[noms78]

Summary of key differences between genuine and fake MLK165. I combined all the information about this topic into a single post:


Crossovers:

Comparison of fake vs genuine. Fakes have 335 J 100V on the large white capacitor and a grey capacitor above the inductor (coiled red wire). Genuine has has 3.3μF 100v on the large white capacitor and a white capacitor above the inductor (fake left, genuine right):
c04fake_vs_real.jpg

Fakes often have crooked logos (ML CX20), chipped plastic, lines of glue on inductor, dodgy paint:
c03fake.jpg

Photos of fakes:
c01fake.jpg
c02fake_[bobbyj3980]
c03fake.jpg

Photos of genuine:
c05real_v1
c06real_v2
c07real_v2


Tweeter:

Comparison of fake vs genuine. Genuine has much finer grill and logo. Fakes have thicker grills (fake left, genuine right):
t02fake_vs_real.jpg

Genuine left, fake right:
t03real_vs_fake.jpg
t04real_vs_fake.jpg
t05real_vs_fake.jpg
t06real_vs_fake.jpg

Photo of genuine:
t01real.jpg


Woofer:

Fakes have serial numbers beginning with 001380 (the barcode may also have specs of paint missing):
w09fake.jpg

Fakes have HERTZ characters on the outer gasket that are much thicker fakes (with many imperfections) and look like they were done by hand using a soldering iron. Genuine has thinner font and perfect finish:
w01fake.jpg
w02fake.jpg

Fakes have imperfections in gasket and basket machining (chipped / rough edges, excess glue):
w03fake.jpg
w04fake.jpg
w05fake.jpg

Fakes may have excess glue applied to the perforated area beneath the spider:
w06fake.jpg
w07fake.jpg
w08fake.jpg

Comparison of genuine vs fake woofers. Genuine have thinner HERTZ logo, yellow coloured spider and thinner grills. Fakes have thicker HERTZ logo, mustard coloured spider and thicker grills (genuine left, fake right):
w12real_vs_fake.jpg
w13real_vs_fake.jpg

w14real_vs_fake.jpg
w15real_vs_fake.jpg

w16real_vs_fake.jpg
w17real_vs_fake.jpg

Upside down. Finish of fakes is rougher, magnet sticks out further (fake left, genuine right):
w10fake_vs_real.jpg

Photo of real woofer:
w11real.jpg

Box:
Fakes have low resolution/faded photo of the speakers on the front of the box.


Almost every MLK165 I have seen for sale on ebay has been fake. Often they are being sold by Malaysian sellers (who intentionally hide their location) and sell them for US$200-250.
Always assume they are fake unless they can prove otherwise (by sending photos of crossover etc). Serial numbers can be faked too!

Known sellers of fake MLK165:
2463wayne, zifartronicx

 

[JJDu4]

Great Post.......Its amazing how alike they look until someone really puts them side by side. So my biggest question is how they compare in sound........I would assume that they are only alike cosmetically and not sound......correct?

 

[BowDown]

This is true. I wonder if benched if they would sound the same? Looks like someone really paid attention to detail knocking them off.

 

[JLAudiow6v2]

Excellent post. I was on those Ebay pages for a few weeks, debating on whether or not to take that risk with the Malaysian sellers. I wrote one of them, and asked for just one more close up pic, and they didnt even reply. My common sense tells me that if its too good to be true, it probably is. I bit the bullet, and spent three times the cost to get my Hertz from an EBay seller in Bulgaria. I paid $450 for a pair of 165XLs, that would've cost me only about $120 from a Malaysian seller. I think I made the right decision though..

 

[JJDu4]

I'm curious about the guy in Bulgaria........he seems to be legit and I've almost pulled the trigger on a few sets from him more than once. JLAudiow6v2 I may do it if your experience turns out good.

 

[JWAT15]

AWESOME COMPARISON!! i got myself looking at my mlks now lol but the yellow spider is a good indicator also compared to the faded brownish

 

[JLAudiow6v2]

I actually bought those HSKs about 3 months ago. Although it took a little bit, they were the real deal. He told me that he is the only authorized seller of Hertz on ebay, but I have no idea if thats true. The speakers are absolutely amazing...
I cant speak for any of the other listings, but the bulgaria guy is legit...

 

[bonvivant]

I have almost purchased from the Bulgarian seller. Anyone confirm for sure that they are real?

 

[JWAT15]

^^ uh guy above u confirmed

 

[bonvivant]

Yea, but he doesn't say how he confirmed. What is he basing his assertion on?

 

[JWAT15]

that he bought them lol talked to the seller ect.. i dunno ask him

 

[rape_ape]

Thanks for the informative post/s..

 

[bonvivant]

Thanks! Just found out the set I purchased from a supposedly reliable seller on these forums is fake. Now he is refusing to respond. I am going to give him another day to respond. If he doesn't respond I will write him up in the appropriate forum. I'm pissed but it happens.

 

[JJDu4]

dang that's terrible.....its a shame what some people will do to make money! Can't these fake manufacturers be caught, fined for copyright infrigment and even better shutdown?

Bonvivant did you get them from the seller in question above?

 

[bonvivant]

No, I got them from a Seller who supposedly had a good reputation on this board. Also had about 600 posts. If he doesn't answer by tomorrow then I will do a write up.

 

[Salad Fingers]

You could buy from the States guaranteed to be real instead of Bulgaria. PM me on how if you'd like to know how. I had no idea that there were fake Hertz out there...

 

[FartinInTheTub]

Thanks for this post! Almost pulled the trigger on a set of MLK 165s on Craigslist but did my homework first. The crossovers were a dead give away! Almost dropped $275! Thanks for the info and for saving me some coin.


Hertz Mille speakers

 

[noms78]

No, I got them from a Seller who supposedly had a good reputation on this board. Also had about 600 posts. If he doesn't answer by tomorrow then I will do a write up.

Fakes can be sold from any where. I bought mine from a US seller (2463wayne) for US$700 shipped and they turned out to be fakes. The seller had 100% feedback (97 items sold).

 

[dobslob]

I actually bought those HSKs about 3 months ago. Although it took a little bit, they were the real deal. He told me that he is the only authorized seller of Hertz on ebay, but I have no idea if thats true. The speakers are absolutely amazing...
I cant speak for any of the other listings, but the bulgaria guy is legit...

There is NO authorized seller of Hertz or Audison on ebay.

 

[Bass911]

What do the fakes sound like?