Earbuds Round-Up

[samandhi]

My adventures into the world of Hifi have been very costly.

After the Aliexpress seller (BrightAudio Store) told me to ship it to him by under declaring the value (even though I said I would pay for any taxes) and to mark it as "used", the mf told me that Chinese customs do not accept used goods (?) and then, when customs called him, he declared it as "brand new" (for some reason). Now, it's stuck in limbo and the guy doesn't even reply anymore.

Jesus Christ.

I wasted so much money, time and energy shipping that cracrap

Don't ever doubt that those Chinese companies know exactly how to work the system. If it were me I would not wait for them. I would start a dispute now, as soon as you are able. This was done on purpose, and to the sellers advantage.

They will feign ignorance, all the while you lose your product, and they spend 0 dollars to make things right. On top of not taking responsibility, to you it does not appear to be their fault. Hold them accountable my friend. This has always pissed me off about the way Chinese companies do business.

But I digress........

rr

Oh geez I'm waiting on the Waner 2 to stock and ship from BrightAudio. I've already pre-ordered they.

Sorry that you had troubles. Did you get Aliexpress involved? They're pretty good at refunds, at least for me they have

BrightAudio is great as long as there are no problems that cost them money. Of course, this is not uncommon for all ChFi IMHO. The initial buy usually has no issues for the more reputable companies.

For example, i had a problem with a set i got from a Chinese store (the left driver was blown). This store told me that i needed to send them a video of the issue before they would even consider warranty (umm a video of a sound issue? Really?). In the end they DID indeed make it right, but that is pretty few and far between where after sales support is concerned for most of these companies.

Another time I remember a member here having issues with their brand new buds, and when contacting customer support, they actually got mad at them, and accused them of blaming them on a damaged product that they damaged themselves; all this on the first conversation with no proof asked for or any other words exchanged. That was the end of it, and nothing was ever done to fix the problem at all.

 

[mt877]

My adventures into the world of Hifi have been very costly.

After the Aliexpress seller (BrightAudio Store) told me to ship it to him by under declaring the value (even though I said I would pay for any taxes) and to mark it as "used", the mf told me that Chinese customs do not accept used goods (?) and then, when customs called him, he declared it as "brand new" (for some reason). Now, it's stuck in limbo and the guy doesn't even reply anymore.

Jesus Christ.

I wasted so much money, time and energy shipping that crap.

These AE vendors know they have international customers over the barrel. Once they have your money, they have delay tactics that prevent you from returning an item within the AE return window. If I remember your situation, you had a problem with a software update that bricked your device and you're just trying to get a warranty repair or replacement. Unfortunately you had to ship the device back to the AE vendor as the go between for you and the device manufacturer. I hope your situation gets resolved and you get a warranty repair or replacement.

 

[h8uthemost]

Don't ever doubt that those Chinese companies know exactly how to work the system. If it were me I would not wait for them. I would start a dispute now, as soon as you are able. This was done on purpose, and to the sellers advantage.

They will feign ignorance, all the while you lose your product, and they spend 0 dollars to make things right. On top of not taking responsibility, to you it does not appear to be their fault. Hold them accountable my friend. This has always pissed me off about the way Chinese companies do business.

But I digress........

BrightAudio is great as long as there are no problems that cost them money. Of course, this is not uncommon for all ChFi IMHO. The initial buy usually has no issues for the more reputable companies.

For example, i had a problem with a set i got from a Chinese store (the left driver was blown). This store told me that i needed to send them a video of the issue before they would even consider warranty (umm a video of a sound issue? Really?). In the end they DID indeed make it right, but that is pretty few and far between where after sales support is concerned for most of these companies.

Another time I remember a member here having issues with their brand new buds, and when contacting customer support, they actually got mad at them, and accused them of blaming them on a damaged product that they damaged themselves; all this on the first conversation with no proof asked for or any other words exchanged. That was the end of it, and nothing was ever done to fix the problem at all.

I had a problem with the left driver of the Tmusic EP3. It arrived dead, and the owner asked me to send him a video of the sound, or lack of. I was like What. It was funny. In the end the driver started working somehow and I was all good.

 

[samandhi]

These AE vendors know they have international customers over the barrel. Once they have your money, they have delay tactics that prevent you from returning an item within the AE return window. If I remember your situation, you had a problem with a software update that bricked your device and you're just trying to get a warranty repair or replacement. Unfortunately you had to ship the device back to the AE vendor as the go between for you and the device manufacturer. I hope your situation gets resolved and you get a warranty repair or replacement.

This......

I had a problem with the left driver of the Tmusic EP3. It arrived dead, and the owner asked me to send him a video of the sound, or lack of. I was like What. It was funny. In the end the driver started working somehow and I was all good.

Omg! Good luck, that. Haha

 

[sapporo444]

These AE vendors know they have international customers over the barrel. Once they have your money, they have delay tactics that prevent you from returning an item within the AE return window. If I remember your situation, you had a problem with a software update that bricked your device and you're just trying to get a warranty repair or replacement. Unfortunately you had to ship the device back to the AE vendor as the go between for you and the device manufacturer. I hope your situation gets resolved and you get a warranty repair or replacement.

No, but what he did is straight up abusive.

I asked, not once, but twice, if he could help me with this and he said, "yeah! just ship it to us and we'll even pay to ship it back to you!". I really liked the device, so I spent $80 dollars to ship it to him ($320 + $45 (shipping to Argentina) + $80 (shipping to China)). During our convo, he said, "declare it as used!". Ok, I did; in a few days it arrived in Shenzhen but got detained, so I asked something to a Chinese Fedex lady that works as customer support for Fedex China and she asked a few questions to clear the package, a day later she mentioned that the receiver said it was a "brand new" device; I asked him tf was that about and he said, "oh, Chinese customs don't allow importing used goods". Hell, even Fedex China has a form you can fill to export items for repair to China. I plastered the box with notes saying it was for repair; of course customs are going to keep it if he then says it's brand new.

tf, man. I really don't know if this guy is toying with me or what, but hell, I'd have preferred if they had straight up denied to help.

 

[samandhi]

No, but what he did is straight up abusive.

I asked, not once, but twice, if he could help me with this and he said, "yeah! just ship it to us and we'll even pay to ship it back to you!". I really liked the device, so I spent $80 dollars to ship it to him ($320 + $45 (shipping to Argentina) + $80 (shipping to China)). During our convo, he said, "declare it as used!". Ok, I did; in a few days it arrived in Shenzhen but got detained, so I asked something to a Chinese Fedex lady that works as customer support for Fedex China and she asked a few questions to clear the package, a day later she mentioned that the receiver said it was a "brand new" device; I asked him tf was that about and he said, "oh, Chinese customs don't allow importing used goods". Hell, even Fedex China has a form you can fill to export items for repair to China. I plastered the box with notes saying it was for repair; of course customs are going to keep it if he then says it's brand new.

tf, man. I really don't know if this guy is toying with me or what, but hell, I'd have preferred if they had straight up denied to help.

All they have to do is make it confusing to you, and difficult enough that you will simply give up. Problem solved, as far as they are concerned.

The trend is that nowadays, companies aren't looking for "loyal" customers. They are only interested in instant sales. They will just make an "updated model", and move forwards. As long as consumers keep buying, then who cares?! It is very sad but true.

We think of this as bordering on criminal, but this has become the trend because it works and they save a bunch of money. There isn't anyone to really hold them accountable as a company. There are no laws actually being broken, and who is there to make sure they do the "honorable" thing in the end.

Hell, most of these companies aren't innovating anyhow. They are simply taking something successful and "regurgitating" it in a different package and selling it to "John Q Public" anyhow. The patent laws aren't the same there as they are in different places in the world. We think that because we are used to it being this way, that they all have to follow this, but they don't, and take advantage of our thinking (if any of this makes any sense?).

 

[4ceratops]

All they have to do is make it confusing to you, and difficult enough that you will simply give up. Problem solved, as far as they are concerned.

The trend is that nowadays, companies aren't looking for "loyal" customers. They are only interested in instant sales. They will just make an "updated model", and move forwards. As long as consumers keep buying, then who cares?! It is very sad but true.

We think of this as bordering on criminal, but this has become the trend because it works and they save a bunch of money. There isn't anyone to really hold them accountable as a company. There are no laws actually being broken, and who is there to make sure they do the "honorable" thing in the end.

Hell, most of these companies aren't innovating anyhow. They are simply taking something successful and "regurgitating" it in a different package and selling it to "John Q Public" anyhow. The patent laws aren't the same there as they are in different places in the world. We think that because we are used to it being this way, that they all have to follow this, but they don't, and take advantage of our thinking (if any of this makes any sense?).

I fully agree. My personal experience says exactly the same thing. Chinese sellers behave, by European standards, like common primitive crooks, whose aim in case of any problems is just to cheat and harm the customer. And they are apparently proud of it.

 

[mt877]

No, but what he did is straight up abusive.

I asked, not once, but twice, if he could help me with this and he said, "yeah! just ship it to us and we'll even pay to ship it back to you!". I really liked the device, so I spent $80 dollars to ship it to him ($320 + $45 (shipping to Argentina) + $80 (shipping to China)). During our convo, he said, "declare it as used!". Ok, I did; in a few days it arrived in Shenzhen but got detained, so I asked something to a Chinese Fedex lady that works as customer support for Fedex China and she asked a few questions to clear the package, a day later she mentioned that the receiver said it was a "brand new" device; I asked him tf was that about and he said, "oh, Chinese customs don't allow importing used goods". Hell, even Fedex China has a form you can fill to export items for repair to China. I plastered the box with notes saying it was for repair; of course customs are going to keep it if he then says it's brand new.

tf, man. I really don't know if this guy is toying with me or what, but hell, I'd have preferred if they had straight up denied to help.

Ok, I found your post about the FiiO Q15 that got bricked after / during a software update. Does FiiO refuse to provide repair services unless the Q15 is shipped back to the seller?

 

[sapporo444]

Ok, I found your post about the FiiO Q15 that got bricked after / during a software update. Does FiiO refuse to provide repair services unless the Q15 is shipped back to the seller?

No, they told me I could ship it to them (FIIO), but it took them like a week to reply. Then, I sent another question which took about two weeks after pestering them on Facebook and on their own forums and email; by then, I had already shipped the device. The delay didn't make me feel safe shipping it to them (for some reason), lol. I should have.

 

[mt877]

No, they told me I could ship it to them (FIIO), but it took them like a week to reply. Then, I sent another question which took about two weeks after pestering them on Facebook and on their own forums and email; by then, I had already shipped the device. The delay didn't make me feel safe shipping it to them (for some reason), lol. I should have.

Sorry to say this, and I don't want to make you feel bad, but unfortunately you fell into your own trap of wanting to save money on the return shipping costs so you sent the Q15 to the seller instead of directly to FiiO. Man, I hope your situation is resolved and your Q15 gets repaired. I do question whether the seller will really send it back to you free of charge. Good luck.

 

[sapporo444]

Sorry to say this, and I don't want to make you feel bad, but unfortunately you fell into your own trap of wanting to save money on the return shipping costs so you sent the Q15 to the seller instead of directly to FiiO. Man, I hope your situation is resolved and your Q15 gets repaired. I do question whether the seller will really send it back to you free of charge. Good luck.

Nah, shipping from China costs pennies, but TO China is expensive as hell.

The Aliexpress seller is super responsive compared to Fiio customer support, which made me feel safer shipping it to him and then for him to deal with Fiio in their language. Besides, Fiio wanted to me declare the parcel at $19 and to "remind them" about repairing the device if it has taken longer than 2 weeks. Hell, it took me pestering them on Facebook, their own forums, here and through email, for them to reply 2 weeks later.

Chinese companies do not have good after sale services, at least not overseas. Fiio, maybe is a bit better in that aspect (if you buy from an official retailer in your country) and even so, they are lacking as well.

I do not mind paying for shipping it back. I'm even telling him that I'll pay for any duties and fees, since sound amplifiers fall under a MFN category with 0% tariffs, so there's only VAT to pay. Seriously, I just want to get this over with - I'm kinda tired at this point and just looking for other options with bluetooth, which is the best part of the Q15.

Anyway, sorry for derailing the thread, AGAIN.

 

[droenald]

Nah, shipping from China costs pennies, but TO China is expensive as hell.

The Aliexpress seller is super responsive compared to Fiio customer support, which made me feel safer shipping it to him and then for him to deal with Fiio in their language. Besides, Fiio wanted to me declare the parcel at $19 and to "remind them" about repairing the device if it has taken longer than 2 weeks. Hell, it took me pestering them on Facebook, their own forums, here and through email, for them to reply 2 weeks later.

Chinese companies do not have good after sale services, at least not overseas. Fiio, maybe is a bit better in that aspect (if you buy from an official retailer in your country) and even so, they are lacking as well.

I do not mind paying for shipping it back. I'm even telling him that I'll pay for any duties and fees, since sound amplifiers fall under a MFN category with 0% tariffs, so there's only VAT to pay. Seriously, I just want to get this over with - I'm kinda tired at this point and just looking for other options with bluetooth, which is the best part of the Q15.

Anyway, sorry for derailing the thread, AGAIN.

Qudelix 5k. Not new, but lots of options via the software to shape the sound to your liking (including parametric EQ), the software is great. Max driving power of 4V RMS over balanced. This is as much power as you will get from any other battery powered bluetooth dongle. You would have to go high end if you'd want more power. I am completely satisfied with it!

 

[dykzei]

Qudelix 5k. Not new, but lots of options via the software to shape the sound to your liking (including parametric EQ), the software is great. Max driving power of 4V RMS over balanced. This is as much power as you will get from any other battery powered bluetooth dongle. You would have to go high end if you'd want more power. I am completely satisfied with it!

More and more it looks like I should get one

 

[droenald]

More and more it looks like I should get one

Not necessarily. I am just making propaganda for it every time somebody ponders getting a bluetooth dongle...

 

[Zcaf72]

Been a long while since I've last been here, having went from RW2000 to DUNU alpha 3 and being perfectly satisfied by them

The fit or rather the way the heads balance make it extremely comfortable to use for long hours, and I've had no fit issues at all with the many months I've had these. Fit so well none of my IEM's have been touched this year! Easily my best fitting audio gear even compared to the X6's. Thanks to these I'm no longer that fixated on detachable cables.

The sound is also good, though requires full foams for my ears to round them off a tad. With foams bassier but less clear highs compared to the foamless way I wore my RW2000, not fatiguing at all and pretty enjoyable.

Finding I am getting low on foams though, the VE pack ones don't seem to last very long on these. Any suggestions on more durable foams?
Names I've seen are FAEEAL and HieGi, how are these?