So I have been searching for another new budget phone as I'm too afraid to take the plunge for the more expensive stuff so I stick to the cheapy phones. I noticed that the Koss Ur40 has had a few threads but nothing with a tangible review. So for the kids out there I will be review my pair. I took the plunge for 21.10. I must say it is money well spent. Now I know that the way people listen and hear headphones is very subjective. So these are solely my impression of them. Oh and also these are modded. I did the angled drivers mod and Kramer mod on these. My source is straight out of the soundcard on my computer and my Sandisk Sansa Fuze. Yes I do use eq presets because a flat sound bores me and I'm not an audiophile. I just like a lively and decent sound.
Comfort
These things are ultra comfy. I forget that they are on. The plastic they are made of is very light and helps in them being comfortable. They also have a pretty light clamping force that isn't bad at all. So I'd say a 9 out of 10 for comfort.
Build Quality
Pretty durable plastic. Not like a brick or a tank. But for home use these are excellent. As headphone enthusiasts I'm pretty sure we take good care of our toys. So if you are easy with these then they will serve you well for a while. Besides Koss has a lifetime no questions asked warranty. Need I say more on that?
Sound Quality
I used my 3 prerequisite songs for testing how these things sound. I base it mainly on genre.
Metal - Kalmah - Bird of Ill Omen: Good lord these have pretty forward mids. Though they are still a tad recessed to my ears. I suppose that will fix itself in the longrun. But damn. The guitar work jumps out at you pretty well. Kalmah is known for some seriously good shredding in their songs and the Ur40s bring it forward decently. Also the fairly large sound stage does well for the hugeness I like in my metal. Being that these have Ksc75 drivers even with a kramer mod the highs don't have the sweetness that the ksc75's have and that's one of my fave budget phones. As for bass it seems just a tad hollow and doesn't go down as low but I have no problem with that. 8/10 for that.
Metalcore - (bass test sort of) - The Acacia Strain - Whoa Shut it Down: Once again the bass doesn't have the slam that they could have. But I'm fine with that. It still sounds big and heavy. The cymbals seem to have a bit of that sweetness in this song but that might just be recording. These do slam adequately but they are no bass head can. This song + sub and Infinities on the home system = madness. Still these are great sounding so far. 9/10
Alternative - Interpol - Rest My Chemistry: These do great with metal and such but it seems they are shining here with some alternative rock/rock. The highs are really brought out on this and with the soundstage it feels like I'm listening to the music in a recording hall or a practice space. Their is an organic or natural nature to these phones. It seems they don't excel at any one thing but just try to the best they can all across the board. 9/10
Overall I'd say these are a great pair of cans. My only caveats are the bass response and the slight fragility of them. Maybe the double entry cord too. Those are small problems though when you consider the price performance ratio. I'd say they sound like a pretty well balanced sounding if somewhat middy/bright pair of headhones. That's good enough for me though because I like the forwardness of the sound. These are also open. So they leak like crazy. Best suited for home use.
If you buy these I'd say do the angled drivers mod and kramer mod them too. I think it increases the sq just a little. They are still a hell of a bargain in my book.
Comfort
These things are ultra comfy. I forget that they are on. The plastic they are made of is very light and helps in them being comfortable. They also have a pretty light clamping force that isn't bad at all. So I'd say a 9 out of 10 for comfort.
Build Quality
Pretty durable plastic. Not like a brick or a tank. But for home use these are excellent. As headphone enthusiasts I'm pretty sure we take good care of our toys. So if you are easy with these then they will serve you well for a while. Besides Koss has a lifetime no questions asked warranty. Need I say more on that?
Sound Quality
I used my 3 prerequisite songs for testing how these things sound. I base it mainly on genre.
Metal - Kalmah - Bird of Ill Omen: Good lord these have pretty forward mids. Though they are still a tad recessed to my ears. I suppose that will fix itself in the longrun. But damn. The guitar work jumps out at you pretty well. Kalmah is known for some seriously good shredding in their songs and the Ur40s bring it forward decently. Also the fairly large sound stage does well for the hugeness I like in my metal. Being that these have Ksc75 drivers even with a kramer mod the highs don't have the sweetness that the ksc75's have and that's one of my fave budget phones. As for bass it seems just a tad hollow and doesn't go down as low but I have no problem with that. 8/10 for that.
Metalcore - (bass test sort of) - The Acacia Strain - Whoa Shut it Down: Once again the bass doesn't have the slam that they could have. But I'm fine with that. It still sounds big and heavy. The cymbals seem to have a bit of that sweetness in this song but that might just be recording. These do slam adequately but they are no bass head can. This song + sub and Infinities on the home system = madness. Still these are great sounding so far. 9/10
Alternative - Interpol - Rest My Chemistry: These do great with metal and such but it seems they are shining here with some alternative rock/rock. The highs are really brought out on this and with the soundstage it feels like I'm listening to the music in a recording hall or a practice space. Their is an organic or natural nature to these phones. It seems they don't excel at any one thing but just try to the best they can all across the board. 9/10
Overall I'd say these are a great pair of cans. My only caveats are the bass response and the slight fragility of them. Maybe the double entry cord too. Those are small problems though when you consider the price performance ratio. I'd say they sound like a pretty well balanced sounding if somewhat middy/bright pair of headhones. That's good enough for me though because I like the forwardness of the sound. These are also open. So they leak like crazy. Best suited for home use.
If you buy these I'd say do the angled drivers mod and kramer mod them too. I think it increases the sq just a little. They are still a hell of a bargain in my book.
