The new condition price of this at Amazon is $179 with free shipping. With these numbers in mind…
… the Magni 2 Uber is available in “Used – Good” condition (cosmetic imperfections, repackaged) for $124 (was $127.54) with free Prime shipping by Amazon Warehouse Deals… Price updated in post on 7/27/16 at 4pm ET…
PS: for some reason I cannot resist writing “B-Stock” as “Beef Stock” 🙂
PS2: if you are Schiiit-curious, the e-book co-authored by the two co-founders is (permanently?) on sale for $5 in Kindle format. It is 380+ pages, but keep in mind, this is the story of the company, not an electrical/audio engineering book.
[DEAD] Used Schiit Valhalla 2 Headphone Amplifier for $331
As of a 7/27/16 4pm ET recheck, the used option sold out… The Valhalla 2 Headphone Amplifier goes for $349 plus mandatory shipping at the Schiit website in new condition. At Amazon, the same products are sold for more in new condition, but they get free shipping. With this trade-off in mind, there is a “Used – Like New” listing for this Viking model going for $331~ by Amazon Warehouse Deals actual, with the description of damaged original packaging.
[DEAD] Open-box Philips SHP9500 for $49 w/free S&H
As of a 7/28/16 recheck, the price went up… If you don’t want to wait for another discount ($60 sale price) or don’t want to deal with a mail-in rebate promotion ($50 after mail-in rebate), the open-back over-ear Philips SHP-9500 are in-stock right now in open-box condition for $49 with free shipping at the NewEgg website by NewEgg actual with a limit of five units per customer.
[DEAD] Refurbished Philips M1/28 On-Ear for $37
As of 10/21/16 rechecked, these sold out… This was $50 when we last posted about it in late April (I do not have photographic memory, I am going through the Philips archives), but as of this re-check, the Philips M1/28 on-ears (discontinued) are available in refurbished condition from Deals2Remember (91%, 90 ratings) for $37, with the order fulfilled by Amazon. Since they ship from Amazon, you deal with Amazon’s customer service and get free Prime shipping, so in case of problems, it’s not as risky as buying directly from a seller. The headphones themselves average 4 out of 5 based on 55 customer reviews.
Used Philips F1/27 On-Ears for $37, new for $50 to $59
It looks like Amazon Warehouse Deals is starting to re-stockup again after the Great Purge of Prime Day Couponing in early July. Case in point, the Philips F1/27 On-Ears are available in “Used – Good” condition for $37.50 and “Used – Very Good” for $40 by Amazon Warehouse Deals.
But that’s not all, the new condition prices have also dropped, it goes for $50 by AutoCare Depot (not Prime eligible) and $59 by Amazon actual.
[DEAD] Refurbished AUDEZE EL-8 Open or Closed for $400 each
This limited time but recurring promotion expired… It’s refurbished action now on the Audeze front, Adorama.com is offering the Audeze EL-8 in refurbished condition with a 1-year manufacturer warranty for $400 with free shipping in either the Open-Back EL-8 or the Closed-Back EL-8. These are planar-magnetics.
AKG M220 Semi-Open Over-Ears for $58 [MD]
It’s an AKG party at members-only Massdrop, the AKG M220 Semi-Open Over-Ears (based on the good old K240) are now fully unlocked at $50 plus $8~ flat shipping. The promotion ends in about eight days and the shipment estimate for these is late August 2016.
If you prefer instant gratification or a lower price, you can get them in “Used – Like New” (Store Demo) condition for $49 with free shipping by AudioWatt Store thru AWD (Amazon Warehouse Deals). This is fulfilled by Amazonia, so it is Prime-eligible for members.
Refurbished Fiio X5 first generation DAP for $129
This is an interesting trade-off if you are in the market for a DAP. The first generation of the Fiio X5 is now available manufacturer refurbished for $129 with free shipping at Adorama.com until 7/30/16 (or earlier if sold out).
The latest X5 model is the second generation which goes for $300 in new condition unless you find it on special. So you have to trade-off the advantages of the latest model, along with new-vs-refurbished, versus a much lower price. The first generation X5 has been around for a while, so plenty is written about it at various forums and websites. It can also serve as a USB DAC and it has two microSD slots (no on-board storage).
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