[dinosauract]

Right now I use KSC-50's for working out at the gym. I'm thinking of trying something else.

I'm reasonably happy with the sound of the 50's (especially for the price). There's a little too much mid to upper bass and the top end seems a little soft. Ergonomic issues are the problem. They are too much of a pain to put on and take off. Comfort is OK.

I once owned the 35's as well. I actually liked the sound less than the 50's, too much bass. Plus the build quality with those disintegrating pads bothered me.

I'm trying to decide where to go next:

Porta-Pro for $31 from Koss
KSC-55 for about $15
KTX-Pro-1 for $20 (or 2 for $20 from Koss).
Sporta-Pro for about $20

Small size / convenience are important. I have a little "pouch" on the outside of my PCDP case where I want to carry the phones. Which of the above phones will be the smallest, (including when folded for those that fold). Also, any recommendations for best sound and durability? I definitely don't want any more bass than the 50 has. Also, comfort. I've heard the 55's aren't too comfortable, although I like that single-sided cord and the more durable pads on the 55's.

 

[LTUCCI1924]

HI: How about these earphones? Audio-Technica ATH-EM7 Ear-Fitting Headphone. They are at www.audiocubes.com once there click on earphones

 

[dinosauract]

ltucci -

I've been reading about those phones. They look pretty interesting. But I really don't want any more clips because of the hassle factor. Also, they're too pricey for something I'm gong to get all sweated up. I like the looks of them a lot, but in reality I'd probably never use them. I've got 580's for home use, 497's for portable but non-active use, and whatever I'm going to use now for the gym.

 

[TheeeChosenOne]

Dino,
I agree. The Koss 50's aren't for workouts. Plus the pads soak up the sweat. Plus they're shoddily made. Plus they don't fit close to the ear, thus the sound stanks more. Plus...uh...I guess I made my point.

Oh well, back to the sports channel.

 

[dinosauract]

TCO -

The 50's don't really seem so bad with the "sweat factor". They use a much less porous pad than the 35's. The sweat (man, this is a pleasant conversation) seems to bead up on the surface rather than soaking in. But I'd like something that's not so much of a hassle to put on, so I can "towel off" my head and ears when I get sweaty.

 

[LTUCCI1924]

HI: How about the AIWA Vx100 ear cannel phones from audio cubes?

 

[LobsterSan]

I would go for one of the banded models, like KSC-55 or sportapro or ktx-pro-1. The portapro's are a little more difficult to deal with, because the band adjusts itself a lot (meaning you have to readjust it when you take it off to sponge your head... or whatever). since it is a workout situation, i wouldn't worry too much about the sound quality -- you seem pleased enough with the ksc-50's, and i'm pretty sure the ksc-55 or the sportapro aren't much different. if you're not into the behind the neck thing, then go for two ktx-pro-1 (great deal!). if you are, then ksc-55 is pretty cheap and still sounds great for the money, or sportapro offers you the flexibility of having both.

 

[Davie]

Quote:

Originally posted by dinosauract I'm reasonably happy with the sound of the 50's (especially for the price). There's a little too much mid to upper bass and the top end seems a little soft. I definitely don't want any more bass than the 50 has.

If you can't live with more bass then cross the Portapros off your list. They have considerably more bass than the 50's or 35's.

 

[dinosauract]

Thanks for the help, all. I think I'll go for either the 55 or the Pro-1. I used to have the Radio Shack equivalent to the KTX-Pro, and it was very uncomfortable. I hear the new model is better, still worried about the bass thing though. I've also heard the 55 isn't that comfortable and seems to have problems with the sound cutting out of one side.

 

[Davie]

Quote:

Originally posted by dinosauract Thanks for the help, all. I think I'll go for either the 55 or the Pro-1. I used to have the Radio Shack equivalent to the KTX-Pro, and it was very uncomfortable. I hear the new model is better, still worried about the bass thing though. I've also heard the 55 isn't that comfortable and seems to have problems with the sound cutting out of one side.

Let us know how those work out. I've been curious about both of those models.

 

[Steve999]

The KTX Pro 1s are going to give you more bass than the KSC 50s or the KSC 35s (I have all three). But the Pro 1s are light-weight and flexible and comfortable, yet secure enough that you can shift them slightly over your ears and change the sound (lessen the bass) quite a bit. I doubt you're going to find anything with that driver more comfortable than tha KTX Pro 1s... it's featherlight, top-notch comfort, they have a nice blue transluscent rubber band on the top that really helps.

As I recall, Ltucci felt the portapros sounded considerably better than the new KTX pro 1s, and I have no reason to doubt his word, I believe him and trust his judgment. I've never had a chance to compare the two.

Interesting thread. I'll have to compare my KSC 50s directly to my KSC 35s and see which I like better for more serious listening.


Quote:

Originally posted by dinosauract Thanks for the help, all. I think I'll go for either the 55 or the Pro-1.

 

[LTUCCI1924]

Steve999
HI: I had the pro 1 on the other night and felt it was muffeled so I cut a round hole in the pad and the sound opened up quite a bit.

 

[Davie]

Quote:

Originally posted by Steve999 As I recall, Ltucci felt the portapros sounded considerably better than the new KTX pro 1s, and I have no reason to doubt his word, I believe him and trust his judgment. I've never had a chance to compare the two. Interesting thread. I'll have to compare my KSC 50s directly to my KSC 35s and see which I like better for more serious listening.

Are the KTX pro 1s the same as those relabelled Koss headphones they're selling at Rat Shack for $20? They look the same. The Portapros are definitely clearer and better balanced than the Rat Shacks, which in my experience are the worst sounding of the Portapro-driver line. And it's true that cutting a hole in the earpad of the Portapros will moderate the sound quite a bit, although they will still be more bass-heavy then the 50's. After the mod the extra bass isn't really objectionable to me, especially since everthing else sounds really terrific.

Going back and forth between the KSC 50s and the 35's, it seems to me that the 35's are a bit clearer and more forward, with a bigger bass hump. The 50's sound a bit better balanced but more reticent. The differences aren't that big though. I don't know if there are two other head/earphone models that sound as similar. The big difference is definitely in the fit (and, of course, street-styling).

 

[Steve999]

Those are ratshack knockoffs of the KTX Pros, not the KTX Pro 1s. The KTX Pros and KTX Pro-1s are different. (You can look on Koss' and Radio Shacks' sites, as I just did).

I bought the radio shack ones years ago and felt they were too bassy and returned them.

As to what sounds worse or better than a porta pro or a rat shack KTX Pro knockoff, I just couldn't tell you for sure , not having one of either in my own in my posession.

AS I said, Ltucci thought the porta pros were a lot better than the KTX Pro 1s, and I don't doubt him for a second.

I don't think the KTX Pro 1s are likely to satisfy anyone for critical listening who has heard head-fi-recommended quality phones. I do feel the KSC 35s are good enough for critical listening, if you're not too hyper about sound quality. My experience with the KSC 50s was that, like the KTX Pro 1s, they missed the cut. At this point, I would say if what you want are good sounding headphones that really satsify for critical long term listening with those drivers, it's KSC 35, and maybe porta pro, or bust. IMHO, you've got to get those drivers away from the ears a little, but not too much.

I honestly don't think anything in those drivers but the KSC 35s is satisfactory for detailed music listening, except for maybe the porta pros, which I haven't heard, at least not for many years.

Quote:

Originally posted by Davie Are the KTX pro 1s the same as those relabelled Koss headphones they're selling at Rat Shack for $20? They look the same. The Portapros are definitely clearer and better balanced than the Rat Shacks, which in my experience are the worst

 

[s.c]

How about KSC 50 compare to Sony Q33 ? It because my cuz gonna buy a new chip on that avaliable on local shop like Goodguys, bestbuy, cir...city some some..... Can someone help me out?