These days headphones are big business. And good ones can command very high prices. If you're looking for something beyond the big name brands (Sony, Bose, Apple, etc.) then you may want to check out Beyerdynamics. The German headphone manufacturer has been well known (and well regarded) in studio and audiophile circles for years. But getting a deal on Beyerdynamics headphones can be tricky.
This week, the company is offering many of their most popular models at deep discounts. There is a catch though. The sale prices apply to the company's "B Stock" items. These are usually customer returns or display models used at trade shows. The good news is all B Stock models include a 30-day return option and are covered by a generous 2 year warranty. Also, all models are professionally cleaned and tested for performance that matches the company's new sealed models.
A couple of the deals that stand out are the company's "Free BYRD" true wireless earbuds for $145 (normally $299) and their flagship T1 gen 3 dynamic open back wired headphones for $695 (normally $999).
Here are the links:
> Beyerdynamics "Free Byrd" true wireless In Ear Monitors (B Stock: $145)
> Beyerdynamics T1 Gen 3 Open-back Dynamic Headphones
What Hifi? ranked the T1 gen 3 phones 5 out of 5 stars, praising their supreme comfort, solid build quality and overall "clean, balanced presentation." Unlike the original T1 headphones, which were relatively difficult to drive at 600 ohms, the current generation T1 model features a 32 ohm load. This means you can plug them into just about any phone, tablet or computer's headphone jack and get full rich, dynamic sound. Of course, if you want to pair them up with a high performance headphone amplifier or USB DAC, they won't complain.
The Beyerdynamic T1, third generation model features the company's tilted "Tesla drivers" to ensure a precise and spatial virtual sound stage inside your head. The breathable (and replaceable) velour ear pads contain a multi-layer stuffing which helps fine-tune the sound while also making the headphones extremely comfortable to wear, even with extended listening sessions. One of the layers in the earpad is made from memory foam which adapts to your specific ears and head to maintain a precise and comfortable fit.
The Beyerdynamic Free BYRD is a true wireless in-ear monitor, with excellent battery life. It offers 11 hours of playback time on a charge and up to 30 hours of use with a fully charged case. If you're in a hurry, you can get about 70 minutes of playback time from a 10 minute "Quick Charge." They support Bluetooth aptX Adaptive Technology for enhanced sound quality. The company includes no less than eight different sized and shaped tips (both silicone and foam) to guarantee a secure fit in your ears. And, as with any in-ear 'phones, a snug fit is critical for best sound quality and effective noise cancellation.
The Free BYRD was reviewed by our friend Lynn Miller at eCoustics who praised the company's emphasis on sound quality over unecessary features. That said, the Free BYRD does have some cool features, like the ability give you an ear test and customize the EQ curve to your specific hearing. This is one of several advanced features in the company's companion app. At $250, it competes directly with some of Sony's and Apple's best earbuds. But at the sale price of $145 for these B Stock units, the Free BYRD simply smokes the competition.
The Beyerdynamic outlet sale ends next Tuesday (February 28th), but stock on these models may not last that long. A few of their other more affordable models have already sold out, but they do still have some great deals on gaming headsets and a number of more affordable wired headphones.
Check out the company's full sale list here:
> Beyerdynamic's Outlet Sale on Headphones and Speakers (Ends 2/28/23)
