Koss KTXPRO1 Titanium Portable Headphones with Volume Control
by Koss
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List Price: Our Price: $12.20 You Save: $7.79 (39%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: CE See more product details |
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Koss KTXPRO1 Titanium Portable Headphones with Volume Control
Customer Review: Don't undersestimate these
Summary: 5 Stars
I have had several pairs of these Koss KTXPRO1 headphones over the last 10 years, including the Radio Shack version. I loved them. Then I got some of the more expensive Koss, including the PortaPro and SportPro. They do have more detailed sound. I also got an Audio Technica $300 model, which is wonderful.
But recently I pulled out the KTXPRO1 and gave them another listen. They are now my second favorite headphones to the Audio Technica. They have a warmer, more balanced and natural sound than the PortaPro. It is less harsh and easier to listen to over long periods without getting tired of them. And the bass is very deep and natural.
So the Koss KTXPRO1 are a steal at this price. BUT, I just noticed that the prices for the PortaPro and SportaPro have fallen on Amazon. This makes the SportPro the biggest bargain, given it is only four dollars more at the moment.
It's a tough choice. To some extent it is a matter of taste and the type of music you listen to. You get a volume control with these. You can't go wrong with any of these. While I do like the extra detail of the PortaPro, I think that if you listen to classical music the violin section on symphonic recordings sounds smoother on the KTXPRO1.
I am listening to Holst's The Planets on a Sansa E250 right now, and the sound is impeccable. I have also used all of these headphones with audiophile gear, including Marantz amplifiers. If they don't soound good, chances are the problem is in your MP3 player or other source. I bought two pairs of Sennheiser headphones, and they can't compare with any of these three Koss.
I think the reason my opinion of these has gone up is that the quality of MP3 players has improved. With older portable gear, brighter headphones sounded better, bringing out more detail. But with newer electronics the bright headphones sound too harsh, and these headphones sound more accurate.
Never judge these or any headphones till you have used them for at least a week. Break these in slowly and gently at low volume for the first several hours; they can't handle bass when new because the titanium is so stiff. Give it a few days before cranking up the volume.
Oh, and try a drop of Caig DeOxit on the plug, and on the volume slider -- it really will improve the sound.
The lesson I've learned is don't judge headphones too clinically, or by their price. Ultimately, unless you are a professional sound engineer (surprise, you can't use $15 headphones for studio multitrack sound mastering!), what counts is which headphones you actually enjoy listening to over the long haul.
Customer Review: Compare, Save and Be Happy
Summary: 5 Stars
Once there was a DUMMY (that would be me) who purchased an MP3 Player (ipod type), but used a very heavy (albeight decent) headset. He wanted something lighter; one that sounded better than the one he had, with a volume control.
Living in the island of Kauai (Hawaii) there really aren't many places to check out and purchase electronic equipment. After checking Walmart, K-mart, Long's Drugs and Sears and with a bit of apprehension, he went into Radio Shack .. Knowing that their prices tend to be high.
Walla, there was a KOSS PRO35A Titanium. After trying out the unit and LOVING IT, the purchase was made. Cost prior to tax: $49.95 (OUCH!), but after justifying the cost, he decided it was worth it. WAS IT?
Radio Shack only had one in stock, but he wanted two. *** A BLESSING IN DISGUISE!***
So, ok ... had to do a search in google and Amazon. NO such thing as KOSS PRO35A. Maybe the Model Number is only manufactured for Radio Shack?
But there was this Koss KTXPRO1 Titanium at Amazon for around $15.00 and the picture looked strangely alike the PRO35. After enlarging the picture and showing it to wife and neighbor, we decided that it was the same thing. UGGH! $15.00 versus $50.00 + incl tax. Did I just get ripped off?
Bottom Line: Ordered two at Amazon ... and YUP ... it's the same thing. Problem is I've since lost the receipt for Radio Shack and the plastic (??) container that it comes in has been ripped to shreds, so I couldn't return the item. HOW THE HECK DOES ONE OPEN THESE WITHOUT TEARING THEM APART?
*** I would gladly pay $25.00 for a set of these without blinking an eye ***
Outstanding price and quality! In fact, I just bought another one!
BTW: For the person that said they don't last long. Doesn't KOSS have a lifetime warranty on all their headsets? Besides, what do you want for 17 bucks?
UPDATE (As of 7/5/2010): I purchased 3 of these on Dec 2006, and two of them are still going strong. The 3rd one finally broke, but that's because my wife used it for several hours a day and even slept with them on. The two that I have are permanently plugged into the output of a DVD player via a long extension and my Yamaha S900 Keyboard. I'm about to purchase a couple more just for standby and just in case they stop selling these.
Customer Review: real bang per buck
Summary: 5 Stars
First let me start by saying I am not an audiophile, I just like a good sound. Many years ago I decided to splash out more money than I ever had before on a decent pair of headphones for listening to my records (yes I still love vinyl). Having read all the reviews I bought a pair of Sennheiser HD340s. These turned out to be exactly what I wanted and served me faithfully over the intervening years. A couple of months ago, however, I went away having left my headphones plugged in and the amp still on. When I got back a resonant frequency had built up in the system somehow and had blown my best beloved phones - Time for replacements.
Having looked at quite a few review sites I decide on buying some Grado SR80s but at the same time decided to get a budget pair for travel. Initially I was going to get some i-Grado portables but I do not like the round the back of the head design. Next I considered Sennheiser PX100s but some of the few negative reviews made me look at alternatives. It was then that I came across the Koss KTRPRO1s. The reviews seemed good and at the price I felt I could afford to make a mistake (if they were no good I'd give them to my son for his MP3 player). Now it must be remembered that I have not had these long and that I like a good bass to my music, but I actually prefer them to the SR80s. The concentrated design allows the volume to rise above that of the open backed Grado's (I do like dials to go to eleven especially after a couple of beers and as an impressionable youth spent the night with my head in a bass speaker at a Gillan concert hence the need for bass). For the money I just don't think you can beat these and now that my son has found them we are fighting each night over who is going to get them - him for his MP3 and me on my system. At this price will probably buy a couple more sets to stop arguments and have backup. Well done Koss.
Customer Review: Very listenable and neutral -- not for the boom-and-sizzle crowd
Summary: 5 Stars
As a certifiable headphone fanatic (I own at least a dozen pairs of decent ones, from <$20 to >$250 in price), these nonetheless took me pleasantly by surprise. At first listen, I thought these seemed muffled a bit, or at least very, very reserved in the midrange. Good highs, and the bass does exist, but nothing is overdone here. What's different about these "cans" is the level of midbass that contributes to a fullness of sound without being at all boomy. The very bottom end is also quite a nice surprise (try listening to Seal's "Crazy" toward the end, to find notes that are more felt than heard, alongside Trevor Horn's crystalline production); low bass is palpable, but again not pushed too far -- this is high praise for an open-ear design, which usually tend toward rolling off the bass response (e.g., Sennheiser in the old days) or simply being way too forward on the high end.
The overall effect of these (at least on the light-to-hard rock I've thrown at them so far) is that they are very easy to listen to for extended periods. I will post an update after some serious jazz and classical auditioning as well, but I expect that experience to be even better, given these 'phones neutrality.
Comfort is excellent, and noise leakage is pretty low for an over-the-ear design. The soft (blue) rubber across and below the headband makes the whole thing seem weightless on the ears.
It's hard to get a 5-star review from me. 4.5 stars might have been more appropriate, but frankly I cannot find anything to gripe about at all. At this price point, especially, these are a no-brainer purchase. They compare well with headphones costing literally 10 times as much.
Customer Review: Be cool be Koss U can
Summary: 5 Stars
Features:
1. Frequency Response: 15-25,000 Hz
2. Impedance: 60 ohms
3. Weight: 2.4 ounces
4. Sensitivity: 103 dB SPL/1mW
5. Distortion: Less than 0.2 percent
6. Cord: Straight, Dual Entry, 4feet
7. L plug (for computers) plus audio plug adapter (for stereos)
8. Titanium-coated high-polymer diaphragm
9. Foam ear cushions for open "hear through" sound
10. Volume control on cord
11. Flexible headband sling
12. Lifetime warranty
(Okay, I don't have a clue what items 2 and 4 signify, but I thought I'd include them here for those of you who do)
Pros:
1. Very light and comfortable.
2. Ear cushions pivot back and forth for a comfortable fit
3. Ear cushions are replaceable
4. Headband adjusts for head size, both width and height
5. Flexible headband sling holds it in place, unlike other models that keep sliding off your head
6. Titanium is way cool
7. The sound is excellent, especially given the price. It is much, much better than the one I was using before. Heavy bass ROX!!!
8. Volume control slider on the cord puts volume adjustment at your fingertips
9. Aesthetically pleasing
10. Clearly marked for left and right ears
Cons:
1. Four foot cord is rather limiting
2. This model doesn't include a microphone for those who like to chat on-line
3. I'm spending more time listening to music when I should be doing something else
Overall: Great value for the price
Rated: 4.5 stars
Amanda Richards, June 10, 2008