One of the most popular wireless headphones and speakers on the mass market is JBL. No wonder why they are so often counterfeited. And it is precisely these fakes that absolutely anyone who decides to purchase real original JBL products runs the risk of stumbling upon. Today we will try to thoroughly understand how original JBL headphones or speakers differ from fake ones and how to distinguish them in practice.
Among the speakers, you most often come across replicas of Charge and Flip, less often Clip and Xtreme. But the leaders in headsets are the Everest series. If you choose one of these models, be especially careful.
Name and logo
In fact, you can distinguish a fake JBL from the original by its external features, without even unpacking the box. First of all, pay attention to the name. Even if the appearance of the speaker or headphones in the picture very much resembles the JBL model you know, then take a closer look at the logo. First of all, it may not show “JBL” at all, but, for example, “T&G” on exactly the same red square background as the original.
A fake can also be identified by the fact that there is a JBL logo on the speaker or headphones, but there is just a red square on the box itself or on the photo of the device on the cover.
Or both the column and the packaging will have no logo at all, only with a cutout for it
All this is done to ensure that the non-original JBL device passes legal customs clearance from China. And then, on the spot, the seller sticks on the desired logo. If you have a conscience, then something like “T&G”, and if not, then immediately “JBL”.
What to do if you were sold a fake?
At first glance, the situation seems hopeless. However, persistent people should be given some advice. They will help you get your money back and take revenge on the unscrupulous seller. So, for this it is recommended to do the following:
- Try to return the product back to the store and request a refund. In this case, you need to take with you proof that the speaker was purchased there. It is acceptable to use SMS, sales receipt or email confirming the order as evidence. In addition, some stores guarantee the return of purchases within 2 weeks.
- File a claim for the sale of counterfeit goods. It must be prepared in 2 copies. One document should be given to the seller, and the second one should be kept for yourself. In this case, you need to ask the seller to indicate on your copy that he accepted the claim. It is recommended to do this indicating his full name, position and signature.
- Take the dishonest seller to court. In addition, you are allowed to write a complaint to the prosecutor’s office and Rospotrebnadzor. It is also permissible to file an appeal to the internal affairs authorities responsible for counterfeit goods. This method of problem solving will not give quick results. However, it will help punish the unscrupulous seller.
In addition, experts advise sending an email to JBL. The company promises that it will help sort out the store and take measures to stop its operation. However, this method is unlikely to help you get back the money you spent.
Assembly
The build quality of the original and the fake is also often very different. For example, if we are talking about JBL wireless on-ear headphones, then the original will have smooth seam stitching on the ear pads. For fake ones, it will be crooked or sloppy. The same applies to the joints of plastic elements on JBL speakers. The replica may have distortions between panels or burrs due to improper casting.
Differences between an original speaker and a crude fake
- The fake does not have the distinctive jbl label. Either it is made with errors or there are additional words or letters nearby.
- Packaging is missing.
- Obvious defects of the case are visible: plastic sagging, the speaker mesh is made of fabric, the buttons stick out in different directions.
- The sound from the speaker wheezes and crackles.
- The fake does not have a barcode or serial number.
- There is no warranty card or instructions in Russian.
- There is no micro-SD slot on the original speaker.
This connector is a sign of a fake.
Unpacking the device
Original: there is a color image inside the cover, there is a black thick cardboard cover with the model name False: no image, the cardboard cover is replaced with a foam pad
Original: the speaker is packed in a soft foam bag Fake: without additional packaging
Original: All additional accessories are packaged in separate bags, stored in special places, the color of the accessories is orange False: the accessories are simply put in a box, the color of the accessories is black
Speaker connectors
All speaker connectors are collected in one place and covered from external influences with a lid. In a fake, this cover is soft, does not hold its shape and always wants to cover the connectors.
The cover of the original column has two layers, which means it does not close on its own and provides a good seal.
If you manage to get to the place with the connectors in the speaker, then remember: the original speaker only has three holes: USB, micro-USB and a jack cable. The fake has four holes - it is also supposed to play a microSD card.
In addition, again the lack of inscriptions in the connector area indicates a fake. In the original connector, in addition to engraved inscriptions, there is a sticker with the serial number of the column.
The difference is in the passive dynamics
Finally, let's look at the passive speakers on the sides of the speaker. What is important here is not so much their appearance as their mobility.
The fake speaker is made of shiny metal with ribbed tracks on it. They are quite deep and wide, they immediately catch the eye.
The speaker of the original is matte, and the applied tracks are so small and thin that they are visible only upon close inspection.
The quality of the speaker mounting in the original is soft, the speaker springs freely and smoothly when you press it.
The fake speaker is difficult to press and always slows down somewhere. We are not talking about smoothness and freedom of movement here. The quality of the material leaves much to be desired.
Of course, in order not to make all these comparisons, it is enough to purchase a speaker in a special store or from an official dealer.
I would also like to note that copies are always much lighter than the originals, they smell of “chemistry”, and they cost four times less.
Of course, if money is tight, you can buy a copy; the sound quality is also good. Especially if you haven’t listened to music from the original speaker before.
And for those who like to enjoy every note and nuance of a melody, our tips will come in handy.
Copies are many times more affordable than originals and there is no guarantee that the original will not crack on the same day. Well, there are minor differences in sound and build. The player itself is of great importance. If the player is crap, then no super acoustics will help. Take this factor into account, gentlemen. This speaker is intended for scuba diving. Why is it even needed underwater? An empty marketing ploy for which they cheat. They clung to the box that this box gives me aesthetic satisfaction, like a company... In general, I repeat, I don’t find any significant differences in sound, and there is no point in overpaying several thousand rubles for a “company”. Just like buying a “branded” rag, the quality is equal to a copy or other tailoring, overpaying large sums for the badge. My rating of the copy: good solid 4. A product of this profile is intended for country listening. To hold parties and discos, a completely different level of technology is required. Who wants to buy it too, here https://top-prodazh.com/charge-muz/?flow_hash=Int59, not an advertisement, but a verified site.
I completely agree with Serge, the original is a waste of money, I tested it on myself, bought the original, it didn’t work for six months, wasted a decent amount of money, the copy works for 2 years (it was given to my dad when he was 23), no complaints.
What does a fake look like?
You can buy original JBL headphones here
Of course, each product that imitates a brand has its own characteristics. However, there are also common signs that are characteristic of most fakes.
Product images may be blurred or edited. The original packaging contains simple photographs taken in white boxes under the spotlights. No additional processing is involved, with the exception of preparing the file for printing.
But fake manufacturers are trying to divert buyers' attention from the headphones. For this reason, the packaging and instructions contain an incredible amount of unnecessary information, which, as a rule, is of an advertising nature.
Of course, some fakes are made similarly to the genuine product and are packaged in excellent boxes. Such fakes are not much inferior to the original; there is only one way to distinguish them - listening to music.
Package
- First of all, let's look at the manufacturer's information. From the original it is easy to find information in different languages about the importer, serial number, QR code, etc. You will also find a detailed description of the product and its features. The Chinese manufacturer will not have such information.
- Often there is no logo in the column image, instead there is a red rectangle.
- The original has the “Harman” signature on the packaging under the logo, the fake does not.
- The box of this speaker is a unique piece made from high-quality materials. The packaging of Chinese manufacturers looks worse. It also has a cardboard outer shell, which the original never had. (Opens in a new window)
