d4nt3
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2014
- Posts
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First off, I live in SE Asia, and I'd like to tell you guys that fake Momentums can be had here for as little as US$50. You can them anywhere from Hong Kong, Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.
The fakes have gotten so good that its difficult to tell them apart from the real thing. Let me start off by dispelling some "myths" I see floating around the boards. You can't rely on the following to tell the fakes apart:
Here's the thing, unless a component is made by a proprietary process that involves technology from another galaxy, then you can be assured that particular component is readily available in the market, or there's a manufacturer capable of making something similar. Simply check out the Alibaba web site and you'll know what I mean.
However, there are still ways to identify a fake, or as we say here, "Class A":
Just to give you guys an idea how prevalent this is, here's a short list of other "Class A" headphones that's generally available in Asia:
Here's a general rule of thumb we live by here ... "if it's made in China, there's a fake version"
Oh by the way, I've heard rumors of fake HD 700 ... and no, that's not a typo, I did mean Sennheiser HD700. Although, I've yet to see one.
The fakes have gotten so good that its difficult to tell them apart from the real thing. Let me start off by dispelling some "myths" I see floating around the boards. You can't rely on the following to tell the fakes apart:
- Hard case. The case is virtually identical to the real thing from the material, zipper, all the way to the color of the stitching.
- Cable. The fake black Momentums comes with red cable and the brown comes with black, just like the real thing. The plugs are made of aluminum and bends 90 degrees complete with embossed logo. Oh, and don't forget about the spare cable neatly packed inside the case. Both cables are wrapped in self-sealing plastic, just like the one used the real thing. Having said that -- its still possible for some to come with the wrong color cable. Furthermore, I've measured the resistance on the cable as below 1 ohms.
- Microphone. Its metal and just as heavy as the real thing. All the buttons works, your smartphone won't know the difference. They're also wrapped in the same semi-transparent plastic. While we're on the subject, the mike on the fake has better gain.
- Metal headband. Despite what's been written about in previous posts, it's not expensive to make them, specially here in Asia. The cut is precise and smooth.
- Fittings. You won't be able to tell them apart by looking at the screws and rivets. Fake black Momentums will have black rivets on the headband while the brown will have plain aluminum. Even the large screw inside the cup that connects it to the headband is the same as in the original.
- Stitching. Forget about looking at the stitching. They got this down to the type and thickness of thread.
- Box. Same with stitching. They got this down perfect, from the print quality, pull tab, all the way to the foam used.
- Serial number under the pad. Yeah, remove the pad and it's there.
- Holographic security sticker on the side of the box. All we can about this is, "Where do you think they're printed?"
Here's the thing, unless a component is made by a proprietary process that involves technology from another galaxy, then you can be assured that particular component is readily available in the market, or there's a manufacturer capable of making something similar. Simply check out the Alibaba web site and you'll know what I mean.
However, there are still ways to identify a fake, or as we say here, "Class A":
- Headband leather. Most Class A's will use smooth leatherette (pleather for most of you). The real thing uses a much softer grained leather.
- Pads. While the original are plush and soft, the fakes are thicker and harder which causes the driver to rest farther from your ears.
- Driver. Best way to identify a fake. Sennheiser developed specially thin drivers for the Momentum, because of this, the fakers are forced to use 30mm drivers because normal 40mm drivers are too thick to fit inside the cup. This leads to a sound that's not as loud. The bass is a little recessed, with the mids slightly forward, and the highs bright bordering on sibilant. It actually sounds quite nice when connected to an amp.
Just to give you guys an idea how prevalent this is, here's a short list of other "Class A" headphones that's generally available in Asia:
- Sennheiser - I300, IE6, IE60, IE7, IE8, IE8i, IE80, IE800, MX360, MX365, MX375, MX500, MX685, MX760, MM70i, OMX80, OMX60, OMX680, PMX80, PMX680, PMX685i, OCX685i, CX95, CX175, CX200, CX215, CX275S, CX300, CX310, CX350, CX380, PC33D, HD25-II, HD228, HD238, HD202, HD205, HD428, HD448, HD598
- AKG - Q460, K414, K420, K430, K450
- Audio Technica - ATH-M50, CKS55, CKS99, CKM1000, FC707, FC700
- Bang & Olufsen - Form 2, A8
- Beats - Solo, Tour, Tour v2, Harajuku, Studio, Studio v2, Beats Pro, Detox, Turbine Pro
- Bowers & Wilkins - C5, P3, P5
- Bose - QC 3, QC 15, QC 20, OE2, OE2i, SIE2, SIE2i, MIE2i, IE2, OE Supra
- JBL - J33i, J55
- Klipsch - S4i, Image One, Image X10
- SMS by 50 Cent - Sync Wireless, Street Over Ear, Street Wireless, DJ
- Sol - Republic, Amps HD, Master Tracks
- Sony DR220DP, MDRV6, V900HD, MDR7506, XB40EX, XB700
- Soul by Ludacris - SL 49, SL 99, SL 150
- Ultimate Ears - UE100, UE500, UE500vi
- V-Moda Remix
Here's a general rule of thumb we live by here ... "if it's made in China, there's a fake version"
Oh by the way, I've heard rumors of fake HD 700 ... and no, that's not a typo, I did mean Sennheiser HD700. Although, I've yet to see one.