I am prompted on this thought because I have become more fond on my ancient Koss ESP6 recently.
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/kos...tatics-234504/
While lacking in the ambience and detail of the 007A and Sigma/404, which are my favorites, it's surprisingly listenable. I owned a set of these back in the day, and later sold them after I got an ESP9, which I still have, plus a second ESP9.
The new 6's could hardly make a sound when I first got them but after a few hours of clean-up they gradually became usable and currently may be close to their original sound. I find I even prefer them to the 9. The 9 has better bass and a bit more refinement but has a sucked-out midrange which makes it sound muffled and distant on some recordings.
Of course the big attraction of the 6 or 9 is that they are sealed phones with high level of isolation. That is the main reason these old Koss are keepers while I am selling my Koss 950, and Stax SRM3/Nova Classic, which are better phones. Or maybe not? I just keep finding I like these old ESP6's.
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/kos...tatics-234504/
While lacking in the ambience and detail of the 007A and Sigma/404, which are my favorites, it's surprisingly listenable. I owned a set of these back in the day, and later sold them after I got an ESP9, which I still have, plus a second ESP9.
The new 6's could hardly make a sound when I first got them but after a few hours of clean-up they gradually became usable and currently may be close to their original sound. I find I even prefer them to the 9. The 9 has better bass and a bit more refinement but has a sucked-out midrange which makes it sound muffled and distant on some recordings.
Of course the big attraction of the 6 or 9 is that they are sealed phones with high level of isolation. That is the main reason these old Koss are keepers while I am selling my Koss 950, and Stax SRM3/Nova Classic, which are better phones. Or maybe not? I just keep finding I like these old ESP6's.
