[obobskivich]

They should be fine, but +1000 to the dust cover - I just use the pouch that came with a pair of Sony headphones turned upside down to cover mine. STAX sells a cover for their headphones that should fit too (I think it costs $20); and you could probably keep them zippered in their case as well (but that seems like it'd get annoying). I haven't noticed an issue with hair, but I have short hair. *shrug*

As far as occasional falls, as long as you aren't dropping them off a balcony or something they shouldn't die from it, heh. The headband might come off (it's designed to separate) - but as long as it snaps back together and they don't develop the whine you should be AOK.

Regarding pads - my original pair started flaking within a few months of receiving them, but it didn't progress like I've seen on some ATs and Sonys. I ordered two pairs of replacements on the assumption that this would be an annual or bi-annual thing, however all four of the replacement pads feel more robust than what I was replacing (did not change the sound); so I've had the replacements on it since then, and two more sitting in their packaging on the shelf that probably won't go on for a long while at the rate things are going. I don't know if this means there is a difference, or if I just got a less than perfect pair of original pads, or what - I'd say order them up as-is, and know that the pads are super cheap to replace (you will NOT enjoy putting them on).

 

[sheya]

Listening to ODAC + ESP-950 right now.  If you are looking for a USB DAC to use, ODAC is an easy recommendation.  It is very inexpensive, has great published measurements, and it sounds great.  Makes for a neat, small system to have the ODAC stacked on the E90 amp.  
 
Give it a try if you want a different DAC, especially since the E90 has a 3.5 stereo jack input.

 

[livewire]

I have that setup and I love it. Sounds great!

 

[Defiant00]

The Schiit Modi is also an easy recommendation at the price, although initial reports seem to indicate that the ODAC is a bit better (and costs about 50% more).
 
I don't think I'd necessarily call Schiit FOTM, all their products seem well-regarded on here and all but the Magni and Modi have been out for a while.

 

[ambchang]

I am using the Stoner Acoustics UD100.  $52 shipped, extremely small form factor, and sounds great for the price.
 
Reports have it that it is comparable to the ODAC, so if ODAC is a bargain, the UD100 is more so.

 

[jazzerdave]

Quote:

The Schiit Modi is also an easy recommendation at the price, although initial reports seem to indicate that the ODAC is a bit better (and costs about 50% more).
 
I don't think I'd necessarily call Schiit FOTM, all their products seem well-regarded on here and all but the Magni and Modi have been out for a while.

 
Agreed on the FOTM.  I'd say Schiit has grown past the FOTM title (although right now, it could apply to the Magni/Modi as they're very new). 
 
As far as a source pairing for the ESP-950, I'm going to be no help at all for recommending a USB DAC as I only listen to mine with a Denon CD / DVD-A / SACD player.  I do have and enjoy a Bifrost with a different setup, but I don't have the USB option and generally listen to very little computer-sourced audio.

 

[Jand]

I just got a pair of these off of Amazon for around $670 plus tax.  First thing I noticed when opening them, the overwhelming smell of ancient pleather from the carrying case.  Taking out some of the components, it seemed clear this pair had already been opened (some of the plastic bags holding cables had rips in them, a couple twisty-ties seemingly missing).  I suspect this pair amazon sold came to them via some other distributor that maybe had gone bust or somehow was otherwise unloading their stock, and these had been sitting around for a very long time.  The serial number is 10193 -- how does that compare to the serial numbers of those of you who have more recently purchased pairs?  As soon as I got these things set up, I got squeeling in BOTH drivers, one after the other, and only pretty aggressive tapping on them stopped it -- but it's still coming back intermittantly.  Even when not squeeling, I'm noticing a lot of noise artifacts when the headphones are on but no sound playing - random, subtle high-pitched tones.  Seems like it will require a warranty repair immediately. 

 

[livewire]

Yup.

 

[obobskivich]

I just got a pair of these off of Amazon for around $670 plus tax.  First thing I noticed when opening them, the overwhelming smell of ancient pleather from the carrying case.  Taking out some of the components, it seemed clear this pair had already been opened (some of the plastic bags holding cables had rips in them, a couple twisty-ties seemingly missing).  I suspect this pair amazon sold came to them via some other distributor that maybe had gone bust or somehow was otherwise unloading their stock, and these had been sitting around for a very long time.  The serial number is 10193 -- how does that compare to the serial numbers of those of you who have more recently purchased pairs?  As soon as I got these things set up, I got squeeling in BOTH drivers, one after the other, and only pretty aggressive tapping on them stopped it -- but it's still coming back intermittantly.  Even when not squeeling, I'm noticing a lot of noise artifacts when the headphones are on but no sound playing - random, subtle high-pitched tones.  Seems like it will require a warranty repair immediately. 

Okay, and don't bite my face off here, but why would you even bother continuing to unpack or use an item that is clearly not as described (used, not new)? Especially from Amazon?

That mess should've been dropped back in the box and returned on the spot; you can do this entirely online through Amazon's site, but personally I would've called them up and screamed a little bit (seriously, for $700 they can deliver a brand new and functioning item; anything else is entirely unacceptable, and you should NOT be the one who has to fix this, I can't even describe how illogical that is to me to read).

As far as the serial-number - that's ANCIENT. Mine were bought in 2011 and have a serial number in the 90,000s to give you some perspective. Oh, and the bag is supposed to be leather - if you received anything else, yet another complaint.

 

[Jand]

Quote:

Okay, and don't bite my face off here, but why would you even bother continuing to unpack or use an item that is clearly not as described (used, not new)? Especially from Amazon?

That mess should've been dropped back in the box and returned on the spot; you can do this entirely online through Amazon's site, but personally I would've called them up and screamed a little bit (seriously, for $700 they can deliver a brand new and functioning item; anything else is entirely unacceptable, and you should NOT be the one who has to fix this, I can't even describe how illogical that is to me to read).

As far as the serial-number - that's ANCIENT. Mine were bought in 2011 and have a serial number in the 90,000s to give you some perspective. Oh, and the bag is supposed to be leather - if you received anything else, yet another complaint.

Wow - I guess that serial number confirms my hypothesis about these things being VERY old, thanks for the info.  My initial reaction was in fact to do as you described.  I'm still well within the return period so I can for sure still return them to Amazon, but the problem is they don't seem to have any more in stock at the moment, and it's been at least a week.  So likely they'd only be able to offer a refund.  I'm going to give Koss a call and check to be sure they'll still honor the warranty, but I'd rather send them in and have them replace what they need to (hopefully the whole thing) than to get my money back from Amazon, I quite like what I've heard so far with these phones (when they're behaving properly).  Not to say I won't still chew out Amazon in the hopes of maybe getting an Amazon credit to placate me -- at least to offset the cost of having to send these things back to Koss. 

 

[obobskivich]

Amazon will offer a replacement, and if they're backordered they should just backorder you a pair. Seriously - I wouldn't bother getting these repaired, nor would I make Koss eat this (they didn't screw it up). Seriously, call Amazon, tell them what happened; worst case scenario you wait a week or so for them to come up with a new pair from stock (it'll still probably be faster than having Koss eat this). Really, making the manufacturer eat this because the dealer biffed it just - *sigh*.

And yes, Koss would still honor the warranty.

 

[wink]

^  THIS

 

[Jand]

Well I'm pretty unhappy about Amazon selling me an ancient pair, especially if it did get previously opened as I suspect (but can't prove for sure).  And I agree they should backorder me a replacement, but unfortunately they don't see it that way.  They'll happily refund and pay for return shipping, so that's nice, but in that case I'm out a pair of headphones at a good price.  But it is also true that Koss designed a pair of headphones, guaranteed them for life, and then they failed (there's no sign of any trauma to the headphones or any reason they should have failed -- and it's not like pairs manufactured recently haven't had the same squeeling issues).  So that part does seem to be the manufacturers fault.  And if the option is for me to not purchase the headphones, or to purchase them and then have to repair them, I'm sure Koss would much rather have me buy the pair.  And even if I did return them, the next person to purchase this pair when I return them, even if they're then labeled "used", is going to do the same thing, send them back for repair. 
I would definitely rather return them to Amazon and then wait to purchase another pair later.  But it seems it's getting increasingly difficult to pick up a pair of these at sub-700 prices, you really have to time it right.  Either they're getting more popular or perhaps  there's fewer places stocking them. 
Quote:

Amazon will offer a replacement, and if they're backordered they should just backorder you a pair. Seriously - I wouldn't bother getting these repaired, nor would I make Koss eat this (they didn't screw it up). Seriously, call Amazon, tell them what happened; worst case scenario you wait a week or so for them to come up with a new pair from stock (it'll still probably be faster than having Koss eat this). Really, making the manufacturer eat this because the dealer biffed it just - *sigh*.

And yes, Koss would still honor the warranty.

 

[lmswjm]

I just received the 950 package last month from amazon. Brand new condition, unopened, noise-free.
 
BTW, they sound amazing. I was hoping that I would not like them so I wouldn't be opening the expensive door to stats, but you know how that goes. Honeymoon impressions are making me consider liquidating a lot of my dynamics.

 

[K_19]

Quote:

 
BTW, they sound amazing. I was hoping that I would not like them so I wouldn't be opening the expensive door to stats, but you know how that goes. Honeymoon impressions are making me consider liquidating a lot of my dynamics.

 
Exactly what happened to me 

 
I was very happy with the HD800 and LCD-2's and only bought the 950's to get a "taste" of what the stats sounded like. 
 
Few months later I own the Stax 007 MK1's with a 717 amp on the way...
 
Koss was hell of a gateway drug for sure... though of course they sound different from Stax.  I sold the 950's in order to fund them, but I really did enjoy them while I had them and may very well get another set as soon as I can afford to. They got more of the forward nature that's different from the 007 which is very fun in its own way.