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KSC-35 Appreciation Thread Attempt (hd-595 un-appreciation post, mostly, sorry)

post #1 of 34
12/11/05 at 9:05am
Thread Starter 
UPDATE: Ignore the HD-595 bashing here. I like the HD-595s again.

I searched using the words appreciation and thread, didn't find one for the ksc-35s, so I made one, sorta... I tried to make my post just about the ksc-35s, but, damnit, I just had to compare them to another set of headphones I have to show how much I love them.

I love the ksc-35s (around 20 hrs. burn-in) and signifcantly prefer their sound signature to my hd-595s (50 ohms, around 400 hrs. burn-in), which I really liked. This will sound like hd-595 bashing, and, well, it is to a certain extent (given that the hd-595s cost me 10x the ksc-35s), but I need to use them as a point of comparison because they are the only other good headphones I have besides the ksc-35s. The hd-595s, (disclaimer time) with my setup, to my ears, and IMO, sound signifcantly veiled (I just about get pissed off comparing them directly to the ksc-35s on some tracks - I want to be honest, here) in comparison to the ksc-35s (I guess I would absolutely hate the other senns given this, huh?). The ksc-35s sound much more open (IMO). Plus, they are more fun than the hd-595s (again, IMO). The hd-595s are better with giving body to certain types of drums, though. I know the midrange is better with the hd-595s, but I guess that is not what I like the sound signature to be focused upon. The hd-595s are also wayy more comfortable on my ears than the ksc-35s. Now, I am curious to see if the entry-level amp I am getting soon will make the hd-595s sound signature better to my ears than the ksc-35s. I'll probably keep the hd-595s around for a long time, so I can try them out with a quality amp (like the M^3) that I am planning to buy in the future. I wouldn't be surprised if they end up sounding better than the ksc-35s to me with a quality amp.

OK, enough hd-595 bashing... Hopefully I haven't marred this thread too much before it even really gets started with my comments about the hd-595s. Any more ksc-35 love?

EDIT: Removed comment that the ksc-35s sound "realistic," heh.
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post #2 of 34
12/11/05 at 10:33am
Grado time for ferraro.


Back on topic:



Appreciate
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post #3 of 34
12/11/05 at 11:03am
I bought 2 pairs of KSC35s on Ebay from Creative at $9.95 each - and after listening to them, I turned around and ordered 2 more pairs to give away as gifts, I think they're that impressive. What I really like about them besides the sound quality is they go on easily and allow wearing a hat while outdoors.. but the sound is absolutely amazing. Plus I like the low-key black color, I couldn't see myself wearing the silver plastic UFO-looking KSC75s.
I prefer my Grado SR80s for my indoor rock/metal fix, but for when I'm on the go, these don't disappoint. They stay put, never shift around or fall off, and talk about comfort - the only way I know I'm wearing them is when the tunes are playing, or have to use the cellphone.
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post #4 of 34
12/11/05 at 11:22am
I also purchased a set from Creative for $10. They are good headphones. Hell for the money they are freaking AMAZING!!


I just visited koss.com and the KSC35 is gone. It appears that they have been discontinued
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post #5 of 34
12/11/05 at 12:29pm
Yes indeed they are discontinued. They have about 500 pairs left last time I asked. You have to call and ask for them, but the ebay deal is still the lowest available. I dont know if Creative Labs is somehow tied to Koss. If they are these are probably the last of them. Buy while you can. I have about 20 pairs that I am going to mod and sell. Once they are gone they are gone forever. But the KSC75 is the same driver, only I like the clips better.
Thank You. Drew Baird, P.E. Moon Audio 308 Chrismill Lane Holly Springs, NC 27540 919-649-5018 drew@moon-audio.com http://www.moon-audio.com
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post #6 of 34
12/12/05 at 4:15am
Thread Starter 
UPDATE: Ignore the HD-595 bashing here. I like the HD-595s again.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lisa
Grado time for ferraro.
Yeah, looks like I just don't like the sennheiser sound at all. Unless I get off my ass and sell the hd-595s on the FS forum here, I think I am done with my headphone journey, since an improvement on the ksc-35s would cost ~$75 at the cheapest (sr-60s, which I maybe wouldn't prefer to the ksc-35s, anyway). I am sure the price/performance ratio of the ksc-35s is unbeatable for what I like. If I end up selling my hd-595s, I think I'll get the sr-225s from Todd, so I can return them if I end up not liking them.

I am going off-topic on my own thread. Someone needs to start a pure ksc-35/ksc-75 appreciation thread, heh.

Glad to see no one was harsh on me for prefering the ksc-35s to the hd-595s. Guess most people just ignored me.
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post #7 of 34
12/12/05 at 7:30am
The KSC 35 are fun - no denying that. But is their sound "realistic"? I don't think so, since they are very coloured, have boosted midbass and highs. The HD 595 are much more detailed and much more neutral. You have to decide for yourself, wether you want musical reproduction close to the original recording, or wether you simply want fun. If you decide to have fun, go for the Grado line. All I can say, is that I learned to appreciate my 595s GREATLY with time.
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post #8 of 34
12/12/05 at 12:47pm
to add some hate to the discussion, the ksc-35's are by far the most painful headphone's I have ever listened to. I have never heard a headphone that is so bright and with such a fatiguing bass amped and unamped. I got listening fatigue after listening to these for as little as 5 minutes (this is coming from the ms-1's). Are they detailed? sure, they are; however, this "fake detail" comes at the cost of the most unrealistic presentation i have ever heard from a headphone. (to give it credit, at this price range it's the only headphone I have heard that even deserves mention)

*puts on fireman outfit to prepare for the flames* =P
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post #9 of 34
12/12/05 at 12:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by markot86
to add some hate to the discussion, the ksc-35's are by far the most painful headphone's I have ever listened to. I have never heard a headphone that is so bright and with such a fatiguing bass amped and unamped. I got listening fatigue after listening to these for as little as 5 minutes (this is coming from the ms-1's). Are they detailed? sure, they are; however, this "fake detail" comes at the cost of the most unrealistic presentation i have ever heard from a headphone. (to give it credit, at this price range it's the only headphone I have heard that even deserves mention)

*puts on fireman outfit to prepare for the flames* =P
I find the sr60's highs more painful than the koss. The ksc35 are awesome!
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post #10 of 34
12/12/05 at 1:50pm
Yep compared to the MS-1 the KSC-35 is chump change. But 10 bucks versus 100 bucks? It should be! Even other Grados sound harsh up top and bloated on bottom versus the MS-1, that's a nice can. But for the money, it's hard to beat the KSC-35. And that coloration helps cut through the mix on the go - it's a good aggressive portable can, even with a wool hat, earmuffs and a hood on!
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post #11 of 34
12/12/05 at 2:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jahn
Yep compared to the MS-1 the KSC-35 is chump change. But 10 bucks versus 100 bucks? It should be! Even other Grados sound harsh up top and bloated on bottom versus the MS-1, that's a nice can. But for the money, it's hard to beat the KSC-35.
I'd say that for the money, it's impossible to beat the KSC-35 . Unfortunate that we're talking about a discontinued headphone, though. Koss seems to me to be moving in the wrong direction with new headphones like the KSC-75 and KTXPRO1... in particular, build quality has gotten cheaper. I have the KTX PRO1 and build-wise it is a piece of junk.
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post #12 of 34
12/12/05 at 7:24pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by markot86
to add some hate to the discussion, the ksc-35's are by far the most painful headphone's I have ever listened to. I have never heard a headphone that is so bright and with such a fatiguing bass amped and unamped. I got listening fatigue after listening to these for as little as 5 minutes (this is coming from the ms-1's). Are they detailed? sure, they are; however, this "fake detail" comes at the cost of the most unrealistic presentation i have ever heard from a headphone. (to give it credit, at this price range it's the only headphone I have heard that even deserves mention)
That is fair. My hearing might be out of whack, and I have rarely heard live music. I am gonna remove the "realistic" comment from my post above.
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post #13 of 34
12/12/05 at 7:32pm
i ordered one pair a few nights ago, im thinking i should have ordered more, just to have a bunch to mod, recable, driver swaps (i have a cheap pair of eggo-ripoffs that i sacrificed for the pads). i saw a pair of earmuffs at GAP that had built in headphones, imagine if i swapped those with KSC35 drivers!

is shipping form creative-ebay a flat rate? how many pairs before shipping is more expensive?
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post #14 of 34
12/12/05 at 8:46pm
Same here! I hear you on getting the KSC35 and being floored by how well it stood up to my big headphones. I was a little pissed, too. But then I thought, "Now I have a portable that sounds really good, too." Since the detail seemed comparable to my 900, I was kinda worried. Maybe I did damage them with that volume spike last week?

On that listening fatigue after five minutes: Something like that happened to me the other day, but it might have been TMJ related more than headphone related. I was also wearing sunglasses at the same time. I haven't used the 35 enough yet to make a very informed opinion, but I think its thinner earclip is better suited for wearing with glasses and sunglasses than the KSC75
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post #15 of 34
12/12/05 at 9:35pm
Well I have a pair of 75s and 35s inc to my place right now. I cant wait to get my ears on them. I also have a pair of 555s, and I will have to admit they are very veiled. I didnt even realize until I got the 650s (another "veiled" can). The 650s are so much clearer in the high end. Everything is more crisp and detailed where as with the 555s it sounds slightly muffled in the higher end of the spectrum. I still love the sound of the 555s and still use them a lot. They have become my mobile headphone primarily. I personally hear no veil on the 650s though maybe i will hear it when i remove the foam... an "oh there was a veil" type of sensation. I wouldnt discount the whole senn line though because I have both the hd280s and the hd650s and neither of them sound nearly as veiled as the 555s unique sound signature..
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