Massdrop x Koss ESP/95X Sound Review 

Which site is that lol, you've got the headphone show now with resolve, you're set now

@metal571 Although yes the Headphone show is great, don't undermine yourself, you have provided the audio community with many great reviews.

I don't even care about the subs, just that the information is as accurate and objective as possible

Cables, cables, I hate this cable. Something vague about the sound. Don't forget to click my Amazon links and listen to the sound demo that sounds nothing like the actual headphone.

@@metal571 We'll miss you metal... RIP

Yeah the amount of levelheadedness is refreshing. Very down-to-earth and honest

That's why I always mention specific frequency ranges as well or else there's no way I can be specific enough to make sense

Mr Speakers VOCE does too.

Yeah on second thought I think "soft, even texture" is probably a better description

I still have mine and I do have original ESP950 pads that Koss sent me for free to try out vs the original velours that come with the Drop version, just haven't tried them yet

@@metal571 Well that is saying something if if you still have them! I’m happy to get my new plastic toy.

@@AndrewWoodford well...they ended up being sent for me to keep for free so the only way to ethically get rid of this thing would be to give it away, but it's too good for that. I still use it every so often

I used to be more comprehensive but to keep things from getting way too long I started primarily reviewing only the sound quality, specs can be looked up by others at any time. So that's why it is that way

@@metal571 Thats cool with me and your absolutely right, thanks for the super quick reply

Honestly the L700 is poised to be more of a competitor to the HD 800 in some interesting ways which you shall see

@@metal571 yes I know. I find the l 700 has enormous detail but without getting harsh like the hd 800. In terms of frequency response I like the 6.. Line more than the HD 8...line. I like the HD 660s more than the HD 800. By the way, you look like some European guy I think. Are you from Germany?

Lol I'm in the USA, but my heritage is Polish so that's why I look European. Slavic more than anything

@@metal571 ah cool, my grandpa was polish

I'm good. Didn't know these failed at that rate but Koss's warranty is legendary indeed. HD 800 might work, though I think I'd probably lean towards Arya for a lean fully extended brighter sound, but...Hifiman reliability ain't the best

@@metal571Thanks for the response! The failure rate may be due to me requiring an adaptor, I'm not sure if it's the only model they make, but I own the US two-pin, and of course in the UK, our outlets are 3-plug sockets.

Yeah the 1.5k peak on these is not as bad as the L700 so if it doesn't bug you on L700 it won't bug you here either. This isn't on the same detail level at all tho

You are correct about the warranty 😜. And peep my RU-vid channel, I’m a pretty solid source.

I did forget about the lifetime warranty. It's a corporate policy as far as I understand and covers everything they make from the cheapest models to the esp950 flagship, and this Massdrop exclusive is included as well

@@metal571 You are correct sir!

I have got 650 and 4xx do this hp gona provide me with a big step up over what i got ?

It will reject it

Metal gonna get that brown role in the discord

Even better would be to actually record music and come up with metrics to measure how well it's played back. I'm thinking this could finally solve the "how do we measure grain" question someday

@@metal571 DMS3 did a video recently where he separated bass, mids, and treble on a track. I imagine if you recorded the frequencies of a headphone from those separated playbacks, then piece them together to create a FR, THEN compared it to the headphone's FR just playing the track normally, you could see where frequencies differ and where "grain" could come up. It'd have to be a realtime comparison like they do with framerates comparing GPUs.

Music is not mixed to sound flat. It never is. That's why sine sweeps don't tell you anything. Also, read up on Fletcher-Munson.

@MR STRUGGLES ????

@MR STRUGGLES I'm 647 though. Lol.

Struggles?

Nah I don't think so, the bass is too different and Ananda is more accurate sounding overall

You want the HD 600

@@metal571 thanks for your answer

Can't tell if this is a serious comment. Burn in is a huge myth that's never been proven to exist in such a manner that headphones always improve with age.

@@metal571 I will try to explain. I have read it numerous times on forums by Koss ESP 950 owners who speak of their experiences with this headphone over the past 20 years. They stated the 125 hour break in (or a bit more) being beneficial for the bass. A vibrating electrostatic diaphragm is a completely different beast than a dynamic speaker used in most headphones. I personally have experienced break in with different sets of Magneplanar panel loudspeakers resulting in stronger mid bass and bass due to the Mylar diaphragms loosening up (stretching a tiny bit) over time. I think electrostatics are constructed in basically the same principle...a stretched polyester diaphragm only connected on the periphery. I read that each Koss panel was near 12 square inches. I could imagine that much area could be a factor why some users would experience a change in bass sound after some use. Wouldn't take much loosening up to make a difference in the resonance of the diaphragm. Everything under tension stretches (a bit) over time (guitar strings, drum heads). Drum heads are constructed of Mylar polyester film and they do indeed stretch over time which necessitates tuning them every so often. They are also are a LOT thicker and heavier than the very thin fragile film used in the electrostatic headphones. If those drum heads stretch, resulting in lower resonance necessitating tuning (tightening), and Magneplanar panels stretch, also resulting in lower panel resonance with greater apparent bass, then why not the more delicate electrostatic headphone diaphragm? Now I am not talking night and day differences here, but one where bass performance that was less than adequate, after break in, is now much more pleasing and satisfying. Stick "em in a corner with a pillow or blanket over them and run them hard. This way you don't have to wait 125 or more hours of "normal listening" for results. How many hours it takes depends on the frequencies (more bass is better) and amplitudes (louder is better) it is subjected to. Within reason. NEVER use sine waves for break in. Here is what Tyll Herstens at Innerfidelity has to say about the subject...www.innerfidelity.com/content/evidence-headphone-break Seriously, I would think THESE headphones would improve with age.

Where's the proof? Tyll wrote clearly in the conclusion to that article that this isn't evidence for break in. I've read everything Tyll has ever written already. Someone should measure a new and an old esp950 then

@@metal571 still not answering the question lol. He’s asking if you hear a difference after prolonged used. The answer needs to be yes, no or “I don’t know, haven’t played 125 hours”.

I haven't done that, and I won't do that, because the pads deforming over wearing time would affect the FR more than "burn in", unless someone can point me to data taken on an industry standard measurement system that proves otherwise

Oloko0 Koss are like hifiman in a way because 90% of the price you paid ended up in the driver. They don’t have premium build quality, feels like a $20 headphone but they do sound good.

I think so because the hd 800 got so harsh highs . But the more precise question is the LCD2F better than the koss 95x ?

no, get the fidelio X2hr,

No, by definition resolution cannot be improved with EQ. Burn in is also mostly totally mythical.

@@metal571 I understand that, but I thought that electrostats were above a certain standard of sound reproduction. Although my oppo pm3s seem to dominate these headphones in treble resolution, yet treble is their weakpoint. I've already tried eq with APO and while the results were good, I want better. Perhaps I should save up for the aeon 2 open.

@@waterdragonsage8460 lol nah, Stax is much much better detail wise than the Koss despite both brands having estats. I would not recommend DCA products - very poor bass slam across the board. LCD1 doesn't have much slam either. Might want to try the Sundara but that will not give you a resolution advantage over 95X. If you want closer to having it all in one headphone you're looking well beyond a grand already here.

@@metal571 I care more about overall neutrality/mid/treble resolution than anything else. My oppo pm3s kind of give me that. But I want more soundstage and scale. Closedbacks have their limitations after all. The 95x would be perfect if they just had a bit more treble resolution. They sound a bit muted almost when compared to my oppos. And I've heard the sen he800 and the he 1 electrostats. The he1 were extremely warm sounding with a very sparkly top end and decent bass. These more or less lack that top end sparckle. If I could just give them a bit more sparckle up top maybe i'd be fine with them.

M1060 is not great at all in my experience. Judging by DMS's reaction to the Monoprice estat... I wouldn't risk it

It does with these mids but the bass is pretty weak for that sort of thing

🤔

I asked him the same question he prefered the ananda for me over the 95x .

hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Sound/eqloud.html#c1

To George Lim, below here: I would imagine these would be ideal for classical, given they're so detailed and balanced-sounding, or STAX would be even better, if you can swing those. I found this link to some recommendations for classical, they seem to like the Beyerdynamics or Sennheiser open-backs etc. That would seem to make sense to me. You might also consider some good planar magnetic cans, I have the Hifiman HE400Is, and they are phenomenal no matter what you play through them, really. And they don't require the most powerful amp to drive them, although I find they shine best with a reasonably muscular headphone (or desktop) amp, like the Fiio A5 Mont Blanc which easily drives those with plenty of power to spare. Beyerdynamics I'm told are more "high-end/brighter" type phones, so you might prefer those. Although, the high end on the planars is absolutely crystal-clear! I would go to a good audio store and try to debut a few before you buy with a good audio player with your fave classical reference recording or whatever. I meant to say, I also hear great things about Grado headphones for classical and jazz, they are not so bass-heavy and those might be a good choice too. Again, try to audition some first if you can. I've also heard the better Fostex headphones, such as the Mark III RP50 planar magnetic studio phones, are phenomenal as well, given they are not bass-heavy cans, but they are not at all efficient and require a powerful amplifier to really drive them. Also, AKG Pro Reference 701 or 702s might be a good choice for classical, as well. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-E4WRepZS_F0.html

Hi Scott, Thanks for the suggestions and reference. Spend sometimes to try headphones with no amp/dac. Have tried the Bayer-dynamics DT770 32 ohm as 1st pair headphone. Really impressive with incredible soundstage. I can definitely having the image that I am sitting in the somewhere in the middle section of the recital hall. The sound quality is lively, bright and details. Quite similar sound that I have heard in live performances. Then I tried the Grado SR225 and SR80. The soundstage is quite different. Image like sitting in cafes and quite close distance with the soloist. Also bright and details but not that details as DT770. I bought the DT770 32 ohm finally. Grado 80 cost much here retail shops. Around US $170. Quite expensive compare to US. DT770 32/80/250 all same price around US $210. I also got the HD6xx recently (from Mass drop for over 1 months) with the Audio GD 11.28 just few days. Bought the Audio GD as quick delivery (next day arrive) and competitive cost. HD6xx soundstage not large. The sound is clean, delicate, sweet and good separation. I haven’t got chance to try Hifiman and AKGs. Will see if any opportunities. Thinking to order AKG 7XX from Massdrop. But just confuse if 7XX is better than DT770 in terms of soundstage, lively and details. DT770 quite impressive and not expensive.

Would not buy the 7XX, but the rest of the AKGs are great for classical. Very large, diffuse stage kind of like an orchestral setting. The midrange tuning is a bit weird (see my K712 review) but somehow sounds glorious for classical in my experience. Stay away from the 7XX as they ruined the bass quality on it just to get more bass out of the driver. The K612, 702, Q701, and K712 are all good choices

I have a feeling the Beyerdynamics might be the finest of this group for classical. Everything I've heard about them suggests they're best for detail, soundstage, and mids and highs, not bass monsters whatsoever, and your choice of open or closed. Beyer really minds their build quality, generally, as well. I think they are just voiced better for classical or jazz. AKGs opens/studios as well, to some degree. You cannot rule out Hifimans, however, or Audeze, if you can hear some of those later. Just gorgeous. @@GL-hk3xb

I haven't yet heard the 712s, but I've read that they are fantastic headphones with spectacular detail and stage. I would think any of those AKGs should be suited for classical. @@metal571

I actually have the original Koss pads here provided by Koss directly for comparison but I haven't tried them yet. I think oratory1990 has measured both the 95X pads (probably made by Dekoni) and stock ESP950 pads. Considering the difference between those on graphs I would indeed expect other pads to change the response, however because it's an open estat, you probably aren't going to get say, DT770 bass levels without EQ

^

No and it never was. HD800 if you want that.

K712

I was never a super analytical reviewer in terms of soundstage stuff

@@metal571 Yea I remember you mentioned that before . I still waiting for your opinion about the Ananda and do you prefer it over the lcd2 fazor . I have asked alot of reviewers some of them prefer LCD2 ( of course after EQ ) some of the prefer the Ananda . But still you are the god father of all these reviewers so your opinion is the most important

No I am not. Tyll was far better than me. I'm not in a rush to review anything ever again so don't hold your breath. If you want it to happen you'll have to find a way to get someone to send me an Ananda lol

@@metal571 pretty honest and humble and that's very nice . I don't agree with you about tyll because he was not very bold and detailed in his reviews . anyway if you went for can jam or any place where lcd and ananda are available would you kindly A/B them and write about that either on twitter or reddit I am following you on both . thank you and sorry for my long message

It's a rebrand of the ESP950 with different pads. Not sure the Drop version is sold anymore

@@metal571 But interestingly they also haven't taken it off the website, you can still click Request and join the other 6.8k people waiting there for something that may never come. :)

Which stax ?? L300 ?

Source? If magnets were very dangerous then MRI machines would kill people ...

@@metal571 my english is bad, but I'll trye to explane miself... I had a gunshut in my head. They operated me in the hospital to get out the buellet. They succided, but I have sone little parts of metal in my head. I cannot use dinamic or planar magnets headphones. And I wonder if I can use elecrostatics. They don't bring on a great magnet field when used wrigth?

@@mayorgadiaz ohhh yeah sorry to hear that story, that makes a lot of sense. i couldn't tell you for sure what kind of magnet strength would be too much. even some dynamic headphones can have very strong magnets such as the Tesla drivers in beyerdynamic products. sorry i can't be more helpful there

More of a Slayer guy, never really explored Testament all that much

Metal Church is one of my favs

@@metal571 If you ever want to check them out, try the Live at the Fillmore release. It's basically a live best of, sort of. They're in fine form on that recording.

Generally no, both FRs need EQ

@@metal571 Great thanks a lot jason

I'm pretty lazy with em, so somewhat recently yeah

Lol yes

SR-L700

lol

LOL

metal571 I have a Grado Sr125 That I bought about 12 or 13 years ago. I didn’t like that it was bass light and harsh with many recordings.It is still in my headphone cabinet now. But doesn’t get any eartime anymore I bought a Sennheiser HD 600 and 650 and a couple of generations of Momentum headphones and liked those a lot.I thought they sounded a little veiled, especially the 650, so I EQd the mid bass hump down a little bit. The original Momentum is not veiled, but the newer one is... I picked up the Hifiman HE 400S And was amazed at how much clearer they are compared to the Sennheisers, but the bass had no impact at all. And contrary to what they say, they are not really efficient enough to be run on portable devices, some sort of amplification is needed Then I got a Grado SR 325e. A huge improvement over my original 125. The bass has impact. They are clear and detailed. But still a tad harsh with some recordings. The RS2e adds just a pinch of warmth and smoothness and refinement to the Grado sound.So you have the smoothness that you would get with the 600 or 650, but you get more clarity because there is no veil. But I agree most Grado headphones are not good, and their build quality is something that should be brought into the 21st-century. We all like different things. My experience with the Hifiman products is that their build quality and reliability are terrible considering how much you pay And by the way, what you say about the KSC75,We agree on that, they are amazing. I got rid of the clips and bought the parts express headband for better comfort and the earcups are tighter against my ears so I get the more full sound

I really need to review the KSC75 finally. Definitely a fun option but I'm more of a PortaPro guy since I like that smooth warm tone

elaborate please

Well, the whole thing about electrostats is the use of extremely high voltages to drive sound and so with extremely high voltages, if you were to unplug the headphone at the headphone side without turning off the energizer you risk severe electric shocks.

@@zackslaststand did not know! thank you man!!! have a good day!

I have the orignal ESP 950 and have used it with a Stax SRM-1/MK-2. Makes a big difference, especially with the bottom end. You get more bass without resorting to EQ. More depth of soundstage as well.

The klipsch? I don't like it at all. Comb filtered shaped FR in the highs, which are bright and grainy, and huge midbass bump that extends too far into the upper bass. Wouldn't buy it

@@metal571 Ok, thanks for your feedback. My headphones are the HD6xx and I am looking to add another headphone that is warmer and less analytical. I am treble sensitive as well. If you had to pick something along those lines, what would it be ? No EQ either. Thanks ! Also, what are some EDM artist you like to listen too ?

I forgot to mention that all Koss products have a lifetime warranty. You should contact them. Especially with their flagship electrostat they should replace it for you for any reason

Also if you get your hands on a srm3100 (l300+252s) stax it would be an amazing comparison. I believe massdrop is letting you keep this one?

Yes but not sure why. I like it so am happy they are letting me. L300LE and L500 at CanJam sounded broken FR wise compared to L700 so not sure I have a lot of faith in L300 either

I don't see why it would be. I'm always up for a local jazz show

weak... you could say - I'am listening to this review on this headphones actually

Cogitationes caecae me too bud

he says everything is "grainy"

Because of L700

You know that Koss personally approved the release of this model, right? It is exactly the same headphone with a different color scheme and new velour pads. The only other things cut are the original Koss bag and the battery in the energizer.