[ar138]

Hi
I'm looking into buying a pair of in ear headphones under $50 AUD
On ebay i found these two cheap pairs and i'm just wondering if someone could tell me if they are genuine

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/SENNHEISER-CX500-EARPHONE-IPOD-IPHONE-Volume-Control-/330601210120?pt=AU_Electronics_Portable_Audio_Accessories&hash=item4cf95e2108
 
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Sennheiser-CX500-earphones-IPOD-IPHONE-MP3-/160637177812?pt=AU_Electronics_Portable_Audio_Accessories&hash=item2566b8cfd4

Thanks

 

[marioman94]

With these its almost impossible to tell without buying them first. If you're skeptical about the genuine claims I would suggest avoiding ebay all together. Otherwise at $24 its almost worth the risk.
 
Btw I owned a cx400 for 2 years and will say they were fantastic. I can only think the cx500 to be an upgrade.

 

[smata67]

I just paid $15US for what was suppose to be CX300 from focalprice and what I received was genuine CX500.  So cheap CX500 are out there, being discontinued models.  I can tell you they are very nice and worth the trouble obtaining.  I would get the advertised "genuine" (your second source) and if they are not, file a claim with paypal.  Lots of info out there to identify the genuine.  The writing on the buds themselves and the strain relief will be sharp and defined.  The buds "S" will be very shiny, almost mirror like.  The volume control should still have some volume at the minimum position.  The sound should be very natural and well balanced, not too much of either bass or treble with good detail. I like them more than the MEE M9, CW31 I have.  Good luck.

 

[Sennheiser]

There are a lot of fakes out there - beware. Only buy from an authorized dealer. Check with your local Sennheiser office to verify the integrity of a dealer before buying. Sales through a non-authorized channel are not typically eligible for warranty, especially if they are counterfeit.
 
Click here to view a list of non-authorized Sennheiser dealers.

 

[cifani090]

Quote:

There are a lot of fakes out there - beware. Only buy from an authorized dealer. Check with your local Sennheiser office to verify the integrity of a dealer before buying. Sales through a non-authorized channel are not typically eligible for warranty, especially if they are counterfeit.
 
Click here to view a list of non-authorized Sennheiser dealers.

Wow, thank gosh we have crime stopers out their to stop this counterfeiting, i sure the hell wouldn't want to be stuck with some fakes.
 

 

[ar138]

Ok, thanks for the advice everyone I think i'll go for these ones though
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/290564926455
They just seem more genuine

 

[smata67]

These are definite fakes:
 
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Headphone-Sennheiser-CX-500-Brand-new-leather-pouch-/170679176230?pt=AU_Electronics_Portable_Audio_Accessories&hash=item27bd458c26
 
I must say I have seen CX500 for $15 or so shipped with photos that point to them being real, for example:
 
http://www.ioffer.com/i/genuine-sennheiser-cx500-cx-500-ipod-earbuds-black-new-200835288
 
 For what you are paying, why not go with an authorized dealer?

 

[hikergrl]

How common are fake Sennheiser cx500s on the Amazon web site?
So Amazon are an authorized seller.  But the "fulfilled by amazon" are not necessarily authorized.  You can get cx500s for $23 from some "fulfilled by amazon" traders, are these probably fakes, or are cx500's such an old model that they really are this cheap now?