KOSS ESP-950 Thread

[Kokomo O]

I don't know, but I would be surprised if you can't just get a 230V in, 9V out supply after you get the unit. The stock Koss wall wart is a 110V in, 9V, 1A unit out unit, and there's been some discussion beginning in post 1176 in this thread by Satwilson to the effect that you can improve performance somewhat by using a regulated 3A output unit available from Mouser. I have tried that, and am not persuaded that I hear a difference, although I continue to use the Mouser unit, but for what it's worth, it certainly establishes that you can use other power supplies with the E/90 so long as they deliver 9V and at least 1A output current capacity. The key will be getting a new unit with the right output plug for the back of the E/90, or if you have difficulty doing that, cutting off the plug from the Koss unit and splicing it to the line from a 230V unit you purchase as a substitute.
 
The information plate on the Mouser unit seems to indicate that it can accommodate input voltages from 100 to 240, so that might be your ticket. That would certainly be consistent with its being a regulated unit. Its output plug certainly fits the E/90.
 
The Mouser unit did not come with a power cable, so you need to supply your own country-specific cable.

 

[Rossliew]

  I don't know, but I would be surprised if you can't just get a 230V in, 9V out supply after you get the unit. The stock Koss wall wart is a 110V in, 9V, 1A unit out unit, and there's been some discussion beginning in post 1176 in this thread by Satwilson to the effect that you can improve performance somewhat by using a regulated 3A output unit available from Mouser. I have tried that, and am not persuaded that I hear a difference, although I continue to use the Mouser unit, but for what it's worth, it certainly establishes that you can use other power supplies with the E/90 so long as they deliver 9V and at least 1A output current capacity. The key will be getting a new unit with the right output plug for the back of the E/90, or if you have difficulty doing that, cutting off the plug from the Koss unit and splicing it to the line from a 230V unit you purchase as a substitute.
 
The information plate on the Mouser unit seems to indicate that it can accommodate input voltages from 100 to 240, so that might be your ticket. That would certainly be consistent with its being a regulated unit. Its output plug certainly fits the E/90.
 
The Mouser unit did not come with a power cable, so you need to supply your own country-specific cable.

Thanks for the advice. Anyway, i contacted Koss directly and they said yes they do have the 230V option .

 

[nixle]

I will recable my KOSS 950s.
Can somebody help my to choose the rigth cable ?
 
Some told to use OCCCC copper silver plated. AWG 24 from this shop:
http://www.ebay.de/itm/26-feet-24-AWG-Silver-Teflon-Wire-5-Twisted-19-strand-/381025952500?pt=US_Audio_Cables_Adapters&hash=item58b6eaa2f4
 
Or do you think I should buy the Stax cable SRE 750:
http://www.ebay.de/itm/New-STAX-SRE-750-5-0M-16-4ft-Extension-Cable-for-STAX-Headphones-from-Japan-/201199199482?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ed86824fa
 
 
I find the Stax cable SRE 950 too expensive.
 
 
 
Kind regards
Gerd from Stuttgart / Germany

 

[Kokomo O]

How do you propose to do this? Solely as an extension or changing the cable coming out of the headphones?
 
Sorry, but I have no insight into the cables you linked to.

 

[jcx]

"recabling" ES headphones is not recommended - the cables use special construction, materials that are not commonly available for low capacitance and Safety with kV drive levels
 
a plug adaptor is much easier to do with lower risk
 
at worst use the Koss or Stax extension cable for the wiring
 
but again you need the skill, knowledge to safely construct, insulate, strain relieve, generally safely deal with up to 1000 V in a product you are going to handle, put on your head or others will pick up, possibly abuse

 

[nixle]

Hello Kokomo,
I've new KOSS 950 and a uses STAX SRM1 MKII.
To get better sound I thought I'should replace the whole cable. I need 5m = 15 feet distance between ampliefer and headphones.
 
I think of two possibilities :
1. using some OCCCC copper silver plated wire AWG 24 from this shop:
John's Silver Teflon Wire Shop -> its an ebay shop
 
2. the original Stax cable SRE 750:
 
 
Kind regards
Gerd

 

[Kokomo O]

Gerd, I understand what you're saying about wanting to try a cable that seems like it should offer better sound quality. However, from what I've read here, I think the only practical way to adapt the 950s to be able to use them with Stax amps is to make an adapter out of a Koss extension cable and a Stax plug. You can get the adapter cable from Koss for a small sum, and there are a couple of sources for the Stax plug--I don't know any in Europe, though. I don't know of any sources for a Koss female receptacle, which would allow you to make an adapter out of a Stax extension cable or the third party cable you're suggesting. Maybe you could disassemble the female receptacle from a Koss extension cable or E/90 amp, that I don't know.
 
Good luck.

 

[jcx]

recabling is likely popular because its something that is easy to do with dynamic headphones, gives a feeling of participation, "ownership" of the "sound", McGuirk effect - and always when you "just listen" for differences you will hear them - its the way our brains work - without proper Blinding protocol, known Psychoacoustic testing controls
 
but there are engineering realities - which differ for ES headphones
 
and the safety and excessive capacitance, microphonics, poor "hand" of homemade ES cables to be objectively concerned about
 
Quote:

  of course as an engineer I think most of the cable commentary is silly for any headphone - but do you people realize just how different the operating conditions for ES headphones are?
 
if a cable were to make a difference an engineer would expect this to mean there was a audibly significant voltage difference between one end and the other
 
in case you hadn't noticed the Stax voltage sensitivity number is ~ 100x less than your typical dynamic headphone - which might lead an engineer to suggest any voltage difference across the cable from wire composition has about 100x less influence on ES sound
 
then you need to consider that any cable V drop is also going to dependent on current - at average listening levels, for typical 3 KHz power bandwidth music signal the Stax draw another factor of 10-100x less current than dynamic headphones
 
just to be conservative in piling on the estimates suppose we say cable wire metal in ES headphones is 100 x 10 ~= 1000 less important than it would be for say  K70x, much less an ortho
 
 
 
the special conditions of low capacitance and safety required double insulation mean you'd be nuts to by a 3rd party ES cable anyway

 

[DaemonSire]

Deal:  For all my Canadian friends, Amazon.ca has the Koss ESP-950 on right now for $599 CAD NEW!
 
There are only a few left in stock, hurry!
 
http://www.amazon.ca/Koss-160416-ESP-950-Electrostatic-Stereophone/dp/B000056ULH

 

[mrscotchguy]

I'm really liking these.  A friend/customer let me borrow a pair that he bought 20 years ago or so....
 
Here's what I'm noticing.  The sound is great, despite the age.  I didn't know what to expect, but it certainly is living up to what ever expectations I had in my noggin.
 
That said, the foam protecting the drivers is 100% discentegrading, and I was worried that the cans would be defective due to being in a closet all these years.  I would be curious to know how these vintage 950s stack up to a new model.  Should I be concerned about the foam?  I cleaned about 95% of the foam-powder out and hooked it up.
 
(Btw, super happy with the detail, air, and bass! 

)

 

[Blueshound24]

 
Deal:  For all my Canadian friends, Amazon.ca has the Koss ESP-950 on right now for $599 CAD NEW!
 
There are only a few left in stock, hurry!
 
http://www.amazon.ca/Koss-160416-ESP-950-Electrostatic-Stereophone/dp/B000056ULH

 
Anybody know if USA Amazon Prime members could buy through the Canadian Amazon for these?

 

[Sorrodje]

 
Deal:  For all my Canadian friends, Amazon.ca has the Koss ESP-950 on right now for $599 CAD NEW!
 
There are only a few left in stock, hurry!
 
http://www.amazon.ca/Koss-160416-ESP-950-Electrostatic-Stereophone/dp/B000056ULH

 
 
Thks. Pulled the trigger two hours ago. I'm really excited to put my hands on these headphones

 

[mrscotchguy]

[COLOR=222222]If someone want buy a ESP-950 I'm selling my sets[/COLOR]

How much you looking for?

 

[crazychile]

Just got an email........Today only Cyber Monday deal from Koss. 40% off on ESP950 and most other headphones at koss.com.
 
Checkout code for the discount is CM40.
 
I might finally have to do this......

 

[paradoxper]

Promo code did't work for me, sadly. Tried buying the 950.