[hhenryks]

I noticed some bulk Ultimate Ears products on eBay that don't come in retail packaging, and they seem to be priced very cheap. Has anyone bought a pair of these? Are they fakes? The seller seems to have sold quite a few so I was just wondering if anyone had any experience.

Ultimate Ears Super Fi 5 Noise Isolating Earphones BULK - eBay (item 170436443586 end time Feb-22-10 10:33:36 PST)

 

[thammuz]

I haven't read anything about fake UEs... You can always try sending an e-mail out to UE, or give the a call.

 

[mark2410]

kinda look real to me, given their other items far sale too

 

[Hentai11]

I have the 5 .vi, and it looks quite like those. Wouldn't call myself a skilled observer, though.

 

[litigator]

I bought some Super fi 4vi's in bulk packaging on ebay and they're fine.

 

[parker770]

Quote:

I bought some Super fi 4vi's in bulk packaging on ebay and they're fine.

Interestingly, the Super fi 4vi's are the only UE model that I have read reports of being counterfeited.  Check out http://fakeheadphones.com, they have a forum specifically devoted to exposing counterfeit headphones.  Check out this thread for further info:http://www.fakeheadphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=777.0
 
In that 4vi thread, someone posted a link to:http://www.diytrade.com/china/4/products/6325981/Ultimate_ears_super_fi_4vi_earphones.html#normal_img as one of the sources of the counterfeit IEMs. 
 
Browse the fakeheadphones.com site for a while and you will see just how widespread the problem is.  Virtually every headphone manufacturer has fallen victim to the counterfeiters, and it is scary how close some of them are in appearance.  Even down to the complex retail packaging, they are VERY good at knocking this stuff off.  Just look at how good the packaging on the fake Monster Beats by Dr. Dre.  The early knockoffs were easy to spot because of problems with the packaging, but they have gotten much better over time, even down to the magnetic flap on the box.
 
It really makes me hesitant to buy them online, especially those Triple Fi 10's that are on eBay with "bulk" packaging.  I sent an email to UE to try and verify their authenticity, but I haven't heard back yet.  I have been REALLY tempted to order them though, as I have yet to hear anything about the Triple fi 10's being copied. 
 
Did the OP ever end up purchasing these?