How to Spot Fake Sony WH-XB910N Headphones
Looks like we are beginning to see more and more Sony fakes. First it was the WH-1000XM5, next the WH-1000XM4, and now finally the WH-XB910N. I would not expect these fakes to be present at legitimate retail locations but I have seen these on Aliexpress and on Ebay. So here is what to look out for as not to get scammed.
We will start off with the retail packaging, unlike the 1000X line, the WH-XB910N has 2 3 fakes, which is impressive effort by the scammers. Will we see a fake WF-1000MX5 in the future? Update looks we do have fakes, will have a post up soon.
The differences may not be obvious at first as the design is similar to the actual retail box. First off, the headset design is wrong, next, while the Sony logo is correct, it is positioned incorrectly. Third, the WH-XB910N font is wrong and too thick. The EXTRA BASS font is also incorrect and has the wrong colour and gradient. Finally the battery font is wrong and has an incorrect value, it should read 30h not 4.5h. No doubt this headset probably only has a 4.5h battery life.
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| Real Sony WH-XB910N box - Source: YouTube |
Flipping the box to the back, more differences to the real thing.
The top grey area is wrong, there is no Sony logo or model name on the real product. Next the 3 photos are different on the real box. The writing on the left uses the wrong font, and even though the icons on the right are either identical or close to the real ones, there are mistakes like the battery life. The lower part of the fake also has some odd button/interface section, absent in the real model. Finally the fake lacks the YY2951 model code on the rear.
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| Real Sony WH-XB910N box - Source: Ebay |
Here is the other fake packaging which is slightly different and is closer to the real one.
While this version lacks the Sony logo, it is most likely covered up or photoshopped out for the listing. The battery life is correct but the NC Noise cancelling text is missing, replaced with Hands free call. The WH-XB910N text is the wrong font, and the headset design is incorrect. The EXTRA BASS logo is closer to the real one, is bluet, has a similar gradient, but the font is wrong.
Another shot of the front with the cover sleeve removed. There appears to be some kind of cutout for the earcup, which is not how it is on the real model packaging.
Turning to the back, we have a completely different design here as well. They really put some effort into these.
Lots of differences here, wrong font, incorrect top photos, no icons on the right side, and no YY2951 code. Not sure why ATTENTION is written on the back, but hey why not.
Moving to the actual headset, we also have 2 different designs seen on the boxes, with a third I will post further down. We can start with the first model I showed. There is no Sony logo on the carrying case, unless it was photoshopped out for the photo. It is impossible to judge the quality of the case but if it is anything like the headset, it is probably rather cheap.
Opening the case up reveals the headset. I am wondering how snug the fit is, as it looks like it may not fit inside without some force. One obvious issue with the headset is the Sony logo, it does not belong on the side of the earcups, but rather on the headband. This is the first clue this is a fake.
Next, looking at the headset straight on, the design is off in a few areas. The headband is not flush with the arn supports, the earpads are ruffled, and the exterior ear cups seem appear to be a bit too wide. We can see the real model below.
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| Authentic Sony WH-XB910N headphones |
The fake model has an additional piece near the headband with Wireless written on it. While this extra piece is present on the real model, it is flush with the headband in width, has the same colour as the headset, and has no wording on it. It looks cheaply glued on in place.
Here are the ports and buttons. We have 3 buttons, with the middle being the volume control. The real model also has buttons, like power and NC/AMB, but there is no volume button, as that is controlled by the touch panel. I will venture a guess and say the fake lacks this touch panel. The real model can be seen below for comparison.
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| Real Sony WH-XB910N - Source: thebit Review |
Like the absent touch panel, the fake model also lacks the USB type-C port. Instead, we have a micro-USB port, which is not even centered in the cutout. There are also 2 small holes beside the USB port, along with a slot farther to the left. I suspect the holes are for a microphone, but I have no idea what the slot is for.
A closer look at the earpads which are very different to the real model
We also have photos of the white model, which has a two tone colour design. The golden support seems a a bit strange, but the gold ring near the earpads looks decent. Also it looks like that slot near the microphone holes is only on one side.
Moving to the second design, they are different, which begs the question, is the WH-XN910N selling that well that a second fake was worth the effort?
The design is closer to the real model, especially the headband, but the side of the earcups is different in design, with a second bevel around the flat portion.
The side buttons are different design but it is impossible to tell what they are from these photos, but I am guessing 2 are for volume, not sure what the third is for.
We have an additional photo which shows the power button and the USB port. The photos are too poor to identify which type of port it is. My guess is, same micro-USB like the first fake. The earpads look to be quite inferior in their quality and design. Oddly enough they are different to the first fake earpads.
I did run into a third fake version on Avito, recently, which has a similar design to the first fake model, but with slightly different cup design. I will admit, all of the fake retail boxes have the fake model on them, so when you open the fakes, you get what is on the box and think it is real.
Finally, a few more photos of the first fake. The exterior seems to have a blue-green colour headset, yet you get a black one in the box. We can also see that there is no embossed Sony logo on the case, and that the inside has no separated compartments.
Crazy to think we have 3 different fakes of the WH-XB910N. I do not believe we will see any fake WF-1000XM5 earbuds, but who knows. Actually fake WF-1000XM5 earbuds exist and they look pretty close. I will have a post up soon. My guess is that perhaps we will see fakes of the new WH-ULT900N or even the WH-CH720N.
Both the WH-XB910N and new WH-ULT900N are the same price on Amazon, so you can always pick them up there and know you are getting a legit unit. Personally I would go with the newer model as it will probably get a LE audio update in the future.
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