KOSS headphones

[Patrick Wolf]

Right now I have a pair of KOSS headphones (TD-61), been using them probably for about 9+ years now. When I first used them I was amazed at how good they sounded. But now, they seem to have gotten worn out, the sound quality especially. Even though they sound worse, they're still not terrible; when I change my surround mixer to Heaphones on my SB Audigy.

Neither newegg or zzf have KOSS headphones. I found this model that looks really promising: Click here I'll use them mostly for gaming and a bit of music listening.

Does anyone have KOSS headphones or can recommend me another set of headphones $50 or less?

 

[Oyeve]

The Freq responce, IMO, is bad, and at 100ohms you are not gonna get powerful sound from them without an amp.

 

[Patrick Wolf]

KOSS

Which one of these seems better? Is ohms better if the number is lower or higher?

 

[Patrick Wolf]

Anyone? Bueller.......Bueller?

 

[svi]

Depends on the headphones.

Impedance (measured in ohms, here) can generally be ignored if you don't care that much. Higher-impedance headphones usually (there are exceptions) require a higher level on the source (your sound card, your mp3 player, whatever) to reach the same volume level as low-impedance ones; very low-impedance headphones (below 32 ohms) can prove a tough load for weaker sources (the average CD player's headphone out, or a PC sound card's line out, for example), resulting in sound quality degradation. Of course, I could be completely and totally wrong.

You can probably ignore all this and just go by model numbers, though. If you're after an over-the-head Koss headphone, I would whole-heartedly recommend the PortaPro, as it's widely thought to be among the best full-size headphones under $50.

There's a lot of good headphone info at Head-Fi if you can ignore some of the audiophile garbage floating around.

 

[Ricemarine]

Headset = Sennheiser PC150
Headphones = Sennheiser HD280's.

 

[Patrick Wolf]

Thanks svi. I have read many good things about the PortaPro also, but I need something that will cover my entire ear and from the picture it doesn't look like the PortaPro does.

I have a SB Audigy hooked up to a Klpsch ProMedia 5.1 speaker system which my headphones are connected to. I will be getting an X-Fi XtremeMusic fairly soon, but that's beside the point.

I won't be using my headphones a lot so I don't need anything that sounds super-duper supreme, just something that sounds pretty good. I'll be using them primarily for gaming.

I'll probably get the TD85 since my budget is fairly tight (need a DVD Recorder also) and found these for about $35 through Pricegrabber.

 

[Patrick Wolf]

I just came across these which have good reviews: Plantronics, although they're a headset.

 

[Rossfool]

The TD85 is fine

 

[imported_Rampage]

Best sub $50 headphones, Koss PortaPro. Versus pretty much anything.

Koss wins the sub $50 market easy. Many compare the KSC-35s, KSC-75s, PortaPro and SportaPro to the Grado SR60 and Senn HD497.

I've owned HD497s, and if you like Koss sound.. you wont like SNOOZEheisers. Koss has direct, in your face sound, and snoozeheisers are too relaxed.. but they have a killer reputation and are very popular.

I like the $300 senns+amp, but you could say that about any expensive set+amp.
Their lowend stuff sucks IMO, which is why at Head-Fi you'll see almost universal support for the <$50 Koss.

For the wear, tear and abuse that headphones typically get, all I want to spend is $50 or less.. I have a pair of KSC35s and PortaPros for working out (35s) and everyday (PortaPro).

The fact these drivers are even compared to the Grado SR60/HD497 is testament to their sound quality. Its all you need unless you are going to take the next real step up (which is not the SR60/497, the next step that would be noticable would be a set that sounds best with an amp).

 

[LED]

Being from old school I have always been somewhat of a Koss Fanboy and there Customer Service has been 2nd to none for me.
I have a 30 yr old pair of Koss Pro4aa's and the company has replace the suction cups and 1 side speaker @ no charge just shipping and although they are Big and Bulky pus somewhat uncomfortable if worn over long periods of time , the sound is fabulous and when I do get tired of wearing them I just change over to my Titaniums...Koss makes great Can in my Book !

 

[Bozo Galora]

went to the koss link just to see if they still sell the electrostatics
yep - the esp950 @ $999.99
brings back fond memories of the esp 8's 9's and 9a's - b's and 10's I had (still have actually - all in a box)
used to replace the cheap componenets on the CB in the cups with top notch stuff
headphone energizer box would cable right onto posts of my 25W class A tube amps, itself hooked up to AR SP10 preamp
nothing ever sounded better - no room effects.
And I agree, Koss service is the best - I was always burning pinholes in the metallic coated mylar driver skins

 

[Oyeve]

I think the Sennheiser PX-100 are a great sub 50 buck headphone. On par, IMO, with the porta-pros (I have both ). Actually, they sound better than most sub 100 headphones like everyones favorite (for the life of me I dont know why) Sennheiser HD-280 Pro. I hate those cans.

 

[alcoholbob]

Koss was a great name in the 80s...since they went mass market...GG

 

[imported_Rampage]

Originally posted by: Oyeve
I think the Sennheiser PX-100 are a great sub 50 buck headphone. On par, IMO, with the porta-pros (I have both ). Actually, they sound better than most sub 100 headphones like everyones favorite (for the life of me I dont know why) Sennheiser HD-280 Pro. I hate those cans.

They are about on par (the Px100 and porta pro), I prefer the koss for warranty and sound quality differences.

The HD280 are closed, so they arent going to sound as good as open cans of comparable value. IMO.

 

[Oyeve]

Originally posted by: Astrallite
Koss was a great name in the 80s...since they went mass market...GG

I own a set of Koss speakers, MD-80 I believe, I bought in 1990 and they are pretty good. Not powerful but I had used them as surrounds in an old pro logic setup. They had 2 4" drivers and a tweeter. I use one of them as a center speaker at work and the other is in standby in case I blow the other.