Fiio E5 headphone amp for $25 with free shipping. (And yes, they're cheaper on ebay but they're most probably fakes)
Also worth grabbing the Fiio L1 iPod/iPhone line out for $9.95 + $5.95 shipping - http://www.warcom.com.au/shop/flypage/Apple-iPod-Accessories…
NOTE: When you add both to the cart, the shipping jumps to $14.95. I ended up calling and ordering over the phone or you could just do two separate orders.
From the stock levels, it only shows about 10 E5 amps in stock so get in quick!
Exactly what I was going to post.
Are you guaranteeing the DX ones genuine?
DX usually state when the product isn't authentic. They haven't commented on this item but they have linked to the manufacturers site, so I'm pretty sure it's the real deal. Fiio is a Chinese brand as well, so it's understandable that they'd be able to sell it for a lower price than other online stores/retailers located outside of China.
DX usually rip off products that appeal to a larger market, ie iPods, Headphones, Zippos, etc. Headphone Amp's aren't exactly appealing to mass-markets, so I doubt they'd bother making a fake product that wouldn't bring in a lot of sales.
With that said, it's really up to you to decide if you'll take the risk or not. Could take a few weeks for the item to arrive from DX and if it's fake or defective, it'll probably cost you more to return it than it would to buy a second one from Warcom. So unless you're extremely tight with money, I'd order it from Warcom for only a few dollars more where it'll probably arrive within a few days (I'm assuming), and you have local warranty.
Is FIIO supposed to be a known brand?
yeh it's a chinese brand
It is in the space of small (cheap but good quality) headphone amps
Slow delivery and are they genuine?
how do you know if OP's ones are genuine?? (just to be fair)
I actually wondered that when I bought it but in the event that they are, I think I'll have more of a chance of getting a refund from Warcom than DX. I read that fake Fiio stuff is everywhere so given that they're a clearance item from Warcom (probably to get some E6 units in) and I wanted it in a couple of days, I bought it from Warcom.
EDIT:
Back of genuine E5: http://www.fiio.com.cn//upFile/2011426105343.jpg
Back of DX E5: http://www.dealextreme.com/photogallery.dx/sku.18350~seQ.2
It's not about doubting everything for the sake of it, it's about DealExtreme having a notorious stream of precedents selling cheap knock-off crap.
I have sourced a heap of FiiO gear fropm Dx - I am comfortable that to this point every FiiO item I have bought from them is genuine. Can't say the same about other brands, though …
I'd trust Warcom over DX any day of the week, they've had a good rep for a long time.
@stix, probably a picture photoshop. coz the one i got from DX had all those back engraving
hmm only $2-8 differences, i prefer not buying from dealext.
unless DX sells it at $5, maybe i will risk the money :)
Yes but it's always available at DX for $17, even if you don't want it until Christmas.
Order from DealExtreme and if they are both genuine / non-clones AND arrive within a month I'll be extremely surprised.
E6 for $23.60? PURCHASED.
Of course DX had no Stock, sigh.
Who needs a headphone amp…?!? :-/
A headphone amp is typically used for when you are powering a big set of headphones. Larger drivers require more power. One of our favourite online shops for audio gear:
http://headphones.com.au/pbrowse?catID=1
But yeah - if you are running around with a big set of cans on your head you might want to think of an amplifier.
Sorry to annoy again, but further to your post below, do you suggest that the Amp would not help when using CX300's?
It will make them louder - but I don't recommend it as the extra volume is not safe for your ears. You are fighting to drown out the noise of the airplane with more volume. CX series won't benefit at all with an amplified device.
I tend to just leave my CX500's on at a moderate volume enough so I can hear what I am watching. I just dig them deep into my ears and they seem to be alright.
If you fly a fair bet invest in a decent set of noise cancelling ear phones. Not the cheap ones though.
If you have a device with a true line out, or a device with a LOD extension a headphone amp can be used to externally drive the LO to produce higher quality audio, it's worth trying.
Admit the Dx price is cheaper - I also believe they are genuine Fiio's @ Dx. But if you would like to get your gadget inside 3-4 weeks, you could still consider this deal. I can recommend these little amps - to give your mp3s a bit of 'oomph' - had one for years - they are beautifully made, highly effective and robust - and Warcom would be an easier return if you happened to get a DOA device.
$17 at DX.
For this price point you may as well get the E6 on eBay which is multiple levels ahead.
the fake one you mean?
It's most certainly not fake.
I've seen several Fiio products from both DX and reputable stores and they are all of exceptional quality for value.
Seconded.
Fiio is one of those brands which are both cheap and high quality.
Granted I wouldn't use an E6 or E11 on a serious home set-up, but for anything portable its definately worth a gander.
Also there is a Warcom rep who visits these forums, an additional avenue for support.
Just saw this post - yes ours are genuine as we buy direct from Fiio. Few things to consider
1 - local warranty and support
2 - same day local despatch for fast delivery
I'm sure the ones from DX are legit as there is no point in copying them as they do not appeal to the mass market. Fiio is fairly active at ensuring there is fair pricing across all sellers though.
Buy from DX if you want to wait 3 weeks for delivery - by from Warcom if you want fast delivery and local support.
Thanks warcom. Do you have any E6 coming in? Do you know if they're worth the extra money?
I can order them - let me check with the Fiio guy and get some pricing. They look pretty frigging snazzy!
I'll see what type of pricing I can get and we'll do an Ozbargain deal on the E6's… so hold tight.
Dang, already ordered the E5 and L1. :(
If you do get a good price on them, post it as a separate deal rather than here.
Nice I might get the E6 from warcom XD
…any word on the E6?
stix - shoot through your order number to [email protected] and I'll put your order on hold until we firm up the E6 stuff.
Done…thanks heaps! Absolute legend.
Flick me an email when the E6 is good to order!
I'm excitedly holding out for the E6, look forward to seeing what you can come up with! Also wouldn't mind some quality 3.5mm to 3.5mm stereo leads, I couldn't find them on your site?
Also, you say the amplifier helps big cans, what about in ear's, like the CX300's? I use them on the plane, and any additional drowning out of noise would be muchly appreciated!
I use the CX series myself while on he plane and actually just stick with the default volume on my HTC Desire. This is because if you turn it up to compensate for the extra noise you do risk damaging your ears. This is for the in ear style. Big over ear cans just need more juice to push the driver in general.
I found these:
http://www.warcom.com.au/shop/flypage/29248
But I have to confirm stock availability first - if keen let me know.
And yes any deals will be posted in a new thread - someone said that somewhere in here. :D
Fork out an extra $3 to get the replacement (the e6) US$28.50 (AUD$27.65 (at time of posting)
http://mp4nation.net/catalog/fiio-e6-portable-audio-headphon…
Good find.
Sweet find mate. I just ordered the e6.
on another note, do you reckon its worth getting the LOD adapter for the iphone 4? or the difference is negligible using the headphone line.
Don't really wanna fork out an extra 20 bucks or so for that.
I've got the SM3
If you're using it through the E6 I doubt it'll do anything, would only help if you're playing 320kbps or FLAC through a better amp.
Best way to get better quality music without forking out for more gear (that is if you already have a decent mid-high end earphone) is up the bitrate. The sound is only as good as your source, and the very first bit to source is the file you're playing.
So your saying it was a waste to buy the E6 cos I use it with the iPhone 4? iPhone 4 as a source is pretty good for a music player.
Most of my songs are 320kbs
It might not be a complete waste.
Depends on your earphones, the SM3 might benefit a little from some amp-ing but would be very minimal, you mostly likely won't even notice it at all even if your hearing is pretty good.
IMO it's not worth chucking ~$25 at an E6 or E5 for an iPhone 4, after all it's soundcard is already pretty good and can easily drive the SM3.
If you do get an amp however, best to get a LOD, considering all you'll be doing is amp-ing any distortion from the 3.5mm output anyway. If you're going to get an amp, do it properly and have as clean a feed as possible.
It will improve quality if you buy a line-out adapter and feed the un-amplified feed to the E6 then amplify them into some mid-range ear/head phones.
Don't try amplifying the iPhone4 headphone jack output as it will just make it 'louder' …
Darn… wish I hadn't bought that amp. Now I gotta buy the LOD.. gonna be a bulky pocket >_<
Oh my.
I just had a look at the mp4nation site, and theres like 4 or 5 LOD's for the iphone.
Which one should I get?
Or is it all the same and just go for the cheapest ?
If you're new to the amp-ing world the cheapest should do. It won't make much of a difference.
What does "world" the cheapest mean?
Never heard of that cheap brand..
I AM new to buying amps, so friendly advice would be appreciated, not patronising advice you asshole
@Jimmy6 he is giving you friendly advice, if only you understood english better without resorting to calling him abusive names.
i'd clarify for you but IDGAF
Note that some of the cheap ones disconnect easily, which can get annoying, look for one with the clips.
Thanks Sturmeh.
You understand what I was asking about
I got 3 in bulk from Deal Extreme for $16 each but after reading this I'm going to go home and check whether it has the stuff on the back. Pretty sure it does though. Came in retail packaging and everything.
The e5, well, products that have been out for a while, generally have updates on them, so if it looks slightly different from the original ones, dont fret. I have two e5s, one from when they were first released, and one sourced several months ago. The newer one is slightly different in terms of markings, the packaging is also slightly fancier with better cables. But the end product (the sound) is the same, so thats all that matters.
Just checked mine. Yep, pretty sure it's real. Got all the markings on it and it feels pretty 'solid'.
And like other said, the hell would they bother faking a ~$20 item for?
I left mine unused for over a year and the battery was dead.
I opened it up and now it is in the bin.
This device is useless as it only improved the bass by a very small amount. You cannot adjust this.
This device is useless as it only improved the bass by a very small amount. You cannot adjust this
Well that should be pretty obvious… because this is an AMPLIFIER. It's not a tone control - why would you think that it would change the sound at all? The better an amp is, the LESS if changes the sound. LOL
Well the point of an amp on portable devices is to drive higher impedance headphones (usually earphones won't need an amp). The on board sound card will distort the sound when played at higher "volume", the point of the amp is to get a source from the media player that isn't distorted and then amplify it without distortion so that your headphones don't sound weak and lacking in volume (as the case without properly amp-ing a high impedance headphone) or it allows better reproduction of the frequency range.
No deal. E5 is not worth more than $20.
Looks remarkable similar to the cheap 2Gb MP3 player I got from Aldi a while back for $10. I wonder why anyone who's invested in a set of expensive headphones would pair them with this.
Use it - then you will find out how effective the device is ….or read some of the audio mag. reviews - this is an awesome little box.
They are not fake. The RRP of the Fiio e5 is ~aud 15.
For those who are concerned, there hasn't been any evidence of fakes for E5 out there. Unless, you can provide such proof or links to it. E5 could be bought for as little as $15-$20 from reputable sources before. Even mp4nation sells E6 (an upgrade to E5) for $28.5. But wait for a 15% off coupon I'd say. There should be a 5% off one somewhere.
I think the 5% coupon is on their FB page.
It would cost too much to produce fake E5's, you may as well just clone them exactly.
Careful with mp4nation, they are somewhat notorious for forgetting orders/delays and occasional douchery.
Mr Googleton will explain the rest.
what about the e7?
E5 is only an amp, while E7 has a DAC module as well and is about 3 times more expensive and bigger. (Unless you're asking whether Warcom can stock it?)
The E7 is also a much better amp, however if you don't need the DAC module and looking to spend that sort of money on an amp the E11 is a better choice.
However if you need a DAC and can wait about 4 months, the E17 (the E7's successor) is coming out early next year.
The E6 is a much better amp than the E7 at a fraction of the cost. (Note that it is however NOT a DAC.)
Oh it is? Haven't paid much attention lately busy studying for HSC
The E7 was a better amp than the E5 and since the E6 is the cheap entry successor of the E5 I thought the E7 would still be better. I guesed wrong then, oh well, thanks for the info.
Oh it is? Haven't paid much attention lately busy studying for HSC
The E7 was a better amp than the E5 and since the E6 is the cheap entry successor of the E5 I thought the E7 would still be better. I guesed wrong then, oh well, thanks for the info.
Yeah the E6 is much better than the E5, it falls just above the E7 in terms of an amp.
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/fiio-e5-3-5mm-earphone-volume-b… $17.41 E5
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/fiio-e6-portable-headphone-ampl… $23.60 E6
enough said