afbug1
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Introduction to the world of headphones
Earphones and In-Ear Monitors are great for most applications; on the move or at home. They are small, lightweight and are very portable/storable and some can isolate noise. The downside of earphones and IEMs are its comfort levels and the sound quality you get for your money. They do not have the same value for money as a headphone.
For people who uses their portable players predominantly at home or for home listening, these headphones might be worth considering. I have 3 mini sized headphones for review; the Koss KSC75, Koss Sporta Pro and Sennheiser PX100. They are cheap, small, and portable and have a sound quality that surpasses all budget in-ears and most low end IEMs.
Contrary to popular belief, these headphones do not require an amp to power them. They still will be able to sound good, maybe operating at 80-90% of their full potential. Most modern portable players will have no problems driving them. No doubt about it, all earphones and headphones benefit and will be able to perform closer to their full potential with an amplifier, so it might be a good idea to buy one too!
So lets start off with these three mini headphones first. All 3 are open and super-aural design. As time goes on, maybe I will add reviews on bigger headphones like an Alessandro MS1. And I’ve also removed the star rating as well. All 3 products are quite different and I think it will not be fair to have a rating.
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Koss KSC75
MSRP: SGD$49. Cheaper online; from US retailers.
Package includes: KSC75! No case what so ever!
Design/cord:
The KSC75 are ear clip designed. Koss calls them Sports clip! No headband or neckband required, just hook the clips over your ears and enjoy. The ear clips are made of steel encased in some type of rubber, as such, they are bendable to fit your ears snugly.
The drivers, with foams attached are about 5cm in diameter. Koss says the KSC75 features titanium element for enhanced bass but to me, they have less bass than the other two featured in this review. Its exterior is made of plastic and is quite light. This is an open design, so sound leaks in and out.
The drivers are fed by a dual entry 4 foot Y-cord connected to a gold plated ‘L’ shaped mini plug. I’ve noticed that the KSC75’s cables are split much lower than usual; this added more slack and allow you to listen to one side while placing the other on a table easily.
Sound Quality:
There is something about the KSC75 that I like but don’t know how to put it to words. No doubt its sound is coloured, but then, a flat sounding one will not be so fun right?! It has a metallic sound, like a dip somewhere in the lower midrange. Its bass is tighter and has less than the PX100 and Sporta Pro’s, just nice for the casual listener. Its treble is a little recessed, but that is just the way I like it. If you like more treble, just cut a hole in the foam covers. The sound quality is nothing spectacular but it is how it sounds as a whole and at this price, it’s a steal. The decent soundstage is a plus too. Against the Sporta Pro, it sounds airier.
Built Quality:
Koss is probably not well known for its built quality and at this price; you really get what you pay for. Everything about the KSC75 feels and looks cheap but it isn’t likely to fall apart quickly. They are quite sturdy and it will likely to outlast its foam pads.
Comfort:
For my ears, the KSC75 sits snugly. Very comfortable and it will not slip or move when I shake my head. I can even lie down with them without dislodging the drivers. I can wear them for hours.
Conclusion:
At $49, it’s cheap! Well worth your every single cent. Buying from US retailers at about US$14 plus vpost shipping, its dirt cheap! It’s quite obvious that I like this headphone. I just like how it sounds and sit on my ear.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Koss Sporta Pro
MSRP: SGD$69. Cheaper online; from US retailers.
Package includes: Sporta Pro, carrying case and a 6.3mm plug adaptor.
Pictured with KSC75's ear clips - Not in the sales package!
Design/cord:
This is one unique headphone. Its headband is convertible, able to wear it like a normal headband or ‘streetstyle’ behind the neck. The headband, like its bigger brother the Porta Pro has a temporal pad and features 2 pieces of metal strip connected by 2 pieces of plastic. The temporal pad is supposed to add more comfort and the 2 piece headband design allows it to stow compactly.
According to Koss, the Sporta Pro uses the same drivers as the Porta Pro as well as the KSC35. So it should and will sound the same. Main difference is the headband and design. The drivers are also about the same size as KSC75’s but much thinner. This is an open design, so sound leaks in and out.
The drivers are fed by a dual entry 4 foot Y-cord connected to a gold plated ‘L’ shaped mini plug. Nothing special here!
Sound Quality:
Well to me, it sounds very similar to a KSC75. Main difference is its stronger bass and do not have that dip in lower midrange and metallic sound. So it is a bassier headphone, it can sound muddy and flabby at times, partly because of the headband. Its midrange and treble are a little more recessed compared to the KSC75’s. This makes it a darker, warmer sounding headphone, but still, they sound good and most people prefer the ear clip KSC35 (Same drivers as Sporta Pro) to the KSC75. If you like more treble, just cut a hole in the foam covers. The sound quality is nothing spectacular but it is how it sounds as a whole and at this price, it’s a steal.
So what’s wrong with the headband? Nothing actually, it’s just that it has stronger clamping force than KSC75’s ear clips, pressing the drivers more tightly on your ears and this enhanced the bass. As you can see in the photo, I prefer to use it with KSC75’s ear clips. This way, its bass will tighten up and open up its treble. Oh yes, they are interchangeable.
KSC75 and Sporta Pro with KSC75's ear clips
Built Quality:
Remember, this is a Koss! Nothing spectacular here except that it’s quite sturdy. Everything else looks and feels cheap. The pouch and adaptor are a nice touch though.
Comfort:
It is the headband! Its clamping force is a little strong but surprisingly, the temporal pads worked for me. Quite comfortable but only just. The 2 piece headband is a potential hair remover!
Conclusion:
Ugly and cheap looking, not many might want to wear them out. The headband might give some problems but other than that, it is a fine sounding headphone that is worth trying.
Earphones and In-Ear Monitors are great for most applications; on the move or at home. They are small, lightweight and are very portable/storable and some can isolate noise. The downside of earphones and IEMs are its comfort levels and the sound quality you get for your money. They do not have the same value for money as a headphone.
For people who uses their portable players predominantly at home or for home listening, these headphones might be worth considering. I have 3 mini sized headphones for review; the Koss KSC75, Koss Sporta Pro and Sennheiser PX100. They are cheap, small, and portable and have a sound quality that surpasses all budget in-ears and most low end IEMs.
Contrary to popular belief, these headphones do not require an amp to power them. They still will be able to sound good, maybe operating at 80-90% of their full potential. Most modern portable players will have no problems driving them. No doubt about it, all earphones and headphones benefit and will be able to perform closer to their full potential with an amplifier, so it might be a good idea to buy one too!
So lets start off with these three mini headphones first. All 3 are open and super-aural design. As time goes on, maybe I will add reviews on bigger headphones like an Alessandro MS1. And I’ve also removed the star rating as well. All 3 products are quite different and I think it will not be fair to have a rating.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Koss KSC75
MSRP: SGD$49. Cheaper online; from US retailers.
Package includes: KSC75! No case what so ever!
Design/cord:
The KSC75 are ear clip designed. Koss calls them Sports clip! No headband or neckband required, just hook the clips over your ears and enjoy. The ear clips are made of steel encased in some type of rubber, as such, they are bendable to fit your ears snugly.
The drivers, with foams attached are about 5cm in diameter. Koss says the KSC75 features titanium element for enhanced bass but to me, they have less bass than the other two featured in this review. Its exterior is made of plastic and is quite light. This is an open design, so sound leaks in and out.
The drivers are fed by a dual entry 4 foot Y-cord connected to a gold plated ‘L’ shaped mini plug. I’ve noticed that the KSC75’s cables are split much lower than usual; this added more slack and allow you to listen to one side while placing the other on a table easily.
Sound Quality:
There is something about the KSC75 that I like but don’t know how to put it to words. No doubt its sound is coloured, but then, a flat sounding one will not be so fun right?! It has a metallic sound, like a dip somewhere in the lower midrange. Its bass is tighter and has less than the PX100 and Sporta Pro’s, just nice for the casual listener. Its treble is a little recessed, but that is just the way I like it. If you like more treble, just cut a hole in the foam covers. The sound quality is nothing spectacular but it is how it sounds as a whole and at this price, it’s a steal. The decent soundstage is a plus too. Against the Sporta Pro, it sounds airier.
Built Quality:
Koss is probably not well known for its built quality and at this price; you really get what you pay for. Everything about the KSC75 feels and looks cheap but it isn’t likely to fall apart quickly. They are quite sturdy and it will likely to outlast its foam pads.
Comfort:
For my ears, the KSC75 sits snugly. Very comfortable and it will not slip or move when I shake my head. I can even lie down with them without dislodging the drivers. I can wear them for hours.
Conclusion:
At $49, it’s cheap! Well worth your every single cent. Buying from US retailers at about US$14 plus vpost shipping, its dirt cheap! It’s quite obvious that I like this headphone. I just like how it sounds and sit on my ear.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Koss Sporta Pro
MSRP: SGD$69. Cheaper online; from US retailers.
Package includes: Sporta Pro, carrying case and a 6.3mm plug adaptor.
Pictured with KSC75's ear clips - Not in the sales package!
Design/cord:
This is one unique headphone. Its headband is convertible, able to wear it like a normal headband or ‘streetstyle’ behind the neck. The headband, like its bigger brother the Porta Pro has a temporal pad and features 2 pieces of metal strip connected by 2 pieces of plastic. The temporal pad is supposed to add more comfort and the 2 piece headband design allows it to stow compactly.
According to Koss, the Sporta Pro uses the same drivers as the Porta Pro as well as the KSC35. So it should and will sound the same. Main difference is the headband and design. The drivers are also about the same size as KSC75’s but much thinner. This is an open design, so sound leaks in and out.
The drivers are fed by a dual entry 4 foot Y-cord connected to a gold plated ‘L’ shaped mini plug. Nothing special here!
Sound Quality:
Well to me, it sounds very similar to a KSC75. Main difference is its stronger bass and do not have that dip in lower midrange and metallic sound. So it is a bassier headphone, it can sound muddy and flabby at times, partly because of the headband. Its midrange and treble are a little more recessed compared to the KSC75’s. This makes it a darker, warmer sounding headphone, but still, they sound good and most people prefer the ear clip KSC35 (Same drivers as Sporta Pro) to the KSC75. If you like more treble, just cut a hole in the foam covers. The sound quality is nothing spectacular but it is how it sounds as a whole and at this price, it’s a steal.
So what’s wrong with the headband? Nothing actually, it’s just that it has stronger clamping force than KSC75’s ear clips, pressing the drivers more tightly on your ears and this enhanced the bass. As you can see in the photo, I prefer to use it with KSC75’s ear clips. This way, its bass will tighten up and open up its treble. Oh yes, they are interchangeable.
KSC75 and Sporta Pro with KSC75's ear clips
Built Quality:
Remember, this is a Koss! Nothing spectacular here except that it’s quite sturdy. Everything else looks and feels cheap. The pouch and adaptor are a nice touch though.
Comfort:
It is the headband! Its clamping force is a little strong but surprisingly, the temporal pads worked for me. Quite comfortable but only just. The 2 piece headband is a potential hair remover!
Conclusion:
Ugly and cheap looking, not many might want to wear them out. The headband might give some problems but other than that, it is a fine sounding headphone that is worth trying.
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But each to each own. Its all down to preferences. The 3 pairs i review are quite small, very portable but open, so no isolation. These 3 are cheap, give them a chance and you'll be impressed! Outdoors, IEMs still better.
