Buying Audio Technica ESW9 - risk?

[Paulq]

I am desperate to get my hands on a set of AT-ESW9 but it appears that the only way to do so is to either by from eBay (USA/Japan/Hong Kong origin) or through Amazon resellers at a premium and probably incurring a greater import tax.

The eBay sellers have good feedback ratings but I have carefully read the warnings about buying from them or the Acessory Jack place so am a little reluctant to stump up if it's too risky.

Has anyone any experience of buying from them and is it a great risk of a fake or more about non valid warranty? Any experiences would be appreciated before I decide on next move.

Cheers

Paul

 

[dalethorn]

Here's just a couple of the many links on this. I hope the set Amazon is delivering here today by UPS is real - the price I paid is $199 USD and it's normally $349.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/601780/ath-esw9-fake-or-no

http://www.headphiles.org/index.php?topic=2111.0

 

[Paulq]

Here's just a couple of the many links on this. I hope the set Amazon is delivering here today by UPS is real - the price I paid is $199 USD and it's normally $349.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/601780/ath-esw9-fake-or-no

http://www.headphiles.org/index.php?topic=2111.0

Thanks dalethorn will you please keep me posted? I guess the only thing I am hanging my hat on is that Amazon tend to be pretty stringent in terms of their 3rd party sellers but it would cost me, after duty, around £300 to get my hands on them which is a lot.

Just how on earth do you make the call as to whether they are genuine or not? I suspect the eBay ones are the biggest risk as per the 2nd link

 

[dalethorn]

Looks like good news at this point. The packaging, inscriptions, finish, the detail of the literature, and finally the sound are all excellent. The sound of this (now $200 USD) headphone, made in Japan no less(!) is typical upper-AT to me - strong treble but not excessive, and strong bass but not excessive, and decent midrange.

The downside is a weird feeling putting it on - feels really cheap, but once the earpads are broken in some it will probably feel a bit better. It's small and light, and in spite of the wood outers on the earcups, does not look like anything that would have sold for $350 or 350 Sterling. And the carry bag is useless for this obviously fragile headphone. It looks durable enough if given care and not impacted heavily, but if carried in luggage or backpack, must(!) have a strong carrycase. A much better bet would be to pull the earcups down all the way and wear it around the neck when not in use.

More later!

 

[Paulq]

Hmm that's my fear with them actually; I have read reports that the sound is fabulous but that the build quality and certainly the packaging is not great....a lot to spend that amount of money n.

Look forward to hearing your reports but maybe for now I'll stick with my WS55i's

 

[dalethorn]

I am way not impressed with the look of this headphone for what they say the original price is. Other than the "wood" side pieces, if that's what they are, it's no better than a Soundmagic P30, which sells for less than $100 USD. In fact, the Beyer DTX501p that sells for $100 comes with a very nifty carry case, and the ESW9A does not. Anyway, after some time with it I can see how the sound compares, and if I'm lucky it will save the day.

 

[dalethorn]

More listening, and more impressed. It has deep bass with real strength, but no mid/upper bass hump or lower mids coloration. Remarkably, the highs are full-up, not recessed, yet seem to have less irritation than the Shure 1840 etc. Given that I can wear them around my neck when not in use, I won't need a special carrycase right away.

Edit: The highs are recessed, about the same as a v-moda M80.