The Knowhow
Work through the 'fake' v. 'real' checklist below to see if your product is the genuine article:
| REAL | FAKE | |
| OUTER PACKAGING (BLACK): MATERIALS | Genuine Dre Beats packaging is larger (taller, wider, and more substantial) than its fake counterparts | Fake boxes are small and insubstantial |
| Has the quality finish you would expect from a high-end product | Low-quality packaging; easily damaged | |
| OUTER PACKAGING (BLACK): TEXT | Quality hallmarks on the outer packaging include clear, white, easily-readable text | Text on outer packaging is blurry and has a grey wash to it |
| Dre's image on back of box is well-illuminated | Dre's image is poorly illuminated | |
| Packaging edges are thick and doubled-up | Packaging edges are thin, single-layered, and of a poor quality generally. Edges usually have a slightly battered appearance as the box is unable to withstand the rigours of transportation | |
| Box glides out of outer packaging with ease | Box is poorly designed and exits outer packaging with difficulty | |
| INNER PACKAGING (BRIGHT ORANGE) | When the black sleeve is removed to reveal the orange inner layer, the orange flap covering the headphones opens with ease and stays open | Once opened, the orange flap repeatedly falls shut due to poor-quality design and materials |
| PRICE | Retails for £150-£300 | Retails for >£30 |
| ACCESSORIES (EARBUDS) | Leather-look small, round zip-up pouch contains small plastic zip-lock bag with a selection of different earbud coverings. Bag contains 3 x 'round' earbuds and 2 x 'cone-shaped' earbuds. One set of earbuds is already covering the headphones (5 pairs total) | Pouch contains two small plastic bags holding 1 x cone-shaped earbuds and 5 x circular earbuds. One set of earbuds is already covering the headphones (6 pairs total) |
| Pouch fits snugly into foam packaging | Pouch is a poor fit for packaging | |
| HEADPHONES | Headphone coverings are made from genuine brushed Aluminium and Chrome | Headphone coverings are made from fake brushed Aluminium (coated plastic) and several sections have a shiny, silver-effect shell covering |
| The headphone lead has a small serial number near the jack - the serial number is well-hidden so take a good look! | No serial number on headphone jack or lead | |
| Coiled cord has a wire tag to keep the cord from tangling | Cord is coiled but has no tie in place | |
| 'Monster' logo on cable is poker-straight and has a high-quality finish | 'Monster' logo on cable is easily damaged (headphones often arrive with logo already cracked) and the font irregularly printed | |
| INSTRUCTION MANUALS AND BOOKLETS | Box contains 3 sets of printed information; one general instruction manual (different for each individual set of headphones in the Beats range), and 2 sets of 'Hear More' information leaflets | Box contains one 'universal' instruction booklet for the entire Dre Beats range - one generic instruction leaflet and no other leaflets or printed information |
