Koss Pro DJ 100 - The Budget King - Page 88

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbamg 

 

At first I thought the TBSE1s sucked as gaming headphones, then I installed a sound mod for my ArmA 2 and the sound effects just blew my mind.

 

Yeah, I can't say it enough too. The DJ100s/TBSE1s are very sensitive to different sources. There are some songs that I prefer using my CMoy for, and some that I'd rather not.

IMO they're much better for gaming with M50 pads. Seems to improve the soundstage size and make them sound even a bit clearer (probably due to a tad more treble). I first did this test with Uncharted 2. I think that's one game that has decent sound. So many of my games sound a bit muffled or as if they compressed the sound files too much. Fallout 3 sounds a bit muffled at times with a very revealing headphone. This is actually not very noticeable on my Q701! Sometimes it even requires a closed headphone for some strange reason.

I remember playing through Bioshock 2 thinking the DJ100 almost actually almost had too much bass You really do feel like your walking around in that giant suit of metal. On other headphones, it doesn't feel the same..

It seems that after 3 years theres still tiny things i'm learning about my DJ100! I think it's actually much more revealing than people give it credit for. Of course to get to be that way it needs a very revealing amp/dac. It's like the HD-650 though for me and makes all my harsh tracks a bit more bearable. It doesn't shove the detail in my face like the KRKs do.

I think I just said this last week, but my new HD-650 is slightly less bassy than my TB/DJ100. That's just bizarre...

BTW In an unrelated note, does anyone else think the Fuze LOD sounds worse than the headphone jack? It's supposed to be bypassing the internal amp. I noticed this with my HD-650 too.

At first I was thinking the DJ100 just liked the extra power from the internal amp when using the headphone jack to amp, but now this isn't really the case. It's just that the headphone out (to amp) sounds better.

I also noticed this when I tried the LOD cable from Fuze with my HD-650 and then immediately switched to headphone out.

Right now my Ipod Video (5.5) or Ipod 3G (monochrome) with LOD cable sounds much better than the Fuze with LOD.

The Fuze LOD sounds like it's a bit harsh in the mids at times. Sounds as if the sound of the DJ100 is a bit thinner and not as smooth sounding. Whenever I use the DJ100 it's always very full sounding without anything jumping out at me. Not completely flat, but I would say smooth sounding (like my HD-650).

BTW I just switched to my DJ100 after using the HD-650 for an hour. It's kind of a shock because the tracks (not the headphone!) sound so much worse. It really does feel that the HD-650 is making nearly everything sound better than it really is. At least from my portable devices. The HD-650 isn't like this as much with my ODAC and main amp.

This Ipod Video 5.5G sounds much worse with the DJ100 than the HD-650 Sounds actually like there is less low bass and a less clear sound when compared to my other Ipods. It seems the Dj100 doesn't love really warm sources. It's OK with the Clip+ at least. Maybe that has just a touch of warmth (compared to my ODAC!).

EDIT: Ipod Video 5.5 sounds pretty awful with the DJ100. There's this test track I use and the difference between it and the Ipod 3G is very clear. It's an acoustic recording that's kind of warm and has some low bass in there. On any setup that's too warm it sounds like a big congested mess. Too bad the Ipod 3G is so old and basically worthless to everyone now. First Ipod I ever bought and it originally came with only a Firewire cable! Gets my vote for the best Ipod i've heard yet. I think people love the Ipod Video maybe because it's rather warm sounding, yet supposedly has rolled off low bass. Sounds good with the HD-650 but not the DJ100...can't explain that.

I wonder if there's any portable players that are "cold and analytical"?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jordub 

So tdock, I shouldn't be worried about the glue-like stuff? xx0xx has me nervous. Does amazon have a history of passing refurbished goods off as new?

I've never had a problem with refurbished items as new. I once got a D2000 from warehouse deals when listed as Very Good, yet it had tons of paint defects so I returned it. I also got a fake E6 twice in a row from someone with a "fulfilled by Amazon" listing. They fixed that though I think.

If it falls apart, Koss has a lifetime warranty. They just require return shipping fees ($12 I think).

Quote:

Originally Posted by kman1211 

I've been looking for a fairly cheap closed headphone that would sound pretty good, and these caught my attention especially since they are only $55. Clarity and a fairly well-balanced sound is a must, if it's not clear sounding, the headphone is garbage to me. I don't like my Brainwavz HM5s because they are muddy at times and get confused sounding on faster paced music. How well do these things perform on tube amps in general? I get the impression they scale up very well. Of my current headphones only the DT 990s scale up very well.

I know i'm late to reply to this, but i'm bored.

It seems to me the main problem with 75% of the headphones under $75 is that they're not very clear sounding. There's a few small exceptions like the DT-235, KSC75 and a few others. Some of them are so highly praised here, yet IMO sounded like muffled crap. I won't mention which ones. Headphones under $30 are especially bad. The best i've tried though (other than KSC75) is the Koss UR-22V, which is easily found at Wal-Mart. Some may not like it though, but for $20 it's pretty good.

The DJ100 is crystal clear to me. If it ever isn't it's due to a source or amp that's too warm sounding or other issues. Usually if something is making it way too bassy (Which is rare). Same thing if there is something in it's signature that sticks out too much. The mids on these with my current setup don't sound all that much more forward than my HD-598 and HD-650. They're certainly not even remotely laid back though.

Some have said the DJ100 has too much treble, yet others say it doesn't have enough. Hearing people say it has too much is just absolutely bizarre to me. It does have more than every Sennheiser I have, but not it's like K702 or Grado like treble.

I do find the bass slightly above neutral. It definitely has more than my HD-650. I guess my new HD-650 is pretty much close to being very neutral in the bass. This crazy pair doesn't even have a mid-bass hump at all.

The DJ100 certainly isn't some flat studio monitor, but I would call it balanced mostly, but with slightly forward mids and a tad extra bass.

I don't know how Koss managed to give a headphone slightly emphasized bass, forward mids and still manage to have enough treble. That's usually impossible. Can't have it all usually. I think they do make some harsh music sound a bit easier on the ears. Maybe theres some slight dip in the lower treble or something. To me it's as fatigue free as the HD-650, but a lot more fun to listen to. I bet the creators of the DJ100 must have been fans of the Sextett and HD-650. I really would find it hard to believe Koss just picked some random import and called it the DJ100. I mean it's too good.

Never tried the DJ100 with a tube amp, but maybe someday. I'd like to try it with a cheap hybrid tube amp next year.

I haven't tried the DJ100 with any super expensive gear, but I will say that it has improved with every single upgrade i've made with my setup. Even more than my HD-600 and Q701. About the same as the HD-650. I know some here will think i'm nuts for saying this, but that's what I heard. I was surprised the ODAC didn't improve the Q701 further than it did. Yeah..i know there's some that think the DJ100 doesn't change at all..or doesn't even need an amp. My HD-650 actually sounds better without an amp There's only two headphones I own that I refuse to use without an amp. The Q701 (K601 too I guess) and DJ100. I was really surprised how well my old Ipod 3G can drive the 650..

BTW I wonder if anyone has tried the DJ100 with the Schiit Lyr? Just read it has an output impedance of only .2ohm or something. Should be a good match for my HD-650 when I can actually afford a new amp.

I'm actually more interesed in how it is with the DJ100 rather than the HD-650

Quote:

Originally Posted by soundisee 

I went from $30 Panasonic HTF600's with DT Velour Pads which I found comfortable and good sounding for the price but I wanted an upgrade which I was led to DT 770 80 pro's which are ok but too bass heavy and they clamp too tight. I've been doing tons of reading and I'm stuck between the Koss DJ100's and KRK KNS-8400's, since there is an issue with comfort on the Koss it's pushing me away since people claim only the M50 pads are suitable to keep the sound quality. Would these headphones work good with Beyerdynamic Velour Pads?

IMO the DJ100s are way better than the KRK KNS-8400 and 6400. I own both of those and like them a lot too. One of the few closed headphones that gave the DJ100 some competition.

Believe it or not the DJ100 and 8400 have very good low bass extension, which some call bass light for whatever reason..

The DJ100 stock pads are not that bad. It takes time for them to adjust to your ears. They may be an issue if you have huge ears.

I think someone here tried the DT-770 pads but had to use a rubber band to hold the edges in place. He later edited his post saying they made it too fatiguing. This makes sense because if you have too much air between your ear and the driver, there is too much treble. I had a similar result with SRH-840 pads.

Or did you mean DT-250 velour pads? Those fit but sound horrible (IMO). Too harsh and fatiguing for me. Worse than removing the foam backing from M50 pads. I spent an hour modding the pads to sound good but came up with nothing.

BTW the 8400 definitely sounds like it has less bass (similar amounts of low bass though), but more treble. Some people think the KRKs aren't that musical. I think they are, but they're kind of not even remotely forgiving. The DJ100s to me are just fun to listen too and still balanced sounding.

You can still get the Tony Bennett version at some Tuesday Morning locations for $50. Then get some M50 pads for $20 if needed. The DJ100 itself sometimes drops to $55 on Amazon.

Also..you might be able to demo the KRKs at a Guitar Center if you have any nearby. Best Buy has the DJ200 in the pro audio section for demo. Should be the same as the cheaper DJ100. I believe theres a way to use your own portable source too.

As much as I like the KRKs, I probably could not live with them as my only headphone.

They sure are impressive for gaming though, especially Skyrim.