I reviewed the Massdrop x Koss ESP/95X Electrostatic Headphone System on my CNET blog, www.cnet.com/news/gobsmacked-... As of today there are six days left on the ESP/95X drop, check it out, www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop...
I first heard the Koss ESP-6 electrostatics at a D.C. audio show in 1969 or 1970. I was blown away by the clarity....I had never heard anything that came close to that sound....so I bought them. I think they were about $100 at the time. They were heavy and uncomfortable to wear, but I did learn to love Bartok through those phones. They are probably the reason I can't wear headphones anymore because I played them too loud. The stupidity of youth!
"Rounded" and "laid back" are very accurate descriptors. I had a pair for a short while (less than 2 weeks) and found the highs and lows to be significantly rolled off. I tried to get support from Koss on this but never received a return email (they don't take support phone calls). Finally had to return them. I ended up with Stax SRS-3100 kit for a couple hundred more... much happier with those.
I love Koss headphones since the 80's. They sound great. You can easily pick one model up and they will never disappoint you on the sound. The only drawback is so many of them made in China. I am willing to pay 20 or 30% more to buy them made in the US.
I have the Stax SR L500. The Stax seem to go on forever in the highs and the bass is deep, but they cost a lot more than this deal though. I would go for these just to get that electrostatic magic midrange for a bargain price.
I kind of want these, I only have 6 days to decide! Btw, Whats all that Schiit on the third steel shelf down to your left behind you? I see at the very least 3 pieces of Schiit!
I have the original Koss ESP 950's that I bought in the '90's. Until a few years ago, I thought they sounded pretty much as Steve described the Drop 95X's. However, a few years ago I paired them with a Little Bear P8 SEPP tube headphone amp/preamp, with its RCA inputs connected to the source's outputs, and its RCA outputs connected to the energizer's RCA inputs. Compared to the sound with the source connected directly to the energizer, with the P8 connected and its volume knob turned all the way up, and using the volume knobs on the energizer to control the volume, the 950's became much more dynamically alive with fuller and punchier bass that was still quick and tight, with more colorful instrumental harmonics and timbres in the mid-range through treble, and with more drive overall, while retaining its natural clarity and ease.
I used to have a pair of Koss Pro 4A cans back in the early 70's and absolutely loved them. I think they cost $59.99, which was a lot of money to me back them. My guess is they would be $299+ today.
I find the ESP-950s to be remarkably similar to the LCD-2 Classic. The ESP-950's bass is a little down in level, and doesn't extend quite as well (It's still fantastic, though!), but from the mids on up they have a very similar character. $500 is a really exciting price, though. Even for the $800 I paid for them I thought they were well worth their price. At $500 you're stealing them.
The Drop 95x's have different ear pads than the original Koss 950's. From the description of the Drop 95x's "The color has been updated to Massdrop’s exclusive midnight blue and the pleather ear pads swapped for thicker, more comfortable foam wrapped in velour. The rest stays true to the original: same clean bass and unmatched sound quality; same pivoting cups and adjustable, detachable headband; and same energizer, now with new graphics and colorway. " Some reviewers have commented that the new ear pads provide fuller bass sound than the original ear pads. There are also other 3rd party ear pads that some say provide further sonic and comfort improvements.
Just got my set of ESP-95X on this recommendation. These put my trusty ol' modified Fostex T50-RP MKIIs to shame, and in my opinion, bests every planar magnetic headphone I've heard in terms of midrange reproduction. 9/10, only because the pads need just a tiny bit more depth for a decent seal.
This is exactly what I am looking for. Headphones that sound pleasant even with bad/low rez recordings. Is this the king in that regard? Or is it an inherent trait of electrostats in general?
Sorry - rolled off bass due to the limitations of the energizer - just not enough power. A Stax setup is much more neutral with satisfying (but not headbanging ) bass. I have both - returned the Koss after the energizer broke and replaced with entry level Stax setup.
I've had my eye on the ESP950 for a long time, always were a good value. Now that I've gone wireless though, can't say I view them as anything other than another relic. Using a far inferior pair of Koss right now to watch this channel's videos on my TV, streaming the audio from my Amazon TV box. That sort of practicality beats sound in the end, not that there aren't good wireless headphones too. Love Koss though, happy to see this review. Another good review would be the PortaPro Wireless, those look like the ideal price/performance balance for me. The fact you can connect the earpieces onto the KSC35/75 clips really seals the deal as Koss fan.
The trouble is the PortaPros, as much as I love them, are very delicate. Like any lightweight, retro foldable portable headphone. But, for on the go, they are fantastic, no doubt, as long as you don't mind they leak sound. And electrostatics are in a different category as far as detail, soundstage, etc. They are more about the detail and nuance then slamming bass, or power. Then there's the fact that you are not going to be taking electrostatics with you, at all. They are home listening headphones, period.
Some people flip burgers for a living. Some rivit steel I-beams together to build skyscrapers. Some people, like Steve here, are a type of specialized journalist. They write reviews of different products (in this case, audio products like headphones, turntables, amplifiers, and speakers). Then, they take this written review and publish it in as many places as they are able. Magazines, websites, blogs (in this case, a video blog, or vlog as they're called). In these reviews, they will generally give their opinion of the overall quality of the product and how it compares to other similar products they have reviewed or tried before. This way, people get an idea of what the product is like, and they can decide for themselves if they want one or not. Some people aren't even interested in the product, and read or watch for pure entertainment. The money comes from all the different places they can publish the review. The stuff they review comes from different places. Sometimes the manufacturer sends a sample that must be returned after the review. Sometimes fans will pay for something and donate it for a review. Sometimes the reviewer will buy something for themselves and review it. So you see, Henny Penny, the sky isn't falling and all is right with the World. : D If you're REALLY interested, though, Steve used to be a salesman years ago. He worked in a Hi-Fi shop in New York called Sound By Singer. That shop is still around, too. You could go there today. Before he worked there, when he was a young man, Steve worked in a movie theatre as a projectionist. A job that has almost completely disappeared today, because everything is increasingly digital.
Personally I can't trust massdrop. My hifiman/massdrop headphones sound plenty good but the quality isn't there. One channel's plug comes unseated very easily and one plastic cover came unglued almost immediately.
I received them a month ago, I was part of the first drop, shipped to Belgium and I can tell you that I had no issue with them. There are has they are advertized, exaclty what they said.
How about making a video - When does being an audiophile cross over to hoarderism. I know myself its very hard to give up gear even if its not the most expensive
I have a crappy Sony receiver and speakers in my garage cause I cant let them go. I currently have 6 different set ups in my house, mostly junk to audiophiles but I cant let them go.
No need for a video, really. If you can no longer see the walls or the floor, and you have to move stacks of stuff to make a path just so you can walk through the room; then you know.
Keeping it American, I see. A better comparison would be Stax SRS-3100. Can we get a list of some of your nasty, poorly recorded songs, to demo ourselves? I want to compare 3-bit / 6.9Hz mono tracks against "truly audiophile quality" 192-bit / 96,000,000Hz DSD 19.2 surround sound tracks, for a mid-range $400 audio reproduction device.
