Burn In Question For Koss ESP-950 Owners

[audionut]

Guys, Got a new set of ESP-950 Stats for Christmas. Can anyone tell me if they benefit from break in like a lot of dynamics do, and if so, rough idea how long before they reach their full potential? Never had any stats before and my current rig is Denon D5000's with 3 channel B22 amp, Onkyo DX-7555 for source. So far the ESP's sound really great as far as the highs and mids. Detail is very crisp and precise, but the lows seem a little muddy and definitely aren't as good to my ears as the Denons. Any opinions regarding the ESP's and if the overall sound quality changes with break in time is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[WilCox]

Quote:

Originally Posted by audionut /img/forum/go_quote.gif Guys, Got a new set of ESP-950 Stats for Christmas. Can anyone tell me if they benefit from break in like a lot of dynamics do, and if so, rough idea how long before they reach their full potential? Never had any stats before and my current rig is Denon D5000's with 3 channel B22 amp, Onkyo DX-7555 for source. So far the ESP's sound really great as far as the highs and mids. Detail is very crisp and precise, but the lows seem a little muddy and definitely aren't as good to my ears as the Denons. Any opinions regarding the ESP's and if the overall sound quality changes with break in time is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I've owned 2 pairs of the ESP-950's (both long gone) but I don't remember any significant changes over time.

By the way, I'm thinking of getting another set since I never took the time to try them with the STAX amps which, according to many here at Head-Fi, transforms these phones to another level.

 

[audionut]

Yes, I've seen that many here have recommended the Stax amps for the Koss. Don't think I'll ever fork over the kind of money it takes to try a stax amp. However, I may buy an Elenco xp-603 power supply or build a Sigma 11 power supply from AMB. Also, I noticed the stock wallwart puts out almost 13VDC when unloaded. Anyone know if I build a Sigma 11, if I should configure it for the 9V option, or should I do the 12V version? For those who are using the variable Elenco, what voltage are u using to power the stock E90 energizer and do u think a beefier power supply has a noticable effect on sound quality? Thanks for any input.

 

[edstrelow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by audionut /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yes, I've seen that many here have recommended the Stax amps for the Koss. Don't think I'll ever fork over the kind of money it takes to try a stax amp. However, I may buy an Elenco xp-603 power supply or build a Sigma 11 power supply from AMB. Also, I noticed the stock wallwart puts out almost 13VDC when unloaded. Anyone know if I build a Sigma 11, if I should configure it for the 9V option, or should I do the 12V version? For those who are using the variable Elenco, what voltage are u using to power the stock E90 energizer and do u think a beefier power supply has a noticable effect on sound quality? Thanks for any input.

When I used the Elenco I was using 9-10 volts as measured by the Elenco meter.

Having gone the Elenco route and now using Stax amps, it should not be that expensive if you get a used Stax amp. Some SRM3's or SRM1Mk2's are going $200-$300.00. They are a lot better than the Koss amp.

AS far as an adapter, I just used one of the Koss extensions and soldered it up to a defunct Stax power cord. Actually I should just solder a Stax plug to the Koss cord, I am not going back to the Koss amp.

I last used the Elenco to charge my car battery!

 

[green0153]

The Koss heaphones will need a cuple of hours for burning in but that's it.
When you get a better power supply you will notice a difference but make sure that you've got a good source.

With a Koss-Stax adapter and a Stax unit you will notice a big difference in stage and detail.I am using a SRM3 recabled and the sound is great.
If you want to further upgrade the sound you will have to open them and take off the black damping material on the back of the drivers.The sound will be more detailed and the stage bigger but with a lot more focus atleast compared to my LNC.

 

[AudioCats]

Quote:

Originally Posted by audionut /img/forum/go_quote.gif ....or build a Sigma 11 power supply .....

screw AC power supplies, get some rechargeable NimH D-cell and a smart charger, then you get the purest DC power there is.(assuming your 950 comes with the battery pack in the accessaries)

Better yet, get two sets of NiCd D-cells (one set in use, one set in the NiCd charger), as NiCd has almost no internal resistance, it can pump out over 100A during transcients (if you ever need that kind of speed). If NiCd's don't cut it, nothing will.

 

[AudioCats]

Quote:

Originally Posted by green0153 /img/forum/go_quote.gif . If you want to further upgrade the sound you will have to open them and take off the black damping material on the back of the drivers..

not a good idea, the 950 doesn't have rear dust cover film, the black felt is its only defence against dust.

 

[green0153]

That's true.I put them in a dust bag when not using them.Mine head some sqealing issues so i discovered that cleaning them removed the problem.They have a lifetime warranty so what the hell

 

[audionut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AudioCats /img/forum/go_quote.gif screw AC power supplies, get some rechargeable NimH D-cell and a smart charger, then you get the purest DC power there is.(assuming your 950 comes with the battery pack in the accessaries) Better yet, get two sets of NiCd D-cells (one set in use, one set in the NiCd charger), as NiCd has almost no internal resistance, it can pump out over 100A during transcients (if you ever need that kind of speed). If NiCd's don't cut it, nothing will.

AudioCats, I got my ESP's brand new and did come with the battery pack, but they use C-cell. Will this still work better than AC power supplies? Also, do u know if NiMH rechargables will work as well as NiCd's? DBL Distributing, which is where I get all my headphones from, only carries NiMH batteries. Their C-cells are rated at 3000 mAh. I can get them and a charger real cheap but wonder if they'll work as well in place of NiCd's? Thanks for the reply.

 

[AudioCats]

ok, I made two mistakes in that post...

1) I assumed the battery box is for D-cells. apparently not. I got my 950 new but it came as the phone only, no accessory no amp, so I was looking at the accessory pictures and said... that looks like a D-cell box, hmmmm.
So C-cell box it is, I stand corrected.

2)I forgot that the battery box is designed for 1.5V Alkalines, not 1.2v rechargeables. So putting rechargeable into that box will yield slightly lower voltage. Might not work as well as intended.

That said, batteries are still the best power source you can get. But before things go crazy(rechargables, charger, different battery box), lets make sure you will actually like the Koss amp enough. How about running the amp for 24 hours on the AC adaptor, meanwhile find some fresh/new C-cell alkalines and install them into the battery box and get ready. After the amp is fully "warmed-up" (I supposed 24 hours ought to do it), unplug the AC adaptor and plug-in the battery power, and take a listen. If the sound is still not quite as good as you want, then the E90 amp probably won't do it for you, forget the power supply upgrades and save the $ for recable/adaptor and a new amp.

 

[audionut]

Got to looking around our shop and found an Elenco xp-581 collecting dust in our back store room. It's rated at 2-20VDC @ 2.5A and fully regulated. The thing about the wallwart that came with it, it's the typical type which isn't fully regulated. On the case it says 9VDC at 1A. When it's unloaded, it puts out almost 13VDC, so not fully regulated. The E90 energizer may have some internal regulation, but haven't opened it up to see yet. Right now, I prefer to test the headphones using the Elenco, since it holds it's volatage steady to within a couple tenths of a volt, whether it's under load or not, unlike the stock walwart. So far this combination is showing tighter, less muddy, and deeper bass impact. Mids are the best I've heard so far in a phone and the highs are as good as any I've heard. This is with the Elenco set at 11VDC. Will soon switch back to my Denon D5000, 3 channel B22 combo to do some comparisons. I really didn't buy the ESP-950's to replace or out do this combo. Was more looking for an open headphone to replace my recentley sold Sony SA-5000's. I still have a set of Senn HD650's, but haven't been satisfied with these open phones either, ever since I got the Denons. So far I definitely like the Koss better than the Sony and Senn's, and hopefully have found and open can in the Koss, to go with my closed Denons. Thanks for all of your inputs.