I don't want to start another FOTM but gees, these arn't bad for the price.
The price being under US$25 online! (Amazon has them for $22.46)
You can pick them up at your local Walmart (for US customers) for $26 if you like.
I got them new via a local auction site here.
These are not to be confused with the Koss UR29.
I know what you're wondering: How do these sound and how do they compare of course to those another Koss', the Koss KSC-75.
Well, initial impressions (straight-out-of-the-box, no burn-in):
* The Koss KE-29S uses a J-cord unfortunately
* No frills packaging, which I like, however no frills also applies to to the accessories in which you only get 3 pairs of silicon eartips and a carry case. That's it! That said, the carry case = close to identical to the Nuforce NE-7M's carry case, only with different logos.
* The KE-29S does have a volume pod, however, unlike the iM716, the volume pod is quite small and unobtrusive. I recommend you have the volume pod at max at all times and control the volume via your player or portable amp.
* While the Koss KSC-75 is mid oriented, the KE-29S is very much bass centered. The bass on the KE-29S (no burn-in) has good bass impact however is a bit uncontrolled and slightly bloated. However to put things in perspective and to compare apples with apples, compared to other sub $30 IEMs, the bass is not bloated at all and is well defined and not a monstrosity of it like in others.
* Sound signature wise, the KE-29S is quite laid back, although not as laid-back as the Jays s-Jays. The KE29S has a more laid back sound signature than the Koss KSC-75 and does sound a tad muddy but not too much. It could open up after a bit of burn-in
* Detail is quite good for a sub $30 earphone, particularly in the bass.
* Instrument separation is not bad but not great either, average.
* Comfort, for me, is quite good and in fact, one of the most comfortable IEM's I have. I don't need to adjust them after I put them in my ear at all unlike other IEM's.
* A good thing about the KE-29S is microphonics. There is close to zero, if not, zero microphonics.
* Straight-out-of-the-box I did noticed that with rock songs, the mids were not recessed but that were rather 'veiled'. Treble wise, it is a tad recessed but it's still there and reproduces it well. Bass I commented on earlier however I feel the 'veil' only exists in the mids. Interesting enough, I found there is a slight treble peak with the KE-29S.
Do they beat the Koss KSC-75 in overall sound quality: At the moment, I would say not.
Do they compete with other cheap IEM's?
I would say yes, if not, beats out several of them. Significantly better than the (IMO overrated and overhyped) SoundMAGIC PL-30's and it beats the Sennheiser CX300 IMO in overall sound quality. The best sub $30 IEM out there? Well, hard call but it'll defiantely be a contender.
EDIT: With Marit Larsen's music, which is treble focused, the KE-29S excels at this. The KE-29S is bass focused, then treble, then mids.
Does her music amazingly well considering the price.
Pic:
The price being under US$25 online! (Amazon has them for $22.46)
You can pick them up at your local Walmart (for US customers) for $26 if you like.
I got them new via a local auction site here.
These are not to be confused with the Koss UR29.
I know what you're wondering: How do these sound and how do they compare of course to those another Koss', the Koss KSC-75.
Well, initial impressions (straight-out-of-the-box, no burn-in):
* The Koss KE-29S uses a J-cord unfortunately
* No frills packaging, which I like, however no frills also applies to to the accessories in which you only get 3 pairs of silicon eartips and a carry case. That's it! That said, the carry case = close to identical to the Nuforce NE-7M's carry case, only with different logos.
* The KE-29S does have a volume pod, however, unlike the iM716, the volume pod is quite small and unobtrusive. I recommend you have the volume pod at max at all times and control the volume via your player or portable amp.
* While the Koss KSC-75 is mid oriented, the KE-29S is very much bass centered. The bass on the KE-29S (no burn-in) has good bass impact however is a bit uncontrolled and slightly bloated. However to put things in perspective and to compare apples with apples, compared to other sub $30 IEMs, the bass is not bloated at all and is well defined and not a monstrosity of it like in others.
* Sound signature wise, the KE-29S is quite laid back, although not as laid-back as the Jays s-Jays. The KE29S has a more laid back sound signature than the Koss KSC-75 and does sound a tad muddy but not too much. It could open up after a bit of burn-in
* Detail is quite good for a sub $30 earphone, particularly in the bass.
* Instrument separation is not bad but not great either, average.
* Comfort, for me, is quite good and in fact, one of the most comfortable IEM's I have. I don't need to adjust them after I put them in my ear at all unlike other IEM's.
* A good thing about the KE-29S is microphonics. There is close to zero, if not, zero microphonics.
* Straight-out-of-the-box I did noticed that with rock songs, the mids were not recessed but that were rather 'veiled'. Treble wise, it is a tad recessed but it's still there and reproduces it well. Bass I commented on earlier however I feel the 'veil' only exists in the mids. Interesting enough, I found there is a slight treble peak with the KE-29S.
Do they beat the Koss KSC-75 in overall sound quality: At the moment, I would say not.
Do they compete with other cheap IEM's?
I would say yes, if not, beats out several of them. Significantly better than the (IMO overrated and overhyped) SoundMAGIC PL-30's and it beats the Sennheiser CX300 IMO in overall sound quality. The best sub $30 IEM out there? Well, hard call but it'll defiantely be a contender.
EDIT: With Marit Larsen's music, which is treble focused, the KE-29S excels at this. The KE-29S is bass focused, then treble, then mids.
Does her music amazingly well considering the price.
Pic:
DO NOT TRY THAT unless you want to it may be a fun DIY project they are pretty cheap the KSC75 is very worth a recable why not a bud
