Like most kids, I had a nickname given to me at school. Mine was “Dumbo” and I liked to think it was a clever reference to the size of my trunk. Unfortunately, my back-up nickname of “pencil dick” made it clear that Dumbo was a reference to the size of my ears, which were indeed overlarge appendages. As the years have passed, the wreck that is the rest of my face has rather pushed my monster ears into the background in terms of impact, such that now all my features could reasonably called a disaster area.
Still, the ears are still big, which means I need something substantial if I am to cover them for the purposes of aural input; and my current headphones don’t really do the job.
I think they came free with a Creative Soundcard about ten years ago, and they are now a flaking mess with fizzing sound and it really is time for an upgrade.
I need headphones for three purposes:
- When watching TV shows or movies on my computer in the presence of she who must be obeyed and the subject matter includes zombies, ghosts or chainsaws. As this covers as substantial part of my viewing pleasure, I need headphones.
- When playing driving games on the Xbox. For some reason the regular repetition of a crashing noise followed by a voice saying “you seem to have ripped the wheels from your car” does not sit well with my better half.
- Listening to music when it’s the sort of music my wife does not enjoy. Anything by Marilyn Manson comes to mind.
In Tukcom today and I see these:
These go for $300-$400 in the USA and I have seen them in Bangkok for 20,000 baht. Very nice, but ten times more than I am prepared to pay. A bunch of Aussie tourists are buying four sets, the wealthy bastards, and they offer me a listen. “Bloody good” I exclaim. “Sure thing” says the Aussie, “not bad for 2,100 bah eh”?
2,100 baht? Must be a mistake. I check with the sales girl. No mistake, these are copies. I take a look.
The outer cover is beautifully printed and slides off to reveal a box:
The box opens to reveal the ‘phones in a zip case and a tray full of accessories:
The accessories are comprehensive, down to the cleaning cloth, warranty and a little Monster catalogue:
The headphones fold inside the case and look beautifully made:
This is nuts. If this is a copy, someone has gone to a lot of work to make it look authentic. A check on the web and I discover that counterfeit Dr. Dre earphones are big business, with many sites given over to telling you how to spot the fakes; but all of the “this is a fake” indicators seem to have been corrected in the version I am looking at, apart from the fact that two AAA batteries are not included with the fake ‘phones. The other comment made in the sites is that the fakes sound every so slightly different than the original. “The fakes sounds like the sound is being shoved down a hosepipe and treated with heavy duty static” might put me off buying these, but “ever so slightly different” is not going to make much difference in my world of zombies, car crashes and Toad the Wet Sprocket. I am torn.
The obvious course for a man of moral standing would be to berate the seller for selling counterfeit goods, explaining how the intellectual property and earnings of Dr. Dre were being impacted by this odious practice; and, head held high, stride off to the nearest quality store and hand over 20,000 baht for what may well be the same product.
As for me, I just happened to have 2,100 baht in my pocket.
Much bigger and better than their flaky predecessors. Tried them out on “Crack a bottle” with Eminem and Dr. Dre and they sound pretty damn good; can’t wait to try them out with zombies.
Comments 🔗
2011-11-05| Bob sayswhich store? What floor?
2011-11-05| Spike saysTuk Com. Up the escalator from the ground floor, then in front of you and to the right. They have the full range.
2011-11-05| genuinej saysYour current headphones look like they were lifted from an airline. Have Tuk Com got plenty of stock? My morals are similar to yours.
2011-11-05| Spike saysI can pick you up a pair for you if you like. Not sure of the colour choice but give me an indication (black, white, red, yellow, gay pink)?
2011-11-06| Wally saysWelcome back ‘Dumbo’ (you started it !) I didn’t need a nickname, Del Boy made sure of that. Looking forward to the opening of new Tuk Com Superstore next to Foodland on Pattaya Klang. I detest having to drive down Pattaya Tai. The new Tuk Com will be a 10 baht bus ride and a short walk for me.
2011-11-06| Spike saysI use the back way via second road; but it is a pain and the parking is always full at the moment. Still, I fought my way back there this morning to pick up some ‘phones for genuinej who said he wanted to experience “the phat sounds of the street, innit”.