Do you buy refurbished?

[maximaz]

What are your opinions on refurbished tech? Would you buy one? Why/why not?

I'm thinking of getting this half priced headset that is refurbished with a warranty. Should I?

 

[Korin]

Depends what it is and how much you save. I'd buy a refurb headset but not a refurbished, say, power supply. I also wouldn't buy it if I'm only saving like $10 bucks off a regular sale price. Sometimes the refurb prices are so good they're hard to pass up though. Headset might be a little bit worn and groady from previous use...

 

[Ausdoerrt]

Hmm, I generally like to look for deals and discounts rather than buying refurbished stuff. Considering the ever-shortening lifespan of most electronics these days (Sheckley's "Ticket to Tranai", really), seems like a better decision.

Now, I think it really depends on what exactly you're buying. I probably wouldn't have reservations buying something used/refurbished if it's a product that's made to last - like an electric musical instrument, or high-end audio equipment. Can't really tell if your case applies, or not.

 

[maximaz]

Well, I'm trying to decide between a Koss PortaPro set or a refurb Sennheiser HD-280 PRO. Normally, HD280 is about three times the price of PortaPro but the refurb is almost the same (a little over 50).

With a headset, I'm afraid there will be something wrong with it and I won't realize it as I know very little about the high standard of sound quality.

 

[Ausdoerrt]

Hmm, different headset types, not really comparable. Sennheiser is obviously superior.

I don't know, $50 is considerable money, and price reduction from new is less than 1/2 ($87 for new on amazon). Debatable imo, it's your choice.

Also, since you're looking for good headphones, have you tried these? http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR7506-...?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1304473549&sr=1-11

 

[Verevoof]

Would you buy one? Why/why not?

No. A great chance that other people had used it. You know what people do, right? I like new things, even if it isn't in truth a bunch of robots putting things together in a sterile room, I still want that fantasy newness.

If you don't care about that stuff, go ahead. Refurbished stuff gets tested and fixed before it goes back out there, so the product should be working without problems (in theory). And if there are problems, just return it.

 

[maximaz]

Also, since you're looking for good headphones, have you tried these? http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR7506-...?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1304473549&sr=1-11

Hmmm, have not heard of those. I like the few user reviews I've read. I am a bit worried about the HD280's reported lack of bass. I don't particularly enjoy too much bass either as it tends to take over everything else but I do enjoy some bass. I'm afraid that these will end up being too flat.

PortaPro's are extremely well reviewed and the price tag is obviously very nice but I don't know about the design. Something tells me, my ears will hurt like hell from those clamps pressing on them.

Will research MDR7506 some more. Thanks.

No. A great chance that other people had used it. You know what people do, right?

I feel you but what can people do with headphones?

EDIT: just to clarify, I'm not going to actually work with these. I'm not a DJ or anything so I'm only leaning toward monitor headsets like HD280 because I want better quality sound. I will mostly use them for music, games and movies.

 

[Ausdoerrt]

Hmmm, have not heard of those. I like the few user reviews I've read. I am a bit worried about the HD280's reported lack of bass. I don't particularly enjoy too much bass either as it tends to take over everything else but I do enjoy some bass. I'm afraid that these will end up being too flat.

I've used MDR7506 quite a bit cause that's what my college's music department has. They have a pretty well-balanced sound, and are basically intended for sound monitoring/mixing (I guess). Which would probably make them pretty good for simple listening as well. Not sure how heavy the lower frequencies were, but the overall range was lots better than my cheapo big headphones I use at home.

If you're just looking for pumping bass/decent quality "on the run", I'd suggest a pair of good in-ears like Sennheiser CX300-II instead, it's cheaper and more convenient.

 

[maximaz]

Thanks for the write up Sea and everyone else for the input. I am quite intrigued by the MDR7506. After reading a few comparisons, they seem to be a better set than the HD280.

I'm not looking for pumping bass. I have a good set of in ear headphones for that (Klipsch S4). I want something a little more flat, clear and comfortable to only use with my laptop. I do want some decent bass though but not too much.

Might actually get the Sony set. A little worried about all the good fakes though.

 

[Karyyk]

The problem with buying refurbished is that oftentimes, that term is misused. If an item is refurbished to original spec by the original manufacturer with similar warranty terms as the new product would have, then it's usually a good deal (in a lot of cases, these were items shipped with an easily-fixed factory defect that are then returned, repaired and resold, so many of them are virtually new). The problem is knowing what you're getting (and most of the time, I stay away from teh deal-a-day sites when it comes to refurbed items). In some cases, the repairs are handled by a third party and the warranty terms are more or less a joke, while in others, you may be getting a used product that still works that had a can of air and a wetnap taken to it.