Is the “China shock” coming for high-end headphones?
- Thread starter nicoff
- Start date
Interesting. I hadn’t thought about this much. I think you could be right.
NewAlkyogre
Active member
I don't care. When China produces the best audio gear for money I buy Chinese. Sound quality counts.
At the moment I distrust the claims they make and the quality build. For instance if you claim that a silver cable has a purity of 99.9999% for 120 euro, then the claim must be false.
secondly: They tend to control my data. With my trip to China everywhere camera's and when using their network they controly data. I serious have concerns about my privacy.
At the moment I distrust the claims they make and the quality build. For instance if you claim that a silver cable has a purity of 99.9999% for 120 euro, then the claim must be false.
secondly: They tend to control my data. With my trip to China everywhere camera's and when using their network they controly data. I serious have concerns about my privacy.
Mr Peabody
Well-known member
I've gone on Amazon looking for inexpensive headphones for my kids, there are so many brands I've never heard of, very cheap and I'd bet over 95% are from China.
- Thread Author
- #5
- Thread Author
- #6
And they may sound better than the ones you own!
- Thread Author
- #7
LOL!
Mr Peabody
Well-known member
I haven't purchased a cheap set yet that even came close to my Sennheiser or Hifiman.
Is this thread click bait, China hype, or maybe you'd like to give some examples or real life experience.
- Thread Author
- #9
Are you aware that your Hifiman are from China? Also Fiio and Moondrop.
W9TR
Active member
It has already happened.
In IEM’s (in Ear Monitors) Chinese competitors, usually with US or EU based marketing are taking over the market at price points that classic players like Westone and Etymotic are choosing not to match. My Soundbrenner Wave IEM’s are a good example. They sound better than my previous Westone 4S did and they are less than 1/4 the price. $99 on sale and they are excellent.
In headphones the HiFiman Sundara and FiiO JT9 are both exemplary Chinese products.
As always there are excellent boutique brands costing much more and offering curated and individualized versions that can be tailored to your tastes. I love my ZMF Atrium headphones. I haven’t yet seen anything like this come out of China. Made by hand in Chicago, IL. Admittedly this is man jewelry since I don’t own any expensive watches.
But these look, feel, and sound better than my HiFiMan cans. At only 20x the price.
In IEM’s (in Ear Monitors) Chinese competitors, usually with US or EU based marketing are taking over the market at price points that classic players like Westone and Etymotic are choosing not to match. My Soundbrenner Wave IEM’s are a good example. They sound better than my previous Westone 4S did and they are less than 1/4 the price. $99 on sale and they are excellent.
In headphones the HiFiman Sundara and FiiO JT9 are both exemplary Chinese products.
As always there are excellent boutique brands costing much more and offering curated and individualized versions that can be tailored to your tastes. I love my ZMF Atrium headphones. I haven’t yet seen anything like this come out of China. Made by hand in Chicago, IL. Admittedly this is man jewelry since I don’t own any expensive watches.
But these look, feel, and sound better than my HiFiMan cans. At only 20x the price.Mr Peabody
Well-known member
I wasn't aware Hifiman was from China. They actually started in New York then moved to China. That sort of defeats your point as they are anything but inexpensive. Pricing is on par with other quality brands.
I'm not familiar with Fiiio or Moondrop. Are they cheap and competitive with other quality brands that cost more?
- Thread Author
- #12
I am not familiar with their product lines.
I have seen many reports of folks comparing headphones costing under $1k to others costing several times their price.
GSOphile
Well-known member
The banker son of a friend recently took his first trip to China. A few hours after landing in Beijing, he was walking, stopped at a street corner waiting for the light to change. He had stepped off the curb, anticipating the light change when he looked up at the pedestrian signal across the street and was shocked to see, "Back on the curb please, Gary." Impressive integration of technology.... and scary!
Mr Peabody
Well-known member
Curious, was the message in English or does your friend read Chinese? Either way talking about Big Brother. Being in China I'd be second and third guessing every move I made from that point on.
GSOphile
Well-known member
English
