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Koss ESP/950 Electrostatic Headphones...

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Posted on April 2, 2017 at 18:58:17
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23900
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004
 Wow! These things are very nice, indeed!

I ordered a pair of Koss ESP/950 Electrostatic Headphones from Amazon and they just arrived today. I must say that I'm impressed. I haven't used electrostatic headphones in years and I guess I'd forgotten how accurate and transparent they are.

I've been using Grado headphones primarily for recording vinyl records and I just decided to buy a better pair for some serious listening. I didn't want to put out the money for a pair of Stax and I'm really glad I didn't because these Koss electrostatic headphones are really something. I honestly can't imagine how spending more money can get better sound quality. I am totally impressed by the sound from these Koss headphones, especially considering their reasonable price. They cost a total of $681.57 from Amazon including tax and shipping. I don't think you can beat the cost-to-performance ratio of these headphones.

In the November issue of Stereophile I read a short review of the Koss ESP/950 headphones and the reviewer stated that they were weak in the bass. I don't feel they're weak in the bass at all and I'm a person who likes deep bass. I have a pair of Rythmik subwoofers in my speaker system and I think these Koss electrostatics produce equivalent bass to my speakers. In fact, I think they are very well balanced across the entire frequency spectrum as well as exceptionally detailed and transparent. In my opinion these are a best buy!

Thanks!
John Elison

 

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RE: Koss ESP/950 Electrostatic Headphones..., posted on April 4, 2017 at 19:12:43
kh6idf
Audiophile

Posts: 1474
Location: Texas
Joined: May 2, 2001
 Yes, electrostatic sound is addictive. Good price on the ESP/950, apparently they routinely sell for below the $1K list price.

I'm a Stax man myself, have never heard the Koss electrostatics but I imagine they have a similar sound. One thing nice about them is free factory service for life, and the factory is in the US.

I'm currently in a headphone-only listening environment. I have two options with me, a Stax SRS-005mk2 system and Bose QC20. Source is a Denon HEOS Link for use with the Stax, and a Samsung smartphone for the QC20. Both are very nice to listen to.

 

RE: Koss ESP/950 Electrostatic Headphones..., posted on April 5, 2017 at 10:37:17
fstein
Audiophile

Posts: 2997
Location: fstein
Joined: May 18, 2006
 Way back when, sold my stax and bought these without much regret. Eventually sold the Koss because I found them a bit uncomfortable

 

RE: Koss ESP/950 Electrostatic Headphones..., posted on April 5, 2017 at 13:13:51
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23900
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004
 I think all headphones are a bit uncomfortable compared to no headphones at all. However, the sound quality of headphones can be quite impressive---especially electrostatic headphones. ;-)

 

RE: Koss ESP/950 Electrostatic Headphones..., posted on April 5, 2017 at 14:00:30
Dave Garretson
Audiophile

Posts: 2448
Joined: June 14, 2005
 Hello John,

Congratulations on that. I have Koss ESP-950 and Sennheiser HE-60 stats. They both sound great. I give a slight edge to the HE-60s, particularly after replacing the stock wall wart with a $100 Chinese linear PS. But either model takes you there.

Regards,

Dave

 

Best way to improve the sound of the Koss stats..., posted on April 6, 2017 at 07:30:39
Grant99
Audiophile

Posts: 304
Location: Toronto
Joined: April 6, 2000
 is to run them from a Stax headphone amp. You will hear the improvement immediately, the Koss amp.driver is the weak link in the Koss 950 set-up.

I do own the Koss electrostatics myself, as well as several Stax headphones. I do like the Koss but I do think my Stax SR-404 have a bit more clarity and detail. That said, you will notice an improvement in sound if you drive the Koss from a Stax amp or other aftermarket amp.

regards
Grant

 

RE: Best way to improve the sound of the Koss stats..., posted on April 6, 2017 at 09:19:51
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23900
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004
 What you say might be true, but unless Stax has changed to a square five-pin plug like the Koss plug, it will not be possible to plug the Koss headphones into the Stax amplifier.

I once owned Stax Lambda Pro headphones and they had a round five-pin plug. I also owned Koss ESP-9 headphones and they too had a round five-pin plug. However, these new Koss ESP/950 headphones have switched to a square plug. Therefore, an adapter would be required in order to connect the Koss electrostatic headphones to the Stax amplifier.

Thanks,
John Elison

 

Agree with Grant99..., posted on April 6, 2017 at 19:00:47
JimL
Audiophile

Posts: 3773
Location: New Mexico
Joined: November 24, 2002
 You can make your own adapter plug with a 5 pin Stax plug and the Koss extension cable, or they show up from time to time on ebay for around $125-150.

 

Koss to Stax adapter..., posted on April 7, 2017 at 07:28:50
Grant99
Audiophile

Posts: 304
Location: Toronto
Joined: April 6, 2000
 yes, they come up listed on ebay pretty regularly. Darin Fong audio in Calif. sells them as well. The ouput of the Stax amps (pro type) is pretty close to the Koss so they run with no problems.

 

RE: Koss ESP/950 Electrostatic Headphones..., posted on June 14, 2017 at 12:13:18
TimB5881
Audiophile

Posts: 581
Location: Rocky Mountains
Joined: September 5, 2001
 I have had my ESP950 headphones for almost 25 years now. This year I did have to send them back to Koss as the energizer needed the caps replace. Just like NW and sound as great as ever. I find the bass satisfying,but not the most generous bass I have ever heard. For rock, pop and blues, they are most excellent!

 

RE: Koss ESP/950 Electrostatic Headphones..., posted on June 14, 2017 at 17:17:21
TimB5881
Audiophile

Posts: 581
Location: Rocky Mountains
Joined: September 5, 2001
 I have had my ESP950 headphones for almost 25 years now. This year I did have to send them back to Koss as the energizer needed the caps replace. Just like NW and sound as great as ever. I find the bass satisfying,but not the most generous bass I have ever heard. For rock, pop and blues, they are most excellent!

 

RE: Koss ESP/950 Electrostatic Headphones..., posted on June 25, 2017 at 20:08:01
John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 23900
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
  Since: January 29, 2004
 Wow! 25-years! That's a long time.

Many years ago I owned Koss ESP-6 headphones and also ESP-9 headphones. Then I switched to Stax electrostatics and when I wore them out I switched to Grado HP-1 headphones. I'm certainly enjoying my new Koss ESP-950s though.

Best regards,
John Elison

 

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