bottleneck
19-04-10, 03:28 AM
Got to put some more good words in about my Koss KSC75s.. seeing as how PFM has gone all ''headphoney'' of late.
First discovered these cans in Bangkok. They had a headphone shop there, with a wall of about 40 pairs of cans (from a few pounds to hundreds) all punched into a mega head-amp. Great fun, listened to loads of pairs that day.
Open backed, these cans have a clean, crisp, clear sound - many reviewers over on headfi call them 'mini-grados' and I can see where they are coming from. The bass is effortless and deep, the highs all clear, distortion free, even at high volume.
Plugging into my solid state MP3, it's sonic superiority over my ipod classic (even with its line out and head-amp) is clear. These cans are easily good enough to differentiate between different quality of sources.
Why for the gym?
Lets take a look at them -
http://i00.twenga.com/audio-video/hifi-kopfhoerer/koss-ksc-75-p_8324vb.png
They have ''like a pair of spectacles'' clip ons, and they stay on my head even on a treadmill. This has been the achiles heel of ''in ear'' style headphones for me - without a headband I always lose cans on the treadmil. I've had shed-loads over the years, and have only been able to use banded over the head style on this machine.
Second, I love this bit -
Koss have a ''lifetime no quibble'' warranty replacement. My gym cans usually stop working after about a year because of sweat, and general gym usage which is rough on them. The thought of getting replacements when they bite the dust - loving it!. The internet is full of stories of replacements happening when people thought they wouldn't. Lets see. I will find out in about 18 months. I've had them 6 months already, and going strong for now.
Third -
ok, so we've established sound quality (incidentally better than Sennheissers efforts around the £30-£40 mark on my back-to-back test, IMHO), small, light, portable, and the rather incredible warranty..
but.. check out the price you can get them from amazon sellers.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Koss-KSC75-Clip-On-Headphones-Silver/dp/B0006B486K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1271672220&sr=8-1
Got your credit card out yet?!
So is it all good?
No.
They let sound in. They'd be crap on a train or a plane I'd guess. You have to turn them up (hey no problem!!) in a gym to get rid of that shite music they pump out. This open backed design contributes to the great sound though, so I'll suffer it.
Also, you look vaguely ridiculous with your cling-on Mr Sulu style ear gadgets on. You have to ''not care''. I clearly dont! :)
A few minor misgivings, but the positives, I'd buy them again tomorrow... but with that warranty, hopefully I won't ever need to !
''goodbye new gym cans every 18 months''....
anyone else a closet ''Koss'' fan??
First discovered these cans in Bangkok. They had a headphone shop there, with a wall of about 40 pairs of cans (from a few pounds to hundreds) all punched into a mega head-amp. Great fun, listened to loads of pairs that day.
Open backed, these cans have a clean, crisp, clear sound - many reviewers over on headfi call them 'mini-grados' and I can see where they are coming from. The bass is effortless and deep, the highs all clear, distortion free, even at high volume.
Plugging into my solid state MP3, it's sonic superiority over my ipod classic (even with its line out and head-amp) is clear. These cans are easily good enough to differentiate between different quality of sources.
Why for the gym?
Lets take a look at them -
http://i00.twenga.com/audio-video/hifi-kopfhoerer/koss-ksc-75-p_8324vb.png
They have ''like a pair of spectacles'' clip ons, and they stay on my head even on a treadmill. This has been the achiles heel of ''in ear'' style headphones for me - without a headband I always lose cans on the treadmil. I've had shed-loads over the years, and have only been able to use banded over the head style on this machine.
Second, I love this bit -
Koss have a ''lifetime no quibble'' warranty replacement. My gym cans usually stop working after about a year because of sweat, and general gym usage which is rough on them. The thought of getting replacements when they bite the dust - loving it!. The internet is full of stories of replacements happening when people thought they wouldn't. Lets see. I will find out in about 18 months. I've had them 6 months already, and going strong for now.
Third -
ok, so we've established sound quality (incidentally better than Sennheissers efforts around the £30-£40 mark on my back-to-back test, IMHO), small, light, portable, and the rather incredible warranty..
but.. check out the price you can get them from amazon sellers.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Koss-KSC75-Clip-On-Headphones-Silver/dp/B0006B486K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1271672220&sr=8-1
Got your credit card out yet?!
So is it all good?
No.
They let sound in. They'd be crap on a train or a plane I'd guess. You have to turn them up (hey no problem!!) in a gym to get rid of that shite music they pump out. This open backed design contributes to the great sound though, so I'll suffer it.
Also, you look vaguely ridiculous with your cling-on Mr Sulu style ear gadgets on. You have to ''not care''. I clearly dont! :)
A few minor misgivings, but the positives, I'd buy them again tomorrow... but with that warranty, hopefully I won't ever need to !
''goodbye new gym cans every 18 months''....
anyone else a closet ''Koss'' fan??