[Alternablue]

Hey everyone, so I finally received the ksc-35's yesterday that I bought from the guy on Headwize who was selling them, and was just wondering on a few points since it has recieved so much unparalleled praise on this forum.

I listen to a lot of vocal music, so when I first tried them out on my MD player, stereo, and walkman, it seems to have very good bass, but the midrange and treble seems to be a bit lacking, it seems a bit reccessed and doesn't sound as clear and as prominent as I would like them to be. Also for some reason compared to my old sony earbuds, I have to turn up the volume on my sources a lot higher to get the ksc-35's to output the same volume. Since I am not an audiophile and this is my first pair of real headphones heh, is there maybe something I'm doing wrong, is it my sources or do I need to burn them in or do I just need to listen to them more? Or is that normal? I was also considering getting the Senn MX-500's, so how do they compare to the ksc-35's in what I'm looking for?

thanks so much!

 

[JPMAR]

Hi Alternablue,

Let them burn-in for 30 hours. They should ease up a bit. But if you are used to bright headphones, the transition will be longer. These things are so smooth that one can get disoriented as the mid and high frequencies might sound lacking.

Also, the bass being quite present, it may make highs seem lacking.

You might also try giving them a bit more bite in the highs if your system has equalization (or reduce bass).

These are not the most faithfull reproducers but they are really enjoyable and listening fatigue is one of the lowest with headphones.

You'll be the judge. If you don't like them, you can always sell them. There is a lot of demand for these as they are getting rare.

JPMAR

 

[radrd]

They actually take a bit of power to drive. You shouldn't need an amp, but they are actually less efficient than my Etymotic ER4Ps.

I would definitely give them 30 hours to burn in.

As I'm sure you already know, don't bother with bass boost on your portables.

 

[Matthew-Spaltro]

Originally posted by radrd
[
As I'm sure you already know, don't bother with bass boost on your portables.

[/B][/QUOTE/

Why not? I have never been given a explanation as to why.

 

[impoeticpoet]

It makes the music sound "muddy" and obscures details in the lower end. the Bass boost is tubby and fat and annoying.

Originally posted by Matthew-Spaltro
Quote:

Originally posted by radrd [ As I'm sure you already know, don't bother with bass boost on your portables.

Quote:

[/QUOTE/ Why not? I have never been given a explanation as to why. [/B]

 

[jerikl]

yeah, what impoeticpoet said. I need to get myself a pair of KSC-35's. so, Alternablue, if you end up not liking them, sell them to me!

but, I really think you will like them once you get use to them. things open up more with an amp btw. I don't know about the MX-500 as I've never heard them.

 

[Pierre Lambion]

I have mx400 and ksc35. I prefer the mx for vocals and jazz. I keep the ksc35 for punk and rock music and more generally guitar.

I think the ksc35's bass is just too much and is drowning the rest of the music. Midrange is lacking to me.

But still, the ksc35 are hard to beat for a Clash album!

P.

 

[tktran]

I have both the MX500 and KSC35. The KSC35 has slightly elevated bass, which makes the midrange sound recessed in comparison, but on absolute terms I wouldn't say it's recessed.

When I compare the KSC35 to good loudspeakers, they sound more balanced than the MX500.

Whilst the MX500 have a really pronounced midrange. Which makes listening to pops and vocals a real delight.

 

[Alternablue]

hey thanks so much for all your input, I'm going to try to let them burn in then and listen to them more, maybe I'm just too used to sonys heheh. Probably going to try them out with rock and alternative instead, I do listen to a lot of rock, just lately I've been in a more mellow vocal mood. Now I'm thinking of getting the mx500's also for vocals instead hehe, are they easier to drive than the ksc-35's?

thanks, - Helen

 

[JPMAR]

Here is a potential solution I found in a forum at HeadWize (http://headwize.powerpill.org/ubb/sh...20020510163720). It was written by Jeffrey Karp and could cure your treble problem:


Get some earpads from Radio Shack. These will tame the bass, and help the treble get through. I was getting tired of the sound of my SportaPro with the original earpads- (same drivers as the KSC-35 - JPMAR) - , but with the Radio Shack pads, it is much better.

______
JPMAR

 

[kenchi1983]

i dont have an account for headwize, so im gonna ask here.


How does the earpads look like, and do u have to 'force' the pads into the sportapro, or are they close to exact shape?

the sportas is also great for comp music listening use. dont need much power to drive with blaster value.

 

[Megadeus]

Quote:

Originally posted by kenchi1983 i dont have an account for headwize, so im gonna ask here. How does the earpads look like, and do u have to 'force' the pads into the sportapro, or are they close to exact shape? the sportas is also great for comp music listening use. dont need much power to drive with blaster value.

I can answer this since I just did it on my RatShack Sportapro clones, the Pro-45's.

The part number for the RatShack pads is 33-377. They look nearly identical to the factory Koss pads but the foam is a little more open, but not by much. You do need to stretch the RatSchack pads a little when putting them on. The openings on them that go over the drivers is smaller than the stock Koss ones, but I didn't have any tearing problems.

Soundwise, the change is pretty much as others have said. More treble coming through and balancing out some of the bassiness of the Sportapro.