[alpha421]

Were you able to compare with an "authentic" one?

 

[Ivabign]

  These are authentic and cheap: http://www.ebay.com/itm/231489344243?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
 
Demo models for less than 50% of the retail price. I took a risk, bought one and it seems 100% authentic.

Is your serial number the same as the one in his ad? I mean the one in the photos in his ad....

 

[willismith22]

Hi Guys, 
 
I am new to this forum, but I have quite a bit of experience with verifying authentic IE-800's so I thought I would give some advice. 
 
Unfortunately because I am new, the site will not let me upload photos which I have taken comparing real and fake models. 
 
As soon as the feature becomes available Ill share them. 
 
Best!

 

[Munamankeli]

I was fool enough to buy "brand new Sennheiser IE800" on eBay trusting on eBay Money Back Guarantee in case things go wrong.
Bottom line: It's very likely that any product on eBay which is described as a brand new / factory sealed Sennheiser IE800 is a counterfeit.
 
My case:
a. Purchased Sennheiser IE800 on eBay in June 2015
b. Paid through PayPal (459 USD)
c. The product was shipped from Hong Kong
d. Received it and all looked good and perfectly true to the original
e. I performed Sennheiser online authenticity check using ID and serial number printed in the box
f. Passed but I contacted Sennheiser to make double-check
g. They replied and verified the product is counterfeit and advised me to always verify the seller is authorised Sennheiser dealer
h. Contacted both the seller and eBay with the documentation Sennheiser sent me
i. eBay advised me to return the item, which is against their Money Back Guarantee guideline (If a buyer suspects that an item is counterfeit, and there are strong indicators that the item is counterfeit, we don't require the buyer to return the item to the seller.)
j. eBay refunded my money through PayPal. I lost almost 150 USD for VAT, customs and return shipping but that's reasonable price for priceless lesson.
 
NOTE 1:
I took the fake IE800 to authorised Sennheiser mechanic and even he could not see the difference until closer inspection. Build quality was top notch and the box plus related items seemed authentic. What's most annoying is the fact that soundstage was quite close to genuine IE800. I thought my fake IE800 sounded amazing since day one and the mechanic agreed but said there is still slight difference in the bass, but only very minor. Anyway, fake IE800 sounded terrific and he was almost as amazed as myself.
 
So what are the differences between genuine and counterfeit?
Counterfeit:
- Driver unit but you cannot notice this until removing grille and being a Sennheiser specialist
- No seals in the box
- Plastic wrapping (genuine Sennheiser IE800 box is not wrapped)
- Retailer/wholesaler sticker on the front side
- Quality of plastic which is used to wrap the manual(s)
- Very minor finishing defects in carrying case
 
NOTE2:
Sennheiser online product authentication is a joke, so do not count on it. My fake IE800 passed it with flying colors and yet the mechanic said the product serial number does not exist in their records or there is something wrong with it.
 
Serial nro 1353027334

 

[Munamankeli]

Duplicate removed.

 

[Dobrescu George]

  I was fool enough to buy "brand new Sennheiser IE800" on eBay trusting on eBay Money Back Guarantee in case things go wrong.
Bottom line: It's very likely that any product on eBay which is described as a brand new / factory sealed Sennheiser IE800 is a counterfeit.
 
My case:
a. Purchased Sennheiser IE800 on eBay in June 2015
b. Paid through PayPal (459 USD)
c. The product was shipped from Hong Kong
d. Received it and all looked good and perfectly true to the original
e. I performed Sennheiser online authenticity check using ID and serial number printed in the box
f. Passed but I contacted Sennheiser to make double-check
g. They replied and verified the product is counterfeit and Sennheiser or its affiliates never sell any genuine Sennheiser products on ebay
h. Contacted both the seller and eBay with the documentation Sennheiser sent me
i. eBay advised me to return the item, which is against their Money Back Guarantee guideline (If a buyer suspects that an item is counterfeit, and there are strong indicators that the item is counterfeit, we don't require the buyer to return the item to the seller.)
j. eBay refunded my money through PayPal. I lost almost 150 USD for VAT, customs and return shipping but that's reasonable price for priceless lesson.
 
NOTE 1:
I took the fake IE800 to authorised Sennheiser mechanic and even he could not see the difference until closer inspection. Build quality was top notch and the box plus related items seemed authentic. What's most annoying is the fact that soundstage was quite close to genuine IE800. I thought my fake IE800 sounded amazing since day one and the mechanic agreed but said there is still slight difference in the bass, but only very minor. Anyway, fake IE800 sounded terrific and he was almost as amazed as myself.
 
So what are the differences between genuine and counterfeit?
Counterfeit:
- Driver unit but you cannot notice this until removing grille and being a Sennheiser specialist
- No seals in the box
- Plastic wrapping (genuine Sennheiser IE800 box is not wrapped)
- Retailer/wholesaler sticker on the front side
- Quality of plastic which is used to wrap the manual(s)
- Very minor finishing defects in carrying case
 
NOTE2:
Sennheiser online product authentication is a joke, so do not count on it. My fake IE800 passed it with flying colors and yet the mechanic said the product serial number does not exist in their records or there is something wrong with it.
 
Serial nro 1353027334

Then fake ie800 are a cheaper solution to those who want ie800 sound for less money 

 
Bt for now, I must say, I excepcted the most differences being in sound not in minor outer aspects.
 
This being said, if the fakes are up to the sound, why do not they release it with other name, and make a IEM with their own brand? 

 

[Munamankeli]

  Then fake ie800 are a cheaper solution to those who want ie800 sound for less money 

 
Bt for now, I must say, I excepcted the most differences being in sound not in minor outer aspects.
 
This being said, if the fakes are up to the sound, why do not they release it with other name, and make a IEM with their own brand? 

 
The problem is they are not much cheaper. I would rather pay 700 USD for genuine IE 800 than 459 USD for Chinese copy. Note that build quality and craftsmanship was not superior and I lost driver grille due to poor assembly/gluing. (That's the reason I took 'em to Sennheiser repair service.)
 
And there is difference in sound, though not significant according to Sennheiser rep.  At least my fake IE800 sound terrific. 
 
To your 2nd question, I guess most people are paying for the brand, not for the sound. This way counterfeits can charge premium price with minimal production and especially marketing cost. 

 

[Dobrescu George]

   
The problem is they are not much cheaper. I would rather pay 700 USD for genuine IE 800 than 459 USD for Chinese copy. Note that build quality and craftsmanship was not superior and I lost driver grille due to poor assembly/gluing. (That's the reason I took 'em to Sennheiser repair service.)
 
And there is difference in sound, though not significant according to Sennheiser rep.  At least my fake IE800 sound terrific. 
 
To your 2nd question, I guess most people are paying for the brand, not for the sound. This way counterfeits can charge premium price with minimal production and especially marketing cost. 

Ah, Yes, the marketing costs. 
 
I almost forgot how expensive it is to advetise a product. 
 
About Ie800, the fakes have glossy or matte carrying case? Sennheiser has matte now, but used to have glossy. 
 
Also, if there is little difference in most aspects, I wonder if some shops, like electronics shops who sell Ie800 might be actually buying fakes and selling fakes instead of true Ie800. As I rmember, Sennheiser advices on their site to only buy from a limited list of shops. 

 

[Munamankeli]

The case was matte. Looked real leather but I'm not 100% sure. 
Ah, one more thing. Y connector did not make click sound as some genuine IE 800s I have seen on unboxing videos. Confusingly somebody on this forum claimed genuine used to click but not any longer, so It might be the case that genuine IE 800 does not make click sound either. 

 

[Dobrescu George]

  The case was matte. Looked real leather but I'm not 100% sure. 
Ah, one more thing. Y connector did not make click sound as some genuine IE 800s I have seen on unboxing videos. Confusingly somebody on this forum claimed genuine used to click but not any longer, so It might be the case that genuine IE 800 does not make click sound either. 

My Ie800, the latest batch clicks in Y split. 

 

[Munamankeli]

  My Ie800, the latest batch clicks in Y split. 

OK, there we have at least one distinctive difference. (How come they have not implemented this properly is beyond me. Should be relatively cheap compared to ceramic housing and superb driver unit.) 

 

[Dobrescu George]

By click, I mean, the 2.5mm connector, which connects the split with the rest of the cable clicks when connected. And it is good, because it is more secure this way, not to mention that 2.5mm and 3.5mm plugs are kept in place using spring systems. It is their design. 

 

[denis1976]

I was fool enough to buy "brand new Sennheiser IE800" on eBay trusting on eBay Money Back Guarantee 
in case things go wrong.
Bottom line: It's very likely that any product on eBay which is described as a brand new / factory sealed Sennheiser IE800 is a counterfeit.

My case:
a. Purchased Sennheiser IE800 on eBay in June 2015
b. Paid through PayPal (459 USD)
c. The product was shipped from Hong Kong
d. Received it and all looked good and perfectly true to the original
e. I performed Sennheiser online authenticity check using ID and serial number printed in the box
f. Passed but I contacted Sennheiser to make double-check
g. They replied and verified the product is counterfeit and Sennheiser or its affiliates never sell any genuine Sennheiser products on ebay
h. Contacted both the seller and eBay with the documentation Sennheiser sent me
i. eBay advised me to return the item, which is against their Money Back Guarantee guideline ([COLOR=333333]If a buyer suspects that an item is counterfeit, and there are strong indicators that the item is counterfeit, we don't require the buyer to return the item to the seller.)[/COLOR]
j. eBay refunded my money through PayPal. I lost almost 150 USD for VAT, customs and return shipping but that's reasonable price for priceless lesson.

NOTE 1:
I took the fake IE800 to authorised Sennheiser mechanic and even he could not see the difference until closer inspection. Build quality was top notch and the box plus related items seemed authentic. What's most annoying is the fact that soundstage was quite close to genuine IE800. I thought my fake IE800 sounded amazing since day one and the mechanic agreed but said there is still slight difference in the bass, but only very minor. Anyway, fake IE800 sounded terrific and he was almost as amazed as myself.

So what are the differences between genuine and counterfeit?
Counterfeit:
- Driver unit but you cannot notice this until removing grille and being a Sennheiser specialist
- No seals in the box
- Plastic wrapping (genuine Sennheiser IE800 box is not wrapped)
- Retailer/wholesaler sticker on the front side
- Quality of plastic which is used to wrap the manual(s)
- Very minor finishing defects in carrying case

NOTE2:
Sennheiser online product authentication is a joke, so do not count on it. My fake IE800 passed it with flying colors and yet the mechanic said the product serial number does not exist in their records or there is something wrong with it.

Serial nro [COLOR=222222]1353027334[/COLOR]

hello i bought my ie800 on ebay from Audio Impact in italy from 575 euros a year ago +- , real sennheiser don't sell in ebay? Well This statement is fake, there are many products on ebay from sennheiser, sold by shops selling Sennheiser products to the public therefore has open shop would not risk walking to deceive customers, now, all that come from china I think 2 or 3 times before buying

 

[denis1976]

And don't forget they are "made in germany"

 

[Munamankeli]

hello i bought my ie800 on ebay from Audio Impact in italy from 575 euros a year ago +- , real sennheiser don't sell in ebay? Well This statement is fake, there are many products on ebay from sennheiser, sold by shops selling Sennheiser products to the public therefore has open shop would not risk walking to deceive customers, now, all that come from china I think 2 or 3 times before buying

 
Ciao!
Yes, you are right. There may be some authorised Sennheiser dealers who sell genuine stuff on eBay. I revised my report and made it more clearly. This is what Sennheiser Customer and Brand Protection Team replied me in the first place:
"As a matter for urgency please buy your products only through an authorized dealer of Sennheiser. On internet plattforms as ebay are many suspicious offers."
 
 
List of Sennheiser dealers
http://en-de.sennheiser.com/dealer-locator?