![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif?v=91.7){kind=small}
I finally got my real MDR-EX90LP directly from Sony today and had a chance to compare it to what I bought on ebay.
This is confirmed, the MDR-EX90LP sold on ebay by good_shepherd_closeouts is a fake (probably coming from Han yu electronic. Chances are ALL "brand new" EX90 sold on ebay are fake.
Difference number 1 : Impedance is not the same. Measured using a Fluke 73 multimeter the fake measures about 33 Ohm and the original measure 17 Ohm (this is a DC measurement, hence the small difference with Sony's spec of 16 Ohm at 1KHz). Any cheap multimeter will allow you to do this test, just measure on the connector between the metalic part close to the wire and the tip. If you read above 20 Ohm, for sure you got a fake.
Sound:
The fake plays louder but of course the sound is very bad. The real sony is not full of thumpy muddy bass and the highs are clear. I'll wait at least 24 hours before writing a full review of the real MDR-EX90LP, allowing some burn-in time but right out of the box, it already sounds way better than the fake. I paid 150 can$ + taxes for this, a bit too expensive compared to other availlable offerings in this price range but I'll gladly keep this EX90 in my collection. It is a good pair of earphone. Here's the link to my Cnet review.
Smell:
Open the original box and you can smell the leather. The fake uses a good faux leather which doesn't smell like the real thing but looks nice nonetheless. The fake pouch is also softer and doesn't feal the same.
Touch:
The wires are rubberish on the fake, almost elastic. The original use quality, supple and non tangly wires. The ear tips are also thiner on the original and a little bit harder to put on the earphone.
Look:
The aluminum is machined on the original. The fake is probably casted into a mould. On the fake, there's tiny lines in the metal only on the side of the cylinder. On the real one, there's tiny lines everywhere. On the real original plastic case there's a mould marking and a "2". Not on the fake.
On my original, the Sony trademark is black but the print quality is better. I'll try to capture this detail on my macro photos later. There's also a few other visual details I'll show side by side on the pictures like the marking on the connector and the small gray band of plastic from which protrudes the golden metalic part of the connector (thicker on the fake) but for now, I said enough so you will be able to authenticate your pair. The original earphones I got directly from Sony doesn't exactly look like the Sony website picture but it is the real deal for sure.
Here's the link to my Ebay guide (in construction).Here are the pictures. Clic to see more details. :
Unless otherwise noted, the real original is at the left and the fake is at the right.
Anonymous
April 15 2008, 07:37:48 UTC 4 years ago
Great!!
I have been looking for updated review between "latest" fake EX90 and the original one for a while and finally found your site. I haven't even realized the fake one includes the leather case until then. Although I did get the real pair long time ago, it's still good to know they can't copy every details of those headphones!Thanks a lot, man!
April 15 2008, 13:11:01 UTC 4 years ago
Re: Great!!
For the sake of exactitude : the fake includes a *leatherette* case. It is a quality immitation so some people may not notice this at first (but the smell doesn't lie).Anonymous
4 years ago
4 years ago
Anonymous
3 years ago
Anonymous
3 years ago
3 years ago
Anonymous
3 years ago
Anonymous
3 years ago
Anonymous
April 17 2008, 03:32:00 UTC 4 years ago
Chinese Copy
It's funny to see that both are actually made in China but sold in USA, it prove that American are not even able to make a good fake and have to rely on China for doing them.Both metal body are machined aluminum, but it is easy to see with your pictures that the copy has a much thinner anodization, since anodization cost increase with thickness it's easy to understand why...
Also finishing of the metal part is clearly absent on the copy the edge are almost sharp
Also the Sony imprint on the fake is only an ink film, on the original it seem to be printed used a technique called Tampo Pad Printing (like a computer keyboard)
Nonetheless you have to admit that my Chinese brother are very good at sucking American money ;)
Great work!
December 23 2008, 07:00:55 UTC 3 years ago
Re: Chinese Copy
You're a troll... congratulationsAnonymous
May 16 2008, 18:02:42 UTC 4 years ago
Great Review!!
Thanks for the info.I almost bought it on eBay for $20...
No wonder they are so cheap...
Thanka again!
Anonymous
May 19 2008, 07:43:10 UTC 4 years ago
Re: Great Review!!
These Chinese ones only lack to duplicate the mother, because of remaining portion not surplus nothing!I almost bought this excrement also in Ebay !!
Thanks for the info.
Anonymous
3 years ago
3 years ago
Anonymous
July 6 2008, 06:44:31 UTC 3 years ago
Thanks!!
I was so close to buying one of these from huiloveyan1314 on eBay cause the price was so low, but something just felt weird about it. I then did a quick google search and found a link to this site on cnet reviews. I'm sorry that you got ripped off, but I really appreciate you posting this information.Anonymous
August 27 2008, 07:58:42 UTC 3 years ago
fake or real?
great review my ass. on what basis are u judging these as fakes? where are your supporting evidence? posting comparison pictures does not prove anything. such a n00b...3 years ago
3 years ago
Anonymous
September 1 2008, 14:19:28 UTC 3 years ago
Anonymous
September 18 2008, 22:18:47 UTC 3 years ago
can you review this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?VieAnonymous
October 22 2008, 15:21:12 UTC 3 years ago
Anonymous
March 11 2009, 20:04:50 UTC 3 years ago
From amazon.com is real but...
I just bought one from a personal seller at amazon.com and yes they were fake. =(
I bought it for 30 bucks.
The case smells weird not like real leather.
If not for this site though I might have mistaken them for real.
Thanks!
Anonymous
October 25 2008, 09:54:09 UTC 3 years ago
i'm from germany and i bought it from a british seller in eBay.
but these fakes are really good..
i mean the sound is okay (for 26€) and the appearance looks exactlty like the original for example the package.
it's sad to say this but i'm satisfied with these x phones ._.
but to be honest i want real sony mdr ex 90
and i don't know how to handle with fake items on eBay
do i have to give the seller a bad rating ? do i get my money back ??
here is the link : http://cgi.ebay.de/SONY-MDR-EX90-LP-EARP
December 12 2008, 16:15:39 UTC 3 years ago
Since I didn't check for UK, maybe you could first verify with Sony UK if they have an authorised seller on ebay uk... I doubt it but maybe.
Anonymous
December 1 2008, 22:35:16 UTC 3 years ago
Rahul
Believe or not, even the "real" Sony headphones are made in China. Thanks for the article though.December 12 2008, 16:12:56 UTC 3 years ago
Re: Rahul
and this may be the reason why it is so easy for some unscrupulous chinese to make those copy.Anonymous
December 6 2008, 03:22:55 UTC 3 years ago
Thank you; this was incredibly awesome resource
I'm on my third pair of these (keep losing them), and I decided to go the Ebay route to save money. What do you know ... RIPOFF. I opened them up and saw all the warning signs off the bat--poor machining, gray insulation, 35 ohm (!!!!!) impedance and TERRIBLE SOUND QUALITY. Thank you so much for providing such a great resource for conscious consumers.December 28 2008, 21:42:23 UTC 3 years ago
Fake Sony MDR-EX90LP now better copies?
The fakes are getting better! I just bought two pair of fake Sony MDR-EX90LP on eBay. The package looks identical to Wolfgang's real photo. Some, but not all, of the other details are getting cleaned up too. This must be an ancient Chinese secret or something? :)I received an email from an eBay member that asked if I had the real thing. I never even entertained the possibility that these might be fake, so I investigated. Thank you for the article Wolfgang. They're fake alright. I measured an impedance of about 32 ohms at 1 KHz. Wolfgang's test with a common ohmmeter works well too.
My investigation came up with the following:
For $4.80 (minimum 10) fakes go to -
http://www.diytrade.com/china/4/product
For Genuine $35.00 (minimum 10) fakes go to -
http://www.diytrade.com/china/4/product
For a photo that seems show a different earphone, see the cnet review at -
http://reviews.cnet.com/headphones/s
In the cnet review the shape of the outside end of the earphone is different, includes the letter "R" inside the endcap, and the word "SONY" looks engraved (not black ink). Why is this so different from the fakes and Wolfgang's real phones?
The fake leather case will melt if touched with a hot soldering iron. Real leather won't melt.
My story -
After buying two pairs of phones on eBay, I was so impressed with the sound that I ordered two more pairs. A comparison between the fakes and some lower cost Sony earbuds ($50) proved the fakes sounded very good. Just after placing my second order I got the inquiry as to whether these were the real thing. As soon as I discovered these weren't real I contacted the seller. He cancelled and refunded my recent order and gave me a 50% refund on my first order. He pulled his listings from eBay too. That's $12.50 each for two good sounding fakes. This was a fair compromise and an education for me. I can't say I'm happy, but I'm not furious either.
This whole situation reminds me of the television show What's My Line.
Would the real Sony MDR-EX90LP please stand up? :) ...err...uh...I mean speak up?
Anonymous
January 4 2009, 14:08:45 UTC 3 years ago
Anonymous
February 1 2009, 02:47:04 UTC 3 years ago
Does Sony even care?
I contacted Sony about a Canadian eBay business selling the EX90 model and asked if this seller was legit.http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Sony-MDR-EX90LP-M
Note the low price and "Genuine leather case" in the description. Are the fakes coming supplied with genuine leather cases now? Could be.
Sony's reply:
"Unfortunately I can not speak to the validity of a product sold by an unauthorized or personal reseller. I recommend purchasing the product either directly from Sony or from one of its authorized resellers such as Best Buy or Frey's (edit: I assume Sony meant Fry's). I have included a link to a page on our site where you can purchase a definite authentic pair of EX90 head phones."
duh.. Of COURSE they want you to order directly from them at full retail. That's a given.
What stood out to me was that Sony didn't bother acknowledging the link I provided to the seller's page (the agent probably didn't even check it), nor made any mention of their desire to pursue "unauthorized" resellers. It makes one wonder whether Sony is, in fact, going after the fakes at all or if they're leaving it up to us to decide what's legit -- based solely on price, apparently, since we almost invariably cannot listen to them or make electrical tests prior to purchase.
Sony should release a blanket statement regarding fakes, be it targeted at a specific market segment (i.e., eBay) or a specific price point -- e.g., Any brand new, unopened EX90 normally selling for under $65 (my arbitrary value) from a non-individual (i.e, a business entity) is almost certainly a fake.
I say "normally selling", because there would need to be some mention of special circumstances such as liquidations where inexpensively priced high-end models might indeed be genuine.
An individual offering a low price on say one or two units might simply be desperate for quick cash (moving, rent is due, etc.), so one cannot automatically assume individual sales are bogus.
Anonymous
3 years ago
Anonymous
February 3 2009, 17:42:31 UTC 3 years ago
YiEEqDHCRM
Oc6jcU sk6skN2aP6Vvq18MdGclApril 3 2009, 22:06:42 UTC 3 years ago
I am EXTREMELY pissed off. The seller on E-bay screwed me.
As soon as I opened them and tried them, the sound was lesser quality than my $10 2 yr old JVC Gumys.
After comparing EVERYTHING to the photos, every single fake matches with mine.
Thank you thank you thank you.
I have no experience with buying electronics and I would have never known.
April 3 2009, 22:37:46 UTC 3 years ago
Anonymous
3 years ago
3 years ago
Anonymous
April 17 2009, 21:48:07 UTC 3 years ago
How bad are the fakes?
Thanks, for the useful comparison.This confirms that the earbuds I bought on eBay are fakes, but I am not so sure that the sound is as rubbish as you suggest.
I am no audiophile but to me they sound rather better than the $10 you suggest, and I am not too displeased for the £13 (23$CA) that I paid for them. If longevity turns out to be OK I shall be satisfied with them.
Han Yu currently seems to be asking $35US (42$CA) each for a ten-off batch.
A pair of genuine Sony MDR-EX71SL would have cost me more and I wonder whether they would actually sound any better?
Do you have an opinion on this? Or the facilities to do a proper sound comparison?
Anonymous
April 23 2009, 07:09:17 UTC 3 years ago
Re: How bad are the fakes?
There's more to a fake pair than just inferior aesthetics. They are cheap for a reason: numerous corners are cut in their design and manufacture to keep production costs to a minimum.Everything is inferior to the genuine article, from the quality of the materials to the fabrication techniques and equipment employed. These two items affect performance and reliability/durability.
The corners cut and the degree to which they're cut will vary among fake models and their manufacturers, of course. As an example, I recall seeing side by side images of real and fake high-end phones (can't find the link), where the poster had opened them up to show differences between their guts. You could clearly see inferior, inaccurate adhesive/mounting of the voice coil to the diaphragm in the fake, and the driver was smaller.
The impedance almost invariably does not match the real phones. Impedance is a function of dc resistance (as in a carbon resistor) combined with a/c reactance (of concern here is inductive reactance of the voice coil). While reactance is less of a concern at audio frequencies than say radio frequencies, it exists nonetheless and can make a small difference.
There may be fewer or more turns of wire, or smaller gauge wire, etc. The magnets used will also be inferior. The cheap drivers won't have as good performance characteristics as the real units, notably sensitivity and power handling (e.g., distortion may crop up at lower levels than the real ones).
The cord(s) will likely be made of cheaper materials and may therefore experience internal opens sooner than the real deal. The plug may have a much thinner (or zero) gold plating; if thinner, it will wear off with fewer insert/removal cycles; if no gold, it's more prone to oxidation and poorer contact with the jack tabs over time.
All these things and more add up to a significantly inferior product. As for initial sound quality, if your hearing is up to par and you like how the fakes sound, give a test listen to the real phones of a friend or in a store (be sure to use new cushions/caps) and be amazed at how much better they sound.
Anonymous
May 20 2009, 19:21:00 UTC 3 years ago
These fake Sony headphones are now really good.
I bought some that I thought were genuine until I opened the packet and (thanks for the tip-off) realised that the pouch was not leather and it had the Guang Tong press studs on.The headphones themselves are quite well made from turned metal, no scratches. The workmanship is pretty good. I think the giveaway is that the 'SONY' print on the aluminium is not straight, they are not lined up with each other and not that clear.
The fabric over the sound-hole is also not on straight when you take the ear buds off.
The lead is also well made, with all the right mouldings etc.
The box also has the right printing on and looks exactly like something you would buy in a retail store.
The other giveaway is that they sound awful, horrible boomy bass and not much scratchy treble. Much worse than a basic pair of Sony's that I have.
I bought them from an ebay seller who I won't name, I got a refund. I think it's reasonable to assume that 99% of the EX90-LPs on ebay are fakes.
But most of his customers don't seem to have noticed, they seem to like them and like the sound of them so there you go!
So here goes with the pics of my fake ex-headphones:
Anonymous
May 11 2010, 14:23:43 UTC 2 years ago
Fake MDR EX90LPs
Thanks for this review -I purchased a pair of MDR EX90's of ebay seller "Taurustellar" who mind you is based in Boston USA thinking these were original as they seemed so sure when I asked them, with peace of mind offering me 100% complete refund if I was to be dissatisfied. As it happened I realised they were fakes the second I unraveled the envelope. The seller was convinced they were selling originals, and seemed surprised that I had alleged they were "fake".
Firstly, it is very unlike Sony to sell $100+ headphones in clear plastic packaging.
I only turned to ebay for this purchase as my last MDR EX85's died on me exactly a year [of extremely hard use] after I purchased them, purchased off ebay for $18 and they were definitely genuine, best headphones I have ever used.
It was obvious these were nock offs from inferior sound ! They're even worse than Ipod headphones !
I agree with the others, I believe all of the MDREX90's on ebay selling for "bargain" prices are nock offs. It not worth the hassle waiting anxiously for [had they been genuine] awesome headphones, to realise they are fakes. Lets face it, no body likes to be lied to and ripped off!
Mind you, they are good nock offs, probably the best nock offs I've ever seen.. the dead giveaway is the non leather case, and button reading "Guang Long", added with a rubber seal around the actual metallic radius of the headphone which you can remove like an elastic band. Get a genuine pair, and you'll be stomped as to how unbelievably better the sound quality are to these !
WARNING: Once u hear the originals you will never settle for anything less.
Now im going to purchase another pair of MDREX85's .... the safe bet !
Anonymous
September 29 2010, 02:53:02 UTC 1 year ago
The difference between real and real
I also bought a pair of those for some Euros, and compared them to a local dealer and there is no difference.First questions: If it is all fakes, why does Sony tolerate "Fakes" on Ebay. A lot of companies here in Germany don't tolerate this. And Sony is loosing millions and millions per year without doing anything?
SONYS WICKED POLICIES
So lets take a look on the economic
1. Sony produced headphones over the last ten years in 4 countries: Japan, China, Indonesia and Thailand.
2.For different markets, speakers have different names and prices. Browse sony japan, eu, or usa to find the difference some times its Z instead of X or 30 than 40 in the names.
3. Wondering about cheap prices? Even the retail prices are up to 50% different. Example: Sony MDR 700: US Price: 150 $, Germany 270 $. Is the German one better? No!
Do the math:
How expensice is an 100$ German bought headphone really?
Taxes: 20$, Customs: 12$, Share of dealer 15$, Share of Sony: 10$, Shipping and other costs 5$, share of German whole sale: 5$ Sum: 67$
NETPRICE: 33 Dollar!
Why are most Ebay fakes Genuine?
Sony does not have own fabrics. The have licensed producer. When they produced the required amount of headphones for Sony, they start producing on own costs. Since all investions and other costs are calculated on Sony's prices, the can produce even cheaper, another 10 Dollars cheaper.
Producing in a free trade zone makes thinks even more easier.
NETPRICE: 23$
THIS IS HOW A HEADPHONE SOLD IN GERMANY FOR 100$ CAN BE SOLD ON EBAY FOR 25$!!!
There are more economic things which would make the headphones even more cheaper, like the undervalued yuan, etc
IF YOU ASK SONY WHERE TO BUY HEADPHONES, YOU COULD ALSO ASK YOUR MERCEDES BENZ DEALER WHERE TO BUY CARS.
Anonymous
January 27 2011, 11:51:16 UTC 1 year ago
Порно
Онлайн порно (http://megafreeporn.ru/)Anonymous
January 30 2011, 00:42:04 UTC 1 year ago
rumkjf pharmacy wall of prescriptions
online pharmacies e-check [url=http://s4.zetaboards.com/priligy/papharmacy tech iv certification houston [url=http://s4.zetaboards.com/priligy/pa
magazine pharmacy [url=http://s4.zetaboards.com/priligy/pa
riverside pharmacy gadsden al [url=http://s4.zetaboards.com/priligy/pa
cerwin chiropractic sports medicine charlotte nc [url=http://s4.zetaboards.com/priligy/pa
kiaser pharmacy inj manhattan beach [url=http://s4.zetaboards.com/priligy/pa
lightworker empowerment to cougar medicine [url=http://s4.zetaboards.com/priligy/pa
monterey california emergency medicine jobs [url=http://s4.zetaboards.com/priligy/pa
channel 12 pharmacy pharmacy [url=http://s4.zetaboards.com/priligy/pa
serv pharmacy [url=http://s4.zetaboards.com/priligy/pa
wood recessed medicine cabinets
pharmacy tech iv certification houston [url=http://s4.zetaboards.com/priligy/pages/47519#276] and dapoxetine sildenafil citrate [/url] eckerds pharmacies
magazine pharmacy [url=http://s4.zetaboards.com/priligy/pages/34517#751] dapoxetine tablets sildenafil [/url] katz internal medicine cedars sinai
riverside pharmacy gadsden al [url=http://s4.zetaboards.com/priligy/pages/29128#971] link [/url] unm school of pharmacy
cerwin chiropractic sports medicine charlotte nc [url=http://s4.zetaboards.com/priligy/pages/69405#396] what is dapoxetine [/url] murder in medicine hat alberta canada
kiaser pharmacy inj manhattan beach [url=http://s4.zetaboards.com/priligy/pages/59516#709] what is priligy treatment [/url] online pharmacy degree virginia
lightworker empowerment to cougar medicine [url=http://s4.zetaboards.com/priligy/pages/12119#535] where can i buy cheap dapoxetine [/url] pain therapy without medicine
monterey california emergency medicine jobs [url=http://s4.zetaboards.com/priligy/pages/30248#107] where can i buy priligy 30mg [/url] pharmacy prescription logs
channel 12 pharmacy pharmacy [url=http://s4.zetaboards.com/priligy/pages/40133#799] link [/url] oasis medicine
serv pharmacy [url=http://s4.zetaboards.com/priligy/pages/75948#190] where to buy dapoxetine america [/url] sweet medicine of the cheyene
wood recessed medicine cabinets <a href=http://s4.zetaboards.com/priligy/pages/93338#273] sildenafil and dapoxetine </a> medil specialties emergency medicine journals
the journal of medicine <a href=http://s4.zetaboards.com/priligy/pages/47519#601] sildenafil citrate dapoxetine 60mg </a> free deppression medicine
spring green pharmacy <a href=http://s4.zetaboards.com/priligy/pages/34517#764] sildenafil citrate dapoxetine 60mg </a> mary and william pharmacy alabama
medicine to decrease acid prod <a href=http://s4.zetaboards.com/priligy/pages/29128#673] to buy dapoxetine cheapest </a> z-pack medicine
colichine and texas pharmacy and <a href=http://s4.zetaboards.com/priligy/pages/69405#251] dapoxetine what kind of pill is this </a> pharmacy tech jobs georgia
traumatologist emergency medicine schools <a href=http://s4.zetaboards.com/priligy/pages/59516#870] what is priligy reuptake </a> franciscan medicine center gig harbor wa
mount vernon internal medicine alexandria va <a href=http://s4.zetaboards.com/priligy/pages/12119#713] link </a> zicam night time cold medicine
anti-seizure medicines for cats <a href=http://s4.zetaboards.com/priligy/pages/30248#423] where can i buy priligy prescription </a> anti diahria medicine
man's best medicine hippocrates <a href=http://s4.zetaboards.com/priligy/pages/40133#804] where can i purchase dapoxetine </a> rite aid pharmacy lamotrigine 200 mg
new england journal of medicine diets <a href=http://s4.zetaboards.com/priligy/pages/75948#738] where to buy dapoxetine australia </a> south florida institute of sports medicine
Anonymous
February 11 2011, 23:41:45 UTC 1 year ago
jailbreak iphone 3g eunlockiphone3g
best iphone 3g unlocker (http://e-unlockiphone3g.com) jailbreak iphone 3g iphone 3g unlock iphone 3g unlocker unlock iphone 3g iphone 3g jailbreak ?