ok, for all of you curious, imo, the ones from ebay thru the Hittime3c seller are fakes.
note that i am comparing the US released version (from Moma) vs the "japan release" Hittime3c's (referred to as the "Hitme" version) so, perhaps there are some packaging disparities that i note but are normal... i can't confirm as i don't have an official Japanese release.
so, here's my, probably, overlong and overthought comments...
box:
US version has a higher quality Amadana shadow logo and you can see the dots. Hitme, there is some gradient/artifacting at the dropshadow - imo, looks like a photocopy. box is a little yellowish/dingy... could be age.
on the sides of the box, the words "Earphone", a Japanese word and PE-117 are in a different location, use different fonts/spacing. the italicized word, "amadana" looks the same. US version has a sticker w/ the barcode. Hitme version has same barcode number (w/ a T in front of it), and some other logos printed on it. on the other side, similar comments except US version has a sticker w/ contents listed. i assume the Japanese is the same.
US box cardboard sleeve is different - nice glossy white outside, gray inside, thinner. Hitme version seems a bit dingy, gray white and thicker.
inside black box is different. the US version is matte w/ a linen texture on the outside, a stripy texture inside. there is a sticker w/ some japanese and 0522 (inspector sticker?). construction is different - the inside support is a pentagon. the Hitme version is a glossy black cardboard, no texture, no sticker. the supporting flanges are lower and rectangular.
the foam holding the earphones are different in texture, color and thickness... hard to describe. sorry. again, imo, the texture of the foam from the US version works w/ the rest of the packaging - to me, quite deliberately designed - at least, if i designed these, i'd do the same.
heh, but, let's move on the the earphones:
right away, i notice that the joint on the Hitme version is much looser, not aligned, not as fitted. the US version has some nice smooth resistance when you move it. the shape of the bamboo is thinner on the US version and where the bamboo meets the metal ends, it is nicely aligned. the Hitme version, the bamboo seems slightly bigger and on mine, they're not properly centered. the bar hook is matte on the US version and ends w/ a rounded tip. the Hitme version is glossier and ends flat - and when i tried them on, i can feel why the rounded ones are better b/c the flat ends scratch. the metal finishes on the US version have a definite pattern - either circular on the ends or a linear pattern on the flat parts. the Hitme version, they are less distinct (if any). the word "amadana" on the earphone bar (which is thicker on the US version, btw)... the straight part of the letter "d" curves slightly to the left on the US version; the Hitme version, that part is more or less straight - font is very similar. did i mention that the Hitme version is overall, floppier?
the cable on the Hitme version is thicker. the lengths on the cables to each ear and to the jack are different - the most significant is that the Hitme version is a good 6-7" longer to the jack (w/out the extension). there are other minor differences on the cable like the connection to the buds. w/out the foam pads, the US version has a thicker rubber ring on the periphery. and looking thru the mesh, i can see the holes are different - larger on the Hitme version - openings are thicker.
those are my appearance comments... moving on to the sound... big big difference.
i first tried the Hitme version (on my PSP w/ Feists 1234 song...
). sounded ok. then i changed headphones and the US version's sound bloomed like a flower. (note i adjusted the earphones to try to get the best sound due to positioning and made no volume adjustments). i also tried them on in reverse order (on my fubar3 w/ radiohead's idioteque)... and the same terrible results. as soon as i put in the Hitme version, sound lost highs and lows, was much more muddy. um, they do not sound good compared to the US version at all.
just based on the sound, i am certain these are either amadana rejects or counterfeits... i'm guessing the latter.
don't ask for pics b/c i'm lazy
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forgot to mention the bag... (if anyone is still reading). the US version is more squarish, and when you squeeze the ends, the lips opens symetrically. the Hitme version is a bit more rectangular in shape, and they used thinner metal in the lips and when i squeeze them, they both go in the same curve direction - probably b/c they're not aligned w/ each other. again, could be just a bad batch, but, i don't see why they went w/ a thinner metal piece inside unless they wanted to go cheaper. of course, the shape of the bag could be just tolerances.
also, the US version came w/ a little blurb about Amadana on rice paper.
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i do agree that if these are counterfeits, they certainly put a lot of effort into this... why?
Also, the left earbud's elbow joint isn't that tight so it doesn't hold well, it looks like the little rubber piece is slightly small... i'll have to get a tiny allen wrench and reinforce with teflon tape or something.
