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Fake Sennheiser Products.... HD25 Coiled Cords...

Heads Up...

Beware of fake/counterfeit/aftermarket Sennheiser products. I learned the hardway. A couple years ago I bought some HD25 II. The cord was too small, so I bought a replacement coiled cord from Hard To Find Records. I purchased many vinyls from them in years past, so I didn't think anything of it. When I got the cord, which I paid a lot for, I noticed that the audio had some degradation. I didn't think anything of it.

Well, that cord went bad several weeks ago. I called Sennheiser and purchased a replacement cord from them last week. When I received the cord, I noticed it was VERY different than the one I got from HTFR. The cable was thicker, heavier, and most importantly, the connectors were different. But the big difference came when I heard the sound. The quality was amazing. There was a HUGE difference. Needless to say, I paid the same amount buying a legit quality product direct from the manufacturer, than a buying a fake/aftermarket product from a 3rd party.

Lesson learned. Buy replacement parts directly from Sennheiser. Even Sennheiser warns you on their website.

They might make good earphones, but Sennheiser is the most overrated brand for microphones. The king of (audible) feedback issues when using their wireess mics.

Hahahaha oh yes! I learned that lesson too.

quote:

Originally posted by DaveT They might make good earphones, but Sennheiser is the most overrated brand for microphones. The king of (audible) feedback issues when using their wireess mics.

Which model do you have? I've been using Sennheiser mics for at least 18 years and never had issues with them. Wired and wireless.

Well, I should point out that I'm talking more specifically about their lav mics. Which models? I dunno off the top of my head, but they were $500 mics, if not more. And if it's just 1-on-1 setup, you won't have issues. But you use them in an environment with a lot of other electronics, other wireless devices, etc, and have to boost the gain any more than a tad bit, a high chance of having feedback issues through the speakers.

This wasn't only something we noticed in-house. We'd go to events where the production company running it would have all kinds of the same issues and have to change to a different kind of mics. We'd notice just about every time it was sennheiser lavs being used.

At Comic-Con in July, I had to go setup a webcast on the USS Midway to do some big Star Trek-ish event with Will Shatner in San Diego. They hired a production crew who decided to use sennheisers lavs. When we saw the stage setup and everything we warned them about the issues that could arise. Didn't listen. It took about 15 seconds after the event started and Will looking over like he wanted to murder people. Luckily, I had two other Sony mics on me and after five minutes of them trying to hopelessly fix it, I just shoved it in front of their sound guys face. They switched the mics, everything worked great. It was pretty funny in the end.

Sennheisers are great when they work. I just think they are overrated. Maybe it's the frequencies they use? I dunno. I have had the fewest issue with the Sony lav mics, and still not as much with Shure.

quote:

Originally posted by DaveT Well, I should point out that I'm talking more specifically about their lav mics. Which models? I dunno off the top of my head, but they were $500 mics, if not more. And if it's just 1-on-1 setup, you won't have issues. But you use them in an environment with a lot of other electronics, other wireless devices, etc, and have to boost the gain any more than a tad bit, a high chance of having feedback issues through the speakers. This wasn't only something we noticed in-house. We'd go to events where the production company running it would have all kinds of the same issues and have to change to a different kind of mics. We'd notice just about every time it was sennheiser lavs being used. At Comic-Con in July, I had to go setup a webcast on the USS Midway to do some big Star Trek-ish event with Will Shatner in San Diego. They hired a production crew who decided to use sennheisers lavs. When we saw the stage setup and everything we warned them about the issues that could arise. Didn't listen. It took about 15 seconds after the event started and Will looking over like he wanted to murder people. Luckily, I had two other Sony mics on me and after five minutes of them trying to hopelessly fix it, I just shoved it in front of their sound guys face. They switched the mics, everything worked great. It was pretty funny in the end. Sennheisers are great when they work. I just think they are overrated. Maybe it's the frequencies they use? I dunno. I have had the fewest issue with the Sony lav mics, and still not as much with Shure.

Lavs in general can be a nightmare in a live situation. The Sennheiser models MKE2's are still widely used in live theatre. There is a trick to making those sound awesome. What kind mixing console are you using? What I normally do is add a parametric eq into a group out. Route all the mics to that group then send to the outputs. If you're using a digital console you can patch a parametric eq onto the mix out. Pretty much the same way with an analog mixer. In theatre, the performers usually wear the mics under their wigs or around their ear.

Where I work we use lavs everyday. How I build my mix with a lav is I'll start bringing it up in the pa. Once I start to hear a little feedback I'll sweep frequencies on my parametric to find which one it is. I like to start a narrow q as well. I'll notch the frequency a couple db and continue bringing it up. If I notice any air or other harmonic sounds I'll open up the q to a wider cut. Continue bringing the lav up in the pa until I hear more feedback. Then continue the eq process. I continue this process until my lav input is about 3db over 0.

Another thing it could be is the input setting on the pack itself. If it's set to high it will feedback. Also check attenuation on the pack if it has it as well. Also make sure the receiver looks good on input and output.

Some other mics I use live is either the DPA 4066 or the Countryman E6. Another one of my favorites is the Crown 311. Not the ideal choice for broadcast but works well on an active singer.

Seen MKE2's shoved into beards, too, hehe..

Anyhow, Interesting. I wasn't our sound engineer. We hired a real one eventually as our productions grew since I know video production more than audio production, hehe. He did everything for us after that from creating all the music pieces to running the board unless he needed a break or something. He was laid off when I was, though. Boo!

That said, I wouldn't call myself a beginner. I wish I could've taken the Universal Audio 2-1176 Twin compressor I bought for the old office.

I'm sure in a theater the MKE2's are fine. Not as much chaos (various electronics from TVs to videogame consoles among other things!) to cause interference on those types of stages, hehe. Our control room would kinda be "mobile" and pretty sure we used a 24 channel Mackie Onyx board.

I'll have to remember what you do if I am ever in a similar situation in the future! If there's time. Half the time it happens it's all fine in testing then goes nuts when the event actually begins. Always that kind of luck, lol.

Another to consider with Sennheiser lavs is they don't always play nice with certain wireless systems because of their sensitivity. Especially if the system isn't high quality. Sounds like your were getting traffic stepping on the frequencies that were being used. That something which the production company should have ironed out during set up. If you go to www.fcc.gov you can get a copy of what frequencies are open to use in your area.

By any chance, were these mics transmitting in the 700mhz range?

Let me know if you ever need help on that. One suggestion I would make since you're using an Onyx. I would recommend getting an external parametric. Mackie boards typically only have a sweepable mid which if I remember correctly only sweeps from 400 to 2k. Some feedback from lavs typically take off in the higher frequencies.

I don't know. I don't remember. These are events ranging from a few months ago to several years back. And in recent events/years, we just didn't use Sennheiser mics ourselves because the Sony mics just never gave us the same issues and it was work in pretty much a chaotic, news room setting, so we played it safe. Our stuff was for the internet and sometimes TV, so the highest quality of sound wasn't always the focus point.

The Sony mics do have their issues, though - the short XLR connector connecting the wireless receiver to the mic input on the camera or sound board would always go bad and have to be replaced.

quote:

Originally posted by djkatmaus Let me know if you ever need help on that. One suggestion I would make since you're using an Onyx. I would recommend getting an external parametric. Mackie boards typically only have a sweepable mid which if I remember correctly only sweeps from 400 to 2k. Some feedback from lavs typically take off in the higher frequencies.

Will be sure to remember your info and forward it along to my old peeps!

Hard to find records is known to be scammers bro!

Senns comparison
Here's some pictures so you can compare them your self.

On the left is the legit cable.


Notice the pins on the left are round posts and the one on the right is flat. The left one (red) is the legit one.


The one with a straight tip is the legit one. Notice the cable is thicker, it has a gold tip, and it also has a screw on tip for the 1/4" adapter.


The one on the bottom has that little block that separates the cables. That's the legit one. The one on the top doesn't have it.


The one on the bottom is the legit one. The cable is thicker.

Yikes, good call.

i'm not really in the know about this kind of thing so I'm probably way off base here, but maybe they just improved the product since you last bought it?
also, what is that cable for exactly? sennheiser headphones? if so- i'm looking to get a good pair of head phones...recommend me something pleaasseeee i was thinking about getting a pair of the starter grado headphones but i'm not 100% sure about if I should go with an 'open' pair. thankyouthankyou

quote:

Originally posted by LAdazeNYnights i'm not really in the know about this kind of thing so I'm probably way off base here, but maybe they just improved the product since you last bought it? also, what is that cable for exactly? sennheiser headphones? if so- i'm looking to get a good pair of head phones...recommend me something pleaasseeee i was thinking about getting a pair of the starter grado headphones but i'm not 100% sure about if I should go with an 'open' pair. thankyouthankyou

For headphones I prefer the Sony 7506's. Just because I've used for twenty plus years and my ears are accustomed to their sound.

Looking at those pictures, that's definitely not a Sennheiser change. You can tell by the quality. Sennheiser doesn't make cheap parts. My guess would be that HTFR doesn't want to pay the dealer fee for the products. So they found a second party company who can make them at a cheaper cost.

quote:

Originally posted by djkatmaus For headphones I prefer the Sony 7506's. Just because I've used for twenty plus years and my ears are accustomed to their sound. Looking at those pictures, that's definitely not a Sennheiser change. You can tell by the quality. Sennheiser doesn't make cheap parts. My guess would be that HTFR doesn't want to pay the dealer fee for the products. So they found a second party company who can make them at a cheaper cost.

Exactly. I still have the original cable that came with the HD25's and the posts are round, exactly like cable I just bought.

quote:

Originally posted by LAdazeNYnights i'm not really in the know about this kind of thing so I'm probably way off base here, but maybe they just improved the product since you last bought it? also, what is that cable for exactly? sennheiser headphones? if so- i'm looking to get a good pair of head phones...recommend me something pleaasseeee i was thinking about getting a pair of the starter grado headphones but i'm not 100% sure about if I should go with an 'open' pair. thankyouthankyou

I love my Sennheisers HD25 II. Specially for the reason stated above. Whenever something breaks and if it breaks, it's replaceable. Unlike most headphones out there where if something breaks, you have to buy a whole new set. I love how they sound and when I'm out Dj'ing it cancels the noise quite nicely.

I also used to love the Sony's MDVR 7506. I had them for 5 years and they were tanks. My only issue is that they sound very flat, which is how they're meant to sound.

Headphones are very subjective, so try them before you buy.

Since we're on the subject of fake stuff, if you or if you know someone who uses EAW speakers, there is a company in China that's making fake ones. Basically they copied all of the EAW line. Both look the same but the fakes sound nothing like the real ones. This company is also making parts too, and some have made it into the states.

alright - I guess i'll just have to find somewhere to try some out then.
you mentioned that you DJ with yours- I'm just looking to listen. Would you still recommend I check those out for that purpose as well?

quote:

Originally posted by LAdazeNYnights alright - I guess i'll just have to find somewhere to try some out then. you mentioned that you DJ with yours- I'm just looking to listen. Would you still recommend I check those out for that purpose as well?

I would try to go out and demo a bunch. Another thing to consider is comfort. The 7506's are great but after a while they start to hurt the ears. Even with adjustment. I havent tried out the Sennheiser model yet not sure how those feel. I'd look for a pair that has great quality but also has great comfort.

ok thanks...that's probably the best advice anybody has given me about buying headphones. to just go out and try a bunch haha. i wasn't really familiar with anywhere they sold nice headphones and figured i'd have to order online but i'm sure i can find somewhere.

quote:

Originally posted by DjWoody The one with a straight tip is the legit one. Notice the cable is thicker, it has a gold tip, and it also has a screw on tip for the 1/4" adapter.

They do offer the right angle tips. but of course, not the same one in that image. It has threading.

http://www.sennheiserusa.com/servic...r_cables_040180
Replacement cable for HD25-1, terminates in right angle 3.5mm phone plug with adapter to 6.5mm.

You can go to any Guitar Center near you. They have a listening station where you can hear different brands.

Pioneer just came out with some new ones for casual listening. I still haven't heard them, but their HD1000 & HD2000 models sound nice. So if they sound anything like those, than you're set. They come in different colors too. They're the Pioneer DJ500.

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