[malushi88]

Before I bought my first pair of quality headphones, I consulted my dad on the issue as I knew that back in the day he had some really high quality audio equipment. He recommended getting a pair of Koss headphones. I researched a little bit, and decided on a Grado SR60 instead. However, now I am curious how Koss can stand up to these newer companies despite their absence of popularity in the high-end consumer market.

Did you know that John Koss actually invented the stereo headphones in 1958???

I figured that the man who invented the stereo headphone might now what he was doing and continually improve on it, so now I am wondering if any of you have a suggestion for a good Koss headphone for use with a home system.

 

[TheMarchingMule]

Did you ever hear of the KSC75?

They are quite famous around here for a reason. They're like Grado 'phones, but only $20!

 

[Azure]

There are some Koss headphones that are very popular here, particularly the budget KSC75 and discontinued KSC35. The PortaPro and SportaPro also get mentioned from time to time.

EDIT: Whoops, forgot the ESP950! Please forgive me, Team Electrostat!

 

[malushi88]

I am referring to Koss' high end offerings: I know the KSC75's are very popular, especially here at headfi

 

[fraseyboy]

I have an old broken pair of Koss headphones somewhere...

They came in before koss put lifetime warranties on headphones, so I couldnt get them repaired

 

[kanamin]

They still have high end offerings????????? This is news to me, unless the UR40 is considered high end XD

 

[malushi88]

The Pro4AAT is an update to the Pro4AA which was used by radio DJ's and broadcasters for many years. Those were and still are "high end" and they cost less than $100.

They also have an electrostatic setup that costs $1000 but I doubt anyone here owns one of those...

 

[PeterDLai]

I don't think the higher end Koss's get received well here. I'm not sure why, but I haven't listened to any so I wouldn't know.

There's occasionally some discussion about Koss's electrostatics though.

 

[PeterDLai]

Oops double post!

 

[ericj]

I have both the old Pro4AA and the new Pro4AAT. Bought both used, paid a total of about $19 for both of them (including shipping!).

My feelings are: Meh.

if you want to know what "meh" compares to, just look at the list of cans in my profile.

I've not heard the Pro4AAA or the MV1, which seems to be a Pro4AAA warmed over.

 

[radz]

I've got an old pair of Jck 300s sitting around here.

They aren't much good for listening to, being IR, but I like them for my collection.

From the early 90s I was really impressed with Koss. The Jck's can packaged with a quality cable of almost every type you could ever need.

I also had a problem with them after around 12 years and Koss repaired them with no dramas.

I think nowdays they conscentrate on the low - mid range market.

 

[Wid]

The first phones I bought back in the mid 70s were Koss. I went though a few pair back then. I don't recall the model # but I do recall having a lot of good times listening to then.

Right now I have the 75s and the PotaPro, I enjoy them both.

 

[F107plus5]

Another fan of the KSC75 here!

I enjoyed them tremendously right up to the point where my wife stole them for her iPod.

 

[tyre]

If you've never heard an A/250, you're missing out. It blows my mind that Koss, a mass-production mid-fi company, produced something so brilliant sounding. I'm looking forward to trying an ESP/950 at some point. Also, I should mention that I don't care for the KSC75s at all, and luckily, the A/250 sounds nothing like them.

 

[Carl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by malushi88 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Before I bought my first pair of quality headphones, I consulted my dad on the issue as I knew that back in the day he had some really high quality audio equipment. He recommended getting a pair of Koss headphones. I researched a little bit, and decided on a Grado SR60 instead. However, now I am curious how Koss can stand up to these newer companies despite their absence of popularity in the high-end consumer market.

Koss don't exactly have much of presence in the upper tiers of headphone-dom anymore. Their ESP950 electrostats are nice, but very few people try and extract their full potential. The nicest sounding dynamic headphone they made is the A/250, which went even further under the radar.

Quote:

Did you know that John Koss actually invented the stereo headphones in 1958???

Actually, Beyerdynamic did in the 30s. Koss made them into a comodity item.