Here are some things to look for if you’re trying to establish if your Sennheiser e945 mic from eBay is fake or genuine. It could be hard to tell from the listing photos, and beware anyone using stock photos for a used item.
Warning signs also include low ‘Buy It Now’ prices, and sellers with little or no feedback selling several of these mics at one time. However, people who’ve been caught out buying a fake may try and disguise their error by trying to re-sell a fake at the normal price for a genuine item.
Click my photos to see larger versions of one of my genuine mics next to a fake I returned.
The only thing inconsistent between my two genuine samples of this mic were the markings on the white identity stickers on the capsule.
The bag zip thing is the easiest to spot if you’ve only got poor photos to go on, but I’m not sure this is 100% consistent.
| Real | Fake | |
| Sound quality | Rich, full, clear | Lack of bass |
| Mass | c. 360g (to spec) | c. 330g |
| Body texture | Smooth | Fine ribs |
| Fixing screw on body | Nearly flush | Recessed |
| Branding paint | Slightly pearlescent | Pure gloss, may have rough edges |
| XLR socket | Easy to use Has WEEE symbol (wheely bin) | Stiff to remove plug No WEEE symbol |
| Mic bag | Zip on top front (although not always) Embossed paint logo | Zip on edge Thin paint logo |
| Mic clip | Textured inside | Smooth inside |
| Capsule | Sennheiser logo in plastic | No logo in plastic Various differences (see photos) |
| Mic basket colour | Soft blue | Cyan-grey |
Branding
Sennheiser updated their logo in 2017. The packaging and mic should match one of the logos exactly. If it doesn’t, be suspicious.
See 1000 Logos for images of the Sennheiser branding.
Older e945s have the Sennheiser logo the same way up as the other writing. Newer ones have it the right way up when the mic is standing on its socket.
Recourse & Solutions
In fairness to PayPal and eBay, you should be able to conduct a return and/or get your money back. Sometimes PayPal disputes end in your behaviour by default when the seller doesn’t respond to a challenge, but that causes a delay.
I fear some dodgy sellers repeatedly resurface with new accounts (but zero feedback).
Of course, you could change where you buy, and stick to new/ex-demo purchases from main dealers. However, I’ve bought good, legitimate mics on eBay at 30-60% less than the new price. Be cautious (or bid low) on equipment that doesn’t look cared for. Check a seller’s feedback. Look at the seller’s other items to establish whether they look like a bona fide private seller or a credible dealer.
I’m just amazed it worked at all – albeit poor or lack of bass. Could it be useful for anything?
I think when they say “if it’s too good to be true – it probably is.” !
One problem is that the fakes are being resold at prices that would be plausible for genuine items. When 3 mics look similar but one performs poorly, I don’t want the poor one in my kit. Also, I don’t want to reward the scam!
I wish I’d seen this before I jumped on a “bargain”. It’s clearly a fake from your pictures and I’m not even going to bother plugging it in!
Thank you,
Richard.