[Stevesebastianb]

Yesterday I saw for the first time some Audio Technica ATH-ESW9 fakes hit the streets. These are in fact very easy to detect, they are not wood at all! The ear cups are wood grain imprinted plastic and the ear pads are poor and do not look at all like the real ear pads. The wood grain on the plastic looks like typical wood grain imprint on Formica! Beware, you have been warned, so if you see in the days and months ahead cheap Audio Technica ATH-ESW9 for sale on the web or on eBay, stay away for these are most likely the fakes. I did not go and listen to them so can't comment. The cans simply look cheap and nasty.

 

[Ishcabible]

Well, there go my plans. Grr, this is unsettling; I actually wanted to buy these in a year. I could always buy from here of course though.

 

[dwong]

Thanks for the heads up! I just purchased one from Ebay and waiting for it to arrive. He seemed like a legit vendor and told me it was authentic and not a replica of any sort. I guess I'll find out for myself when it arrives and post some pics of them.

 

[Emooze]

This is just depressing.

Thanks for the heads-up.

 

[Dash]

Mine are real.

 

[tk3]

There were some pics of the fake ESW9's in the portable forum, too.
So if you want to see what to look out for, check there.

 

[obobskivich]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ishcabible /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well, there go my plans. Grr, this is unsettling; I actually wanted to buy these in a year. I could always buy from here of course though.

theres still AudioCubes, Amazon, AudiogoN, and the FS forums

 

[thechungster]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevesebastianb /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yesterday I saw for the first time some Audio Technica ATH-ESW9 fakes hit the streets. These are in fact very easy to detect, they are not wood at all! The ear cups are wood grain imprinted plastic and the ear pads are poor and do not look at all like the real ear pads. The wood grain on the plastic looks like typical wood garin imprint on Formica! Beware, you have been warned, so if you see in the days and months ahead cheap Audio Technica ATH-ESW9 for say on the web or on eBay, stay away for these are most likely the fakes. I did not go and listen to them so can't comment. The cans simply look cheap and nasty.

Where in Hong Kong did you see them? Mong Kok markets?

 

[Stevesebastianb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thechungster /img/forum/go_quote.gif Where in Hong Kong did you see them? Mong Kok markets?

^^^ Widespread - Ap Liu Street & Mong Kok!

 

[thechungster]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevesebastianb /img/forum/go_quote.gif ^^^ Widespread - Ap Liu Street & Mong Kok!

Oh :/ I'll try and spot them out next time I go to Hong Kong

(Next Feb hopefully)
There might be some in many backstreets, such as Sheung shui and Tai Po.

 

[boomy3555]

I hope to read a comparison of these fakes vs Real. It's amazing what counterfitters can do with audio now days.

 

[Stevesebastianb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by boomy3555 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I hope to read a comparison of these fakes vs Real. It's amazing what counterfitters can do with audio now days.

^^^ I wonder who will be brave enough to buy a pair of these fakes to do the comparison? The fakes I saw, you could literally spot effortlessly, I didn't bother to listen to them. Sooner or later someone out there will buy a pair.

 

[thechungster]

Since it's 8AM in Hong Kong, do you think you could go into the markets later and take a few photos if possible?

 

[SleepyOne]

Probably better stick with larger & more reputable shops even if it costs a bit more...

 

[Stevesebastianb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thechungster /img/forum/go_quote.gif Since it's 8AM in Hong Kong, do you think you could go into the markets later and take a few photos if possible?

^^^Nope, the shops aren't open until about noon and it's to far to go just to take a couple of photos.