WARNING: Fake IE8s! Comparison pictures included!!

[juanderful]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I've been listening to my IE 8's for the past day and I really dig them.
 
Even though I notice the pronounced mid-bass like everyone has been saying, it's really not too bad. I like how detailed everything sounds. It's not as harsh sounding as my HFI-780s, nor as laid-back sounding as my HD595s; I think it strikes a perfect balance between those two -- exactly what I was looking for

 

[lee730]

Quote:

Thanks for all the replies guys. I've been listening to my IE 8's for the past day and I really dig them.
 
Even though I notice the pronounced mid-bass like everyone has been saying, it's really not too bad. I like how detailed everything sounds. It's not as harsh sounding as my HFI-780s, nor as laid-back sounding as my HD595s; I think it strikes a perfect balance between those two -- exactly what I was looking for

Well if you do get tired of the mid bass EQ that baby down and you'll get a more detailed mid range, tighter bass and the treble will be more pronounced (silky smooth) .

 

[razorwinz]

Hey guys I was wondering if you could help me check if my ie8s are fake or real? I bought them off ebay, but they just don't sound as good as my ie6s. I know my ie6s took a bit of time to burn in but the bass was always there, but with these the bass is not changing much if at all when i turn the dial.
 
But even when i initially took them out of the box there were a few things which seemed a little dodgy to me, firstly the metal case was split into 2 when i opened the box and the ie6 case can't be split into two like that. Also I am not even sure the case is even metal and it does not have the magnetic bit at the back. The sennheiser sticker on the case also seems to be falling off. (in all photos my ie6 box and stuff is on the right)
 
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/31/p1020850sw.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/835/p1020852z.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/703/p1020858v.jpg/
 
Also the blue sennheiser logo at the top of the box is bent and not even lined up properly with the box, I am also not sure if the box is metallic enough as well. The hologram on the back is also bent.
 
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/826/p1020860h.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/821/p1020861q.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/209/p1020862p.jpg/
 
I also compared the box to my ie6 box and the picture was not as elevated as the ie6, the skin colour of the picture inside was also different, and the foam seemed to be of a cheaper quality. The barcode does also start on the R of sennheiser. The wax cleaner also is not cleanly made and has a bit of plastic hanging off and the case does not slide in smoothly.
 
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/821/p1020863a.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/39/p1020864.jpg/
 
The accessories that came with it also seemed to be a bit different, the ear clips were much harder to move around and look slightly different. Also the plastic packaging the headphone tips and earclips etc came in were unlike the normal sennheiser ones i have had and were properly transparent and seemed to be very thick.
 
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/27/p1020853bf.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/40/p1020856pm.jpg/
 
I couldn't really tell looking at the actual headphones if they were fake, but there was a little red wire in the right side, but not in the left. I dont think the R and L on the headphones are slanted. I also think the bass dial is sunk more on one side then the other. The cable seems a bit poor especially it seems worn around the connectors to the earpieces.
 
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/694/p1020865t.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/804/p1020868f.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/4/p1020871u.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/28/p1020873d.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/20/p1020874w.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/856/p1020876v.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/209/p1020877f.jpg/
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/194/p1020882k.jpg/
 
I am not sure if these are fake as the headphones seem to be ok, but not really as good as they should be. But the box seems to be a bit messy. I am also not sure if the box and accessories are comparable to the ie6.
 
The ebay auction was
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150743208205?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649
 
Thanks for any help in advance and sorry about the long description and bad pictures.

 

[lee730]

Just because he claims they have holograms in the back doen't mean they are real lol. At that price they could possibly be real but you are still takinga chance. The only way you will tell is by listening to them for yourself. Then again if you've never heard what the IE8 sounds like or what good IEMs sound lik lol, that could be hard. Generally the fake ones sound like $hit. They don't have much bass at all and are super muddy. The only way to protect yourself it to deal with an authorized dealer to begin with. I'm not sure why you wouldn't opt for a pair from a local or euro dealer. You guys get Senns quite cheaper than even Americans get them...
 
The red chip is an indication they are real but as far as I know they crooks may have even copied that anti-fake feature on the IE8. How do they sound to you? Do they have a full size headphone sound to you? Very dynamic sounding? Is there too much mid bass? If all else fails you can open a case with ebay and get your money back after sending the item back if you feel they are fake. I did this but it was based on false advertising. My last pair of IE80s didn't come with the 2 year warranty the seller claimed and so I "Cried Wolf" and got my money back.
 

 

[burtomr]

Issues:
 
Price was unrealistically low.
 
Lack of magnetic plate/latch in storage case.
 
Bass adjustment screws should be recessed 2-3mm deep. Slot in screw should be very crisp w/sharp edges, not rounded. Should look almost machined and not molded. Same with (5) adjustment markings. The real ones have excellent moldings with crisp sharp edges, never rounded or smoothed off.
 
Real IE-8's sound very impressive right away. If you even have to wonder, then you probably DO NOT have the real deal.
 
If you want my opinion: they are fake, or at least they're not first quality Genuine IE-8's (maybe production rejects or 'back door' stock if not absolutely counterfeit.). Your best bet is to buy only from a Authorized Senn Dealer, otherwise you will always wonder, which sucks (dah).

 

[lee730]

To be fair what he paid is in the Brit currency I think so that is significantly more than $89.00 lol.
 
Quote:

Issues:
 
Price was unrealistically low.
 
Lack of magnetic plate/latch in storage case.
 
Bass adjustment screws should be recessed 2-3mm deep. Slot in screw should be very crisp w/sharp edges, not rounded. Should look almost machined and not molded. Same with (5) adjustment markings. The real ones have excellent moldings with crisp sharp edges, never rounded or smoothed off.
 
Real IE-8's sound very impressive right away. If you even have to wonder, then you probably DO NOT have the real deal.
 
If you want my opinion: they are fake, or at least they're not first quality Genuine IE-8's (maybe production rejects or 'back door' stock if not absolutely counterfeit.). Your best bet is to buy only from a Authorized Senn Dealer, otherwise you will always wonder, which sucks (dah).

 

 

[burtomr]

Quote:

To be fair what he paid is in the Brit currency I think so that is significantly more than $89.00 lol.
 

lee,
 
£89 = $141 >> still way to cheap for real IE-8's <<

 

[lee730]

Quote:

lee,
 
£89 = $141 >> still way to cheap for real IE-8's <<

Yeah that is true. The cheapest I got mine for was my very first pair ($265.00) and even then that was a really good deal....
 
When its sounds too good to be true "it just is lol".

 

[Ivabign]

Can you get a clearer picture of the foam the IE8's sit in? On the real ones the cut is perfect, on the fakes it is a little rough.  One thing, though. The barcode location (before the R) has been disproven, if I remember correctly. The barcode CAN before the R and be genuine.

 

[Ivabign]

Another telltale sign is on the front of the box - the yellow strip where it reads 'Open Here' is very thin on the fakes and thick on the real ones.... Based on my experience (I was sold a pair of fakes and have since bought a couple of real pairs) there is little doubt in my mind, yours are forgeries. What really is disgusting is that the guy has sold 17 pairs of fakes and is still able to list on ebay.
 
EDIT -
 
If I knew how to upload pictures to this site - I could take some excellent photos of what I am talking about.

 

[razorwinz]

Thanks for replying guys, I will try to sort it out with ebay tomorrow
 
Quote:

Can you get a clearer picture of the foam the IE8's sit in? On the real ones the cut is perfect, on the fakes it is a little rough.  One thing, though. The barcode location (before the R) has been disproven, if I remember correctly. The barcode CAN before the R and be genuine.

 
I can't really get a better picture because my camera isnt great but the cut is a bit rough on the foam and the line on the "open here" is quite thin. Thanks for your help
 

 

[Ivabign]

OK here goes.... signed up for imageshack - see if this works...
 
What I have is 4 shots of the foam and 2 shots of the 'open here' yellow line - the foam is razor cut and the line is thick on the real thing....
 
The foam is rounded and the yellow line thin on the fakes.... obviously the tools used to manufacture the box are subpar....
 
 
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/716/dscn4134d.jpg/
 
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/543/dscn4135c.jpg/
 
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/804/dscn4136r.jpg/
 
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/716/dscn4137l.jpg/
 
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/607/dscn4139v.jpg/
 
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/201/dscn4140x.jpg/
 
#34, #36, #40 are the fakes 
 

 

[DefQon]

Quote:

Yeah that is true. The cheapest I got mine for was my very first pair ($265.00) and even then that was a really good deal....
 
When its sounds too good to be true "it just is lol".

Got mine for $150 You need to link me to that silver cable you were talking about last time, I keep forgetting to bookmark it.

 

[burtomr]

Quote:

Got mine for $150 You need to link me to that silver cable you were talking about last time, I keep forgetting to bookmark it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Advanced-Upgrade-Cable-SENNHEISER-IE8-Galaxy-silver-/120704302992?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c1a897f90#ht_4860wt_1035
 
There's also a $160 'Universe' Silver Cable available which uses an higher purity (.99999) Danish silver wire & Switchcraft plug that you can special order like I did. It sounds great, a VERY noticeable improvement over the stock Senn cable:
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Advanced-Upgrade-Cable-UE-Ultimate-Ears-Universe-/110609904849?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19c0dd34d1#ht_5234wt_1035
 

 

[wakasaki]

I've bought some from the same guy and yes they've gotta be fakes they sound terrible, razorwins I've pm'd you anyway.