My A/250 Koss phones look almost identical to those. I've had them for over 20 years and they sound fantastic. I'm now replacing the ear pads which should have been done many years ago.
I had a pair of Koss electrostatics nearly 50 years ago now! They sounded lovely but were so heavy I seldom wore them. Unfortunately the dog chewed them up. C'est la vie.
What the heck!? A hifi headphone on Hifiguys channel... What is this? Opposite day? Entertaining to see the responses you get with your beats-audience...
These headphones have some 80's feeling to them. I was always interested in them but there's not a lot of talk about them. How would you compare the sound of them to lets say the HD650/600's with a good
It comes with its own amp. You could upgrade it to a higher end electrostatic amplifier, but its not going to change much. This headphone is bright, neutral, bass light, almost fluffy. Its a very interesting can, its good. Its better than HD600, but the HD800 are still better IMO.
I want to connect the E-90 amp that comes with these 'phones to a DAC that outputs 2 volts RMS per channel into 10 k ohms. Is that enough power to drive these at a relatively high volume?
The best case and packaging and warranty yet in headphones and the amp is included can beat or hold it'd own to any headphone$6000 or less and it's made in America by the pioneer of the modern headphone Who would have known?
I owned a pair of these very briefly and found the sound to be very rolled off at the extremes. I did try contacting Koss tech support by phone to see if my set was defective but discovered phone support is unavailable for these. I tried contacting support using the form on their website but never got a reply. After a few days, I returned them for a refund. About a month later, I purchased the Stax SRS-3100 system for about $70 less. The Stax headphones are significantly better sounding, especially in the high frequencies. If you're looking for "economical" electrostatic headphones and are considering these, check out the Stax too. If you're in a metropolitan area, see if you can audition first before buying. I didn't have that luxury unfortunately.
My problems (freq roll off) were alleviated by using EQ. However, I shouldn't have to do that! That tells me the issue is really in the amp. I've seen a number of forum threads online that also point fingers at the amp as being the week spot for these. If Koss could take those criticisms to heart and put some effort into improving the amp, these would be awesome. Heck, if it's about the money, they could ship these in a cardboard box and do away with that silly leather carrying case.... which most folks probably just shove into a closet anyway. That should give them enough extra money to improve the amp.
So, I sent Koss an email about this and they haven't responded yet, :/ (probably will reply back within a week I'm guessing, but in the meantime, I did a little Googling and found a couple of interesting things. I think Koss produced all of their headphones in the USA, until the 90's, and then turned to China for manufacturing. I found an old thread on Hifi.org that some had a box of KSC-35's from the 90's and were Made in USA. Maybe Koss kept their factory in Wisconsin to make some headphones, but I'm not sure. Koss did set up a factory in Mexico in 2014, but closed it at the end of the year and went back to China, probably because they didn't have enough money to keep it running. (I actually have a set of Portapros that are Made in Mexico...) I also found a box of Pro4aa's that were labeled Assembled in USA, so there are some Chinese parts in there, which the originals from the 70's didn't have ;) The newer Pro models headphones are Made in China, which I find kind of interesting... O.o In conclusion, I'm guessing that the ESP-950's is probably the few or only Koss Headphones still Made in USA, which is a shame because I personally like Made in USA products. Well it's also a shame that America manufacturing is so expensive that there is pressure from companies to move overseas just to compete. But hey, at least they're one of the few companies that still make headphones in America. :) Sorry I made this so long. I just had the urge to write all of this... :)
very interesting find. Thank you for sharing. Nothing wrong with China manufacturing, but I also like U.S. made audio products. Especially from a U.S. company with such rich history as KOSS. HapPy New Year! Mike
what is electrostatic? why are they so expensive? i do not understand please explain. i was looking at koss headphones because i love the life time warranty, but i do not find much reviews on these headphones soooooo i must assume they are nothing special even with this type of warranty
D K Eletrostatics are the best god damn headphones you can get, they sound exceptionally clear, I have only heard Ines made by stax though, and everything is balanced perfectly!
the video is excellent quality. I dont see any issues with it. Although the only thing that i can see that might need improvements is microphone quality, its fairly average.
+Will sand , how exactly are headphones useless? How is taking photos particularly more useful than listening to music? Unless you happen to be a professional photographer, of course. But I'm not.
![Kumamoto Masters Japan 2024 | Gregoria Mariska Tunjung (INA) [5] vs. Akane Yamaguchi (JPN) [2] | F](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EIjZybhsWqA/mqdefault.jpg)
I've had my Koss ESP950s for some time now and can't fault them, not even for their highish price. And their sound? Just incredible!
There's something intriguing about the way these look, the sheer size of them. Looks like a quality product
My A/250 Koss phones look almost identical to those. I've had them for over 20 years and they sound fantastic. I'm now replacing the ear pads which should have been done many years ago.
How about $599.00? Koss just had 40% off anything on their website and these were included. Can't beat this deal! They're on their way.
Dammit! I missed that deal.. :(
I got mine for $500 from J&R Music World in NYC. That was years ago, however.
@ So did I
I had a pair of Koss electrostatics nearly 50 years ago now! They sounded lovely but were so heavy I seldom wore them. Unfortunately the dog chewed them up. C'est la vie.
do you kill the dog?
@@jackofbl4des
How could you even joke like this with other creature's life? So unintelligent.
So you finally got some electrostatics in a video, awesome!
Koss: Undercutting equal sounding products since 1953
What the heck!? A hifi headphone on Hifiguys channel... What is this? Opposite day? Entertaining to see the responses you get with your beats-audience...
***** I hear ya - 3 years later and it hasn't changed much, but it is getting better and better :p
When are you going to post a review of the headphones themselves? I can't justify that purchase, but I'd sure like to try them once.
Hopefully Mike doesn't matter if I reply to you. Check my channel for a review.
You can get stax for a very similar amount and I have only heard there's, check out the srs-3100
Have you got your hands on some of the NVX headphones yet? I would also like to see you review the new Marshall monitor headphones too.
Not really portable, is it.
These headphones have some 80's feeling to them. I was always interested in them but there's not a lot of talk about them. How would you compare the sound of them to lets say the HD650/600's with a good
It comes with its own amp. You could upgrade it to a higher end electrostatic amplifier, but its not going to change much. This headphone is bright, neutral, bass light, almost fluffy. Its a very interesting can, its good. Its better than HD600, but the HD800 are still better IMO.
I want to connect the E-90 amp that comes with these 'phones to a DAC that outputs 2 volts RMS per channel into 10 k ohms. Is that enough power to drive these at a relatively high volume?
How do this compare to the Audeze's?
The best case and packaging and warranty yet in headphones and the amp is included can beat or hold it'd own to any headphone$6000 or less and it's made in America by the pioneer of the modern headphone
Who would have known?
Well said people should give them more support one of the few left that still make it all in the U.S
does anyone wanna give me a quick summary of how electrostatic headphones sound different from regular headphones?
Mine has the squealing from time to time. Does yours have the squealing problem too hifiguy528?
How do they compare to the lcd 2?
I owned a pair of these very briefly and found the sound to be very rolled off at the extremes. I did try contacting Koss tech support by phone to see if my set was defective but discovered phone support is unavailable for these. I tried contacting support using the form on their website but never got a reply. After a few days, I returned them for a refund. About a month later, I purchased the Stax SRS-3100 system for about $70 less. The Stax headphones are significantly better sounding, especially in the high frequencies. If you're looking for "economical" electrostatic headphones and are considering these, check out the Stax too. If you're in a metropolitan area, see if you can audition first before buying. I didn't have that luxury unfortunately.
it's too bad that KOSS is not doing anything new with the 950. I still enjoy mine. :)
My problems (freq roll off) were alleviated by using EQ. However, I shouldn't have to do that! That tells me the issue is really in the amp. I've seen a number of forum threads online that also point fingers at the amp as being the week spot for these. If Koss could take those criticisms to heart and put some effort into improving the amp, these would be awesome. Heck, if it's about the money, they could ship these in a cardboard box and do away with that silly leather carrying case.... which most folks probably just shove into a closet anyway. That should give them enough extra money to improve the amp.
@@markcolegrove When you go on car trips they are SUPER great. Nobody does that anymore.
So are these the only headphones Made in USA that Koss makes? Because I thought Koss headphones were made in China/Mexico...
I am not sure about current production. Sends a note to KOSS the question. I like to know too.
So, I sent Koss an email about this and they haven't responded yet, :/ (probably will reply back within a week I'm guessing, but in the meantime, I did a little Googling and found a couple of interesting things.
I think Koss produced all of their headphones in the USA, until the 90's, and then turned to China for manufacturing. I found an old thread on Hifi.org that some had a box of KSC-35's from the 90's and were Made in USA. Maybe Koss kept their factory in Wisconsin to make some headphones, but I'm not sure.
Koss did set up a factory in Mexico in 2014, but closed it at the end of the year and went back to China, probably because they didn't have enough money to keep it running.
(I actually have a set of Portapros that are Made in Mexico...)
I also found a box of Pro4aa's that were labeled Assembled in USA, so there are some Chinese parts in there, which the originals from the 70's didn't have ;) The newer Pro models headphones are Made in China, which I find kind of interesting... O.o
In conclusion, I'm guessing that the ESP-950's is probably the few or only Koss Headphones still Made in USA, which is a shame because I personally like Made in USA products. Well it's also a shame that America manufacturing is so expensive that there is pressure from companies to move overseas just to compete. But hey, at least they're one of the few companies that still make headphones in America. :)
Sorry I made this so long. I just had the urge to write all of this... :)
very interesting find. Thank you for sharing. Nothing wrong with China manufacturing, but I also like U.S. made audio products. Especially from a U.S. company with such rich history as KOSS.
HapPy New Year!
Mike
How do you hook the box up to an integrated amp?.I thought the box hooked up to the speaker terminals.
***** through the Tape Out.
what is electrostatic? why are they so expensive? i do not understand please explain. i was looking at koss headphones because i love the life time warranty, but i do not find much reviews on these headphones soooooo i must assume they are nothing special even with this type of warranty
antihiidden the scp i don't follow lol
An electrostatic audiodriver vibrates a medium between two charged plates to create sound. Personally having like 3kv near your skull seems scary xD
D K Eletrostatics are the best god damn headphones you can get, they sound exceptionally clear, I have only heard Ines made by stax though, and everything is balanced perfectly!
It smells sooooo good.
Hello Mike! Are these one of the best headphones in the world, better than the HD800?
TheTechAudiophile Try Stax
I have and I didn't like them:( I tried the lowest model though.
Aren't most loss headphones under the $50usd mark?
Made in the USA. very rare these days.
all good but do they have it in vegan leather?
Phu Huynh lol
But very nice to see though, hope you'll make a habit of it again...
Can you test the new philips extra bass against the sony mdr xb 500
Love your review man :)
Hmmm I have to disagree with the earpads they look like a 20$ dollar headphone..
Yup you're right
I love that type of padding. it looks so lush and won't accept any other.
These are like Stax on a poor man's budget. Fantastic headphones though, however I will wait til I have money to get Stax-007 mkII or Stax-009
the headphone itself are great, the amp have to be improved though
Would have been a shame to damage 30 cents worth of cardboard box not
Atleast you are not one of those people who pay over 50,000 for one
lucky! i wanted 1 :( now have HE500 :P
Wow $999 really? If I saw them out on a table I would've thought that they're around $50
Do you understand why electrostatic headphones are so expensive?
Mr. SirPerson
I don't - care to explain it to me?
Edit: Nvm, quickly googled it www.kenrockwell.com/audio/stax/electrostatic.htm
Audiophile gear...
There are no words for this...-_-
Your hands look like wax but great vid
I love these ear-speakers!!!!
Great Video!
The ear cushions look very cheap and low quality.
On the contrary they look and plush and high quality and I will accept to other on them.
It's supposed to be NO other on them.
unboxers haters finally got it out of the box
WOW $999, so if i have to pay the bus fare to get these.. it will be $1001 to me! lol
***** HEY Hifiguy have u tried the LIMITED EDITION RED audio technica ath m50??? trust me it is worth getting the red ones...
Wtf once i saw those pads i was out... thats a disgrace putting these pads on such a headphone...
hundreds of volts inches from my brain lol .awesome enjoy . just you cant listen to the box .
Those pads though... wtf.
A quick unboxing video that over 9 minutes is not quick. The video needs serious editing to no more than 2 minutes
Notoriously poor quality control compared to Stax, but Koss does get a lot of kudos for honoring the lifetime warranty on these.
Trash padding for 999
I got to admit they look cheap imo
1000$ no leather xd
First
Second !
lol third
Instead of buying useless headphones you should buy a new camera
woah, man. calm down. this channel is for HEADPHONE REVIEWS. not for freddie wong style videos. his camera is perfect for this kind of channel.
the video is excellent quality. I dont see any issues with it. Although the only thing that i can see that might need improvements is microphone quality, its fairly average.
+Will sand , how exactly are headphones useless? How is taking photos particularly more useful than listening to music? Unless you happen to be a professional photographer, of course. But I'm not.
Then what? Create useless photos?
7 minutes pass before the headphones are assembled and then the clown says without even trying on the headphones that they are super comfortable.
Over 4 minutes before this clown shows you the actual headphones.