[Galaxy Note II Accessories] vantt1:
I'm going to win this "challenge"...

I got these white replica Beats by Dr. Dre Studio from the Futian District in Shenzhen for about $48 USD (~€35), and I must say that I am very impressed with the quality of replicas. I call these 'replicas' and not 'fakes' or 'counterfeits' because of the extremely high level of accuracy they replicate the real ones at.

Let's begin!

First, fakes or counterfeits usually lack a 10-digit alphanumeric serial number on the inside of the left ear cup. Not with this pair - the sicker is present, and has a semi-matte finish just like the real ones. This serial number was also verifiable on the old Monster Beats website (now non-existent due to Monster's break-up with Beats).

Same goes with the 7-digit (one letter followed by 6 numbers) serial number on the inside of the battery cover. Most fakes have this, but not the 10-digit alphanumeric one.

External appearance and material quality-wise, this replica is spot-on. The branding on the headband is clear and not deformed, and the glossy white finish is perfectly uniform with no visible defects whatsoever.

Another thing that fakes can't get right is the spacing between the headband cushion and the stainless steel spacers between it and the matte-plastic components. Fakes will leave a noticeably wide spacing, revealing the internal headband and the wire running through it. Not with this pair! The cushion fits snugly with the bracket.

The brushed stainless steel headband extensions are very well made, and they click into place with a nice and solid click.

The box seems legit, but Dre's face is still a bit high on contrast. Who cares about the box, anyway? It's the headphone that counts.

The serial number underneath the box has a matching serial number, but the text on the left probably stands for "Monster Headphone Beats Mixr On-Ear", but whatever.

The hard case feels solid, and the zip doesn't seem like it will break easily.

Box contents are complete, with the two cables (one with mic and button, one without), 3.5 to 6.3 mm adapter and flight adapter. It also comes with shrink-wrapped AAA Duracells. The clean cloth has nice stitching around the edges.

Now onto the internal components. This replica uses the exact same speaker drivers, noise cancelling microphones (one in each ear cup) and active noise cancelling amplifier circuit as the real ones. This means they have the exact same audible range (20-20,000 Hz) and the same bass-heavy audio (but surprisingly less muddy than the real ones). The circuit does a mediocre job at noise cancelling, also having the same noisy hiss like the real ones.

As seen here, the circuit board is like a clone of the real one, seen in comparison with an official picture. It even has the same dual-color LED that changes color when the battery is low. The only difference I can see is the Monster branding on the power switch.

The circuit board mainly uses two ICs to achieve the unique Beats EQ effect - the Maxim Integrated MAX4410EUD+ 141 and two ON Semiconductor MC33202 (ALGW?) ICs. The Maxim provides a -3 dB high-pass filter to decrease treble (thereby increasing bass). I'm not sure what is responsible for the ANC though, the 33202's look like they're independent amps driving the left and right channels.

...And all of this for only €35! Definitely 'beats' the €200-€300 price of the real ones.